I’ve scored the hat trick; I’ve attended and survived my third BritMums Live. For me, this year’s conference was a really interesting experience because I actually knew loads of real human beings who were going. Sure, I met loads of mum and dad bloggers that were new to me, but having attended twice in the past, the number of individuals I genuinely knew in real life was well into the double figures.
While the conference is always a fun experience, I always go with the intention of soaking up as much knowledge and experience from other people as I possibly can. Before I go on to the social aspects of the event (and the random discussions about vasectomies), here are highlights of what I picked up from this year’s BritMums Live.
The serious stuff; what I learned:
Google+ is even more awesome than I realised. James Dearsley from the Digital Marketing Bureau provided some very useful hints and tips about using the network. It’s one of my favourites. I use it a lot as it is, but I could do better.
Bloggers should not be afraid to negotiate and should think like business people. This came out loud and clear from Vicki Psarias (Honestmum.com) during the How Successful Bloggers Do It session. I admire Vicki greatly and find she’s very supportive of others from the blogging world. She’s doing huge amounts with her blogs so heed those words!
Not that anyone needs telling this, but be careful what you say on social media. Becky Wiggins (Englishmum.com) made clear that Sainsbury’s had trawled all over her social media profiles before offering her the deal for that TV commercial.
YouTube and Pinterest. I know I have to take these channels much more seriously. I had already started revamping my Pinterest site before BritMums but the session given by Jennifer Jain (Jennifer’slittleworld), Helen Neale (Kiddycharts) and Jen Stanbrook (Lovechicliving) was incredibly useful. On the back of what they said I’m going to make further changes to my Pinterest site in the weeks to come.
The Dads
For some reason it felt like there were more dads in attendance than in previous years. In reality, there were only a couple more than in 2014. Even so, I was approached by mums on several occasions and told it was nice to see dads at BritMums and that we added to the atmosphere (I hope the feeling is universal!).
The Brilliance in Blogging Awards
I mean where do I start? This was a big occasion for me as I was a finalist in the Family category. More by accident than design, I ended up sitting at a table inbetween Darren Coleshill (Onedad3girls) and Jullian Boffin (Northerndadblog). We were the BiBs Boys Brigade; the three male finalists!
Mega congratulations to Julian who won in his category. Alas Darren and I didn’t. The lucky winner in my category was Jessica Paterson who writes the WryMummy blog and a well-deserved win it was too. This, by the way, is the point where I must say a huge thank you to everyone that reads this blog, comments on this blog, assists me with this blog, has supported this blog in some way or voted for me. Without you, I wouldn’t have got to the finals and that in itself was a goal worth achieving.
From here the evening got, well, interesting. I went out for a meal at the Finsbury Circus Pizza Express with Tim Liew (Slouchingtowardsthatcham), Daren Coleshill (blog link above), Tony Pitt (PapaTont), Dave Hornby (Thedadventurer)Â and Ryan Costello (Dadcreek). It was doughball-tastic and rather amusingly we were sat about three tables way from a group of mum bloggers also attending BritMums Live.
The food was exactly what we all needed. The service also came from a superb Spanish waiter. In fact I even said a few words in Spanish to him myself (lucky chap).
It was at this point discussion turned to vasectomies. I know I instigated this chat, but can’t quite figure out why. I’d probably best not say a huge amount more. Talking about severed vas deferens really shouldn’t be done either on a blog or at the dining table. It’s so ungentlemanly.
Later on that night I found myself in a nightclub in Shoreditch called Traffik. I only know this because of the stamp left on my hand the following morning. I say following morning, in truth it was later the same day. Following a very long walk up The Strand and across Hyde Park I eventually got back to my brother’s place, where I was staying, at 3am. What a night.
The people
I met so many wonderful and inspiring bloggers. I just can’t name names because I’ll miss someone out and cause offence. Suffice it to say, you were all great. I’ve made many new friends and contacts. Until next year…
22 thoughts on “Discussing vasectomies at BritMums Live”
John, what a laugh we had, thanks for the shout out and glad you enjoyed the session. Hate to break it to you but Google + is changing and a lot of what you might well have heard is changing. I wasn’t in the session though so not sure but it’s definitely not going to be operating as it is now. Fab seeing you as always, I was a bridesmaid too, I think for the 3rd time too! One day hey! You rock Mr!
Sorry you didn’t get full-on bride status but sure it will happen one day Vicki! Your passion for blogging came across very stongly in your session. Rest assured I was at the back nodding my head vigorously throughout.
That’s a very good summary of the events, and now I realise why you looked quite so tired when I saw you on the stairs on Saturday morning. I think my take out was very similar to yours – be braver, seek out brand partners and embrace social media in what ever form best suits you.
It certainly was a sociable event and I’m glad I went, too.
One day you’ll be the bride, I’m sure!
I only wish to be the bride if I can carry it off in the way Julian did! He was such a gent.
Anyway, be brave, be bold and seek out them there brand partners. Very best of luck and a real delight to meet up again Tracey.
It was funny us being in the same pizza express. Some of us started off going to the other one, like Emma Harris in reverse. Oops.
It was my third Britmums too, and also had a great time. There’s enough for anyone to get something out of it.
I agree with others, it’s nice to have some men there to get a different perspective. This year was the first time I actually got to meet some, although unfortunately not you this time. Bad luck on the BIB, and hopefully will get to say hi at another event.
Emma, that is a shame we didn’t cross paths. I have to be honest, I didn’t realise we were in the same restaurant. If I’d known I would defo have come over and said hello. Until the next opportunity to meet!
Amen to that. Tbh, I think by that stage I was pretty tired and a bit blurry eyed (even though I’d only had 1.5 glasses of wine!). Am sure paths will cross again.
Sure they will Emma.
Thank you for being great company, but more importantly helping to make my first BritMums experience run smoothly. You’re practically a veteran now and you helped ease my newbie nerves just by organising that meal and making me feel a part of something.
I don’t however thank you for bringing up vasectomies minutes after I’d requested extra chilli sausage on my pizza. Im whincing just typing this.
Nothing like masticating a good bit of hot, oily pork while discussing vasectomies.
Looks (and sounds) like a great time was had by all.
Next year 🙂
Oh it was Ashley, oh it was.
Great to hang out with you mate and see you in person, not just marvel at you on the TV or in the newspaper 🙂 Thanks also for arranging the meal, and on numerous occasions, bringing the conversation down to the gutter (which is where I’m most happy with it).
WHat can I say, from the gutter you can only go one way! Great to meet you also.
Hi there, John – thanks for the hello and glad the session was useful. I seemed to have missed seeing so many people this year – wish we could have chatted as we have only met the once in real life – it is usually on hangouts! Maybe next year :-D. Take care.
Helen, it was an awesome session. I now just need ot find the time to make my Pinterest board appealing. Thanks for all your advice and hope we can cross paths soon enough.
Congratulations on reaching the finals! Sounds like you had a brilliant time, I’m so envious of all these amazing tales of Brit Mums – really hope to get there next year! #MMWBH
Oh I had the best time. Or at least that’s what I keep being told! Maybe see you next year.
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I’m still scarred by our dinner conversation, John. I may never look at pizza the same way again …
Could have been worse. COuld have been sweetbreads.
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