One of my blog followers, Katie of Clarks Condensed, invited me to sign up for my very first blogging conference. And I did it. I signed up for the Online BlogCon 2013. I figured if I wanted to get serious about blogging (thanks to my readers and followers for putting up with many changes over the last few months), I should know how to blog! I have learned SO much about blogging lately and it’s been awesome. I am in multiple blogging groups (Indiana Women Bloggers, Online BlogCon, HDYDI Authors, Some Blogger Love) on Facebook that have been a wonderful resource of information. If I have a question about whatever, I have a group of women bloggers I can ask my questions to and get lots of helpful answers.
Online BlogCon 2013 – Online and Affordable
All that being said, this blogging conference I am going to is an online blog conference. This means I don’t have to fly or drive anywhere, pay for hotels or food, or even parking. I get to take part from the comfort of my home. AND, it’s VERY affordable! They have three different packages or sessions – A basic one building from last year’s conference (their first conference), one for new bloggers, and one for food/craft/DIY bloggers. Each package is just $29.99 each! You can sign up for one, two, or all of them (for only $79.99). I believe I signed up for the first two packages. A lot of blog conferences are like $200 or more! I figured this would be a safe and affordable place to start my blog conference experiences.
When and Why?
The Online BlogCon is happening October 8-12, 2013. But, after you register, you can join the private Online BlogCon group on Facebook. I signed up a few months back for this conference, but have reaped benefits already, via the amazing help and insights from the Online BlogCon Facebook group. In this group, you have to opportunity to be part of weekly pin parties (I’ve participated in one now), round-ups, giveaways, pinterest group boards, link parties, contests, and lots of networking. Most of the people in the group are of the food/craft/diy variety (which isn’t what I do), but they are sure helpful answering any basic blogging questions – like who do you prefer for web hosting and how do I switch from blogger to wordpress? Everyone is there to help each other. It’s been awesome. I think being part of the Facebook group alone makes signing up for the conference worth it!
But, during the conference, they will be addressing the following (per the current schedule):
- Understanding and adhering to FTC Regulations
- How to write a Sponsored Post
- Utilizing Google+ (which I don’t use at all)
- Using Social Media for your Niche
- Utilizing Twitter – Beyond the Basics
- Getting the Most out of your pinterest accounts
- Food Photography
- Using Social Media to Network with Bloggers and Brands
- Maximize your ad revenue and DFP (I don’t even know what DFP is…)
- The Best Ad Network and Campaign Sites for YOU
- Writing a cookbook
- Writing an e-book and self publishing options
- All about SEO (I’m slowly learning a few things)
- Planning, Scheduling, and Organizing your Blogging Business (sounds good)
- More on Photography for DSLR and Point and Shoot
- Where to Leave your links – link parties and sharing brands
- and more!!!
If you are a blogger, or want to be a blogger, then I would suggest signing up for the Online BlogCon 2013. It’s so helpful to have a community, even an online one, to help you reach your blogging goals.
*I wrote this blog post as part of an entry into a giveaway from the Online BlogCon, where the winner of the giveaway will win $100 via paypal. But, ALL opinions are mine.
So glad you are attending this year! I am so excited for it.