If you’ve been reading along these past couple of weeks, it’s been pretty clear that I swinged a trip to Charleston a few weekends back. Now I’ll dish on what I was actually there for: SBScon! SBScon is the annual blog conference hosted by the Southern Blog Society. I had a blast when I went last year, and the minute tickets became available for this year’s event, I knew I had to go!
One thing I love about SBScon is that the speakers are really on point and the networking is incredible. It doesn’t matter whether you’re a beginner at blogging or an advanced full-time blogger, the speakers they choose always deliver info that can help you take your blog to the next level. My head was almost spinning after learning so much, and I came back refreshed, recharged and ready to hustle.
Welcoming Reception
The first day of the conference, we headed to an awesome cocktail party hosted by Swoozies. As you can see, I used a selfie stick for the first time ever (aaaand I loved it!) and I finally met some of my blogging buddies IRL, Corbin, Emily and Laura. I love that the conference kicks off with a networking hour so that we’re not all ~*awkward*~ during the actual conference portion of the conference.
The Conference Part of the Conference
Okay, so I didn’t take photos with selfie sticks the entire time I was in Charleston. I came to learn! We heard from amazing speakers, including Blair of Leap Design, Alison Overholt of EspnW, Amy Northard, CPA, and some fellow SBS members and more! We also sat in on a panel and heard reps from Lilly Pulitzer and Kendra Scott chat all about what brands expect from bloggers during collaborations. We dived into pretty much every topic we could cover, including content creation, accounting, affiliate links and photography.
Some of the favorite things I learned included:
- Distribution is king. Really pay attention to what social channels you’re using to distribute your content. For example, even though I love Twitter and it’s my favorite platform, Instagram, Snapchat and Youtube are the networks that my audience are on and I need to focus on those. Figure out what social networks your followers are using most and master them.
- Update your WordPress plugins. Did you know it’s a security risk if you don’t update your WordPress plugins? Developers make these updates because they found a flaw in their app, making your website more susceptible to hackers. As soon as you get an update notification, do it! Do not hesitate.
- Cheap photography equipment can go a long way. Whether it’s buying poster board for a white surface for a flat lay, a tripod or a reflector, you only need to spend a little to help stage better photoshoots.
- Making your blog an LLC provides you with legal protection. If for some reason someone were to come after your blog, if you are a Sole Proprietor and not an LLC, that person can come after your personal assets as well (house, car, personal belongings, everything!) If you’ve started to monetize your blog and are running your blog as a business, it’s time to look into becoming an LLC. Protect yourself!
Wrap Up Dinner
After the conference part of the conference was over, I met a few SBS members for a dinner at Edmunds Oast. First of all, yum. Go there. Everything was delicious. Second, it was so awesome to mix and mingle with my fellow SBS friends in a more intimate setting. Also, can we talk about how awesome of a job Charleston Florist did with these arrangements? Stunning!
Good news: SBS is going national!
Cathy and Jessica (the founders of SBS and the biggest girlbosses I know) made a major announcement during the conference: the Southern Blog Society is planning on going national this year. All of my friends in the Northeast, Midwest and Northwest can finally get in on the action! I would *highly* recommend you apply, so that you can be a part of this amazing conference next year. If you’re interested, you can sign up for the waiting list now and be notified once they’re ready to accept applications.
A huge thank you to Kim Graham, who shot all of these photographs!
Yaayyyyy!!! So excited they’re coming to the Midwest!
Laura
http://www.24-7style.com
SBSCon looked like so much fun! I think I need to investigate it for next year!
xoxo,
Meghan
Southern Belle Secrets
Girl, it was SUCH a pleasure meeting you at SBSCon! Talk about a fabulous conference… sheesh! Can’t wait for next year.
xo,
Stephanie
Diary of a Debutante
http://www.thediaryofadebutante.com
It looks like you had the best time!
Alexandra | http://www.cloudyskiesandsunshine.com
I saw all the posts about this and wanted to attend! This looks like an amazing experience!
