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Highlights from Florida Blogger Conference 2013

Highlights from FL Blog Con 2013 by Lauren from The Thinking Closet

Saturday morning, I tossed my business cards in my purse, grabbed my laptop and iced coffee, and headed northeast to Full Sail University for the third annual Florida Blogger & Social Media Conference (FL Blog Con).  Thinking back to how I felt prior to my first ever blog conference this August, Haven, I felt strangely calm, cool, and collected this time around.  Although the conferences were less than two months apart, I like to think that this was my “sophomore year” of blog conferences…and sophomores are so much more chillax than freshmen.  Trust me, I know.

Conference Eve

I think what really helped to ease the nerves was the fact I went into FLBlogCon’13 already knowing several of my fellow Floridian d.i.y. blogger counterparts!  I had met Katie from Sew Woodsy and Sarah from While They Snooze at Haven, and I knew several other attendees from our Central Florida DIY Blogger Facebook group.  In fact, five of us went out to Garibaldi Mexican Restaurant the night before the conference, thanks to Claire from A Little Claireification and her event planning skills!

I think it was awkward for about 2 seconds…and then, we were talking a mile a minute for three hours straight!  In fact, we even garnered a few dirty looks from the patrons around us for our…shall we say…”emphatic” talking.  (Oops.)  Well, what can I say?  When you get a group of women together who can talk about social media and thrifting and power tools until we’re blue in the face, things get enthusiastic rather fast.

Pre-Blogger Conference Dinner!
Photo: A Little Claireification

We even adopted a non-d.i.y. blogger as our own: Rebecca from Love at First Book!  She was one of the winners of my MOO Business Card Giveaway, and she hung out with us Friday night and all day Saturday.  She may even be dipping her toes into some more d.i.y.-related posts, so look out for that!

Meeting Sharon from Life After Empty Nest was like reuniting with a long lost friend.  Although we had never met in person before, our correspondence through blog comments and emails forged our instant connection.  In fact, I feel in part that my First Blogiversary Giveaway is all thanks to Sharon because she sent me an email saying she noticed my blogiversary was coming up and was wondering if she could help me celebrate it!?  What?!  And you’re sure my Mom didn’t put you up to this?!  I was floored.  Yet these are the kinds of genuine and open-hearted people you meet in blogland.  People who want to help you celebrate your blogiversary just because they care.  That’s Sharon for ya.

Lauren & Sharon - - Blogger Buddies
Instagram 9.20.13

Well, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.  Sharon’s daughter, Brianne, who is a beauty contributor on Sharon’s blog, joined in on the blog conference fun this weekend.  Let me tell you, not only is Brianne a wizard with makeup and styling, but she has a truly infectious personality and a heart the size of Times Square.  She did theatre all through high school, so we certainly shared the “thespian connection.”  I mean, can you not tell this gal is dramatic?

Brianne!  My thespian friend!
Instagram 9.21.13

Conference Day

Okay, so fast-forward to Saturday morning – – conference day!

Full Sail Welcome Sign
Photo by Rebecca of Love at First Book via Instagram
Ful Sail Live at Full Sail University, Winter Park, FL
Photo by Bruce Burke of Social Mobile Engagement

The conference took place from 9a – 5p at Full Sail University in Winter Park Florida, just 15 minutes from my doorstep.  I reconnected with my friends from Friday night, plus a few new buddies, including Keri from Shaken Together.  Keri and I attended every single session together during the day, and she was a great person with whom to process all this new information we were taking in!

To My Left... at FL Blog Con 2013
Instagram 9.21.13

And I’ll admit, after attending Haven, which was a conference geared toward d.i.y. and home decor bloggers, I wasn’t sure if I’d get as much out of the FL Blog Con sessions, which were geared toward bloggers in general.  However, I was pleasantly surprised at how applicable the information was!  In fact, my fingers couldn’t type fast enough.  It turns out that whether you’re a tech blogger, food blogger, fashion blogger, or d.i.y. blogger, you share a lot of the same struggles and triumphs, questions and curiosities.  (Go figure.)

So, in an attempt to pass along a few of the nuggets of wisdom I gleaned at FL Blog Con, here’s my highlights reel of quotes…one from each speaker I was privileged enough to hear.  And oh yes…grainy cell phone photos will ensue.

