Buddy The Traveling Monkey Key Takeaways WITS 2016

5 Key Takeaways From WITS 2016

Have you ever walked into a large group of strangers, but felt like every single one of them could be your new best friend? Welcome to WITS…

 

This was my second time attending WITS. Last year when I went to the conference in Boston, it was actually my first blogging conference ever, so it set the bar pretty high. I had no idea that people felt as passionate about travel as I did. I was able to instantly connect with like-minded women and talk for hours about where we’d been and where we wanted to go. It was a truly “wanderful” and eye-opening experience.

 

Buddy The Traveling Monkey Key Takeaways WITS 2016

 

And this year it was even better! I ran into old friends, and made a bunch of new ones. I also felt more confident now that I had been blogging for over a year. I mean, I was even answering some questions that other girls had! What?! And yet, I was still able to take in so much and learn new things in just a couple of days. Here are the five biggest takeaways I learned this year at WITS…

 

You can talk to a complete stranger, and they won’t think you’re a creeper

It’s true. We’re all there for the same reason. We love to explore, have amazing experiences, and eat new foods. Yes, some aren’t as comfortable going up and starting a new conversation. There’s a reason some people prefer writing to talking; they’re shy or introverts. But this is really the best and easiest place to do it because we all have something in common. No one will judge you. Instead, they’ll move over a bit to let you squeeze into the group.

 

I need to get better organized

If you know me at all, you know I’m pretty organized. I make excel spreadsheets when planning big trips for crying out loud! And yet, when it comes to blogging, I’m realizing how unorganized I really am. I write when I get a chance (thanks a lot full-time job!) so there isn’t really consistency. I need to get a giant whiteboard so I can plan things better. And thanks to Sherry Ott of Ott’s World, I have downloaded two new apps, Evernote and Expensify, to help me keep better track of notes and expenses while I’m on my trips. Hopefully, these steps get me on the right track.

 

I still have so much to learn

I know I’ve learned a lot this past year, but wow, I still have so much to learn! And just when you think that you’re getting good at something… it changes. A big topic of discussion at the conference was the algorithm change that Instagram had just done a few days prior. So I have to learn completely new things, and relearn old things. There isn’t enough time!!

 

We’re all insecure and have moments of self-doubt

We’ve all been there. We’ve all wondered, “Does anyone even care? Does anyone even read my stuff??” We’ve all thought of quitting at one point or another. Sometimes, travel blogging can be depressing AF. When talking to these amazing women though, I realized it wasn’t just me thinking these things. I looked at them, with their impressive blogs, and thought to myself that we all have our bad days. And that’s ok! Even Nadine, of Hey Nadine, reminded us that at one point she started off with 0 followers. But she didn’t give up, even though she had thought about it a few times. There certainly was a sense of solidarity, knowing that we have all had our doubts.

 

We will always want more

You know that feeling you get when you finally meet your hero? The one that seems to have it all together? That has everything you want? That does everything you want to do? Well let me tell you, I have met so many amazing women at WITS that all seem to have what I want. They’re freelancing for magazines. They’re setting up companies. They’re traveling constantly. And yet they still want more. Shit, I’d be happy if I was in their shoes! But they are constantly pushing for more. Striving for more. And I think that is so awesome! Wanting more is a good thing, and the women at WITS are shining examples of that.

 

Buddy The Traveling Monkey Key Takeaways WITS 2016
Here we are with Monica of Monica Goes and Beth Santos, the founder and CEO of Wanderful.
Buddy The Traveling Monkey Key Takeaways WITS 2016
Here we are with Erica of Wanderful Erica and Lindsay of I’ve Been Bit.

Buddy The Traveling Monkey Key Takeaways WITS 2016

 

Next year, WITS will be in Milwaukee and I already can’t wait!

 

Were you at WITS this year or have you been to any travel blogging conference? If so, what did you take away from the experience? We’d love to read your comments below! 🙂

 

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22 Comments

    1. Oh you definitely should Shannon! It’s such a great experience! 😀

  1. I have heard from a lot of people about how nice and useful WITS are and I would love to attend but I am so far away. These events as you said are nice to meet like minded people and give you motivation when you need it!

  2. I have never heard of WITS, and has never been to a blogging conference. Would definitely want to attend one and to learn from the experts!

  3. I remember you telling me about WITS last year and how inspiring it was to be surrounded by all these amazing female bloggers who were following their passions and travelling the world, I’m so jealous but so glad you had such a good time 🙂 We all think about quitting from time to time, sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves and need to be reminded that even the most popular bloggers and vloggers started with 0 followers. It looks like so much fun, a really girly weekend away 😀

    1. Hey love!! I know you’d love it. Maybe you can come next year??

  4. Thanks so much for sharing your top takeaways. I had such a good time at the event this year. It was my first blogger conference and I was very impressed. I think one of my biggest takeaways was that as much work as it will be I can do this! Glad you had a great experience too.

  5. I’ve never heard of WITS but it seems like a great experience. I’ll definitely be looking into this but you’ve pretty much briefed me enough. Thanks for sharing your experience!

  6. Interesting post, though I have never been to a blogging conference I really would love to go. I agree: I think if you share that one passion then you immediately connect 🙂

  7. I was bummed I couldn’t make it to WITS this year! I stalked everyone’s post about it though and got super jealous. I may steal your notes about those apps to get you more organized. Organization is an area I REALLY struggle in. I love conferences like this though. It’s so great to be around like minded people. I’m hoping to make it to TBEX Stockholm this year.

    1. Oh, that would be awesome! I hope you’re able to go 🙂

  8. WITS sounds awesome!! I would love to attend someday! I went to TBEX in Bangkok in 2015 and like you said, it was easy to make friends as we all had a common passion for travel. Everyone there was friendly and open to talking about their successes and struggles. I just love the travel blogging community 🙂

  9. I think I’d love to go to WITS one year. I’m a UK travel blogger and have a good audience in the USA/Canada so I need to do more over there. It looks like you met great, inspirational people too. That’s always worth its weight in gold. I connected with a lot of what you said. I’ve definitely felt like giving up at times and have self doubt even after two years. Its always a work in progress. Thanks for sharing

    1. Blogging is definitely a roller coaster of emotions Kate. I’m glad you could relate. 🙂

  10. WITS has such a wonderfully open, friendly, and energetic atmosphere. I left inspired and ready to take on the world! And plan my next trip 🙂

  11. I haven’t attended any blogging conference and this sure looks like fun! I hope there’s a database where I can be updated in the dates/locations of the conferences! Would love to meet you lovely people!

    1. Hi Trisha! It would be great to meet you too! Next year, WITS will be in Milwaukee.

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