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Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference

Yesterday I was fortunate to attend the Independent Fashion Bloggers Conference (#IFBcon) in New York. It was a treat to hang with some of my favorite bloggers and meet several of my awesome readers! I even worked up the nerve to ask Emily of Cupcakes & Cashmere a question on editorial calendars after her panel:
Thankfully you can't tell that I was shaking like a leaf! I wore my J.Crew blazer, J.Crew pants, and ASOS flats. Here are a few of the things I learned...


- The blog is the new résumé and the ultimate calling card. What does yours say about you?

- Bloggers and editors have hired their assistants after reading particularly insightful blog comments. Comment away!


- Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, Twitter... It’s too much for one person to utilize every single platform effectively without duplicating content. Focus on a few platforms and do them really well.

- When it comes to social media, would you be interested in reading what you write? That’s always a good filter to determine if you’re putting out meaningful content.

- Take the extra two seconds to spell out b-e or y-o-u-r, even when you’re facing a 140 character limit. It’s so much more professional!


- Don't jump at the first opportunity that comes your way. The brands you partner with are a reflection of your brand and your taste. Quality over quantity is key!

- Work with brands whose clothes you actually wear. And don't be afraid to pitch your favorite brands when you have a great idea for a partnership! 

When you blog, you’re creating a brand and a persona. Whether you want a book deal, a styling gig, or a TV show, you can market that personal brand and parlay it into whatever you want.


- Bloggers need to make money too. Don't be afraid to ask for what you're worth!

- When it comes to advertising, here’s a good rule of thumb: if three people will pay it, it’s time to increase your rate!

- - - 

All in all, I had a great time and came home with lots to think about in terms of my own personal brand. I hope these tips will come in handy for some of you too!

48 comments:

The Sister Studio said...

Thank you so much for sharing these great tips. This is very helpful and inspiring. I absolutely love your blog and am thankful that you have taken the time to give your followers some helpful hints! :) Oh, and p.s. your outfit was perfect!

www.glamorsham.blogspot.com

Shannon Darrough said...

Fantastic advice, Mackenzie! I have been following your tweets this week too ... sounds like you're having a ball!

Diana Teodoro said...

Your outfit was super cute!:)
Glad you shared this info with us!Thanks.

aspiring said...

thank you so much for sharing! as a new blogger the insight and advice from experienced women is so valuable to me!

Holy City Chic | Megan said...

Wonderful advice! Thank you for sharing. I just love those ASOS flats --they look great on you!

HRCK the Herald said...

These are great guidelines-- thanks, Mackenzie!

You look adorable and totally confident too, by the way.

Chic Coles said...

Great advice, thanks so much!

Angela said...

Thanks, Mackenzie. Great advice! I just recently stumbled across your blog via Grace, of Stripes and Sequins. Needless to say, I LOVE IT. You are too cute. Definitely bookmarked your blog as a new must-read!

xo

victoria | vmac+cheese said...

Looking adorable, per ush. Great tips too (the last one on sponsorships is perfect)! IFB sounds like it was a blast.

Taylor said...

your outfit is adorable!!
itsthelittlethingsblog.blogspot.com/

so anthro said...

Thank you SO much for sharing these, very helpful and insightful!! So jealous you got to go and speak to Emily, and you look adorable!

Anonymous said...

you look fabulous! I have never had the opportunity to go to a blogger conference so I love the advice attendees share on their blog! This was such a helpful post!

Thanks!

Adelyn

sarah | chevrons and stripes said...

love reading tips from blog conferences! makes me feel a little bit less left about not being able to make it. And look how adorable you look at the mic!

p.s. i recently joined the dd facebook page. I've really been missing out all this time - so fun!

Unknown said...

Greats tips!! Thanks for sharing Mackenzie!

Lisa said...

Thanks for sharing these! All such great advice. And you look adorable! :)

Lily said...

Love your asos flats !! Thanks for sharing the tips !

xxLily
goldandgray.com

Lindsey Hutter Style Client Page said...

I was there yesterday and when I saw you stand up and ask Emily a question I got so excited. I read your blog all the time. Wish I would have been able to talk to you. It was a little crazy. But anyways. Wonderful tips & advice you picked up! It was such a great conference.
xo,
Lindsey
www.caviartaste.com

viv said...

You looked oh so stylish!
Thanks for the blogging tips. I wish I could've attended!

Leslie said...

Very cool tips! I love your outfit. :)

Laura Trevey said...