Highlights from the Speakers at FL Blog Con ’13

Opening Keynote:

Opening Keynote by Pat Williams
Photo by J.P. Design Theory via Instagram

“When your greatest talent intersects with your greatest passion, you have found your sweet spot in life.”  -Pat Williams, Senior V.P. of the Orlando Magic

Become a Social Media Pioneer

Christine Pittman from @CookTheStory

“Keep an eye on the big names in blogging (i.e. Recipe Girl and Martha Stewart) because they have their finger on the pulse of social media.” -Christine Pittman from Cook the Story

How Do Bloggers Make Money?

J's Everyday Fashion at FL Blog Con 2013

“As you learn to use different methods [of monetization], you may alter your content slightly.  But these changes can benefit your readers.  You can monetize and provide better content at the same time.” -Jeanette Scott from J’s Everyday Fashion

Taking My Blog Full-Time

Julie from The Little Kitchen at FL BLog Con 2013

“Constantly return to why you started in the first place…what was your root intention?  Don’t lose sight of that.” -Julie Deily from The Little Kitchen

Selling Your Creativity Without Selling Out

Jason Headsetsdotcom at FL Blog Con 2013

“100 true fans are way more valuable than 10,000 random eyeballs.” -Jason Headsetsdotcom (formerly Jason Sadler) of JasonSadler.com

Creating Video Content

Katie of Sew Woodsy at FL Blog Con 2013

“If content is king, then audio is queen in the video world.” -Katie of Sew Woodsy & Katie’s Cucina

Closing Keynote

Pam Moore of Marketing Nutz at FL Blog Con 2013

“Don’t be afraid to be yourself.  Stand by your morals and what you’re passionate about.” -Pam Moore, CEO & Co-Founder of Marketing Nutz

Now, aren’t you feeling inspired?  And that’s just the tip of the iceburg!

Hoorays!

Things I really appreciated about FLBlogCon:

  • It was a paperless.  We got our “conference packet” in advance via email and used an app. for our agenda that day.  It was glorious!
  • Not only did they have free WiFi for us at Full Sail, but every single room we used had handy dandy outlets for each person at each table!  My cell phone and laptop were well charged throughout the day!
  • Post-conference, we have access to pdfs of all of the speakers’ presentation slides, so we can learn from sessions we didn’t get to attend.  Score!

Eats, Ambiance, and Goofy Photos

I also really enjoyed the many ways the FL Blog Con coordinators and sponsors went above and beyond to make it a special day for us all.

  • We ate well!  Bahama Breeze hosted the yummy lunch, and Ford hosted the rockin’ after-party where I got to indulge in some of the yummiest cupcakes I ever did eat: Gigi’s.

Cupcakes courtesy of Gigi's!

  • Oh, and we got to enjoy our meals in the Full Sail “backlot,” which felt like something out of Disney or Universal Studios.
The Full Sail "Backlot"
Photo by Bruce Burke of Social Mobile Engagement
  • And they had a photobooth at the after-party, complete with goofy props and everything.  (Who doesn’t love a photo-booth?  Instant crowd-pleaser.)  At this point, our brains were done gathering juicy blogging and social media tips, and we were ready to let loose!

Photo Booth Fun!

The Ultimate Highlight

By far, the ultimate highlight of the day was getting to spend time with some amazingly talented, creative, and fun-loving women.  It was like we jumped right into year 5 of being friends because of our shared experiences.  We know what it is to stay up all night finishing a post.  We remember that thrill when the first non-family member commented on our blog.  And we share in that hope that every time we take a deep breath and click PUBLISH, we have something of worth to offer our readers.

The blogging road isn’t always an easy one, but it’s a whole lot better when you can journey alongside friends.

The D.I.Y. Bloggers of Florida Unite!

The D.I.Y. Bloggers of Florida Unite!

L-R, back row, front row:  Yours Truly, Keri from Shaken Together, Sharon & Brianne from Life After Empty Nest, Dori from aDoribly Done, Sarah from While They Snooze, Kelly from Simply Kelly Designs (photo cred!), Katie from Sew Woodsy & Katie’s Cucina, Rebecca from Love at First Book, and Wendi from H2O Bungalow.

And it goes on and on and on…

Here’s some follow-up reading:

And that’s a wrap!

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42 Comments

  1. It was great to get more details about this conference! I remember you going, but didn’t remember how you felt about it. Sounds like you loved it! I particularly liked the quotes you shared from different sessions. And what a gift that you connected with several other great blogger friends! I remember you got some great swag from Haven. Any cool swag from FL blog con?

