UncategorizedMaking the Most of a Blog Conference July 16, 2015 The most commonly asked question I get through e-mails is about how to blog, how to grow a blog, and how to work into blogging full-time. You may remember in my New Year’s post that I said a Blogging 101 series would be coming this year. Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten it and it’s actually in the works and COMING SOON! But I’m seeing all of these Haven Conference posts on social media and I know so many of you are headed there today. Not heading there with all of you feels really weird. I’ve gone the last two years and as I’ve said many times in different posts, my first trip to Haven has everything to do with The White Buffalo’s success. I remember what it felt like headed there that first year (and even some the second). I was so nervous! I knew I’d be meeting people I’d read and been inspired by for years and I was so intimidated. The White Buffalo hadn’t even been born yet, but I had a vision for it I was hoping to promote and I felt so unworthy. I mean, who would be interested in little old me and my idea that hasn’t even happened yet? I posted about how that first year at Haven changed it all for me here. If you want more of the full story, check that out. But, today, I decided to share some of my practical advice from experience for making the most out of a blog conference. I’m sure none of you feel like I did and you’re all super confident and ready to kick some Haven butt, but just in case some of you have nerves or don’t really know what you’re getting into, but have BIG, BIG DREAMS, here’s what I’ve learned after going twice and seeing what it can do for you: You guys have already taken the first step! You bought the ticket and are on your way. But what you do with your time there will 100% dictate how useful it is for you. Sure, you could show up and go to sessions, learn a lot, and talk to no one. You’d come home with some practical knowledge to apply, but that would only be scratching the iceberg of Haven possibilities! The most important thing you have to do is to believe in yourself. I know that seems obvious or cliche, but no other advice I give will be worth anything if you don’t process this first step. You can’t sell yourself to someone else when you’re doubting you and what you can offer! So, recite this with me: I am uniquely talented. I am passionate. I have something to offer that no one else does (we all do, it’s true). I am Lindsay Jackman {insert your name here}, darnit and I’m going to rock this. Got it? Give yourself this little pep talk throughout the conference and don’t let ANYONE make you doubt this for a second. This was the best advice I was given before Haven. Go in knowing the top people and brands you want to connect with. The #1 reason Haven did so much for me was because I made some serious connections. Make a game plan. What are the top two brands there you’d die to work with? A friend gave me this advice the first year I was going. You’ll be told to visit every brand and I think making time for that is awesome! They’re all great brands and you never know who you’ll really connect with. BUT, I was given the advice to choose two that I wanted to absolutely work with and spend more time there. Home Depot was at the top of my list. I visited their booth probably five times during my first year, talked to everyone, asked questions, introduced myself. I didn’t just walk up, introduce myself, hand them my card, and then walk away. I stayed and chatted. I shared what I could uniquely offer and sold myself! We’ve now built a lasting partnership and I love getting to work with them! As I said, I went into my first Haven so nervous! But a good friend had given me a pep talk about making the most of it and when I got there, I “put on my big girl panties,” so to speak, and put myself out there. I walked up to every blogger I saw and introduced myself and started a conversation. I walked up to brands and just started talking. I really surprised myself because I was so nervous and multiple times had the thought that maybe I’d just go to sessions, fly under the radar, and e-mail people when I got home. But I had this “come to Jesus” moment where it hit me, THIS IS MY SHOT. I’m here, in person, with all of these amazingly successful bloggers and brands. Do I really want this to be my world? Then, it’s up to me to make it happen. And shockingly, I did. But even with those bits of gumption and confidence, I found myself apologizing for me over and over again. When talking to bloggers I considered to be “big-time” and true rock stars, I continually apologized for my little blog, my little following, etc. I compared myself to others and really stopped believing #1. Karianne from Thistlewood Farms heard me doing this and told me kindly to STOP. She taught me a version of the mantra in #1. There is nothing about yourself or your journey you should apologize for! Maybe you’re not where you’d like to be yet? Well, few of us are. I’m definitely not. But I’m so proud of where I’m at. I’m proud of the late nights and hard work, and flinging myself out of my comfort zone that got me here. If you’re a brand new blogger, if you haven’t even started one yet, or if you’ve blogged for years, but just aren’t happy with where you are, take heart! This stage, the right now is part of your ultimate journey. It’s going to get you where you want to go if you’re willing to put yourself out there and put in the work. And you couldn’t be at a better place than Haven to kick start it all! Not one thing is wrong with you or your brand in its current state. I’m not going to lie and say that Haven is all roses and rainbows and nights of singing Kumbaya. It can be that, if you allow it. If you seek out connections and forge bonds with like-minded bloggers. But just like the real world, you will encounter competition. Some will see you as a potential road block between them and their goals. You may feel snubbed by some that you reach out to. I have to say this part because it’s happened to me and it is not fun! You immediately feel unworthy and the doubts about who you are and why you’re there creep in. It’s sad that this happens because I would love for us all to support each other and not see another’s success and a failure of my own. But who am I kidding. This is the real world. There are all types of personalities and a conference throws them all together in a high-stakes game where it feels like careers and dreams are on the line. Unfortunately with some, the worst may come out. When this happens to you, first of all KNOW that you don’t see the whole story. Everyone goes in with goals in mind and I can remember one situation last year where I had ten minutes and was rushing to see a brand that was at the top of my goal list. I got stopped by someone wanting to chat. The minute the interaction ended, my heart sank because I realized I was distracted, not looking her in the eye, not listening, and not making her feel worthy like I want people to make me feel. I still beat myself up about that. So know that it may be a situation like that and have nothing to do with you! But even if it isn’t and someone else doesn’t see your worth, YOU see it. Shake it off, go take Haven by the horns, and PROVE THEM WRONG. If anyone acts like they are better or you are less than, they’re insecure and that’s how they’re trying to get affirmation. I realize that this last one seemingly goes against ALL that I’ve said. Yes, Haven can be a dream-maker and really , put you on the way to your goals. But it is not the only way. While I do credit so much of my blog to my initial contacts there, it wasn’t those meetings that sparked things. It was the relationships those forged later that did. Conferences are great and you should make the most of it. But this isn’t do or die. This isn’t the only way your blog will be successful. It’s just one step in the journey, friends. Now go and kill it. *** I am so sad to be missing it this year, especially since Home Depot’s booth is inspired by our Patio Challenge! Send me pictures if any of you think of it!
