5 Reasons You Should Attend WordCamp Birmingham

Jane needs a makeover.

In the next month or so SeeJaneWriteBham.com is getting a major redesign. Part of this website overhaul will include changing platforms: I'll be moving See Jane Write from Blogger to WordPress.

For years I was fiercely loyal to Blogger. And even though last year I launched See Jane Write Magazine using WordPress.org and my portfolio website, Javacia.com, using WordPress.com, I still had a soft spot for Blogger. I couldn't help it. It's so easy to use and it's the platform with which I started my very first blog.

Then I attended WordCamp.

WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences that cover various topics related to WordPress, the free and open source publishing software that powers over 75 million websites. 

At last year's WordCamp Birmingham, Sara Cannon -- one of the event's organizers and speakers -- said something that was music to my ears: "You can do anything with WordPress."

I was sold.

I have big plans for See Jane Write and most of those plans will rely on having an amazing website. And so I'm making the move.

This year's WordCamp Birmingham is set for Saturday, August 16. I'll be there, of course, and I would love to see some See Jane Write readers there too.

So I'm here to convince you to join me. This isn't a sponsored post -- WordCamp is paying me to sway you. I just really believe that whether you run your blog on WordPress or not, you could learn a lot from this event.

At WordCamp, you'll learn a lot and get a cool t-shirt!

I recently had a chat with my pal Williesha Morris, who's on the marketing committee for this year's event, and asked her to give me five reasons Birmingham-area bloggers should attend WordCamp Birmingham. Here's what she had to say:

1) At $20, it's a steal: you'll get lunch and snack tickets, a fabulous tee, plus an incredible WordPress education.

Williesha is right. Most blogging conferences will cost you $100 or more. At $20, I was not going to miss this. And I've already prepared a list of questions about WordPress that I hope to get answered.

2) There are sessions and workshops available for all levels of WordPress users, from newbie to expert developer.

And there are sessions that would be valuable to you even if you don't use WordPress. I'm especially looking forward to Carrie Rollwagen's presentation titled "Drive Blog Traffic Without Driving Yourself Nuts," Reneta Tsankova's talk on brand building and Kathryn Lang's talk titled "It's All About Relationships." 

3) You'll get to hang out with WordPress lovers from all over the country and have access to speakers, who are leaders in their field. 

I'm always looking for an opportunity to do some networking and if you are too, WordCamp is a great chance to do so.

4) It's packed into one day instead of the whole weekend, saving you time.

Attending a conference on a Sunday can be tough as that's usually the day many of us set aside for church, family time, or getting ready for the week ahead. I'm glad all the sessions will be offered on Saturday.

5) This year's afterparty is at Rojo, so there will be plenty of options for foodies, drinkers and non-drinkers.

I can taste the queso as I type this.

Hope to see you Saturday!

For more information on WordCamp Birmingham and to purchase tickets visit 2014.birmingham.wordcamp.org.

6 Game Changers For Your Blog, Brand or Business

At See Jane Write’s Bloganista Mini-Conference our closing keynote speaker Megan LaRussa Chenoweth of Southern Femme talked about things that were game changers for her blog and her business – things like better promoting her newsletter, getting a new logo, and moving into an office space.

For those of you who attended, my hope is that the Bloganista Mini-Conference was a game changer for you. I hope you left with the information and the inspiration you needed to take your blog, business, or writing career to the next level.

If you want to review some of the highlights from the conference, check out my recap post.

Here are six additional game changers for your blog, brand, or business.

1. Join See Jane Write.  Over the next several months, most See Jane Write events will be for members only. If you don’t want to be left out, became an official member of See Jane Write today. Basic membership is only $25 per year. Click here for details.

2. Learn the game of golf. You may be thinking, “What on earth does golf have to do with my life as an entrepreneur?” Plenty. We all know that men make business deals out on the green. It’s time you join the boys club by picking up some clubs and learning to golf. Shella Sylla of SisterGolf is offering a $50 discount off her upcoming Introduction to Business Golf for Ladies Class.  

Click here to register. The promo code is SJW14.

3. Write for your life. At the Bloganista Mini-Con our morning keynote speaker Alexis Barton of SameChicDifferentDay.com confessed that before starting her blog she had become a writer who didn’t write. Last week while at BlogHer’14 I realized I was becoming a blogger who didn’t blog. But then I learned of so many women who shared stories on their blogs that saved people’s lives! And sometimes by sharing their stories they saved themselves. So make a commitment right now to write as if your life -- or someone else’s -- depends on it, because it might. (You can read my BlogHer ’14 recap on my personal blog, WriteousBabe.com.)