Mikayla | A Seersucker State of Mind.
I spy some of my friends in those pictures! Looked like it was a blast. Can’t wait to go next time 🙂
Lauren
The Fashionista’s Diary
I have always wanted to attend a blogging conference! It seems like everyone had a great time at SBSCon! Thanks for sharing your experience with us. I love reading these posts so that when I eventually do get to a blogging conference, I’ll know what to expect!
XX, SS || A Little Seersucker Sass
So basically I just need to move to the south and we’re good. These photos look like so much fun! I’m glad you had a great time!
xixi
They’re actually going national, so they’ll be in your region soon! Check it out here: http://southernblogsociety.com/other-regions/
All of these photos are so beautiful.
I need to attend a blogging conference soon — it looks like so much fun.
xoxo, Jenny || Breakfast at Lillys
I want to attend a blogger conference. Blair helped me design my blog. She’s so talented!
I want to attend that conference next year. I just got accepted to the southern network (I could have waited for the the midwest since I’m from St. Louis but since I go to school in Mississippi, I didn’t. Anyway, this is soon my must do list for next year. It looks like you had such a fabulous time. My blog is in the process of becoming an LLC and I think it is definitely a smart decision. I already have legal documents like release and disclaimer forms that I sometimes use.
xoxo, Danielle
http://www.glamrme.com
This looks like so much fun! I hope to attend a blogger conference soon! Thank you for sharing your experience!
xo Ashley
Twenties Girl
Style
I’m glad you decided to share some of what you learned with us as well as the beautiful pictures!! Charleston looks amazing!
That looks like so much fin! I really want to go to a blogger conference! I think I could learn a lot!
OOh I love that SBS is becoming national-there isn’t an equivalent on the West coast so I’m always jealous when I read about these conferences. It seriously looks like you had the best time and I loved reading your takeaways. Valuable info!
This sounds so awesome! Your summary points were so helpful! Definitely agree that distribution is king. I never realized how important it is to transform your blog into an LLC!
Alessandra | The PumpUp Blog
I’m already missing Charleston. It was such a fun conference, and I can’t wait to go again next year!
That looks like such an awesome conference, and those are AMAZING tips! I’ve gotta look into all of this, what a perfect post!
xx | Steph @ The Lovely Essentials & Jenssen’s Designs
You’re SO lucky that you were able to attend SBSCon! I saw pictures of it all over social media and it seriously looked fabulous. I’m so happy that they’re coming to the Northeast! Definitely putting my name on the waiting list!
Dude. IT’S GOING NATIONAL!?!?! Thank you sweet Lord baby Jesus. I’m in the Northeast, so this can finally happen!! Your photos are gorgeous and it sounds like you had a blast. Awesome tips you shared tidbits of here! I did NOT know sole proprietorship had that many risks…scary. Any tips on how to afford the lawyers and fees in becoming LLC?? Help!
Coming Up Roses
You can file for an LLC through your state’s Secretary of State website. It’s super easy and you do NOT need a lawyer to do so.
Hope you apply to be a member of the soon to launch Blog Societies in ALL regions!
xo Jessica
http://www.mystylevita.com
Whoa SO helpful, Jessica!! Thank you…I had no idea! That’s a relief. And I’ve applied to be a part of my region’s society. Cannot wait to be a part of it!
This looks ridiculously amazing! Thank you for sharing those tips for those of us who could not go 🙂 Also…I am SO jealous that you used a selfie stick! I’m slighly obsessed and want to try one so badly.
Julia | Pennies & Paper
These are great tips! Especially about the making your blog an LLC!
Thanks so much for the great recap! So glad you enjoyed this year and hope to see you next year!
xo Jessica
http://www.mystylevita.com
I am jealous of every fabulous blogger who went to the conference! Makes me wish I still lived in the south…good thing they are expanding to making it national!
It looks like you had the best time and I can’t wait to go next year!
I’m so excited for this year! I can’t wait for Chicago!