images via instagram, facebook
Well, there is so much to cover from my trip, so I am breaking it down into three parts. I only attended one day of the IFB Conference {and brought my camera but forgot the camera battery at the hotel..dumb dumb}, but still have tons to discuss. I thought I’d just give you a synopsis of the good and the bad.
The Good
1st Things 1st: When I checked into the hotel, the concierge said I had a package which was so surprising since no one really knew where I was staying. Unbeknownst to me, Matt’s aunt {who lives in New York} had dropped off Luduree macarons for me to have when I arrived. Best day ever!
Getting Friendly: Having never been to IFB…or any blogger conference for that matter, I did not know what to expect, but wanted to go in with a great attitude. I can be semi reserved when put into a situation where I don’t know anyone and really tried to push myself to be friendly and open to meeting as many bloggers as possible. End result: I met tons of great and interesting people! Oh and how could I not fall in love with my hotel roomie and conference buddy, Dominique. She is the best!
People Watching: I knew going into a fashion conference that there were going to be some girls that would be dressed to impress and I was not let down. The people watching was phenomenal! Some looks were hysterical, but I just really loved that people felt free to express themselves…however that may be…through fashion. I mean, we all love it so it was cool to see everyone’s interpretations on different trends. Oh speaking of trends, if I had a dollar for every pair of wedge sneakers I saw, I could buy you all. Seriously..I’d buy you.
The Panels: It was so crazy and surreal to be getting advice on the business of blogging from bloggers and entrepreneurs I look up to such as Tina Craig, Lisa Salzer, Leandra Medine, Susie Lau, Aimee Song, Geri Hirsch and many many more. Was everything everyone said beneficial? No. Some things made me confused and annoyed but I’ll get to the bad later.
Best Advice for Me: I think the one person who inspired me the most was Tina Craig. A. she’s hilarious and B. she gave some incredible advice. 1. No matter how big you get, answer every email! Don’t leave people hanging. It’s just common courtesy. BTW I’m excellent at emailing people back. BUT I know some people who are rude and not good at it! 2. If you have an idea, reach out and pitch it. Genius! Sometimes I sit here and feel sorry for myself for not being bigger or better, but I haven’t reached out to anyone! Seriously I am a dumb dumb! 3. If you don’t love your content, why would your reader? Excellent point. Remember to post about what you love but in a way you know will engage your readers.
The Bad
The “too cool for school”: Well I am going to make this short and sweet. People who think they are too cool suck! They do they suck ok? We are not in high school, we blog. Be nice to each other for gods sakes. Oh and please not fake nice…get real!
The mixed signals on the panels: Susie Lau said she would NEVER start a blog now. Everyone, write those words of wisdom down quick. She tried to save herself by saying that we were all so brave for doing it, but I know what she meant! And I’m sorry you need to probably think before you speak to a room full of hopeful fashion bloggers. I will say that she did make a good point when she said personal style blogging has become diluted. Her advice was to not follow the generic blueprint of the personal style blogs. So how do you do that? Well, figure out what makes your blog different. Identify what engages you, what engages your readers and let it “transcend”.
Hearing your blog idol say something stupid: Despite what others may think of her, I am Man Repeller obsessed. I mean, to say she is my idol would be pushing it, but if I could trade places with any blogger, it would be her. She has EVERYTHING going for her, but she made a comment about if she heard the term, “arm party” one more time she would scream. I mean, I kind of get it, but I felt like she could have just kept that to herself. Maybe this could have gone under the “Too cool for school” portion.
What I learned
- Don’t be afraid to reach out to advertisers, shops, designers etc. If you think it’s a good fit for your blog, take a risk and reach out!
- If you haven’t already, figure out all the things that make you different and work on incorporating that more into your blog or business.
- If you ever think your blog is just another one in the over saturated market, remember this quote from Hilary Rushford, ”Saying there are too many blogs in the world is like saying there are too many books in the world”. Amen!
- Lisa Salzer’s formula for succes: “Success is meeting opportunity + being ready to tackle it”
- And never ever ever be too cool for anyone! I already played that game in high school.
Hope you got something out of this post!
xo e
Love this post! Thanks for the advice. I would like to attend the IFB Conference but I haven’t had a chance yet. Love your blog. I am following you.
http://www.notasinfashion.blogspot.com
Lots of words of wisdom. Thanks for sharing! xo
this is such a good honest recap. Dom filled me in on all the details of the trip…i wish i could have been there with yall! next time.
and, hello, if i created this massively viral fashion term i would at least embrace it in front of a huge audience of fashion bloggers! le duh.
its interesting..I heard people having the same “too cool for school” critique about alt as well! I think that is why I haven’t done any thing like that before..I already know I’m the farthest thing from cool, i don’t really need everyone else reminding me!
