IFB Conference 2013

I can’t believe The IFB Conference is over already! It was 2 jam packed days of expert panels, much needed inspiration & meeting internet friends in real life!

I think the tone for the entire conference was this idea of staying authentic & being true to yourself. Its not rocket science, but honestly after blogging for a few years I can see where I have strayed from my true self and have been influenced a little too much by what other people in the blogosphere where doing.

After hearing it repeatedly from just about every successful blogger at IFBCON & the brands they are working with, I definitely know that refining my image as a blogger and defining my target audience is the #1 thing on my to-do list! I may have this clear sense of who I am and how I want to be portrayed in my head, but when trying to convey it on here something gets lost in translation.

The IFB Conference was exactly what I needed to get me inspired and motivated. While I don’t think I could include every little thing I learned during it, I wanted to share the quotes that struck me the most.

A quick snap of what I wore on the 1st Day of IFB! I didn’t get a chance to take outfit pics but I’m loving this velvet dress & BaubleBar’s 2nd Anniversary Necklace so I definitely think I’ll be wearing it again in the near future!

“Stay authentic – if it doesn’t make you crazy like teenage love, don’t do it” – Tina Craig (@BagSnob)

When building a social media following, “Be Useful, Be Interesting or Be Clever” – Dina Fierro (@eye4style)
“Stay consistent, keep doing what you’re doing and adapt to changes” – Matt Edelman (@Glossi)
“What are your passion points & what are people responding to”
Social Media Etiquette:
1. Be Responsive
2. Build Real Relationships
3. Make sure you’re having a conversation
4. Remember you’re a spokesperson

When pitching to a brand, “If you can’t live without these products tell them”
“Develop a Clean & Clear Sense of Self”
“Show a brand how they can relate to your blogging audience”

“Trust Your Intuition” “Take a Leap”
“Get rid of the voices telling you you can’t. That’s how you really make things happen”
-LuLu Frost Founder, Lisa Salzer (@LuLu_Frost)

“Never dumb down for your readers, have them rise to you” – Leandra Medine (@ManRepeller)
“Building a following is much different than gaining followers. Its all about engaging” on blogging longevity – Leandra Medine (@ManRepeller)

“Scout your locations. Take into account what you’re wearing & your image when choosing a backdrop to shoot against” – Lydia Hudgens (@LydiaHudgens)

Last but now least all the amazing gifts we got to take home with us! Makeup, DVDs, Planners, enough Hair Ties to last 20 years, plus much more including a super cute BaubleBar Surprise ((obviously I was ecstatic about this)) & this adorable MailChimp T-shirt which I attempted to DIY, but failed because of lack of creativity & the fact that I got hot glue all over the place!

Already thinking about the Fall IFB Conference! Definitely want to look into Lucky FABB also, so many of the bloggers I met were raving about it!!

For everyone who didn’t get to attend this year’s conference I hope this will offer up some valuable advice & much needed inspiration as it did for me!

Check back tomorrow to see what I wore to Day 2 & what quote from IFB triggered me to start thinking about the future of this blog…