Bloggy Boot Camp Philly

Earlier this year, I started thinking about attending a blog conference. I had only been blogging for a little while but I felt like there was so much I needed and wanted to learn. I wanted to know what my options were should I decide to take this blog beyond just a hobby of mine. I started looking around, first at some fitness-focused conferences and then at big name events like BlogHer. Somewhere along the way, I came across this thing called Bloggy Boot Camp.

I read some reviews and narrowed it down between Bloggy Boot Camp and BlogHer. Ultimately, what drew me to Bloggy Boot Camp was its format and intimacy. The event is typically capped around 100 and they assign seating during the day. While it may sound hokey, as a new blogger, it put me at ease. I knew that I wouldn't have that "new kid entering the cafeteria and trying to decide which table to sit at" feeling. Plus, it's affordable ($99!!) and is an event that truly driven by content. 

Laurie Turk (www.tipjunkie.com)

The conference was jammed packed with amazing speakers who shared real-life stories and tangible take-aways that could be implemented right away. Topics ranged from 10 Tips for Blogging Success to Vlogging to SEO to Expanding Your Platform Beyond Your Blog. There were also two break-out sessions - the Business of Blogging and a Writer's Workshop. We covered so much ground and never once did I think, "Gee, I don't really need to sit in on this session." ALL of it was information that I was thirsty for.

Here are some of the key ideas I took away from the conference.

1. We're all in this together.

So much of blogging is about reciprocity and support. It's what the blogging community thrives on. Avoid blog jealousy over someone else's success. One blogger's success benefits us all and sets the bar higher for what we can all achieve. Support your fellow bloggers by reading their posts, leaving thoughtful comments and sharing on Twitter, Facebook and other platforms. Find your tribe and let's all lift each other up.

2. Focus and Prioritize. 

Have one main goal for your blog - whether it's traffic, experience, recognition, or writing. Sticking to your one main goal will make decision making so much easier. From there, create three-month goals to help you prioritize your blogging efforts. Focus your attention where you want to see results. Across the board, the magic number seemed to be three. Any more than three things, nothing will get done.

3. Branding. 

Branding is what people say about you when you are not in the room. Understand what your readers want and expect from you. Consider fully what you bring to the table, not just online and through social media but also offline assets and connections.

4. Niche vs. Category. 

This was an interesting one for me. I always thought of blogging niches as "Mommy blogger" or "Healthy Living Blogger" or "Technology Blogger" etc. This always troubled me because I kind of feel like I don't fit into a niche per se. Yes, I talk about healthy living and fitness but I also talk about being a Mom, bringing up my kids in a multi-cultural family, and a slew of random stuff. That's the point - that's my niche. It's me - my passion, my loves, my interests. All those other labels are categories of blogging.

5. Video!! 

I've heard it before but I've been reluctant to believe it but video is getting bigger and bigger. There are growing opportunities and companies and brands are willing to pay for it. Keep your videos short (1-1.5 minutes) and don't just be a talking head or take yourself too seriously. You need to be entertaining and tell a story. Focus on getting videos out there, balancing quantity with quality. As you do more videos, you will improve and it will be easier.

6. Don't sell yourself short. 

You have to be your own best advocate. Don't just jump at the first business opportunity that comes along. It has to be the right fit for you, your blog and your readers. As Tiffany from SITS said, Don't go after the money. Go after the bliss.  If it's a sponsored post, it should be stories in YOUR voice. Business opportunities are like buses. There's always another one coming - Richard Branson. Lastly, Never take "No" for an answer from someone who can't give you a "Yes." - Allison Talamantez from Sway in Real Life.

7. Treat your blog like a business. 

If you act like a business, you will be a business. You never know when that one post will go viral or an amazing opportunity will come along. Put things in pace so that when you have success, you are ready for it. It's a mindset and mentality. Believe in yourself and your blog. If you make decisions out of desperation, you will make bad decisions.

8. Be seen in real life. 

Blogging is great for making connections but nothing beats meeting people in real life. Attend events and conferences if you can. That personal, face-to-face connection matters. 

9. Live your life. 

Blogging and social media is great but you have to live your life too. It's tempting to sit glued to your computer all the time but blogging has to serve you and your family. Tiffany and Laurie Turk from Tip Junkie both emphasized this point. It's OK to close your computer - it's not the end of the world. I don't know the key to success but the key to failure is trying to please everybody - Bill Cosby.

OK, I tried to come up with a 10th takeaway to round out this list but this post is getting long enough.

Tiffany Romero, SITS

Thank you so much to the Bloggy Boot Camp team, especially Tiffany and Francesca for putting on an amazing event. I left feeling inspired and in awe of the blogging world but also empowered. Thank you to the incredible sponsors of the event - King's Hawaiian, Waterpik, HAPPYBABY, Mirassou Winery,  and Care.com.