With so many blogging conferences to choose from this year (check out our conference round up) we’re going to focus on one a month to find out a bit more about them. This month we’re starting with a chat with Laura Seaton, the brains behind Blog On. One of only a few blogging conferences held outside of London, Blog On will return to Manchester this year on 1st May.

Thanks for joining us Laura. Why don’t you start by telling us a bit about Blog On?

Blog On has been running since 2012 in Manchester and is aimed at bloggers from all genres. It has a very friendly atmosphere so is perfect for those starting out or for those who may feel lost or intimidated by the bigger events. Blog On always has lots of breaks to encourage networking as we understand that catching up with friends or making new ones is just as important as learning a new skill.

What inspired you to set it up?

I love blog conferences and try to go to as many as possible but I noticed lots of comments from people who either didn’t want to travel to London or who found the concept of being with so many people terrifying. There were also lots of bloggers in my local area of Manchester who wanted to see an event run up here so I accepted the challenge. One of the main focuses for Blog On has always been to get bloggers and brands to work well together so I always wanted to have a brand area where I could introduce the attendees to brands that I had worked with and who appreciated bloggers whilst at the same time showing bloggers how to work with brands in a professional manner. Blog On has grown way past that now and focuses on all the skills we need as bloggers, whether that is SEO, Pinterest, Vlogging, Photography or content marketing the list is endless and my biggest struggle every year is choosing which sessions to put on.

What have been your highlights from previous years?

The Blog On Goody bags have always been a highlight but the biggest achievement was trending on twitter the day Princess Charlotte was born last year. Having the Scummy Mummies perform the Keynote at BlogOnWin last October had to be the funniest thing I have ever seen at a conference and I am looking forward to welcoming them back to Manchester this year. My own personal highlight is how many companies now approach me to be involved in the event rather than me chasing them and this year we have some brilliant companies running some of the sessions including Pinterest and Channel Mum.

What can we expect from this year’s event?

Blog On this year will offer a larger variety of sessions to enable the attendees to have more choice on what they want to learn. It will also be the first year that we will have a Craft Den although we have played host to Black Sheep Wool previously we are taking this one step further this year. As usual we will have a gorgeous cake, lots of yummy food and some amazing brands to interact with as well as the best goody bags full of products from companies who would love to build relationships with bloggers.

Sounds good, hey? Tickets are £40 and I have it on good authority that there aren’t many left so, if you want to go, head over to the Blog On website before they’re all snapped up. 

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For those of us who work from home, a blogging conference can be the highlight of the year. A chance to meet up with other bloggers we normally only chat to virtually, learn something new, make more contacts with brands and PRs, even get the inside scoop on ‘the next big thing’ and most importantly, leave with a renewed sense of enthusiasm and dozens of ideas for where to take your blog next.

Even with all that in common each conference has its own unique character so it’s always worth giving some thought to what you want to get out of an event when deciding which one to attend. Do you want one that’s specifically for parent bloggers? Are you looking to learn, socialise or network with brands? Here’s a round up of what 2016’s conferences should hold to help you choose.

Blognix Retreat – 27/28th February, Northamptonshire – from £195 (including accommodation, dinner and breakfast)

Blognix took a break in 2015 but is now back for 2016 with a focus on intermediate and advanced blogging skills combining business with creativity and wellness. You’ll have a chance to enjoy the spa or some yoga as well as attending sessions. Taking a holistic approach to blogging, talks range from ‘Accounting for Creatives’ to ‘Self-care for Success’.

Blog On – 1st May, Manchester – £40

Blog On is one of the newer conferences, medium sized and a fairly informal affair with a low ticket price, aimed at parent or family lifestyle blogs. The sessions tend to have a more interactive ’round table’ format with lots of opportunity to ask questions. The brands involved are all actively looking to engage with bloggers and you’ll have plenty of time to meet them and talk about how you might work together. Blog On is also known for their massive goodie bags. You’ll find loads in there to share and write about after the event.

Blogcamp – 21st May, Birmingham – Free

The Tots100 team usually put on a couple of Blogcamp events each year. The first in 2016 will be a return to Birmingham. Always a comparatively small event, tickets tend to go quickly, but you can add yourself to the waiting list if you miss out. Usually only one or two sponsoring brands are involved with the focus being on the teaching sessions which tend to cover a wide variety of topics, both technical and creative. Don’t expect freebies and goodie bags but then the tickets are free. The agenda is not normally available before the day so you won’t know exactly what you’re getting but that’s quite in keeping with the relaxed fun atmosphere that keeps even old hands coming back year after year.

Blogtacular – 18th June, London – £160

Another new kid on the block, Blogtacular is all about creativity, design and inspiration more than the technical and business aspects of blogging and is aimed at a variety of blog niches, particularly lifestyle, interiors, beauty and photography. As well as the day itself it also includes a ‘photo walk’ the day before.

Britmums Live – 25th June, London – £79.99

The size and breadth of BML which includes the Brilliance in Blogging (BiBs) Award ceremony really makes it the daddy of them all. You’re guaranteed big name brands and a great range of different conference sessions. This year’s change to a long day format still leaves plenty of time for socialising. The sheer size of the event could make it a bit overwhelming for newer bloggers attending on their own but the ‘Britmums Butterflies’ are on hand to give everyone a warm welcome.

Funfest – 10th September, Northamptonshire – £39.99

Specifically aimed at parent blogs and reviewers, Funfest combines conference sessions in the morning with more of a brand exhibition in the afternoon with a strong focus on toys and preschool products. It is a particularly ‘family friendly’ event with up to 3 kids welcome to come along for free with each adult ticket.

Blogstock – Sept? London – £TBC

Spread over a weekend, it’s outdoor location with sessions in tipis and marquees makes Blogstock more festival than conference while still covering everything you’d expect in terms of content for bloggers of all types. A 2016 event hasn’t yet been confirmed but it would be a welcome bit of variety for the blogging calendar.

Mumsnet Blogfest – November? London – £TBC

Blogfest is known particularly for it’s interesting and occasionally controversial panel discussions. One of the larger events with a good range of different sessions, many of which look at the wider social context in which we blog as well as the practicalities. This is the blogging conference for you if you’re looking for some top class speakers from the worlds of media or politics and a thought provoking day.

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