  2. Jason Headsetdotcom… seriously?! I thought I misread thanks to the fancy antibiotics I’m on at the moment, but apparently not. haha that is priceless! Good for him.
    Also, I am SO SO JEALOUS that you got to hear Jeanette from J’s Everyday Fashion speak.. I love her & her blog to pieces! I wish they had cool blogging conferences here.. you always look like you have so much fun at yours! 🙂

  3. It looks like it was a very fun and informative conference. Great photos and I so grateful you made a wonderful group of friends. Thanks for sharing key points of the speakers and how you liked that it was paperless and they gave pdfs of the PPTs.
    My nursing conferences have also been doing that the last few years….At first I resisted as I like hard copies of things, but now I see that it’s much better to have everything electronically!

    1. There are some things that I just prefer on paper – – to do lists, journal entries, letters. But for a conference, it worked great to have an app. with our agenda and a pdf with info on the speakers, sessions, room locations, etc. It really worked well!

      Yes, I’m really thankful to have made some connections with bloggers in Florida. We have our own FB group, so we can stay connected and plan get-togethers!

  4. Wow! Another con! Lucky you! Looks like so much fun. You are really lucky to have developed such a wonderful group of FL bloggers, too. I’d be so nervous attending my first con. It’ll be like attending a new school all over again. Hugs to you, friend!

    1. I was TOTALLY nervous for Haven this August; had those “first day of school freshman year” nerves, too. But it definitely was only onwards and upwards from there! Would LOVE to get to experience a conference with you someday, Bethany!

  5. I absolutely love your detailed recap! I too loved networking with so many bloggers from around the state. My favorite speaker was Julie from The Little Kitchn, she is so lovable! And yes, it was the best to have those handy outlets at every desk!

    1. I agree about Julie being so darned lovable. The moment she ended her session, I wanted to run up to her and hug her! Such a humble, sweet spirit. Hopefully, we can meet each other in person next FLBlogCon!

    1. I’m so glad this encouraged you in what you’re already doing! Trust those instincts, Sharon. They are right on, girl. 🙂

  6. I was so happy to finally meet you in person! I really enjoyed our chats on Saturday. I hope it won’t be too long before we see each other again.

    1. It was a delight and a half to get to hug you in real life (not just virtually) and giggle with you and talking bloggy schtuff. I’m sure we could have gabbed for hours more! We’ll have to plan a get-together soon. Maybe hitting up the flea markets in Mt. Dora, perhaps?

  7. I am so flippin sad I was out of town for this!!! I’ve been DYING to go to a conference and this one being right in our backyard would’ve been a great first!! Gah! Maybe next year… Glad you went and could report back to really light a fire under my booty to get on it! 😉

    1. Sad-face! I’d love to meet you, Krystina! I’ve been to your blog several times now, and it’s always sheer joy. Plus, we share the theatrical connection! Hey, do you want me to send you an invite to our CFL DIY Blogger Facebook group? I’d love for you to “meet” the gals virtually and then hopefully in person if and when we plan get-togethers. If you want in, shoot me an email!

  8. Lauren,

    This looks like so much fun! I wish we had a Kentucky bloggers event! And I love the paperless aspect of it!

    Happy day to you rock star!
    karianne

    1. Oh, girrrrl, you could totally run a Kentucky bloggers event (with all your free time, of course). Seriously, bloggers would be moving to Kentucky, just to attend!

      Thanks for the comment love, friend! Still swooning over your fall house tour…. I’m going to go to bed with visions of cream-colored fall decor dancing in my head.

  9. What a great recap of the wonderful weekend!
    I feel so fortunate to have all these new fabulous friends in my life (not just in Blog Land) Such a wonderful source of support and inspiration!

    Talk about magnetic personality…Lauren, you had my instant attraction with your smile that lights up the room! I know we have started a friendship that will last a lifetime! Can’t wait until next time…I’m shooting for Haven! (or maybe a blogger retreat in the country…?!)
    xoxo

    1. I agree, Sharon! And we need that support and inspiration…especially when we hit that inevitable wall with a craft fail or project struggle or blogger’s block. It’s our awesome bloggy buddies that can help see us through!

      When you wrote, “I know we have started a friendship that will last a lifetime,” a threw my head back on the couch and sighed a sigh of gratitude. What did I do to deserve such awesome gals as you in my life?! Guess that’s called grace.

      Annnnd YES to Haven and DOUBLE-YES to blogger retreat in the country! I’m there!

      P.S. Can’t wait to see that amazing kitchen transformation of yours! Let me know the second it is up so I can share with the world.

