It’s laughable to think that I used to list “because nothing ever happens here” as a reason to ditch Tampa Bay and move to a new city. My life looks a lot different now that I’ve become a local blogger, and by a lot different I mainly mean a lot BUSIER. I consistently have a stream of media event invites and new happenings for Tampa Bay flowing through my inboxes. Restaurant openings, new boutique sip and shops, local festivals, invites to check out a new “thing to do” in the area – you name it. Being a media event attendee could literally be a full time job.
In case you’re wondering what the heck a media event is – it’s an event put on by a restaurant, boutique, or other local spot to create buzz for their location. These events are held ahead of a grand opening or on a select night of the location’s choosing. The invite list consists of bloggers, influencers, news outlets, etc. Essentially anyone with a social reach that can promote the event via their online platforms.
There was one week last year where I had media events scheduled every single night of the week. I honestly have no idea how it happened or why I thought loading my schedule up like that was a good idea. Ben and I were zooming from Tampa one night, to St. Pete the next, back to Tampa another night, so on and so forth. We were on the go with media events for seven nights in a row with little to no downtime to recharge ourselves or my camera batteries.
And we all know ain’t no blogger got time for a dead camera at media events.
That week definitely did me in. I had unintentionally burnt myself out. Between working my day job and having all of my nights booked, I was behind on everything. I was too tired to workout (I really didn’t even have the time). My stress levels were high because I was falling behind on my lifely to-dos, All I wanted to do when I got home was crash on the couch (so unlike me). It was a doozie. Was it worth the content I gathered from attending so many events? Sure. I had Instagram posts for every day of the week without a second thought about what I’d be posting next. Was it worth the burnout that followed after? It took me a while to see it, but the answer to that question is definitely not.
Anyone who knows me knows that I need my routines in order to thrive. Loading up my calendar with media events and leaving little to no time for the other aspects of my life left me in a big turmoil last year. Since that burn out, I’ve been trying to more efficiently manage my time around media events.
Today on Keeping Up with Kahla, I’m sharing how I try my best to keep the ~balance~ around here when it comes to media events. Admittedly it’s something I’m still mastering, but I’m hopeful that a tip or two will help you if you’re in the same boat that I was in last year.
Choose your media events wisely.
This is an obvious one. Choose events that appeal to you and your audience. Don’t just go because you feel like you have to. There were so many events early on in my blogging journey that I thought I HAD to attend. I convinced myself that if I didn’t, I’d never get invited out to any event ever again. Tragic and dramatic, I know. I couldn’t see it that way back then though. Don’t make that mistake. Stick to the events that authentically appeal to you, because that’s when they’ll authentically appeal to your followers.
If you can’t make it to the media event, ask if there’s an alternate date to come out that works better for your schedule.
Events during the week are hard for me to balance with my day job. If I receive an invite to a media event on a night where it’s hard for me to make it out, I don’t just respond with a flat out “no” (especially if it’s a place I want to check out). I take a proactive approach by asking if there’s a separate date that I can come out. Most of the time the place is more than happy to work with me.
Set aside a day of the week for absolutely zero media events.
Plain and simple (although one of the toughest ones to stick to).
Get out of your social media feeds if there’s a media event you said “no” to, because FOMO is REAL.
One of the most frustrating things as a blogger is turning down an invite to a media event only to see it blowing up fantastically on your social media feeds. All while you’re sitting at home trying to practice ~balance~. Hello, FOMO. Remember why you said no to the event that night. Do yourself a favor and put your phone away. Do something productive for your blog. Go for a walk. Do ANYTHING else.
Quality over quantity holds true – even with media events.
During media events you’re expected to share the fun on your social media channels. If you zap your energy that week with too many events, then the last thing you’re going to want to do is take another selfie holding a ‘Gram worthy drink in front of your not-so-‘Gram-worthy tired eyes. Unless you have super fantastic concealer, save your efforts for when you know you can do a quality job of showcasing the spot you came to check out. They deserve it from you and so do your followers.
Blogging and social media influencing have a funny way of feeling like a rat race at times. Something in your brain will make you feel like you have to do ALL THE THINGS and go to ALL OF THE EVENTS. I’ve been there. I’m still there some days.
Believe me when I say that the burnouts are not worth it.
What boundaries do you set for yourself to avoid overloading your calendar with media events? Are you already practicing any of my tips above? Let me know in the comments below.