I hope you’ve had a great week! It has been so busy for me lately but I’m finally getting back in the groove of blogging more consistently. Hopefully, you’re happy that I’m back :).
Since it’s Friday, I’m linking up with Courtney, Cynthia, and Mar for the Friday 5! The theme this week is free so I thought it would be the perfect opportunity to recap the Blog Connect Conference and share some of the tips that I learned!
[bctt tweet=”Sharing my recap of the #theblogconnect conference hosted by@phlbloggers! #blogging #sitsblogging #fridayfive” username=”Janelle_RWNR”]
The Blog Connect Conference
This year was the first annual Blog Connect Conference, hosted by the PHLBloggers. The PHLBloggers is a wonderful community of beauty, lifestyle, health and fitness, design, and entertainment bloggers in Philadelphia, and I’ve really enjoyed being a part of the group since joining last year.
The funniest thing is that I actually attended this conference right after the Run for Clean Air 5K! After the race, I walked home, showered, changed, and walked to Saxby’s Headquarters in Center City Philadelphia for the big event.
The program was fantastic – I learned a lot and met some really cool people! Here are 5 of my big takeaways from attending the Blog Connect.
Storytelling Helps You Connect With Your Readers
One of the first sessions of the day was with Julie Lenard, The Storyologist. We discussed the basic structure of storytelling by using The Wizard of Oz as an example.
A good story should be able to be described in 3 sentences: The beginning, the middle, and the end. And overall, there should be a universal relatable theme and an underlying message (there’s no place like home, right?).
I really enjoyed this workshop because not only did it take me back to English class, I was able to really focus on how I can do a better job telling stories through my writing. I was also able to come up with a future post idea that will share more details about my personal running journey that I hope you will enjoy in the near future!
Instagram Styling Doesn’t Have to Be Scary
We also had a really cool session with Amber of ember + march on Instagram styling. Amber had props that we could set up on a table and create an Instagram-worthy photo. I was too shy to volunteer to try, but what I did learn is that with some patience and the right lighting, you can really make some nice photos! Here are some of Amber’s tips:
Do’s
- Take photos in natural light and avoid shadows
- Try using white or beige construction paper for your styled photos.
- Try using VSCO Cam or Snapseed to edit photos and use the same settings each time for consistency of your brand.
- Create a Pinterest board with your Instagram posts.
Don’t’s:
- Don’t use zoom when taking photos with your camera – physically move closer to your object and crop when necessary.
- Don’t use Instagram filters – they can actually lower the quality of your photo!
I asked Amber what kind of Instagram posts I could style as a running blogger. She suggested running gear, different products I use, announcements for signing up for a race, any of those “lifestyle moments”. I’m generally clueless on Instagram, so this was so helpful!
Networking is King!
As much as we may like to avoid it (or maybe that’s just me), you’ve got to have a strong network in order to find new opportunities, especially when it comes to blogging.
We had a session with Kate and Jess from Philly PR Girl that gave some great insights on how you can grow your blog/business by leveraging the relationships you build over time. When I’m in blogging mode, sometimes I have my head down and I’m focused more internally. But it’s so important to make those connections, not just online, but in person!
There were some really great tips that I picked up that I not only need to follow up on but want to pass on to you:
- Start a spreadsheet for ALL of your blogging contacts and business cards that you receive.
- Join volunteer groups and committees that share your interests related to your blog.
- Host your own event! This is really where the wheels are turning in my head…
Put Together a Media Kit
Unsurprisingly, we learned quite a bit about blog monetization at the Blog Connect. Nowadays, there are countless businesses creating blogs and bloggers creating businesses! One big takeaway from that was discussed was that it’s time to create a media kit.
A media kit is a document that you share with prospective sponsors for your blog or business. If you’re interested in working with a brand or if one contacts you, the media kit will explain your brand, your audience, website statistics, social media followers, and rates for services.
I’m a pretty small-potatoes blogger, so I really didn’t think that I was at the level to require a media kit. But why sell yourself short? Bloggers take a lot of time and effort when working with brands and should be properly compensated.
And just because you’re being paid with free product, that doesn’t mean there isn’t a budget to allow you to get paid in cash too. It doesn’t hurt to ask, and that’s where the media kit can play a huge role!
To the bloggers out there: do you have a media kit? Has it worked out for you? I’d love to hear about it. And if you know a good designer, I’d like to know that too…
Get On Snapchat!
Have you heard of Snapchat? I still don’t really get it, but I definitely learned that I need to be on it!
With Snapchat, you can share photos and videos with your audience that are 1-10 seconds long but only last as long as 24 hours before being deleted forever! Throughout the day, we heard from various bloggers that Snapchat is THE place to be because it’s a great way to connect with your followers and potentially work with brands.
This post does a much better job of explaining the benefits of Snapchat as a blogger and business. While I don’t really like following the trends, there are definite benefits of being an early adopter of social media, so I am going to give it a try. When I create a username I’ll let you know!
The PHLBloggers are a wonderful group and I’m so glad that I’ve been able to get to know other bloggers in Philly and start to create and reignite some connections. The Blog Connect was a great event, not pretentious, and just full of so much valuable information. I am sure that it will be an even bigger event next year!
Have you been to a blogging conference or plan to attend one this year? Are you on Snapchat??
How fun! Did you meet Jolynne Shane? She is a big philly blogger and I’ve always admired here.
Funny about a “storyologist” I’ve never heard of that but I’ve love to become one…lol
Great photo tips too! I never thought of creating a pinterest board of IG pics.
Sounds like a great event. I have never been to a blogger event. I am sure you learned alot of useful tips while there. I am not on snap chat.
Sounds like you got a lot out of this conference! I don’t really get SnapChat either – I’m going to have to read that article you shared. And the whole media kit thing? It’s been on my to do list forever…I really need to get on that!
I have a white piece of poster board that I use behind things when I want a plain background.
Thanks for sharing these great tips.
Hey!!! I know I’ve said this to you 15 times now. I still can’t believe you ran a race first. Super glad you came though and I’m glad you had a good time! I don’t have a media kit yet, it’s on my to do list (next up!), but we learned an interesting thing from Sabir at Men’s Style Pro about media kits that kind of was mind-blowing to me. You don’t need a designer. It can be made in Microsoft Word. It’s essentially a blog resume, so it’s the content that matters. So just make sure the branding matches your site and make a first one to see how it works and what tweaks you need to make and take it from there. That said, Brigette from Brigette I Designs could probably help if you’re looking for a designer still.
This looks like a great event. I don’t yet have a media kit and I’m surprised you think your blog is small blog. I guess we judge ourselves a bit harshly. I tried to host my own event once never went through with it as I didn’t have real connections with people. That’s why I like the networking tip.
Great roundup of tips! I am just saying no to Snapchat!
Great post! Did you ever create a media kit? Which company did you go through or did you create on yourself?
You know what, I never got around to making a media kit!