    1. Ha ha. I guess I just had to leave a few things for others to cover in their recaps (hint hint). Love that we all shared a similar disdain for that bright lighting…though no one else in the restaurant seemed to care. Lol.

      Sooo wonderful to get to hang with you this past weekend! You’ll have to let us know when you’re back in FL for good! We’ll plan a get-together.

  10. Lauren! I loved every word of this post. I am so thankful I was able to meet and fall head over heels for you. It’s not every day you come across someone so genuine, kind, and humble. I had so much fun- can’t wait until we get to see one another again! xoxoxox

    1. The feeling is so mutual, my dear. You’re such a rockstar! And being in your presence was just good for the soul. Can’t wait for a reunion, as well! Until then, be well, and keep on being your fabulous self!

    1. Me, too, Katie! You were SUCH a fantastic speaker, and the timing of your session could not have been more perfect for me. Thanks for sharing your wisdom with us!

  11. I have never considered doing a blogging conference (I never even knew the existed! I realize that is silly of me, but, hey, I still feel very new at this!) That sounds like such a fun and great thing to do! I bet I would learn so much. man, I am going to look into this.

    Also! S’Mores cupcakes?! How cute!

    1. Consider it! Seriously. From what I know of you, Dusty, I think you would truly thrive in that atmosphere. Yes, you’d learn a ton, but you’d also just soak up the opportunity to build real live relationships with like-minded gals. Oh yes…and then, there’s the possibility of s’mores cupcakes. Need I say more? 😉

  12. That looks so fun- those quotes were great too! I love Bahama Breeze- I bet your day was just all smiles the whole way! Cool to get to hang out with a reader who won your giveaway as well!

    1. Nicole, I wanted to meet you! Bummer! We’ll have to make it a priority for next year. Thanks for checking out my post and for the sweet comment love. 😉

  13. First off, thanks for the photo credit from my Instagram picture!

    This was my first time attending, and I’m not a fan forever. I can’t wait for next year. Met a whole bunch of new people and new connections (like you!).

    1. Of course! I’m glad I have your blessing to have grabbed it. 😉 I, too, am already counting down the days until next year. It just passed by all too fast. Will look forward to meeting you face to face at FL Blog Con 2014!

  14. Lauren this is such a great re-cap post!! i may just write one sentence and send people to this post because I couldn’t have said it better anyway! haha So wonderful meeting you and the other fabulous gals too. We live 15 minutes apart so we MUST plan to do lunch and stay in touch often! See you soon! xo

    1. Ha ha. I’d be honored for you to send your readers my way…though I’m sure you could write up a fabulous recap post yourself, especially if you went into more detail about the lighting saga at the restaurant! Lol. Had a blast with you this past weekend! Yes, I agree – – we’ll have to plan another get-together soon and very soon. I need me some Claireification in my life! Hugs!

  15. FABULOUS! That was a perfect recap.. What an amazing experience it was to attend & meet all of you. Thanks for including me into your group. Just goes to show you really don’t know where one email will take you! Can’t wait to see what next year brings.. Hugs from your new friend via the Bloggy World ~ Wendi

    1. It was a true joy to get to meet you, Wendi, and hang with you on Saturday! You’re a burst of sunshine, and I look forward to getting together again in the not too distant future. Hugs back atcha, friend!

  16. that’s fantastic you already knew such a great group going in to the conference! I am still learning orlando and meeting people…so it was a great chance for me to actually meet them!

    I loved hearing Pat speak, i wasn’t expecting that at all!

    1. It made it SO much less scary having a group of gals I knew at least “virtually.” I’ve only been in Orlando a little over a year, but it’s finally starting to feel like home, and events like FLBlogCon really do help. Hopefully, we can meet face-to-face next year!

      (I agree – – Pat was a font of wisdom!)

  17. How fun Lauren!! Thanks for your awesome recap and quotes from speakers! It looks like you and your FL DIY blogging crew had a great time. Love that they had an after party! yeah yeah! 🙂

    1. I got spoiled this summer knowing you were in FL for so many weeks…who knows, maybe a future visit will coincide with FLBlogCon and you can join me! Or I can convince you to come to Haven next year…? Basically, more time with Lil Mrs. Tori is always a good thing! (As are after parties. Ha ha.)

    1. Thanks, Kerry Anne! It makes me happy that we share similar taste in sessions AND cupcakes! Oh, and I love the graphic you created with Pat Williams’s 10 Foundation Blocks for Building Your Dream. Pinning that right now!

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