4. Get a new logo. Chenoweth said getting a new logo was a game changer for her and it could be for you too. Aly Hathcock, a graphic designer who attended the Bloganista Mini-Con, would like to offer a discount on logo designs for anyone who attended the event. 

You can check out her portfolio at alyhathcock.com. If you're interested contact her at alyhathcock1@gmail.com. 

5. Write an e-book. An e-book can be used as incentive for folks to join your email list or can be used to help you establish yourself as an expert in a particular arena. An e-book can also be a way to generate extra revenue by selling your book with a company like Shebooks, which publishes short e-books for and by women. (Now through July 30, get a free book from Shebooks.net with the promo code FREEBOOK.) And check out my post at WriteousBabe.com on 3 reasons you should write an e-book.

6. Get in shape. I always say that you can’t write the new great American masterpiece if you’re dead. So take control of your health! Inspire Fitness wants to help you with that. Kelly Creel of Inspire Fitness, one of our awesome conference sponsors, will give Bloganista Mini-Con attendees 50% off any group class package. All you have to do is use the code SEEJANEWRITE2014 (it is case sensitive). This coupon code expires Sept. 30. 
Visit inspirefitnessbirmingham.com to order your class package today.

I’d love to hear about what changes the game for you! 

Every Bloganista Needs a Game Changer

On July 19, See Jane Write hosted its first mini-conference.  Seventy five people showed up for our  Bloganista Mini-Con. I count it as a major success and not simply because of a packed house.

I believe the Bloganista Mini-Con was a success because so many people left the event feeling inspired. 

I was so inspired by #bloganista that I am, as of RIGHT NOW, starting my new blog on @Squarespace! #sjwbhm @seejanewritebhm More to come!
— Mandy Shunnarah (@fixedbaroque) July 20, 2014

Tweets like the one above made my day. And days after the conference I ran into other attendees who told me they left the conference so motivated that they've been on Cloud 9 ever since. 

And I left the conference feeling just as inspired as they did.

Megan LaRussa Chenoweth (left) of SouthernFemme.com gave an amazing closing keynote!

The day ended on a perfect note with Megan LaRussa Chenoweth of Southern Femme sharing the story of her success and urging us to all be more than stylish fashionistas but smart businesswomen too.

Chenoweth sees fashion as a form of social communication, as visual currency, she said. The way you're dressed, for better or worse, can tell people something about who you are before you ever open your mouth. But Chenoweth believes that when she helps her clients revamp their wardrobes she's giving them more than clothes; she's giving them confidence.

Chenoweth discussed the things that she felt were game changers for her, her blog, and her business such as getting a new logo. A logo is like clothes, she said. It tells people something about your business or your blog. Other game changers for her included launching a newsletter, offering a free gift to encourage folks to sign up for this newsletter, and getting office space. 

My hope is that the Bloganista Mini-Conference was a game changer for the women who were there.

Stop being a writer who doesn't write.

Alexis Barton of SameDayDifferentChic.com giving her inspiring opening keynote

The day began with an opening keynote from Alexis Barton of Same Chic Different Day. Barton confessed that there was a time when she was "a writer who didn't write." But then she started her blog and that all changed.

"Stop waiting for a fairy godmother to tap you on the shoulder and declare you a writer," she said.

And once Barton started her blog the opportunities she longed for began to land in her lap -- speaking engagements, freelance writing gigs, and offers for television appearances.

But Barton said there is no magic formula for gaining the opportunities she's enjoyed.  Consistency and authenticity are key, she said, but there's more.

In her talk, Barton told us that her theme song is "The Glamorous Life" by Shelia E. and she also told us about the not-so-glamourous side of fashion blogging. She told us about how hard she works to keep her blog updated and juggle those freelance writing gigs, speaking engagements, and television appearances  all while maintaining a full-time job.

"Keep going," she said, "That's the secret."

Conference attendees were filling their notebooks with new ideas throughout the day.

Words With Friends 

Our How to Be a Bloganista panel discussion featured (l to r) Erica Bunker of Erica B's DIY Style, Bertha Hidalgo of Chic In Academia, Vanessa Culpepper of Budding Fashionista and Heather Brown of My Life Well Loved.

After Barton's opening keynote we heard from Heather Brown of My Life Well Loved, Erica Bunker of Erica B's DIY Style, Vanessa Culpepper of Budding Fashionista, and Bertha Hidalgo of Chic In Academia for the How to Be a Bloganista panel.

