Want To Go to BritMums Live? Pearls of Wisdom

Attending your first blog conference can be a little nerve wracking.  Especially if you are a relatively new blogger, and don’t know many people.  Each year in June, BritMums Live takes over most parenting bloggers lives and their social media feeds too!  Held over two days, it is the largest conference of its sort and so can seem a little intimidating for a newbie.

BritMums

BritMums

The reality is, it is a fabulous event, not scary and you will learn so much.  I thought I would ask a bunch of my friends who have been before to share their top tips with you all.  Hopefully it will all seem less scary then!

  • I am going to kick things off.  My top tip would be to make a plan to meet people before hand (Hannah from Mum’s Days agrees with this tip), maybe for lunch, then all go to the venue together. There are various ‘organised’ meet ups, one by the BritMums butterflies (to help newbies) and a few others.  However, last year I contacted some bloggers who I was friendly with online and met up them for lunch.  The two lovely ladies I met are now among my best friends – the power of BritMums!
  • “I would say book at least 2 nights accommodation if you can – there’s nothing worse than having to rush off to catch a train and miss the keynotes.  I would also say – wear comfy shoes!  There’s a lot of standing around when you are chatting and there’s a walk to the tube and coffee shops etc” – Kate Fever, My Family Fever.
  • “If you’re feeling nervous, join BritMums Butterflies on Facebook who will help hook you up with someone.  The group is lovely and so helpful for first timers.  Take a BIG bag or suitcase, there are lots of freebies and last year I had to carry a fully inflated football all the way home on the train, I’m taking a suitcase this year for sure!” Em, Snowing Indoors.
  • “Bring some spare carrier bags or drawstring bags with you for all the freebies! I’m so glad I did this!” Twin Mummy and Daddy
  • “Don’t be afraid to say hello to people – everyone is lovely.  Take a phone charger with you and extra bags for the things you will pick up.” – Over 40 and a Mum to One
  •  I know it sounds a bit anal, but it really is worth making a kind of ‘hit list’ of people you want to meet before leaving.  Arrange to meet at breaks and dare I say it….maybe even miss a session or two?!  You will kick yourself when you get home and remember all the people you so wanted to meet, if you don’t go prepared. Suzanne, 3 children and it.
  • “On the Friday night for the awards, sit on a table with the breastfeeding mums and you will get more wine”,  Clare Nicholas, Emmy’s Mummy.
  • “Good thing about taking a baby – it makes everything a bit less daunting as lots and lots of people will talk to you and your little one.  They are attention magnets!  But also do make sure you take a baby carrier with you, getting pushchairs around is a bit of a mission.  And don’t arrange to go for after conference drinks at All Bar One – they won’t let babies in!”  Lauren Gee, Spoon Paws.
  • “Don’t take babies – I took Sebby last year and the sea of faces really unsettled him and I felt like I missed so much as I was tending to him!” Kara, Chelsea Mamma.
  • “A massive DON’T……….Do not lunge gleefully at people in Starbucks that you think you recognise………….I did this only to find out the poor woman was just getting a coffee and a Panini in her lunch break.”, Sam, 40 year old Domestic Goddess “Oh and don’t wear high heels!”
  • “The first day can be overwhelming, so don’t worry if you feel like it’s a bit too much, just step out and take a breather” Lisa, Hollybobbs
  • “Just relax, enjoy it and don’t be nervous”  Gretta,  Mums do travel
  • “Be brave and talk to anyone and everyone.  It was liberating to be able to talk to complete stranger and instantly have something in common.  I haven’t really had that experience since uni.”  Clare,  The Supermommy Club.
  • “Write a list of people to meet – I still missed a few, but so glad I had a prompt of people to look out for!” Donna, What The Redhead Said.
  • “Keep hydrated, it can be a long two days chatting and meeting new people and you don’t want to get yourself a headache or start to feel run down” – Sarah, Boo Roo and Tigger Too
  • Another tip from me.  I think name badges are a great idea.  You are given a lanyard and name tag, but quite often they turn round and there is nothing worse than talking to someone and not knowing who they are!  You will meet so many people and it is such a fabulous opportunity to make lots of new friends.  Make it easy for them to remember your name!  Name Badges from Simoney are a really good choice.  I was recently sent mine, how posh does it look!?  Also with these name badges you can incorporate you blog logo/design, so that might ring bells with the people you meet.
Name Badges

Name Badges

So hopefully this will reduce any awkward moments!

