On June 26-28 I attended Fitbloggin ’14, a conference for those who blog about fitness, wellness and a healthy lifestyle.
This was my first time at this conference. I’ve been to a couple of “business of blogging” events in the past few years — BlogHer ’12 and Fitness Magazine’s FitBlogNYC ‘13, both in New York City. At BlogHer, I’d literally just launched my blog, so almost everything about it was new for me.
At Fitbloggin, I went in with two years under my belt, clearer on what I knew and which knowledge gaps still needed filling in. And as a small conference of around 200, Fitbloggin has a more casual, intimate vibe.
Fitbloggin is held in a different city each year. This time it was on the east coast in beautiful Savannah, Ga., a six-hour drive on the interstate from my home near Chapel Hill, N.C. As a huge plus, Savannah has long been on my sightseeing bucket list.
The primary reason I invest in conferences is for the invaluable learning opportunity, where seasoned bloggers share insider tips and techniques and answer questions. Fitbloggin didn’t disappoint, and I came home with pages of notes. There was also a small expo, providing an opportunity to connect with brands in person.
The workshops I chose to attend were business, marketing and technical related. They included:
- How to Organize Community Wellness Programs
- Taking Your Smartphone Video to the Next Level
- So You Want to Start Podcasting
- Monetizing and Affiliate Marketing
- How to Pitch Brands for Ambassadorships and Sponsorships
- Media Kits and More: The Art of Being Booked
- Making Wearable Fitness Devices Work for You
- Positioning Yourself to Make Monetiziation, Sponsorship, and Growth More Efficient, Effective and Purposeful
I also participated in a health screening at the Walgreens Way to Well Tour, as the bus made a stop at our hotel especially for the conference. After that I filmed a video clip for Walgreens on the healthy choices we make. I gave my top tip, which is set a time every day to work out. My spot will be combined with others, and I can’t wait to see the finished video!
My teenage son traveled with me to Savannah, and since we weren’t able to stay additional days on this trip, we fit in our sightseeing on Thursday and Friday evenings. Our first night we did a fun ghost tour that was arranged by Fitbloggin, riding in the top of a modified hearse. We had a hilarious guide named Lewis who drove madcap around the widespread historic district, speaking into his mic in a campy Vincent Price-esque character the entire time. He had us all in stitches! What a fantastic way to see the town.
On Friday evening, I had my first chance to walk around the area. The Hyatt Regency is located on the riverfront in the historic district, so no driving was required for sightseeing. My son and I enjoyed a delicious dinner at the Cotton Exchange Tavern, browsed several shops, walked the stone streets, and explored the fascinating nooks and crannies of Savannah. Around 8 p.m. I went on a solo 4-mile run/walk along the streets and squares of the town, loving every minute despite the heat and humidity. My son and I ended the evening with a refreshingly cool swim in the hotel pool.
There is so much to see and do in Savannah, and our time there was much too short. I can’t wait to go back.
I always return from events like this with my head spinning from everything I learned and everyone I met, and with a very long to-do list of things to implement, accomplish, or investigate further. Time to get to work!
Related story: Vlog Episode 1
© Michelle Rogers, Inc.
