Monday, 14 May 2012
Cybher 2012. My thoughts
I have never been shy about the fact that I am EXTREMELY shy. I mean I can projectile vomit at the mere thought of being in a room with people that I don't know (I will leave you with that touching imagery to do what you will)
But recently I have made the conscious decision to get myself out there and actually meet people. My blog has turned two this month and I can either carry on as I am or really make the most of doing something that I love.
So I agreed to speak at Cybher UK.
Now if you follow me on Twitter you will know that I have a habit of, how can I put it (chatting shit?) oversharing.
So I have been very vocal over the last couple of weeks about how nervous I was about doing this. (cacking myself I think is how I so succinctly put it in one tweet)
But from the minute I walked into 8 Northumberland Ave on Saturday I had a huge smile on my face.
(A leather satchel will do that to a girl)
We all signed in and I was happy to see that we were all given name badges not only with our blog names on but also our Twitter names. Brilliant idea, (Some of you ladies have awesome boobs by the way)
Everywhere I looked there were ladies in exactly the same boat as me. (stroking their satchels going they are soooooooooo pretty)
The venue was perfect for a convention, there was a central area for coffee, tea and meeting the great companies that were there such as Thinking Slimmer, The Leather Satchel Co and Palmers UK and then four different rooms where all the different talks would be held.
We all met in the ballroom to listen to the opening talk together, which I must admit a lot of which went straight over my head. But hey that is the whole point of a day like this isn't it? To learn.
Then for the rest of this incredible well organised day it was a smorgasbord of different experiences and talks that catered for everyone. If you wanted to learn about Podcasts you could go and listen to The High Tea, Portrait photography was the lovely Mario and if you wanted a casual laugh and some informal questions then you could have come to the Ask A Blogger session with myself, the lovely Tara Cain and Louise from Sprinkle of Glitter.
What I really liked about Cybher were the breaks in between each session where you had a chance to meet lots of other bloggers. (Not as scary as I though it would be) I managed to put lots of faces to names and I didn't scare anyone off (I don't think) with inane chatter. (or vomit, always a plus)
What did I learn at Cybher?
I learnt that I have a LOT to learn.
In a way I think I am quite naive about blogging. I truly do it for the love of the writing. Of course if someone wants to pay me to write I'm not going to wring my hands at them and bleat about my integrity (I want to buy a satchel) but for me I think I have spent the last two years just floating and writing and I need to work out what I want to do.
I panicked about not having a niche for a while but I think I am my niche. my voice is my niche and that will never change or be diluted for anyone. (LIES, I'm open to negotiation.... I jest)
Another thing that I have learnt this weekend is that I LOVE to talk. I really enjoyed my session at Cybher and could have stood there for longer, I learnt as much from the other ladies on the panel as I hope the people in the audience did.
And most importantly I learnt at Cybher to have faith in myself. we come from all different walks of life and approach blogging in different ways and with different results but whether we were there to speak, to learn or just to be social and meet up with like-minded people we ALL took away from Cybher something that we can use.
And I think I have discovered that I can do anything I put my mind to.
and THAT is a damn good thing to learn.
Were YOU at Cybher or did you follow the hashtags on Twitter?
What did you take from the experience? Has it changed how you look at blogging at all?
Let me know
I'd love to hear your thoughts
Big Fashionista x x
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Shy? Not that I noticed! A bubbly personality and friendly was what I saw as I looked around only too aware I knew no one. It was a great day and the more I learnt the more I was aware I needed to learn more of the tech stuff. Not in a dull way but to enhance my blog. Actually wanted to go to all the talks and I'm sorry I missed yours, I'm sure it was great! GG
ReplyDeleteHi GG, it was LOVELY to chat to you but you made it easy as you were lovely and very approachable. Definitely agree about the learning. Today I am so inspired to do more
DeleteI was at your session and never would have guessed you were nervous! I really liked that Cybher helped me find lots of new-to-me blogs and the key thing to me was "just bloody write". Some of us might end up in a particular niche eventually, but only if we write regularly enough!!
ReplyDeleteI spent twenty minutes before hand in the loo :-D but once up there I LOVED it and everyone watching was extremely supportive so thank you x x x
DeleteExactly, just write, write again and write once more
ahh, the bubbly personality of the terminally shy. I am the same. Full of it on Twitter and blog comments, crippled with nerves in real life. You decide to 'go for it' and become the life and soul of the party. Its draining and scary, but the adrenaline pulls you through. I think I've ended up in a niche of odd nail art, but for a year I was just me, rambling on about world peace and breakfast. You are your own niche, a lovely mix of Dooce, Fug Yourself and Yummy Mummy, but English and approachable. Its good to be here as your star ascends!Love reading this blog, and its an inspiration everyday x
ReplyDeleteI said to a couple of people that I am like a friendly troll. Happy to sit on the internet and make comments, nice ones of course but until Saturday I'd never built up the courage to do something like that before
DeleteBut I LOVED it. Every minute
I don't think we ever properly introduced ourselves but we seemed to bump into each other every time we nipped outside! You didn't strike me as the slightest bit shy :) it was lovely to meet you x
ReplyDeleteDid I hit you with my bags? I did that a LOT :-)
DeleteInside my head I was going, talk to someone, but what if they think you are weird? You are weird, talk to someone.
