Costs for BlogHer fall into three categories: Conference ticket, lodging and travel.
I have found the Kaiser Mommy method of finding conference sponsorship to be 100% effective. I thought about asking people to pay me for my knowledge but then decided that was snatchy and counterproductive and wouldn’t help the community as a whole, so for you, free of charge, The Kaiser Mommy Method of Conference Sponsorship.
Before you sit to read, please find three containers – bowls, ziplock bags, shoe box, mr potato head…. whatever. As long as there are three of them. And get something to write with.
1. Conference ticket sponsorship: Early bird registration pricing of $202.95 (including eventbrite fees) closes on February 28th – 30 weeks from now. $6.77 cents each week from now until then. I choose one of my three containers now and write “Conference Ticket Sponsorship” on it. This is the time to raid the money stashes, the spare change. The couch cushions, coat pockets, bottom of purse (sadly lint is non negotiable. Oh if it had cash value I would be oh so rich.) That took care of about four dollars AND I found a pair of earrings I was looking for. From now until 2/28, any time I get change back or run across change, it will go in the Conference Ticket box. When I go to the grocery store I will pass up 2 impluse purchases (candy bar, magazine, drink, muffin, 14th bottle of lotion) and I will throw that money into the box. I fully admit, we are not on a particularly tight budget, be we do try to watch what we spend. I will do this until I hit that magic $202.95, then buy my ticket. And put a sticker over an old conference button that says “Conference Ticket Sponsored by ME!”
2. Lodging. Label that second container. The Hilton is $199.99 each night, I assume with taxes it is $250/night. $250/night for 3 nights is $750. Divided by 4 people in a room – $187.50. For the 22 weeks from 2/28 (When the conference ticket is paid for.) Till August 1st, I need to save $8.52 each week. Dammit. I was hoping it would be less. So same routine as above – but I have to forego even more impulse purchases at the grocery store. I can do it though. While I’m NOT buying things I can look for 3 roommates. And make a sign to hang on my hotel door that says “Hotel lodging Sponsored by ME!”
3. Travel. Third container out. Third container labeled. Get an idea of how much to spend: Check flight prices (I like kayak.com), train prices (amtrak.com), bus prices (greyhound.com) and carpool prices. As a backup plan, find 2 other people to carpool with and be ready to do the BlogHer roadtrip next year, I wouldn’t PLAN on it, but it would rawk to have no travel costs, but gotta have that cash on hand for travel if needed. To my delight and shock I can fly to NYC for about 300*. Back to saving. 300 dollars, 52 weeks – $5.77 each week. Perhaps if I just eat a side salad or appetizer each time we go out to eat? Skipping that entree… Or not getting Alex a kids meal and having him eat off our plates (He’s two, that’s still acceptable at restaurants.) That could work. Then I can wear another button, “Travel sponsored by ME”
* Flights to NYC: Edmonton – 707; Vancouver – 502; SanFrancisco, Seattle – under 400; Houston, Phoenix – 350; Cinci – under 300; Miami; Kansas City, Minneapolis, LA – 250; St. Louis, Dallas, Denver – under 250; Chicago, DC – under 200
Another way I could sponsor myself to BlogHer 10 that uses less math – get 1 envelope, label it BlogHer -10 and one day each week put a 20 dollar bill into it, and just make myself make the adjustments in my weekly spending because that money simply wouldn’t be available.
For me – it looks like for 691 dollars I can sponsor myself to BlogHer 10. I can spend the weekend on my own schedule, without needing to worry about working for someone else through the weekend. For $13.28 each week from now until BlogHer ’10 ($1.89 each day) – I can sponsor myself to go to BlogHer 10. When I break it down like that? No worries. Totally doable.
63 Comments
Andi @udandi
I LOVE this! I’m big proponent of save before you buy aka if you can’t pay cash today, you do without until you can. Apparently it is an unpopular way to approach money 🙂
Krystle @snarkykisses
You just laid it all out on the line where I can look at it and not get fidgity over wondering how the hell I will get there. You’re right, totally doable!
Maria
Holy shit!! I woulda never thought of that! JESUS CHRIST, you’re a damn genius. Just when I thought that the only way to get to BlogHer was to run around wildly like an idiot, cluttering twitter streams and blog comments with “SPONSOR ME I NEED A SPONSOR!!
