I am very new to the blogging world, so when the opportunity arose to attend the Simply Stylist Beauty & Fashion Blogging Conference, I jumped at the chance! Although House of Wend is a travel blog, I figured it couldn’t hurt to learn as much as possible from fellow bloggers who are at the top of their game. Below is a rundown of the event as well as insider tips I gained from this year’s New York Simply Stylist Conference.

WHAT IS IT:

In a nutshell…”The Simply Stylist ‘Do What You Love’ conference is a place to learn, network and get inspired as you enjoy a day full of panels and breakout sessions presented by the influencers who are making major waves in the worlds of fashion, beauty, blogging and tech. Cocktails, pampering, meet & greets and photo booth fun are always right around the corner, at our signature Brand Experience!” (source: www.simplystylist.com)

HOW I GOT AN INVITE:

I recently added a “travel essentials” store to my site through Shop Style Collective so that I could share some of my favorite items that I use while abroad. Full disclosure, this also helps generate revenue for the site, allowing me to continue traveling and bringing great contact back to you! A few weeks after signing up, I received an email from Carlina Harris of Shop Style extending an invitation to the event at a discounted press rate.   Just a couple of clicks and I was registered for free!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:

 

10 TAKEAWAYS FROM THE PANELISTS:

My main reason for attending this conference was to gain some insider blogging knowledge from the experts. Luckily, I wasn’t disappointed. Bloggers turned media consultants, Becca Alexander and Daniel Sant were on hand to offer honest, unfiltered blogging advice.  Here are the top 10 takeaways:

1. Post with consistency: Becca and Daniel recommended posting 3-5 times a day on Instagram at 3 different times a day, but noted that quality trumps quantity. Find what works best for you and stick with it…post the same amount on the same days at the same times each week.

2. Maintain a seamless aesthetic across all social media feeds: The panelists suggested picking one photo filter and sticking with it.  They also recommended using only one photo editing app and spoke very highly of VSCO.  Doing this helps establish your brand and will attract more followers!

3. Seek out art students for assistance with photography/videography: This tip saves you both time and money.  No need to spend hours staging photos or dropping hundreds for a few hours with a professional photographer.  Working with a photography student is a win win!

4. Use trending hashtags to increase followers on social media: Just don’t overdo it! In the beginning, it may also be a worthwhile investment to pay high traffic profiles to feature you.

5. Create an editorial calendar: The importance of organization and consistency was repeatedly emphasized. The panelists suggested taking the time to create an editorial calendar to ensure your content is spread out across the entire month. This allows you to avoid repetition and lets readers know what to expect.

6. Pitch guest post ideas to other blogs: Reach out to blogs you follow that have a similar tone and aesthetic to yours. It’s a great way to drive new traffic to your site and hopefully gain a few loyal followers!

7. Don’t be afraid to pitch brands: Seek out marketing directors of brands you would like to work with. You can also utilize platforms such as Instafluence and Musefind to connect you with brands that fit your style.

8. Treat your blog like a business: If you take what you’re doing seriously, others will be too. Be professional, remain diligent, stay organized and work your a** off and eventually things will start falling into place!

9. Don’t try to be everything to everyone: In doing so, you spread yourself too thin and run the risk of sacrificing your authenticity and losing your unique voice. Focus most of your energy on producing quality content and perfecting 1-2 social media platforms to keep things consistent and manageable.

10. Do what you love: The theme of the conference was “do what you love”. While it may be easier said than done, if you truly are passionate about your work and strive towards honing your craft, you will discover that you’re the best version of yourself and you’ll find that you inspire others to do the same.

This was a great event and I learned a ton, but the main takeaways for me were 1) how badly I need to step up my social media game; and 2) blogging can be much more than just a fun hobby. Everyone from the panelists and speakers to fellow bloggers and brand reps considers blogging a legitimate career. It is an industry that is growing by the minute and there are opportunities for everyone who is willing to put in the work. So be encouraged, be persistent, be uniquely you and as always…happy wending!

What blogging tips have you picked up along the way?  Share your comments below!