One of the greatest takeaways from this discussion was regarding social media. Brown mentioned that many bloggers and small business owners make the mistake of signing up for every social media platform there is only to not use any of them well. Instead, she suggested, choosing two or three platforms you actually enjoy and staying highly engaged with your followers or customers through those.

And speaking of engagement, our panelists said that building relationships and collaborating with other bloggers can be a great way to increase your reach.

Later in our Beyond the Blog panel, which focused on how to use your blog to gain freelance gigs and other opportunities, Williesha Morris of My Freelance Life also recommended guest blogging and leaving meaningful comments on other blogs to increase your readership. 

Stand Out and Show What You Know

The bloganistas also discussed ways to monetize your blog, which you can do through ads, sponsored posts, and affiliate links. If you're really ready to monetize, start approaching the brands with which you'd like to work. But first create a media kit. This could help you stand out from other bloggers. This could show you're really serious about turning your blog into a business. This could be your game changer. 

During the Beyond the Blog discussion Carla Jean Whitley, managing editor of Birmingham magazine, stressed the importance of positioning yourself as an expert. If you want to secure a job writing for your favorite magazine, use your blog to prove that you are the perfect person to tell the stories you want to write. 

And remember your blog is like your portfolio, so be sure it's filled with high quality posts.

Be True, Be You

Our Beyond the Blog panel discussion featured Carla Jean Whitley of Birmingham magazine, Tanya Sylvan of All in Stride, Williesha Morris of My Freelance Life, and Alexis Barton of Same Chic Different Day. 

The one thing that I hoped everyone would take away from the conference was to simply be true to their interests and passions. The charge to be authentic was repeated again and again by speakers and panelists. Being authentic is what Tanya Sylvan of All In Stride believes made her stand out to a blog reader who eventually offered her a job at a local publishing company. Being authentic, Bertha Hidalgo said, is what will help you choose the best brand partnerships and keep you from writing sponsored posts that go against what your blog stands for. And when you encounter what Erica Bunker called "internet thugs" being authentic can help with that too. Vanessa Culpepper agreed, adding that if you stay "true to yourself and what you're putting out there" you will have the confidence to press on despite the naysayers.

For more conference highlights, check out the hashtags #sjwbhm and #bloganista on Twitter.

Special thanks to our sponsors who helped make this event possible: Sol's Sandwich Shop & Deli, Church Street Coffee and Books, Collage Designer Consignment, Urban Cookhouse, Hamer Law Group, WBHM 90.3 FM, Inspire Fitness, and Sisley Paris available at Saks Fifth Avenue Birmingham.

What was your biggest takeaway from our Bloganista Mini-Con? 

View more pictures from the conference here on our Facebook page. 

Weekly Writing Tip: Know Your Purpose

For true online success, you must know your purpose in the blogosphere. You must know who and what you want to be for your readers.

So why do you blog? Read more about this topic at The Writeous Babe Project.

The Bloganista Mini-Conference

See Jane Write believes you, your life and your blog should be fabulous. And so we present to you our first mini-conference -- The Bloganista Mini-Con, a partial day conference for fashion, fitness, and lifestyle bloggers.  The mini-conference will be held 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 19 at the Homewood Public Library, 1721 Oxmoor Road.

Don't worry if you're not a style blogger; this conference has something for everyone. Topics we'll cover include: 

• Using your blog to land freelance writing gigs and speaking engagements
• How your blog can land you a new job
• Working with brands
• Niche blogging 
• Time management tips 
• How to dress like a fashion blogger (even if you're not one)
• Turning your blog into a business
• Spreading the word about your blog 

Our Speakers/Panelists: 

Alexis Barton of Same Chic Different Day

Heather Brown of My Life Well Loved

Erica Bunker of Erica Bunker DIY Style

Megan LaRussa Chenoweth of Southern Femme

Vanessa Culpepper of Budding Fashionista

Bertha Hidalgo of Chic In Academia 

Williesha Morris of My Freelance Life 

Tanya Sylvan of All In Stride

Carla Jean Whitley of Birmingham magazine

Tentative Conference Schedule

Morning Mingle     10 - 11 a.m.

Enjoy a continental breakfast and network with other local bloggers. 

Welcome by Javacia Harris Bowser, Founder of See Jane Write 11 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. 

Morning Keynote by Alexis Barton of Same Chic Different Day     11:15 a.m. - noon  

LUNCH ON YOUR OWN     NOON - 1:30 P.M. 

How to Be a Bloganista     1:30 - 2:15 p.m.

