Not Attending BlogHer?

Here are some quick links for those of you that may have discovered BlogHer too late to join in this year. Which is exactly where I was last year at this time, not to mention, it was the same weekend as my twins’ birthdays… anyway.

If you want to keep up in real time, Twitter is the best way. Most attendees are using the hashtags #BlogHer or #BlogHer10. Two ways I keep up with hashtags are by using either TweetDeck or TweetGrid.

TweetDeck is software you install on your computer. Once installed and set up, you can use the search feature to plug in a word or hashtag you are wanting to watch. Then all public tweets with this keyword appear in their own column. This is great if you have a desktop computer or leave your computer up and running all day and want to check in here or there. I’ve found using the word “BlogHer” catches both of the hashtags people are using.

TweetGrid is a website I use mostly for Twitter parties, but if you have a few hours to sit and don’t want to install software, it’s a great choice. Again, you can put in the hashtag you wish to watch to read all the public tweets that stream by.

These are great ways to keep up once the sessions start and you want to get the real purpose of BlogHer. If you want to see what’s happening at the parties, you’ll have to search out the hashtags people are using for those parties. A few I know are #marthablogger, #kodakbustour, #socialluxe, and #nikonnightout. If you follow the #blogher hashtag I’m sure you’ll find more.

Another way to join in the community is in this great post about why one woman is staying home. Show her some support and upload a photo to the BlogHer 10 at Home Flickr pool. Some of the photos have some really unique signs with reasons they aren’t attending BlogHer.

I know you’re thinking, “But what about the SWAG?” Never fear friends, I know how you can party along and maybe earn some swag as well.

Last year I had a lot of fun and found new bloggers to love at BlogHer at Home. There’s a lot of info on that site, but read carefully and most of all, make sure you follow @BlogHerAtHome for the latest info.

If you prefer to party on your own schedule, check out the NoGoBlogHer Blog Hop. Lots of fabulous prizes and giveaways because the always generous Stefany at To Be Thode wanted to make sure you didn’t feel left out of the BlogHer fun. You can also follow that party with the #NoGoBlogHer hashtag on twitter.

I hope you do take the time, especially Friday and Saturday during the session times, to learn a bit. I’ve learned much from wonderful bloggers who kindly tweet out the snippets of wisdom they find in those sessions. I’m always thankful for those who take the time to share.