This is the second part of the Mini-Guide to Offline Blog Event series. This series aims to help and inform newbie bloggers about offline blog events here in the Philippines. You can read the first part by following the link here.

Things you may want to do before going to an event
Before going to an offline blog event, you may want to make sure that you are properly prepared. Below is a compilation of things that you should check first before barging through the event’s doors.

• Check the event details – Make sure you have taken down the event details correctly. Take note of the time, the venue, and other important stuffs. You don’t want to end like Jhay who marked the wrong date on his calendar on the first Taste Asia event. Tsk tsk. Hehe.
• Make sure you are on the guest list! – Most offline blog events require bloggers to sign-up on an official guest list. Make sure to have your name included before crashing in on the party.
• Prepare your get-up – Create a good first impression by choosing a fitting outfit for the event. Nope, no need to dust-out your coat and tie from the prom, just some regular clothes would do. Or you could try what Raredog did during the first Taste Asia event, he designed a shirt with his blog’s name and URL printed on it. Been planning to do the same ever since!
• Know how to get to the venue – Be sure to check out the place where the event will be held. Plan the routes you are going to take to avoid being late and getting lost on the way home. Use google earth.
• Don’t forget to bring a camera! – Every time I attend offline blog events, I always seem to hear regrets from other people about not being able to bring a camera to take some pictures. I tell you this now, “Huwag kalimutan ang kamera para sa kodakan!”. These kinds of events have lots of photo opportunities that must not be missed!
• Prepare your business cards – What!? Business cards!? I know it sounds a little formal but business cards are a great way for people to remember you once the party ends. Don’t forget to get a flashy design and include your blog name, blog URL, your e-mail, contact numbers and other necessary stuffs. Below is a sample of the business card I’m giving around during blog events.

• Tell everyone about your attendance – Before going to an event, I make it into a habit to visit and comment on other blogs who are on the guest list. This gives me an idea about the people that I am going to meet on the event and serves as a promotion of my blog as well.
• Muster up some courage – If you are of the shy-type but you really want to meet other bloggers, you may want to muster up some courage and overcome your fear of other people. Remember, you will never be able to shake hands with Yuga (or your favorite blogger) if you don’t have the guts to come up to him and introduce yourself (PinoyBlogero = Guilty).
• Look for an event buddy – If you are really certain that you might feel out of place during an event, you may want to look for an event buddy that you could drag. It could be another blogger or a friend as long as it is a person that you know. It prevents personal isolation from big crowds.

Other interesting things I have learned about offline blog events

• People tend to bunch up into different groups during events. Young bloggers are easily separated from the *ehem* older ones
• If a celebrity blogger enters the scene, people always seem to stop on their tracks (Oh look, here comes Bryan Boy!)
• Bloggers have different personalities offline
• You must have a good eye in determining who are the bloggers from the company excecutives
• PinoyBlogero always comes 30minutes earlier than the event time (excited lagi)
• Shameless plugging are given a new definition when it comes to offline blog events. Especially when bloggers are given a chance to speak on the mike.
• Never put your real name on your name tag, people would easily forget you. Put your online nickname.
• If you are new to offline blog events, you are automatically a member of the group of Virgin bloggers.
• Younger bloggers are always the noisy bunch
• Not everyone has laptops
• The night is never complete without an after-party
• I have yet to see someone asking for a blogger’s autograph
• Never go to an after-party if you have classes at 7:30am in the morning

Hope this mini-guide would come in handy! Enjoy the parteeh!

Happy Blogging!

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