She came! She saw! She set out to build her empire!
Blogalicious was this past weekend. I registered months ago, spent months anxiously awaiting the conference and it flew by so quickly. Blogalicious was every thing that I expected it to be. Fun. Informative. Engaging. Encouraging. Inspiring. I could go on and on. The theme was Build Your Own Empire and I left ready to do just that.
This was my fourth Blogalicious. It is kind of like a reunion. Seeing blogger friends like I Choose The Sun and Curvy CEO and actually connecting in person is great. The conference was familiar and comforting but this year it was also different. At first I thought it was because I was not able to go last year but then I realized exactly what it was. Blogalicious has matured. This is no longer a conference of social media enthusiasts super excited to meet their blog icons in person and pass out their newly ordered business cards. Blogalicious is now a community of entrepreneurially focused and dedicated bloggers, and brands set out to create the lives and that they want.
During the sessions, classes, and networking opportunities there was not much focus on blogger basics like getting more followers and page views {not that we don’t all want that > sign up here to get blog posts delivered to your email :-)}. Instead we were focused on growing and financing our own empire. Step by step guidance was offered on how to sell products from t shirt, to e-books, and webinars. Opportunities for collaborations and business coaching were presented. The conference lived up to the Build Your Own Empire (#BYOE15) theme and we were given the tools to do just that.
This conference left me more introspective than any other. I shared the sentiments of another attendee who stated she realized she was the only thing standing in the way of her success. There is so much that we want out of life but it is really scary to go for it all. To step out and take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself takes courage. To ask for help or even pay for help feels risky. Fear has been holding me back. When I look through the many pages of notes I took a conference in the margins I have written notes to myself like “I‘m not living up to my potential. I can do so much more“, “Get tough! This is your life” and “There is nothing I can do to fit every one’s expectations so live up to my own”
Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake of Baltimore was one of the conference speakers. She said “Be your best self to do your best work” Blogalicious has given me the tips, tools, and inspiration to do just that. Chasing Joy will be my best work!
Have you ever been to a blog or social media conference? Were you at Blogalicious #BYOE15? Did you find it as impactful and life changing as I did? What feeling did you come away with?
I've never been to Blogalicious before. It sounds like a great conference! I would love to go there sometime.
I actually had the opportunity to go to Blogalicous at the very last minute, but I couldnt book a room. It made me sad because I have yet attended a Blogalicious conference but I promise next year I will! I love the idea of building your empire theme…as we all should be!
I have heard this is a great event for bloggers and it sounds like you had a blast and learned a lot. Looking forward to seeing how this propels your blog forward!
It sounds like you had a wonderful time and got something out of the experience!
Blogalicious is such a great event! It's great to hear that you were inspired by all of the events!
I have never attended Blogalicious, has it ever been held in NYC? Do you know the location for 2016? I can't always take off big blocks of time to attend conferences. I try to hit a different one every year and I have been attending blogging conferences since 2009.
Tracy @ Ascending Butterfly
Loving all the recaps from the conference! I am so glad you got your life while there and working to apply those things! Thanks for sharing your experience – I hope to attend next time.
It sounds like you had a great time. Blogalicious seems like fun!
I have not been to Blogalicious. Sounds like a really good conference.
What a great conference to be able to attend. Sounds like an event that you would leave with a wealth of information.
It sounds like a very informative conference! I'm glad you were able to reconnect with some old blog friends!
My favorite part is reconnecting. It's so nice to be able to network, get to know new people, and build relationships.
Sounds like you had a great time. I appreciate that conferences have both introspective and business building workshops.
My goal is to attend next year! Excellent information and very inspiring. I wanted to go to Blogher and didn't get a chance to go, I also wanted to attend Blogalicious and couldn't due to vacation time restraints. Next year, it's my number one goal.
I have never gone- I just started blogging like two weeks ago LOL. It sounds like it is a great experience. I hope to attend very soon.
I love attending conferences. I also learn so much and meet great people. This weekend I'm heading to Blog Elevated in Dallas. I already have a list of projects. I'm sure I will add to it at this next conference. Blogalicious is my dream conference. Hopefully next year I can attend.
Thanks for sharing your experience.
I long to go to a blogging conference in the worse way. I have plenty of them close to me too. I hope to make it to one in 2016. It is on my list of things to accomplish next year.
This sounds like a conference worth attending. Thank you for sharing your perspective of it with us.
It sounds like you personally got a lot out of this conference. I think everyone's path varies and when something gets you thinking about your personal next steps that's a great thing!
Blogalicious is on my list conferences to attend. I can only imagine you leave bursting with all kinds of ideas and motivation.
It must be awesome meeting other driven, inspirational people at these conferences. You really do learn something and make connections every time!
Great recap! Hoping soon to head to a blog conference myself, but it just hasn't been in the cards for us just yet! Looks like loads of fun! – Jeanine
I would love to go to a blogging conference. Looks like you had fun.
Sounds like a great blogging conference! I've never been to that one.
I love to hear about conferenced that impact your life like this. I am so happy you got so much out of it.
It sounds like this was a great conference. I love going to conferences. I always learn so much, and I get so pumped to do more and to do better.
Sounds like it was a great and useful conference for you! You definitely got a lot out of it.
Great recap, I certainly have a lot of notes that require me to take action. I liked the Empire theme for this year, it was right on time for where I am as a business owner.
I haven't done a conference like this, but I really want to. It sounds like it really helped you focus and set your goals.
It sounds like you got a lot of out of this conference. Thanks for sharing everything you learned 🙂
Great recap! Did I see you while I was there? It was a good conference and had some great content.
Love this recap Arlett! And I especially love the words of affirmation and empowerment you wrote to yourself.
I am sadden that I missed another Blogalicious opp this year! I am so happy you gotten a lot of introspective from attending this year! Yes we all must stand out of the way of our own success. We can talk ourselves out of our dreams – but we need to talk ourselves into our dreams.
I really wanted to go to this years conference since it was local but I was in a wedding and missed it. Will definitely plan to be in the building next year