I can't believe
The IFB Conference is over already! It was 2 jam packed days of expert panels, much needed inspiration & meeting internet friends in real life!
I think the tone for the entire conference was this idea of
staying authentic &
being true to yourself. Its not rocket science, but honestly after blogging for a few years I can see where I have strayed from my true self and have been influenced a little too much by what other people in the blogosphere where doing.
After hearing it repeatedly from just about every successful blogger at IFBCON & the brands they are working with, I definitely know that
refining my image as a blogger and
defining my target audience is the #1 thing on my to-do list! I may have this clear sense of who I am and how I want to be portrayed in my head, but when trying to convey it on here something gets lost in translation.
The IFB Conference was exactly what I needed to get me
inspired and
motivated. While I don't think I could include every little thing I learned during it, I wanted to share the quotes that struck me the most.
"Stay authentic - if it doesn't make you crazy like teenage love, don't do it" - Tina Craig (
@BagSnob)
When building a social media following,
"Be Useful, Be Interesting or Be Clever" - Dina Fierro (
@eye4style)
"Stay consistent, keep doing what you're doing and adapt to changes" - Matt Edelman (
@Glossi)
"What are your passion points & what are people responding to"
Social Media Etiquette:
1. Be Responsive
2. Build Real Relationships
3. Make sure you're having a conversation
4. Remember you're a spokesperson
When pitching to a brand,
"If you can't live without these products tell them"
"Develop a Clean & Clear Sense of Self"
"Show a brand how they can relate to your blogging audience"
"Trust Your Intuition" "Take a Leap"
"Get rid of the voices telling you you can't. That's how you really make things happen"
-LuLu Frost Founder, Lisa Salzer (
@LuLu_Frost)
"Never dumb down for your readers, have them rise to you" - Leandra Medine (
@ManRepeller)
"Building a following is much different than gaining followers. Its all about engaging" on blogging longevity - Leandra Medine (
@ManRepeller)
"Scout your locations. Take into account what you're wearing & your image when choosing a backdrop to shoot against" - Lydia Hudgens (
@LydiaHudgens)
Last but now least all the amazing gifts we got to take home with us! Makeup, DVDs, Planners, enough Hair Ties to last 20 years, plus much more including a super cute BaubleBar Surprise ((obviously I was ecstatic about this)) &
this adorable MailChimp T-shirt which I attempted to DIY, but failed because of lack of creativity & the fact that I got hot glue all over the place!
Already thinking about the Fall IFB Conference! Definitely want to look into Lucky FABB also, so many of the bloggers I met were raving about it!!
For everyone who didn't get to attend this year's conference I hope this will offer up some valuable advice & much needed inspiration as it did for me!
Check back tomorrow to see what I wore to Day 2 & what quote from IFB triggered me to start thinking about the future of this blog...
Labels: bloggers, Events, IFB, nyfw