Local bloggers will share tips on time management, blog promotion, developing blog post ideas, working with brands, how to dress like a fashion blogger, and much more. Panelists: Heather Brown of My Life Well Loved, Erica Bunker of Erica Bunker DIY Style, Vanessa Culpepper of Budding Fashionista, and Bertha Hidalgo of Chic In Academia

Beyond the Blog     2:15 - 3 p.m.

Editors of local publications and local bloggers will share tips on how you can use your blog to land freelance writing gigs and even a full-time job. Panelists: Alexis Barton of Same Chic Different Day, Williesha Morris of My Freelance Life, Tanya Sylvan of All In Stride, and Carla Jean Whitley of Birmingham magazine

Break     3 - 3:30 p.m. 

Afternoon Keynote

by Megan LaRussa Chenoweth of Southern Femme     3:30 - 4:15 p.m.

Farewell     4:15 - 4:30 p.m. 

Blog, Baby, Blog!

 

Last month Birmingham-based communications consultant Wade Kwon came to speak to members of See Jane Write about blogging. Kwon is the director of the social media conference Y'all Connect and he was one of the founders of the award-winning website Magic City Post. 

Kwon's advice to us was much simpler than I expected. His secret to success: "Blog, baby, blog!" Kwon stressed the importance of consistency and gave great advice on how we can keep our blogs alive. 

Wade Kwon addressing See Jane Write members at a recent workshop
(Photo by Audrey Atkins)

Pursue your passion. "Tap into something you could write about all the time," Kwon said. But you still need to know why you're blogging. What is your objective? What do you want to get out of your blog? 

Tackle your tagline. Develop a phrase that succinctly describes everything you want to cover. When Kwon and his partners started Magic City Post, they figured out that their site would celebrate all that's right about Birmingham. The site's About page read: 

Magic City Post in two words? Unrelentingly Positive! 

MCP in 18 words? A daily look at the Birmingham metro area that shows off the best the region has to offer.

I believe that if you can describe your blog in a concise way such as that, you can use that tagline as a mission statement that will not only help you decide what to write but also help you make decisions about posts from guest bloggers, sponsored posts and more. 

Create catchy content. The thing new bloggers struggle with most is usually a lack of readership. Kwon offered some practical advice on how to get the word out about your blog. First, create content that will be shared over and over. This can be compelling, controversial posts but it can also be posts that are very useful. For example, if you write a hyperlocal blog, consider a post of highlighting important city events of the year or a list of local restaurants open on Thanksgiving and Christmas. Throughout the year stop and ask yourself what kind of information are people seeking right now. 

Be sure to share your content via social media but don't underestimate the power of email marketing. Your blog should have on its front page a way for readers to sign up for regular updates about your site. 

Click here if you'd like more highlights from Kwon's talk. 

Kwon's talk left me with a lot to think about. I'm at a point of truly trying to figure out who I want to be in the World Wide Web. Do I want my blog to be the place people turn to for writing tips or do I want it to be full of feminist musings? Do I want to be a fitness blogger? (After all, I am exercising EVERY SINGLE DAY.) Do I want to blog about my love for Birmingham? Or do I want to blog about my life as a teacher? Or perhaps there's a way I could blog about ALL OF THIS, but then I run the risk of being a Jane of all trades and master of none. 

I'm not sure how I want my writing career to look.

But until I figure out what I truly want I'm just going to blog, baby, blog. 

Cross-posted at The Writeous Babe Project. 

5 Lessons Bloggers Can Learn from Fashion Designers

Milo Beloved of Harold&MOD

Last week while covering events for Birmingham Fashion Week 2014 I had the opportunity to interview Milo Beloved of the locally-based vintage lifestyle brand Harold&MOD. Located at 2323 1st Avenue North, Harold&MOD is a unique shop offering fashion, art, jewelry, gifts, and home decor all locally designed and produced and they specialize in revamping vintage clothing.

While chatting with Milo I was struck by how so much of what he said could be valuable advice not only for fashion designers but for bloggers too.

Here are five lessons bloggers can learn from fashion designers like Milo Beloved of Harold&MOD.

1. Tell a story. In a recent video interview with Ivette Thomas of AllAboutBham.com, Milo said that he and his partner Heidi Smith try to tell a story with their store and with their designs. Likewise, you need to tell a story with your blog. Even if you're simply trying to pass along information, tell a story with each post. Furthermore, think of your entire blog as one big story. And the next time you're struggling with your blog's focus or theme simply ask yourself: What story do I want my blog to tell?

