Is the BlogPaws Conference Worth It?

by: Carol Bryant

These are the words recently said to me at an expo I attended. It is a loaded question for me because I have been gifted with the BlogPaws Effect: That which changes the motion of your blogging career/hobby/passion the second you immerse in all that BlogPaws has to offer. Where to start and how I should explain if BlogPaws Conferences are "worth" it sort of stumps me every time.

In a nutshell: YES! Yes yes yes: BlogPaws conferences are "worth" it! So to the average person who might now know what BlogPaws or has been to previous conferences and wonders whether or not to return, here are a few things to consider and then you decide if it is "worth" it:

The Stats

• According
  to the American Pet Products Association (APPA) 2013-2014 National Pet Owners
  Survey, 68 percent of U.S. households, or 82.5 million, owned at least one pet
  in 2012, the highest percentage ever. The report counted 83.3 million dogs and
  95.6 million cats.
• The
  APPA forecast more than $55.5 billion in spending in 2013 across all segments
  of the pet industry, surpassing the $53.33 billion spent in 2012 by 4.1
  percent.
• In
  a study released by Trone Brand Energy, a reported 20 percent of pet bloggers
  are considered highly influential and have monthly readerships of at least
  10,000 readers.
• The
  Wall Street Journal reported U.S. pet-supply giant, PetSmart, logged its 10th
  quarter in a row of double-digit profit growth and treats pet owners as pet
  parents.
• Between
  73% and 81% of BlogPaws attendees expressed an interest in working with brands.
• BlogPaws
  conferences donated over $45,000 in cash and pet-related items to groups in
  need.

These are some the things we know, here at BlogPaws, and which keep us motivated and going forward to share our skill set, dynamic speakers, educational opportunies, monetization offerings, and more.

Who should attend BlogPaws 2012? BlogPaws conferences deliver educational sessions on topics ranging from
finding content for your blog, to search engine optimization (SEO), to turning
your blog into a business or a book, to holding fund raising events called
"Twitter-pawties," to using specialized contest apps on Facebook, and
much more. While a majority of the attendees publish about — or in some cases AS their pets — the topics apply broadly to anyone who wants to learn more about effective use of social media and
blogging.

What sort of training
takes place?

There are a variety of custom-designed tracks, including
101 (Beginners), 201 (Intermediate), and PRO (Advanced). There will also be
exclusive tracks for those interested in animal rescue and advocacy,
understanding copyright and the legal responsibilities around social media, and
pet lifestyle. That’s right: Choose your
tracks and customize your educational
goals.

Is It Worth It?(the inspiration for this post)

The cost of a 3-day pass to the BlogPaws 2013 Conference, taking place May 16-18, which is totally pet-friendly, is $199. The conference is on the border of Washington D.C., which if you haven't heard is a mecca of culture and things to do – including with or without your pet(s). I digress.

The Blogger Full Conference Pass includes:

• Admission to Thursday evening reception
• All Friday General & Breakout Sessions
• All Saturday General & Breakout Sessions
• Full weekend access to all meals, break areas & sponsor exhibits

So that means three days of:

* First-rate social media educational seminars delivered by
experts in their respective fields

* Meeting celebrity dogs and their owners in person

* BlogPaws “Nose-to-Nose" Social Media and Pet Blogging Awards done red carpet style

* A bag of goodies galore filled with pet products (dog or
cat)

* Additional access to a world-renowned video director and
producer of pet videos

* Meeting many of your Facebook, Twitter, and blog
associates and friends in the pet world

* Access first hand to pet product sponsors and brands

* A weekend of pet-friendly fun and networking

* Breakfast, lunch, and snacks from a finely selected menu

* Ideas to launch, continue, or escalate a business
involving animals whether for or non-profit, on a blog or a microblog (like
Twitter or Facebook)

* Spread the word about your cause, business, rescue, or
group to key players and community

* Prizes galore

* Memories, video and images, friendships, contacts,
business cards exchanged, laughs, too!

* All in one place, a grand hotel in a beautiful location

Having taken many seminars and sessions in my
life, I can honestly say they cost much more than $199 for ONE session not
including all the extras mentioned. If you've ever planned a wedding, BlogPaws
event planning is the equivalent of being a wedding planner times ohhhhh,
1,000. It is work, a labor of love, but oh-so-worth-it when everyone comes
together in the name of animals, being the change, learning and growing, and
paying it forward.

My answer to the person who asked me if BlogPaws was worth it?

How can you afford to miss it? Join me: http://www.blogpawsconference.com