My 8-Things-You-Should-Know-Before-Blissdom Post.

I have 475386572 posts in draft and not a single one of them got published. You can blame her, and her, and her, and him.

Sooo, it’s 22 days until Blissdom and I know some of you are all in a flurry about it. I started a post like this in draft, then I saw Edie’s awesome post about it and knew I had something good for you all in the depths of my photo file.

1. Bring networking cards or business cards or moo cards or something for us to remember you after we’re back home and have swiss cheese brain.

There will be 500+ people there, and many conversations where you wish you could remember “that-nice-girl-from-that-one-workshop’s blog URL”. I came home from BlogHer with over 100 cards. Personally, moo cards make me crazy because they are just so losable. Is losable a word? Not-keep-track-able? Yeah, I lost those. The networking that takes place is the highlight at the conference. Plus it’s a total ice-breaker.

2. Twitter is a priceless networking tool before, during and after the conference.

Half the conference takes place simultaneously in under-currents online on twitter. Remember that awkward moment at BlogHer08? Everyone on twitter knew about it as it was happening live at the conference. When people had no idea who was speaking and what was going on, the whole situation was viral and the commentary was made, sides were taken, and the whole situation unfolded like a football game’s play-by-play. Yet, in the room… it was silent and kinda weirdly awkward and quiet. Plus you’re going to want to see the twitpics of me and Harry together, aren’t you?

3. Want to make friends easily? Bring a power strip.

A room full of laptops, but only a fraction of that number of outlets. You will be instantly popular if you offer a spot for others to plug in with you. And on that note – the peripheral of the room fills fast. Unlike some conferences where the front or the back is where the “cool kids hang” – at a conference it’s along the walls, near the power. The people in the middle either have amazing batteries or they came late. Or they don’t care, and like me and Ruthanne, just want to take your picture while we pretend we’re taking pictures of something else. (I totally outed you, Ruthanne.)

4. Don’t tackle the pro-bloggers all at once.

Remember that even though you know every last detail of some of the well-read blogger’s existences, 300 other people are also hoping for just two minutes of her time. That’s 10 hrs of just two minutes at a time. They often get tackled at first, so if you plan to approach your fav rock-star blogger on day 2 instead of the moment she walks through the door, she’ll probably be able to lend you more of her undivided attention.

5. Everyone is out of their element.

Inside me, is her:

Ghostbusters shirt, boy-mullet, Z-cavariccis, pre-braces awkward kid who hopes you all don’t think she’s still that dorky. But, here’s the secret. I still am totally that kid. Only now, I have a cool camera.

Trust me, we’re going to like you. I know a kid like that is inside you, too.

6. Say hi first.

For some of us, it’s much easier to tweet you, comment on Facebook, or read your blog than start a conversation. I write code and play Photoshop much of the day. Many Bloggers are WAHM parents, who spend more time wiping smudgy faces, folding socks and working online. All 500 of us at once can be a lot… so smile, say hi. I don’t bite. I do hide behind my camera though. It gives weirdos like me something to do with our hands. Shy does not mean unfriendly. Introvert does not mean snob. Some of your favorite bloggers are shy. I know, who knew?

7. Some of the best workshops are taking place before the conference even starts.

Yeah, it’s true. Expert bloggers from various niche fields are giving small-group workshops on stuff like photography, SEO, PR, photography (oh, wait did I already say that one?), graphic design, and coding. Those last two are mine. Please don’t make me stand up there alone with an empty room, ’cause that’d just be awkward. There are several to choose from, and this is a great way to get all those blogging questions answered. I will be spilling LOTS of graphic design tips, and speaking geek. Register at Eventbrite.

8. Mostly, this is the most important one. Back off Harry. He’s mine.

So glad we got that established.

ps – My hubby is coming to Blissdom. He is more social than I am and knows more people than I do, so I’m sure he won’t mind at all when I abandon him for Harry Connick, Jr. Now my hubby can’t say I rode his coat-tails the whole conference. Love ya’ Handy Man!