I cant wait to see your show recap!
Thank you for sharing the bad. It sucks when another blogger is snobbish or snubs. I had that happen to me recently with another local blogger. We both went to NYFW and she went on a twitter rant about how “some bloggers” have no business at the tents. I know it shouldn’t have but it did sting a bit. Funny, I had all backstage access, seats and even front row. I write for a national magazine, but to me it is just work and she writes for her blog. I may not have a following like hers, but I have a job and the one she wants. My advice, stay true and be nice. The girl at the door today will be the one pull the strings tomorrow. Be nice to her.
Thanks for you comment Yanira! Love your advice!
Yanira – Ew. Whoever said that on Twitter about you is officially gross. So not cool!
Having macarons waiting for you when you arrive sounds like a dream come true–what a sweet touch!
Sounds like IFB was great! I love Tina Craig’s advise because it’s totally true. I hate it when people are bad at responding to emails…
Thank you SO much for this post! I appreciate hearing the good and bad, especially your honesty with the bad. I’ve been hesitant to attend blogger conferences for the specific “too cool” reasonings. I think I may attend next time but just try to meet and surround myself with the gals that are welcoming to everyone! Thanks again for such great input. Xox
Alex, if you go in with an open mind and the right attitude, you’ll be fine. And like you said, just surround yourself with the right crowd! xo
Great recap, lady! I’ve had some bad experiences in the sf blog scene… I could do a whole post about it haha. SOmetimes you have to laugh about it. At the end of the day, we blog period done.
This was such a great recap!! loved it. So glad you got so much out of it…..but seriously we need to get together so I can get all this straight from the fish’s mouth. That shiny black.bronze outfit you instagrammed….killed me…give me the deats!
Best. Recap. Ever.
I was following IFB from afar and watching the live stream and heard that quote from Susie and was shocked. Some of the panel speakers even made me feel like blogging was dying — the OPPOSITE of inspirational. That said, I of course loved Leandra. I also thought some great advice was given, the best of which you pointed out — keep content original and interesting.
So jealous you got to experience it first hand! Thanks for such a detailed recap, it’s great to read honesty about the show.
And, I agree, “too cool” people suck.
Isn’t That Charming.
I love your recap and hope to be able to attend a blog conference one day. I also love the quote from Hillary Rushford:)
I’ve always considered going to a blog conference, I love hearing what everyone learns at each different conference. It’s unfortunate that there are blog snobs. To me, those people have lost the real reason why they share in the first place. Or perhaps their motives for sharing aren’t all that great. And I completely agree, there are never too many blogs. Love yours by the way and thanks for sharing your experience!
If you ever want another job in addition to blogging you need to get an article going in a magazine/newspaper. This writing was brilliant (as they say in London). Top of your game Elizabeth Wilbert. Never ever ever ever ever give up on your blog.
”Saying there are too many blogs in the world is like saying there are too many books in the world” – what a perfect quote! I totally agree with you about there being some “mean girls” in the blogging world!
Thanks for the love….I feel the same about you soul mate, I mean roomie. And you know how I feel about the good, the bad and the ugly! haha
XoXo
This is a fantastic, read, Elizabeth!!! Such amazing knowledge to share with us all…thank you
It sounds like you took so many great pieces away with you…a great to do/ not to do list 
I have not been to a blog conference yet, but it is looking like Alt SF in July will be my first!!! XO Brynn
p.s. arm party! arm party! arm party!
Wow so interesting, love this recap. I’ve always had this rule: if someone emails me addressing me by my name I respond because it is the polite thing to do, even if it’s just to say no to something ( in a nice way of course!) but if someone emails me saying ” hey vault files ” i just ignore them (fair right?) I really dislike people who play it too cool, what’s up with that? (Uuuuu wiiiiiiii, what up with that?)
You are so right. I forgot to mention that I blow off Spam and mass emails too!
Great recap!! Was interesting to hear your perspectives on IFB and the panelists too. Love that you shared what you DIDN’T like as well. Though I will just throw this out there — sometimes my inbox is so OOC, I just can’t respond to bad pitches (or like Gaby mentioned, people who don’t even address me by name, or call me the wrong name, or didn’t bother to input my name in the mail merge that populated the mass email that went out). Email is like my never ending battle!
I forgot to include her comments about Spam and mass emails…you are right!
Thanks for this recap and for the sincere comment. I can’t afford conferences, and have always been curious how they really are!
Loved your candid goods and bads. I’m at a point where I’m really struggling with a decision on whether or not to continue my blog and you gave me some good info to chew on here. Lots of thinking to do…
And, btw, thanks for never being “too cool for school.” I always appreciated your sincerity and the attention you gave my little ‘ol blog.
xx
I’m emailing you! xo