(I love you.)
ali (adil320)
This is great! I was already planning on paying for it myself, but this makes it look so much EASIER than I had originally thought. I need things broken down like this, but I never sit and do it.
If I stopped going to Starbucks I could pay for myself AND sponser someone. Sad.
Kris Cain
Great post! Before I saw the link to your post this morning i had just decided I was going to get a coffee can or something and throw a $20 + spare change in it every week from now until ticket time. 🙂
Sammanthia
When you put it this way, I don’t break into hives and tear apart my drawers looking for a paper bag to breath into.
I’ll see you next year!!!
cindy w
Love it! You get to go to BlogHer and you aren’t obligated to run around interrupting people’s conversations to shove cards/swag/what-have-you into their hands. You can just go & have fun, because the only sponsor you have to answer to is… you! Perfect.
IrreverentMommy
This is great. My hubby is coming with me, so we have additional airfare (but his will actually be a company expense) and full cost of the hotel room to contend with (assuming no one wants to shack up with a married couple!).
This way of thinking really helped me put it in context! 🙂
VDog
Sam — you BEST be there!! We missed you, beesh!!!
I’m totes gittin mah envelope and puttin $20 in there RIGHT NAO.
Thanks Her Brilliance!
Lex ~ @laprimera
I’m going to sell some stuff on craigslist to get my envelope started. LA to NY is a little more. But cool! I like it!
daddybookins
What a great approach to Sponsoring – Yourself! Fantastic!
I agree with Ali, I could not only send myself (wait already have my ticket purchased) anyhow pay for at least 3 others with my silly ridiculous Starbucks infatuation over the next year! OUCH!
Peas Out!
~daddy b
Clair
Fabulous! I also like Lex’s idea – and will be selling a few things on Craigslist myself and putting the money in my BlogHer ’10 fund.
Capital Mom
I love it! I already bought my ticket to BlogHer’10 (my first time) and felt a little stupid because everywhere I look people are getting sponsored to go. Glad to see I won’t be the only one sponsoring myself!
Amazing Greis
This is the best HOW TO post EVAH!!!! Love it to pieces, about as much as I love you. I can’t start saving, for BlogHer, today, because I’m saving for my cruise in a month and a 1/2, but you best believe that I will begin my BlogHer sponsorship saving plan as soon as I return from my BIG trip on the BIG boat.
My plan will be the same as my Cruise Sponsorship Saving Plan. $75 per pay check (every 2 weeks) is direct deposited into a savings account that I have no direct access to. This account will come in handy for Blissdom as well. LOL
Thanks for sharing your tips. If a sponsor were to come around that’s great, but I paid my own way this year and I can definitely do it again next year. If you really want to go you’ll make it happen!!!
XOXO
Scattered Mom
I plan to do this for Blog Her 2011. 2 years is tons of time to save up the cash. There is ONE company I’d be very interested in representing, only because I am a huge, huge fan of their stuff.
Hey maybe we could make buttons that say, Sponsored by: ME!
WhyMommy
Love it!
I’m so sorry I didn’t get to spend more time with you this weekend — it seems like I only got a hug and a hello from everyone, and there wasn’t nearly enough time!
Susan
flutter
I freakin love you.
Heather Solos
But that’d be like planning ahead and being responsible and and and.
Fine. I’ll get started.
momranscreaming
Fabulous idea! Anyone flying from Denver should know that I paid about $160 for a ticket to NY this summer. Keep yours eyes open for a good fair because this price happens a few times a year.
Kay
Ahhh… my tired brain thanks you for doing the math FOR me.
I don’t have to worry about airfare, and am back and forth on either renting a car and parking at family’s house just 2 train rides away, or taking the train directly from Philly. That’s, ya know, if I actually go. The hotel pricing isn’t bad, assuming you can find 3 others to split the cost with. Spending money is where it’s going to get dicey for me!!!
maggie, dammit
This is so cool.
the planet of janet
excellent plan. i’m on it!
Angie
Excellent plan!
Veronica
See? This is what people need to be looking at. I’d love to be there, but I really can’t afford it. (2k just for the travel? And neither of us is working atm? Hmmmm) Instead I’ll just live vicariously through you guys.
Secret Agent Mama
BRAVA! While I would love to have my ticket bought for me again (I actually worked for it by writing articles), I like your idea so much better!
xoxo
Tina@SendChocolate
This is so great. You need to cross-post this at the BlogHer website, too.
