Konichiwa, readers! We missed you while we were away at Alt Summit… To reiterate what Sally already said in her post today, we had a ridiculously good time at the conference. Bailey and Jamie were the perfect pair to share a room with and I learned so much just listening to them talk about their thriving store businesses and online shops. I can’t think of a world without Furbish and Biscuit and I’m so proud of what those two do!
It was nice to take a little break and focus on learning and connecting with other bloggers, but it made me feel like a bit of a slacker at the same time. You guys are our peeps – and we owe our past two lovely years of blogging to your constant engagement – so I get a bit of the guilty feeling when I leave you hanging…
But Alt was a success. I don’t want to give away too many details of what Sal and I have in-store now that we are bursting with ideas and pipe-dreams of what this blog can be and mean for both of us, but let’s just say that we will be working harder to wow you all and show us 100% of the time.
Below are just a few of my favorite (summarized) snippets of advice from the panels I went to:
- Do YOU. Whether that means attracting people or repelling them – your readership says it all. People follow you for you – not when your blog (looks or feels) like someone else’s.
- Personality leads to platform, platform leads to trust, trust leads to a marketplace. No personality? No trust.
- How much do you share? Rule of thumb: don’t put anything on your blog that you wouldn’t want to share with a stranger on an airplane.
- A brand is much more than a logo, a typeface, and a layout – a brand is an experience and what readers take-away when they leave your blog.
- The blogs and bloggers with infinite resources and an established following can be intimidating – don’t let their success shake your confidence but don’t try to copy their formula either…
- Make a detailed media kit that anticipates potential questions and sets a standard for what you will and will not do.
- When working with brands – go in with a plan but be open to ideas.
- Know when to say “No.” Work with brands and companies that are a good fit for you, your voice, and your readers.
- Sponsored posts don’t mean that you’re selling out… They just mean that you are working with brands you love and integrating their message and content in meaningful ways.
- The more opportunities you say “No” to, the more opportunities that you’ll want to say “Yes!” to will come your way. (this is true, the bloggie fairies make it happen)
- Make an editorial calendar to keep your content focused on your blog and the content you want to share. Looking at other blogs too much can sometimes lead you to produce content that’s influenced by theirs… Stand out!
- You can’t be an expert in everything, reach out for help from experts when and if you need it. (and be prepared to pay for their consulting)
- Design a process for everything you do and try to teach it to someone else – if they get it, you know you have a sound-proof system. < for delegating your business
- Do what you do best, hire people to do the rest. < when running your own business
- Content is king. And original content is the queen that controls the kind. (okay, I made this up, but go with it)
There were lots of other nuggets I took away from the conference but I stupidly left my notebook full of tiny terrorist handwriting at home… But check out Bailey’s recap of what she took away from the panels she went to here 
Lisa’s recap is fab, too!
(Image via Items by Johanna)
Wow, this post was *so* helpful for where I'm at right now with my own little blog. I appreciate all the advice! As a fairly new blogger, visiting blogs on a daily basis that have thousands of readers, hundreds of comments on every post, and a long list of sponsors has been a quick and easy way to get discouraged about writing my own blog.
Thanks for all these bits & pieces – very reassuring and helpful
LOVE all the advice given! As a newbie to the HUGE blog world, I've been looking for some straightforward, simple advice. Thank you!
http://www.soyouagree.com
These are great tips, thanks for sharing!
Loved yours and Sally's posts…But mostly I love that you have a tag for "Bailey". Take me back!!! But mostly just to our room/cheese dip.
Thanks for sharing this!!
Thanks so much for these tips and recaps of what you've learned along the way. As someone who's just starting out, it's an incredibly helpful resource!
I LOL'ed at "tiny terrorist handwriting". Can't wait to see what you two lovely ladies have up your sleeve!
xxEmily
It sounds like it was a really fantastic conference! I absolutely want to make it out next time!
Chelsea
Haute Child in the City
Thanks for sharing. I especially like the part about making a process for everything you do. And of course, the importance of sharing that knowledge with others. I'm sad to have missed out this time. Do you think you'll go back next year?
Great things to ponder while blogging! Thanks for sharing!
Dear Sally and Molly,
I just wanted to take a moment to say that I love your blog. There is a very genuine, personal voice and definitely sets you both apart. A Piece of Toast was the first to arouse my now big interest in blogging . You've been a permant bookmark on my phone for a long time and I look forward to seeing what you have planned.
Sincerely,
An avid reader
LOL please what exactly is terroist writing?
Ok sorry but this has nothing to do with the article. But I LOVE the bracelets in the picture. Can you tell me where they came from? I am a bracelet fanatic. I have over 100. Anyway. Thank you in advance. And I love you're blog. And that you do it with you're sister is so sweet.
Well said and thanks for sharing what you learned!