:-)
Well done Kellie & I'm kinda comforted to know that you're shy as I am too. Unfort I'm incapable of putting on a bubbly front to hide it - wish I could!
ReplyDeleteNic xx
As I said above I was mentally berating myself and forcing myself on all day.
DeleteBrains and inner voices are sometimes helpful, sometimes a bloody nuisance
It was lovely to fianlly meet you and you give great hug! x
ReplyDeleteAs do you darling. Was so so lovely to meet you. I loved putting faces to names
DeleteIt was good to meet you - even better when I worked out I had...
ReplyDeleteHa ha ha I know!!! About ten minutes in you went
DeleteAaaahhhhhhhhhhhb
I know you. LOL
I thought you'd be taller... (please tell me you recognise the quote!)
DeleteI thought you were brilliant, I would never have thought in a million years that you were nervous or shy! I would have said you were mega confident. I am "quietly confident" but quiet as well, so I felt a bit subdued at Cybher as I never know what to say to people and everyone seemed to know each other. Every time I did talk to someone I seemed to say the wrong thing, my opening gambit was "is this your first Cybher", to which that person responded sharply, "THIS IS THE FIRST ONE". Ouch.
ReplyDeleteNooooooooooooooo
DeleteOh no.
I never knew it was the first one either!!!
Wasn't it well organised
Like clockwork! I need to take a lesson from you and just get myself out there! You were very funny too, in the ha ha way. X
DeleteThat's harsh, there were two cybermummy conferences beforehand.
DeleteGreat post, Obviously I wasn't there but I would never have put you down as the shy type :-) x
ReplyDeleteI really am crippled by shyness and sometimes won't go to things just because I can't force myself through the door
DeleteI went to your session and I thought you were brilliant. It made me what to come over and subscribe to your blog. And here I am!
ReplyDeleteWaves hello.
DeleteIt was so much fun and everyone there really helped put me at ease so for that I thank YOU x x x
Sounds fantastic!! Well done you. My knees turn to jelly at the thought of public speaking and I am also terribly shy sometimes. I have the habit of trying to be funny to cover it up which often gos very wrong. Still, life is all about feeling the fear and doing it anyway. Glad you loved it : x
ReplyDeleteI was there, and came to your talk. You were FAB!! I'm very shy too and wouldn't have guessed that of you so well done. You were funny and informative and I learned loads. Wasn't it a great day and I'm still swooning over my satchel!!
ReplyDeleteOnline personna, bubbly, full of life and witty in real life I am the one that sits quietly in a corner watching everyone trying to not cry in sheer fear. So WELL DONE! I truly mean that. I could not do a talk on anything, if I did it would end up as verbal garbage, spoken way too fast then I'd be fleeing the scene in sobs. I don't think having a stammer when I'm nervous helps either :o
ReplyDeleteI would love to go the next cybher, even if I do just sit and watch everyone whilst trying to not cry..
Massive love to you dearheart <3 xo
Bet you were bloody brilliant. Gutted to have missed Cybher-hopefully next year. Love the message here-we can do anything-often just need that confidence and push to get out there and do it-like you did. Go girl! *snaps fingers in z formation.
ReplyDeleteI honestly hope I get to come to Cybher next year, I and I hope you are there then too, so I get a chance to learn from you :) xx
ReplyDeleteWell done Big Fash! Super duper proud of you xxx
ReplyDeleteThank you beautiful x x
DeleteIt sounds like an amazing time. Go you for speaking at it. What a great confidence booster that must be.
ReplyDeleteThanks for agreeing to speak honey. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me. I can honestly
DeleteSay it's changed me
I was in your session and if you had told me "shy" beforehand I would NEVER have guessed it. You were bubbly and real.
ReplyDeleteIf that was faking it, can you give me a few tips? My stomach was in knots all day.
It was bloody great to meet you and I'm still giggling at your picture of that party bus!!
ReplyDeleteBTW, you're much shorter than I imagined.
I'm 5ft 4 and a bit!!!! And a bit!!!
DeleteI will bite your knees, I will! I will