Have you ever wished you could ditch the digital avatar and get real with some of your favorite bloggers?
If you are going to Catalyst, or you’re just going to be in Atlanta on October 3, here is your chance! I’ve made it to the Bloggers Meetup three years running, and its always been a highlight of my week. Blogging is one of those activities that when I’m around non-bloggers, I feel kind of “closeted,” because people tend to think blogging is nerdy or I live in my parents basement or something. But at Bloggers Meetup, I am accepted and affirmed for who I am. Where else can you find 100 people who all share your interest?
Wondering which bloggers might be going? This list should give you enough reason to drop everything and get a ticket right now.
Nicole Cottrell at Modern Reject.
Bryan Allain at Bryan Allain.com.
Kent Shaffer at Church Relevance.
Alece Ronzino at Grit and Glory.
Bianca Juarez Olthoff at In the Name of Love.
Blake Atwood at Faith Village.
Justin Davis at Refine Us.
Lindsey Nobles at I’m Just Saying.
Joy Eggerichs at Love and Respect Now.
Darrell and Ally Vesterfelt from Prodigal Magazine.
And lots of others! The only person we’re missing is you! I know, that was kind of corny, but seriously, get yourself to the Bloggers Meetup. You’ll be glad you did.
The End of Men
You Are Not Saved By Faith
Real, 1950s Pre-Feminism Marriage
School is Gay
Imitation is the Sincerest Flattery
A Really %*#@ Great Bl*g Post
Eileen (1)
Heather (1)
Jason Stasyszen (1)
Melissa Jones (1)
first of all…blogging is nerdy. don’t kid yourself. not saying the person is a nerd, but blogging is a nerdy activity. Kind of like the “every man is allowed one chick thing” rule (see: Craig Groeschel’s love of candles). sorry. it’s true.
secondly…I am the ONLY person missing? Whoa! Pressure.
On a serious note, I have very little readership, am not totally decoted to blogging, and would not know how to even approach those people…Can you paint the scene for me? What goes on at this thang?
Lazarus,
I attended for the first time two years ago and I had just started blogging at the time. I was a newbie on Tumblr–fresh and green–having only been blogging three months.
I was encouraged being there and I got to geek out over meeting people like Jon Acuff and Bianca Juarez. Bianca is now a friend and looking back I count that little meeting as a great time and introduction into blogging. We hung out, talked, schmoozed, networked, mingled, and like Matt said felt a little less nerdy among our own.
What? I can’t believe you were there and I didn’t even know it!
It’s just a super casual time to meet and hang out. Everyone’s got something in common, yet there is so much variety. Three hours is not nearly enough time to talk to everyone you want to.
Matt, thanks for including me on this fine list. Sadly, I won’t be attending this year. However, our illustrious Sr. Editor Brad Russell will be there.
For anyone reading the comments and wondering if you should go, unequivocally yes. While I didn’t know a soul when I went for the first time last year, I met many people who I’d later learn much more about online. They are all superb bloggers who can teach newbies and veterans alike much about this “nerdy” endeavor.
AW dang! I’m afraid I will not make it.
Speaking of nerdy…does anyone else get a little self conscious when discussing your blog around non-bloggers? I had this scenario happen not to long ago.
A friend: Dave! I love your writing!
Me: Hey, thanks! that means allot
Friend of a friend: (clearly excited) You write? What do you write? Magazine articles? a book?
Me: I have a blog…
Friend of friend: (clearly disinterested) oh.
Of the people who actually know me, only 2 know I blog. No need telling the rest because some of my material may reference them! j/k.
Yeah, I try to keep those interactions to a minimum.
Matt, you really know how to salt a wound;-)> The commute from Paraguay is just to far. I lived really close to the Georgia border in SC before we skipped out. I hate to miss these and other great bloggers. Have fun.
I am not able to attend Catalyst this year because of a speaking engagement. I love the bloggers meet up so much, I’m driving down to ATL just to be at the Meet Up. I look forward to meeting people that speak into my life through their blogs. It is a great time.
Can’t wait to see you all tomorrow!