Go Blog Social 2014

I was excited to attend my first blog conference! Go Blog Social conference was held this past weekend in my hometown of Kansas City, Mo. I won my ticket from Katelyn of Katalina Girl’s Blog. The conference was held at the Berg which was a secluded yet surprisingly stylish event space. Surprisingly because the space seems as if it needs a secret knock to enter, but once in you’re in, you’re in. Most conferences are held in major cities, but to have one in my hometown is something I could have never imagined.

Upon entry into the Berg I was greeted with a friendly smile and presented with a nice gift bag. The Berg started to fill-in quickly with bloggers from all over the United States. Farm to Market Bread Company provided breakfast which included plain croissant, chocolate croissants, and walnut banana bread. The banana bread was moist and divine, better than my dad’s bread. Shhh…You better not tell!

 

 The conference informational suggested that you wear something comfortable as you would do be walking throughout the day. I went shopping the evening before to at the Goodwill. The Goodwill is my favorite go-to thrift store. I can always find great buys there. I wanted to find something chic and comfy, but without trying to be a glam goddess. I opted to wear a pair of wide leg bottom jeans, a cute tee, and a blazer. My outfit excluding shoes totaled $17.98. Now, that is what I call Chic on the Cheap.

The conference included Bloggers from all genre’s such as DIY, Design, Lifestyle, Food, and Fashion of course! I attended the event solo and if you know me, I’ve never met a stranger. I shook all the hands I could without trying to feel as if I was selling vacuums door to door. And I exchanged cards with everyone I met.

I had such a great time at the pre-event networking session, only to turn around and notice how quickly the space filled up. It appeared everyone was having a great time. The bee hive was buzzing. The founders of Go Blog Social – Katheryn Elise (PR Guru)  and Sarah Ruhlman from Sarah Scoop greeted everyone. Jessica Merchant from How Sweet It Is blog kick started the conference and ending it with two simple words…Be You! Kelly Synder from Kansas City Mama’s served knowledge straight no chaser. I enjoyed her no pulls punches approach.

Every speaker provided information that I just sat in awe of. I look forward to utilizing everything that I have learned. So, I bet by now you are wondering…Is she going to share something she learned while at the conference? Well, of course I am going to share.

• Jessica Merchant of How Sweet It Is blog – Qualify your following: Readers are the most important part of your blog. Be Passionate: What do you know? What do you absolutely love? Be consistent: Be there in the Blog world. If you are bored with your content, Blog about something else. Be supportive: Support other’s in the blogging community. Credit other’s ideas. Share the love.
• Kelly Synder of Kansas City Mamas – Statistics: Don’t forward your blog stats in via email. Media Kit: Get one! It doesn’t matter how many readers you have. If you don’t know how to do one, hire it out! Conduct a Reader Survey: This provides you with deep insights from your readers. Elevator Pitch: Your elevator pitch should include; Key insights from your readers survey, your unique voice, why you are attractive to companies, and your blog and web address.
•  Nicole Regan from Cedar & Rush – Socialize online with others will give you the opportunity to have something to say in person. Don’t forget to spread the love with likes, favorites, and retweets. Ask Questions and Give compliments. Networking in person: Support others by attending their events. Be genuine. Most importantly! And I am so guilty of doing this. When you introduce yourself say your first and last name including your blog name.

There was a break in between the conference and the after event, So I rushed home only to get ready. I wanted to be stylish, contemporary, and classic. I loved my T-shirt so much that I wore it again. (Ok, That and the fact that I was rushing and couldn’t find a top) But we’ll say style was recycled in this case. I paired the top with a cobalt blue jacket I purchased at a boutique and a pair of vegan leather ( I acquired this term vegan, instead of using pleather from Jessie of Style and Pepper) If you follow my blog, You should know these are the same pants I wore a few weeks earlier to Kansas City Fashion Week. Shh….I was a repeat offender.

I’m sure you are thinking, How did you go from going glam to kitchen duty? I came to the after event twenty five minutes early. I had dropped off my girls over my mother in laws for the evening and did not want to wait in my car until the event started. When I entered, Everyone was adding last minute touches to the space and of course like a hungry bear I head straight to the kitchen. Chef Alli was frying up bacon in the skillet. There is something about the smell of bacon that is a instant alarm clock for me. Hey, Some people wake up to the smell of coffee. But I prefer bacon!

Chef Alli asked one of the young ladies that just happened to be a farmer to peel the potatoes. She was as cute as a button. And still to this day, I’ve never met a cuter farmer. Unfortunately, She didn’t know how to peel. So I washed my hands and started peeling potatoes. I quickly peeled two with no problem, believing that I had accomplished something. I asked Chef Alli, “Is there anything else you need help with like chopping or dicing?” Wishing, She would’ve said chopping so I can get my hands on that beautiful Chef’s knife. She quietly handed me more sweet potatoes to peel. I accepted that challenged and peeled like a champ.

By the time, I peeled and Chef Alli cooked the food we had talked and laughed so much. I would say, I think I made a friend. I walked out of the kitchen wanting to ask her, “Can we be friends?”

Thanks to Jasmine from Thee Fashion Stories, Kari from This too is found here, and Holly from Style from the Sticks for taking pictures with me on the Photo Bus.

Want to learn more? Follow: Go Blog Social via Twitter and scroll through the feed to get more tips/advice. Also, be sure to attend Go Blog Social next year! Want to see more pictures from my experience at Go blog Social?

Visit my Facebook page and select my GBS 2014 album.

fashionplatekc@gmail.com