Angie says July 16, 2015 at 10:53 am I love this post! I remember being at Haven with you that first year and in awe of your go-to approach and how you just walked right up to Home Depot. You’re such a rock star and I love following and seeing how your blog is growing! I can’t wait to see what the future holds for The White Buffalo! Now that we’re settled in our new house in VT I’m hoping to bring the blog back to life again so maybe we’ll run into each other at next year’s Haven. I’m sad too to be missing it. Hope all is well!! Reply
Lindsay says July 16, 2015 at 11:15 am Doesn’t that feel like a lifetime ago, Angie? You are so sweet – I’m glad I came off as confident because looking back, I was terrified inside, haha! Can’t wait to see you blog about your new place! Reply
Nicki says July 16, 2015 at 12:41 pm I can’t thank you enough for writing that. I literally feel like you wrote that just for me. I feel exactly the way you described! It is my first time and you hit the nail right on the head for me. I am so shy to approach people. I am afraid they will laugh at my little blog. This was just the pep talk I needed as I am headed there as I write this. I am going to take your advice. I wo so hug you right now if I could! Reply
Lindsay says July 17, 2015 at 10:27 am Aww, sending you a e-hug! No one will laugh at your blog unless you do. Seriously. If you’re confident in what you do and who you are, others will view you as hot stuff, girl! The same friend I mentioned here told me to “Fake it til you make it.” I still do that, haha! If you believe in you, numbers, experience, etc. doesn’t matter. Others will too! Reply
Melissa Sorci Taft / Feather Your Nest says July 16, 2015 at 12:49 pm Hi Lindsay, Well…I have been gathering information for some time “thinking” about starting a blog and your blog has been real inspiration to do that in the future. Thank you so much for posting this. I had not heard of Haven before, so will look into that for next year (possibly?). Keep inspiring people as you are very good at it! Reply
Lindsay says July 17, 2015 at 10:28 am Yes, if you start a home blog, Haven is the BEST place for you to go to network π Reply
Laura Jo says July 16, 2015 at 5:03 pm Thank you so much for sharing this! It’s exactly what the “newbie maven” needed to hear! Reply
Lindsay says July 17, 2015 at 10:24 am Enjoy every minute, Laura Jo! Go show them what you’re about π Reply
Allison says July 17, 2015 at 7:07 pm Reading this after attending Day #1 and hope to put it to use for Day #2! We are a “little blog” with a “little following” FOR NOW… ) Thanks for the advice. Reply
Lindsay says July 20, 2015 at 11:21 am Hope it went well for you, Allison! So glad this helped you π And I love that, FOR NOW! Great attitude π Reply
Lauren English says July 18, 2015 at 11:52 am Such great encouragement here! I have it on my blogging goals to go to a blogging conference in the next year or so and I’ll have to put on my “big girl panties” and remember all this. Thanks for sharing! Reply
Corinna - A Designer At Home says July 20, 2015 at 1:06 pm I really wish I had hopped on the internet some time while I was there. I was so overwhelmed (and still getting over strep) that I did just that. I went to sessions and missed many opportunities. This post would have jolted me into seizing the moment so it’s so kind you put this out here for us. Reply
Lindsay says July 20, 2015 at 1:09 pm Corinna, I am so sad to hear that, but here’s the good news! This was just ONE opportunity. And I know it wasn’t wasted! Put what you learned into practice and learn from it π Hope you’re feeling better!!! Reply
Haneen Matt says March 3, 2016 at 1:19 pm Loved reading this, Lindsay! I just bought my first Haven ticket so I was browsing different blogs trying to find different peoples’ experiences. Glad I found this one! Will you be attending this year? I hope so! Reply