Despite all the craziness last week, I made it to Blogger Scene at the Gryphon downtown and am so happy it worked out so I could go. It was the perfect mix of sangria, mingling with old blogger friends, collecting business cards from new blogger friends, and an informative panel.
(Not on the official agenda: our late-night trip to Shake Shack after.)
Since I know a lot of y’all also blog and don’t necessary live in DC, I thought I would share the four tips for bloggers that helped me most from this event. If you do live nearby and were on the fence about going this time, I’d highly recommend you try to make the next!
1. Don’t be afraid to reach out to brands. When I first started out, I thought companies would come to me. That’s how my first collaboration came about, and so I just expected others would follow suit. More recently though, I have been taking a more active approach and pitching brands myself. Nine times out of 10, they say yes. The key is you have to do the legwork for them and present them a solid idea. It makes it a lot easier for them if all they have to do is say yes, versus brainstorming an idea on their own, getting approvals needed, and so on. I use Alicia’s tips to craft my pitches and have had a lot of success this way.
2. Make a list of brands you want to work with. It’s not smart to say yes to every opportunity that comes you’re way. You know what’s best for your brand, so by making a list of companies you do want to work with, you’ll be better equipped to say yes or no when pitches come along as opposed to being guided by the fact it’s always flattering when someone reaches out.
3. Be friends with the competition. Blogging is such an introverted activity – I often write from my kitchen table with the company of Chris Soules and that’s about it. But it’s important to remember there are other people out there doing the same thing as you, and they often have great ideas that will help your own blog improve and vice versa. Even though it may seem like other bloggers are your competition and its counterintuitive to share information with them as s result, it’s important to live by the old saying “a candle loses nothing by lighting another candle” in this situation.
4. Interact with other bloggers on social media. Whenever I meet a new blogger, instead of sending a follow-up email, I usually tweet at them saying how great it was to meet them and mention any resource I recommended or inside joke we made. It’s a quick, easy way to make an impact and organically grow your own following.
Great tips, especially about approaching companies you want to work with, and pitching an idea! Looks like it was a fun time!! xx
lovejoanna.com
Thanks girl! Let me know if you have any good tips :]. Blogger Scene was a blast! xo
Great tips -#4 is definitely a MUST!
Even though I am so busy, I make it a point to make time but still needs improvement in this area 🙂
~Merrie K.
http://www.PetiteCareerGirl.com
Thanks Merrie! Could not agree more – it’s always on my “constantly improving list” as well. xo
Great tips. I love it. Thanks for sharing =).
Eye See Euphoria | http://eyeseeeuphoria.com/post/patchwork
Thanks girl! xo
Wow, it’s nice to know that you’re involved in an organization like this. I hope there’s something like this as well in my place. Hopefully, I can organize an event like this as well 🙂
Have a nice day, Katie! 🙂
xoxo,
SHAIRA
http://www.missdream-girl.blogspot.com
I am sure there is! Blogging networks seem to be everywhere, and I am involved in a few here in DC. If there isn’t one, I am sure it is a niche market that you can fill! Have a great day yourself! xo
These are really great tips! Maybe I will start reaching out to my favorite brands that I already love.
xo ClassToCloset
I definitely recommend it! Especially if it’s a smaller brand – I have had a lot of success there :]
Great recap and nice meeting you!
So great meeting you too, Anna! xo
All such great tips!! 🙂
http://floralsandsmiles.blogspot.ca/
twitter.com/floralandsmiles
Thanks girl! xo
Looks like you had so much fun! And great tips 🙂
❅ AJ
BLOG | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN
Thanks Aj! It was a blast. xo
Looks like a good time. Thanks for sharing!
Of course! Hope it was helpful!
Aww, this is so cute – thanks for the tips!
xx, Mikkaela
Of course, hope they helped!
thanks for posting 🙂
Of course! xo
What an awesome group! I am so jealous, I wish I had something like this nearby!! Anyhoo, great post, thanks for sharing! – http://www.domesticgeekgirl.com
Hope you can find one or make one soon! xo
Where do you find them??
I live in DC, so I googled DC Blogger Networks and joined some. But the way I really started meeting people was reaching out to bloggers in my area who seemed approaching them and ask if I could pick their brain over coffee!
such great tips! I have recently started going to events and meeting other bloggers and its such a great atmosphere! we all should help each other, since we are all doing what we love 🙂
– Andrea
http://www.phdfashionista.com
I completely agree Andrea, you said it so well! Glad you’ve found a similar group in your area.
These are great tips! I love the brand idea!
Melanie @ meandmr.com
Glad they were helpful, Melanie!
Useful tips for bloggers in the beginning of shaping the path!
Yes, definitely!
these are really great tips.. thanks for writing them. i think number 3 is really useful x
http://only4feet9.blogspot.com
Of course, glad it was helpful! xo
Great tips!! This is so helpful! 🙂
xo, Katy
http://www.mylifeaskaty.com/
Glad it was helpful, girl! xo
oohhh… i never realized that i can approach brands as “easy” as that (as long as i have an idea for a collaboration of some sort). that’s good to know actually as i’ve thought the same as you. i thought they were the ones who’s going to contact me! great post! thanks for sharing these tips!
Animated Confessions
Yes! It’s not something I realized either – but if you want something in life, go after it! I definitely think small brands want to partner with blogs too – it’s mutually beneficial :] (big brands do too, but I think those are harder pitches!) xo
Absolutely adore these tips and hints!! Some new tips I haven’t actually heard 4464645 other times, insightful!
xoxo
http://brookiewords.blogspot.com/
YAY! I love it when articles are helpful and give new insight, so I am glad this one helped you out.
awesome tips! #1 is a good reminder 🙂
http://heyprettything.com
Thanks Carolyn! xo
Wow looks like such a fun event! Wish we had something like that in Seattle. You also have the best blogging tips! I just read How to Pitch Brands as a Blogger and am totally taking tips from that article as well as yours! I think it’s so important to know when to say no to a brand since all of your collaborations totally reflects your own brand. Do you have advice on joining blogging networks? I see that you’re part of a few and was wondering how to select which networks to join and how they can help you!
Tina
http://www.justatinabit.com
It was such a great event – sangria really helps with networking. So glad it was helpful, Tina! I know Alicia personally, she’s kind of my “blog mentor,” and always has such great advice. I always love stopping by your blog, so I am sure brands will love to as well! I’ll shoot you an email this weekend on my thoughts on blog networks! xo
I’ve always wanted to attend one of these but we don’t really have many set up (if any at all) where I live. It must be such a fan place to meet other bloggers. I love the points you share and wholeheartedly agree that befriending is key. Blogging can be a lonely business at times and most of the people in your inner circle just don’t get how hard it all really is. They think you spend 5 minutes a day and that’s it, money comes in and you do nothing else. Sigh. It’s nice to have others who understand the toil.
Sxx
http://www.daringcoco.com
Yes! You summed it up perfectly – plus it is also nice to remind yourself that there are people out there reading your work and also people you can learn from. xo
Great tips! Thanks for sharing! I want to approach companies I want to work with. Nice post!
Obsessed Fashion Blog