Great tips and advice - It looks like the conference was a worthwhile event!!

I also see you are attending Blogfest2012 and I look forward to meeting YOU :)

xoxo

Jordan - Queen of LA! said...

thank you for sharing these tips. i think the most important one to remember is what you said about focusing on a couple of platforms and doing those really well. sometimes i get stressed when i think about how i dont update my twitter or instagram enough! but im doing my best :)

you look adorable in that pic. i love your flats!

Jessica said...

Thanks for sharing these tips, Mackenzie! You look adorable! xo

Kate {domestikatedlife} said...

Great advice! My blog definitely acted as an extension of my resume in getting my new job.

PS: adorable outfit as always, I'm rocking the same flats today!

Naomi@DesignManifest said...

Great tips. Pinning this to my "good blog posts" board. (Yes, I have one of those.)

Sometimes I get so overwhelmed by all the things I'm not doing. But I agree it's best to do a few things well. And maybe it's time for me to reach of to sponsors. eek! ;)

Dara {Habersham Haven} said...

Thanks for sharing the highlights of the conference!

ANH Style said...

Thank you for sharing what you took away from the experience! I like hearing that you should pick a few social media outlets to use but refrain from stretching yourself to do everything. Wise words.

Courtney said...

This post is very much appreciated! Thank you. I definitely think it's true that a blog can be your resume. The conference seemed like a wonderful opportunity.

K said...

Mackenzie, thanks so much for posting these tidbits!! After emailing you a while back, I've been working on starting my own blog- these tips are so helpful! Thanks!

Anna @ IHOD said...

Mackenzie, thanks so much for the awesome recap. I am soaking up these tips!
Crossing my fingers I can attend next year.
:) Anna

Will @ Bright.Bazaar said...

Look at you looking SUPER cute!

Alyson said...

LOVE this, and you look so adorable. Awesome you took the plunge to ask. What did she say about ed cals? Also, such a great point about paying for sponsorships. I really need to make a more active effort to recruit sponsors. Thanks for the recap!

Lisa @ Elembee, Etc said...

Great tips, thanks so much for sharing!

Lynne@Oberon said...

Those are really great tips. I meant to watch this Conference online but didn't get the chance, so I'm now looking at all the bloggers who were there.
I kind of hate that your blog is now your resume - I feel like I always have that in the back of my mind and it makes me sometimes modify what I write. Probably for the best though!

Sarah Baynes Sarna said...

Thanks for these great tips Mackenzie!

Limezinnias Design said...

Great tips! Best of all, thanks for sharing. Best of luck!

limezinniasdesigns.blogspot.com

K.slademade said...

Great to hear a tiny bit of what you learned while you were at the conference! Good tips, I will definitely be putting some of these to use. xo

Bettina said...

Thanks for sharing what you learned from IFB! I would've been so nervous asking Emily a questions as well, she's the first blog I ever started following/reading!

Your Southern Peach said...

Mackenzie,

Thanks for this very helpful recap from IFB. I was able to watch some live stream video from the conference too which was exciting.

Unknown said...

Just printed this post and added it to my blogging survival binder. Lovely tips!

Allyson [Mimosas in the Morning] said...

Mackenzie- that outfit is TO DIE FOR! I am buying those shoes as soon as I get my next paycheck! And thank you so much for sharing this info.

Unknown said...

Hello. I found your blog by way of a designer friend here in Charlotte, NC. I am new to the world of blogging and in a short time have realized my blog is more or less a public resume. I just wanted to say a very big thank you for sharing these very helpful points and tips. I am glad to hear you had a wonderful and gainful time at the blog summit.

Warmest Regards, Whitley Adkins Hamlin
www.thequeencitystyle.com

Vanessa {www.vanillaroseblog.com} said...

I love your outfit and thank you for sharing those tips! :)

missameliamarie said...

I love your outfit! Thank you so much for posting these tips; I had to begin blogging for a couple of PR classes, so I'll be sure to use these tips to make sure my blog reaches its full potential (as well as to enhance my other blog)!

Natasha @ Northern Light Design said...

ok... so i am a little late to the comment form on this one - clearly :)
Thank you for these few tips, wish I could have attended in person, must have been SUPER interesting!!!

kristie said...

Thanks for posting these tips, they are very helpful! And super cute outfit. I'm loving those colored pants. Can't ever go wrong with J.Crew

Kristin Kerr said...

A very helpful post! Thanks for sharing!

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