Are you going to BritMums Live this year?  Have you been before?

Comments 38

  1. Oh goodness such a brilliant post this is so helpful to newbies like me. I am SOOOOO nervous to go but really excited at the same time. Can’t wait to see you, you gorgeous girlie! Xxx

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      I am so glad that it is helpful huni. I can’t wait to see you!!!! You will meet us for lunch won’t you?! xxxx

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      1. I would love to meet for lunch. Eeek I’m so excited! I’m actually going to book my train ticket tonight ( I got offered sponsorship today!!) I think I’ll get the train that gets in at about 11am so let me know the deets for lunch! Hope you’re having a nice time away xxxx

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  2. A great collection of tips – thanks for doing this, Aby. I usually travel light so the tip about bringing a big bag is really helpful for me. Although now I’m paranoid that nobody will want to have lunch with me … 😉

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  5. Fab tips Aby – thank you! Got my ticket for my first Britmums so this is really useful. Going to check out Britmums butterflies now…..

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  8. Fab post Aby, v helpful. I’m currently umming & ahhing about whether to go to Britmums (pretty sure I will!) the thought of all the people who already know each other is very scary, bit like being the new girl at school! Anyway, this post helps loads x

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      Thanks hun. You should definitely go. If you arrange to meet people for lunch before it starts you will be fine, everyone is really friendly x

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  9. I didn’t go and I really regret! I am always shy when it come to networking. I’ll have to kick myself this year and make sure I go just to see how lovely it is 🙂

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  10. Another fabulously helpful post Aby! Where would us newbies be without all of your posts?! Thank you so much, this definitely makes the prospect of going to Britmums Live that little bit less daunting. Am off to find Britmums butterflies on facebook now. Thank you again.
    Katie @minisANDMORE

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  11. Yikes I need to get myself organised to attend! Definitely want to attend too. Last year I couldn’t make it as we moved from the US back to UK the same week!

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  12. I went to the Mumsnet Blogfest last November and I was terrified but managed to meet one lady who’s blog I read and make 2 new blogger friends. Britmums still feels daunting but I think I may bite the bullet and come this year!! Fab idea about the name badge x #TheList

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  13. I love these tips! They are great. I’ve been thinking of going because it’s what EVERYONE is talking about and I’ll feel like Cinderella if I don’t. My lovely fella has offered to come down to London with me for the weekend so I’m not on my own getting around but I think he’ll be the one left out as I think I’ll just want to socialise with all the lovely parents when I get there! Hmm will have a think and check out hotel prices.
    Thanks for this, it’s so nice that the seasoned bloggers are so encouraging and supportive of the new crowd. xxx

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  17. I went last year; had a “brunch” with the sponsor where I barely ate because I was busy trying to take it all in. Barely ate or drank all day because it’s inconvenient to carry a mug of coffee or glass of water around with you.
    On the Saturday I got a massive migraine and had to go and sit in one of the service areas with my eyes closed for half an hour. I ended up leaving really early and missing loads of stuff I wanted to see!
    I was really daunted by all the people too and only met one person I meant to! Definitely agree that it’s best to arrange to meet for lunch somewhere first!

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  19. This is a great list, my first BritMums I didn’t plan at all because I live in London so could just breeze in on tube…
    I was so wrong, I was late and didn’t know a soul so stumbled in flustered and nervous. I did meet loads of people though in fact I spent far more time wandering around chatting than at any of the sessions! x

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      Thanks huni. I know I have tweeted you, but thought I would respond here just in case anyone else was wondering. You can check your bags into the cloakroom at the BritMums venue, so you don’t have to drag them around all day. xx

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  22. Absolutely brilliant! I am going for the first time this year, and your post will definitely come in handy. Pinning it right now! Love the badge y the way – so professional!

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