12 things you need for #CyberMummy11

CyberMummy is almost here, but getting ready for the big day is easier than you think. Here, our top tips of what to bring on the day.

1. Business cards – You’ll be handing out loads and here’s a tip: write down a note to yourself on the back of other people’s cards to jog your memory when you’re back home. (I’m always grateful when going through a stack of card I find little notes like “met at lunch” or “writes about kids’ clothes” or whatever.) If you don’t have cards already, get quickie ones made at a copy shop or print some out yourself.
2. A handful of pens – Because the first one you grab will always run out ink.
3. Fully charged phone, laptop, iPad, camera, etc – You’ll want to tweet, blog and snap your way through the day and you don’t want to run out of juice.
4. A soft, collapsible carry bag – The good news is that we’re giving out goody bags at the end of the day so you won’t have to lug it from session to session. That means you’ll need another way to keep together all the cards, brands’ info, giveaway goodies from CyberMummy Central and so on. Toss a fabric shopping bag into your handbag and you’ll be set. Come to think of it: Last year’s CyberMummy bag will work perfectly…
5. Chequebook/credit card/cash for the bookshop – It will be so easy to pick up essential reading and get it personalized during the our book-signing sessions so don’t miss out! We’ll have a mini Waterstone’s in the lobby selling books by Sarah Brown, Sophie King/Jane Bidder, Rachel Johnson, My Daddy Cooks’ Nick Coffer and other bloggers. You can buy one with card, cheque or cash when you arrive then get it signed during the day. (Dad blogger Tim Atkinson will be selling his own books and signing in the afternoon too, so bring cash to buy directly from him.)
6. A light cardigan or scarf – We’ll be doing our best to keep the conference spaces the right temperature, but it’s always good to have something to hand so you can self-regulate.
7. Comfortable shoes – It’s going to be a exciting, jam-packed day. The last thing you want to think about is blisters or aching arches. Choose comfort over style.
8. Casual clothes –There’s lots of talk on Twitter about what to wear. We say, whatever it is, just make sure it doesn’t bind, poke, squeeze, pinch or ride up. By the time the Three Party rolls around at 18:00 you’ll be glad you skipped the tight pencil skirt and blouse that slips down to expose your bra strap. Which leads on to…
9. Your party mood – The official CyberMummy party is sponsored by Three and will kick off immediately after the Crowdsourced Keynote. No need to dress up or make-up – just turn up…and be ready to mingle and relax. There will be wine provided by Naked Wines, soft drinks, a few crisps and such, some announcements from Three and the Passport prize draw. The perfect end to the day.
10. A list of the five people or companies you really want to talk to –If you’re desperate to finally meet Blogger X in person or are dying to talk to Brand Y about working with them, write it down so it sticks in your mind as a goal of the day. Seek them out early and you’ll feel good about ticking them off your list. (Better yet, Tweet them ahead of time to say hello and possibly arrange a rendez-vous time.)
11. A one-sentence description of you and your blog – This is something that allows you to easily describe who you are and what your blog is about to the scores of folks you’ll be meeting. “Hi, I’m Amy. I live in Lincolnshire and I’ve been blogging for 8 months about raising my three kids” or “I have a picture-oriented blog about my two passions: my family and gardening.” You get the idea.
12. A sense of fun -  Beyond the brands, the high-profile speakers, the food and drink, CyberMummy is about bloggers getting to know bloggers. It’s a friendly crowd and everyone you meet at the Brewery on Saturday the 25^th is there to say hello, swap stories and connect. You’ll be able to walk up to any group, introduce yourself and immediately join the discussion. So get ready to have some fun.

We’ll see you there!