Getting out my can now…
T.
Al_Pal
Brillerz. ;p
Kay – I imagine the train from Philly is cheaper than car rental! It is a nice ride, too, I rode Amtrak from DC to NYC 2 years ago. 😀
Kelley @ Magnetoboldtoo
and from Australia.
A kidney.
And probably a lung.
*sob*
Kyla
We just set aside tax refund. Now if I can just get my classes to fall at the right times!
Burgh Baby
*applauds wildly*
Jennifer A
After the 20th pitch at me during BlogHer, I could have used one of those Sponsored by ME! buttons. If I go, its all out of my pocket.
janny226
Great post! Well thought out and well said. I’m good for BlogHer 10 ’cause I live in NYC… but am passing your method along to those who are not! (And watch, I’ll move or something…)
Miss Grace
THAT’S what my BlogHer09 experience was missing! A SPONSORED BY ME sign!
Luckily, I can do that next year. (Although I think at least some of my BlogHer09 liquor was sponsored by KaiserMommy, do you want me to schill for you?)
LiteralDan
Is there any chance you can toss $40 in that can and send me half along with a “Sponsored by KaiserMommy” sign? Pretty pleeeeeeeeeease?
Tara @ Feels like home
I love it! You are a brilliant woman! 🙂 Of course, I already knew that, but it’s been cemented now.
Zoeyjane
a-freaking-men (we’re ignoring the fact that I had sponsors. Something I won’t do again because I’ll plan way ahead.)
Chefdruck
Great post! I totally agree with you. Planning ahead and breaking it down makes things much easier to deal with. That’s the approach I’ll take next year too. This year, I didn’t have sponsors but I did live blog to get my conference fee for free and I was way stressed and didn’t get to pick my sessions. Next year, no schedule. Just connecting with people on my own dime.
Sarah
Seriously, good information. I’m going to put a link to this up on my blog and up on twitter. It’s amazing how crazy some get about getting sponsorship immediately, no matter what kind of crap they have to do at BlogHer. Thank you for reminding everyone that putting their Starbucks cash for the week into a Mr. Potatohead until conference time will allow them to go to BlogHer on their terms!
Amanda @ High Impact Mom
Yup. I, too, was sponsored. Never again. Great post! Love it!!
PunditMom/Joanne Bamberger
I LOVE this!!! Thanks for trying to restore a little sanity!
ExtraordinaryMommy
I love this. Truly. And I love you. And I will see you in the NYC – maybe we can steal away to go to my brother’s restaurant. hmmmm….
P.S. – I and my MO IP are NOT blocked 🙂
shortpumppreppy
BRILLIANT. You just got rid of my headache! 🙂
The Mother Tongue
Great plan! Don’t forget to factor in parking if you drive, though. I thought I was totally hot stuff for driving to BlogHer this year, but when I got to the hotel I found out it was $50 per night to park there. $150 just to park, omg.
Amanda of Shamelessly Sassy
The best plan I’ve heard of. At first, I dreaded reading this post from the title. Then I read it, and LOVED it. This is by far the best way to get a sponsor. By the way, I told Mother Tongue that I am inviting myself to one of your alls lunches.
Julie @ the calm before the stork
Genius. Thank you. I need a fourth container for accumulating in tiny bits the courage needed to network while I’m there… (I think a potato head would be good for that).
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Swistle
I love this. LOVE THIS. When I saw the title I was nervous, but I should not have been.
Also, Southwest Airlines has good deals on tickets—I can fly to NY and back for about $200.
Andi
I love this! I have never tried to be sponsored (not even sure that I could be) because I don’t want to owe anyone anything. I completely get that sponsorship is important to a lot of people, but for me personally, it does not feel right.
Mel @ A Box of Chocolates
I think I’m gonna hit up your sponsor too! I like the idea of not having to perform for anybody and just enjoying the trip for yourself. But, in an effort to not be hypocritical I am not above accepting sponsorship if it happens to fall in front of me! Thanks for breaking down all the costs. Now that I see the numbers I’m feeling that it is definitely doable.
Mel
Noelle
I love this! It’s seems so overwhelming until you break it down like that. And if I can stay with my friend in NYC, even better. Thanks for making this seem doable. Now to just start updating my blog…