I can’t believe that 3 weeks have passed and I’m just barely getting up my Bloggy Bootcamp Vegas recap post! Life has been a tad hectic lately (when is it not?), but I actually feel like I’ve needed 3 weeks for all of the awesome information I received at Bloggy Bootcamp to digest. I take away something different from each blogging conference/event I attend and this one was no exception. Here are the main lessons I took away from Bloggy Bootcamp.
1. Treat your blog like a business and create a business plan. If you want to of course. Many people just blog for fun, and that’s totally fine. That was me 4 years ago, I had a full time job and never in a million years thought that I would ever call “blogging” my job. We’ve had our ups and downs, but I’m still passionate about inspiring others to be creative and I still love blogging. Now that blogging has all of a sudden shifted from a hobby into a career, I need to treat it more like a business. I was so inspired by Laurie’s (of Tip Junkie fame) blogging story and how she was able to turn it into a major business (plus be a mom/wife/etc. at the same time).
Me, Laurie
2. Just be your unique self. I loved listening to Elizabeth (from Flourish in Progress) talk about how blogging has made her more comfortable in her own skin. I feel exactly the same way. Believe it or not, I’m a really private person and it takes me awhile to open up. But this space is different. I know that when I post about my struggle with PPD/PPA that (for the most part) I’m going to be supported with open arms. I know that when I post about struggling with my weight, I’ll receive 15 emails the next morning from women feeling the same way. I love that I can be my imperfect self here and not have to apologize for it.
Wendy, Kimberly, Laura, Me/Me, Jill
3. Make new friends, but keep the old ones (anyone remember that song from Girl Scouts?). Network, network, network and bring tons of business cards! That’s what you are there for (besides the swag) right? I loved that Bloggy Bootcamp assigned our seats for the first half of the day. I love hanging with my Arizona girls (Kimberly from A Night Owl, Laura from Pink Cake Plate, Sarah from Mom Endeavors, Sara from The Clever Pink Pirate and Wendy from Choosing Love were all there), but I never would have ran into Jill from Sandy Toes and Popsicles and I never would have become tweeting buddies with @mburton0214 if I wasn’t forced out of my comfort zone. It was also great catching up with old friends, like Hollie from Little Miss Marmalade!
Me, Hollie
4. “Where you put your energy is where you get your results”, words of wisdom from Tiffany of The SITS Girls. How does that saying go, “you can’t do everything and do everything well”. It’s true and something I struggle with. Time to cut out the extras and focus on my main priorities. I loved Laurie’s advice of defining the purpose or goal of your blog and if it doesn’t fit with that goal, then you don’t do it. Basically, I’m learning how to say “no”.
A huge, giant thanks to Fat Quarter Shop for sponsoring my trip and allowing me this amazing experience! If you are ever in search of fabric or related supplies, this is your shop! I’ve personally shopped here before and can vouch for their wonderful costumer service. You can also find Fat Quarter Shop on Pinterest, Facebook and Twitter.
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Sounds like a great conference! I think I’m just now starting to break out of where you were 4 years ago too đŸ™‚
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