2. Find out what's missing. Milo says that he wants to design for a variety of women from "the business woman" to the "fun, flirty college girl." So he makes sure his inventory reflects this goal. "When I see one end  (of the spectrum) start to dissipate I try to provide for that," Milo said. Take a look at the different aspects of the mission of your blog and see if you've been slacking a bit on one of those objectives. Did you start a fashion blog that you hoped would tackle tough industry issues but lately all you've been doing are outfit posts? Then step up your game! Also, if you're trying to refocus your blog figure out what's missing in your niche. What is the blog you want to read but can't find? That's the blog you need to write.

3. Embrace being in the South. Birmingham-based bloggers, this tip is for you. Birmingham may seem an unlikely place for a shop like Harold&MOD but Milo thinks it's just right. The Harold&MOD line debuted last year with a pop-up shop during Birmingham Fashion Week 2013. That was a huge success and soon the brand was being featured in magazines and Milo and Heidi were being asked to help with video shoots. "There was this collective energy around it that pushed us forward and launched us in a way that I don't know I would get in a bigger city," Milo said. So instead of thinking you need to move to New York for your writing career to blossom, decide to bloom where you've been planed and know that you can find the support in Birmingham to do just that. In the South, Milo said, "We're friendlier, we're warmer, we're a little bit more relaxed in a lot of ways. There's something sweet about Southern fashion that you don't necessarily see in other places. You can make up your own rules if you're daring enough to do it." Be daring enough to not only make up your own fashion rules, but make your own rules about your writing career too.

4. Pay attention to people. "I watch our customers very closely,"  Milo said when asked how he decides what he will design next. And he said he feels a true connection with his customers, too. Likewise, bloggers should get to know their audience and be sure to produce content that will add value to their readers' lives.

5. Keep moving up. "I always want to think up and think bigger," Milo said. He went on to say he'd like to see the Harold&MOD shop offer more local art and that they're working on creating a product that they can mass produce. So what's next for you? Figure out how you can take your blog to the next level. Maybe it's a new feature. Perhaps your blog needs a new look. Or maybe you want to completely change the focus on your site. Decide what you need to do to get bigger and better and then do it!

A few looks from the Harold&MOD featured at this year's Birmingham Fashion Week:

Want more from Birmingham Fashion Week 2014? Check out the Birmingham Jane feature on designer Elizabeth Singleton at SeeJaneWriteMagazine.com.

Bloggers Who Brunch Roll Call

Thanks to everyone who came out to today's Bloggers Who Brunch event at the Egg & I in Vestavia. We didn't have a formal program. I just wanted to give local ladies who blog and write an opportunity to nosh and network. We had a blast (and so did that adorable little boy you see in the picture).

Here's a list of who attended:

Javacia Harris Bowser (that's me!)
In addition to this website, I also blog at WriteousBabe.com.

Chanda Temple
chandatemplewrites.com

Bertha Hidalgo
ChicInAcademia.com

Vanessa Culpepper
BuddingFashionista.com

Lissa Peterson
LissaP.wordpress.com

Jane Bussey
awritersmuses.blogspot.com

Shella Sylla
SisterGolf.com

Abiola Sholanke

Mandy Shunnarah
offthebeatenshelf.tumblr.com

Cathy Porterfield
golministries.com

Media White
medawhite.com

Wade Kwon
YallConnect.com

During brunch I enlisted a few ladies to help me with a fabulous event I'm planning for the summer. Details coming soon!

If you'd like to be informed about future events, email me at javacia@seejanewritebham.com.

Let's #bloglikecrazy!

Thanks to Carol Marks
for creating this graphic for us!

Today is the day! Today is Day 1 of #bloglikecrazy. I'll be participating in the challenge with my personal blog, The Writeous Babe Project.

Here are the rules:

1. Visit the See Jane Write Magazine announcement of #bloglikecrazy and leave your name, blog URL, and Twitter handle in the comments section of the article to let me know you're in!

2. Publish a new post on your blog every day in the month of November.




3. If you're on Facebook, share links to your posts in the See Jane Write Birmingham Facebook group.

4. If you're on Twitter, tweet out links to your posts and use the hashtag #bloglikecrazy.

5. Have fun!

You're free to write about anything you want this month, but if you find yourself struggling with blogger's block, use these prompts for inspiration.

I'd love for you to also grab the code for the image above and add it to your blog sidebar in case your readers would like to join the fun. (You can find the code to the right of this post.)


Now let's blog like crazy!

It's Almost Time to #bloglikecrazy

It's about to be that time again; it's almost time to blog like crazy!

Last year I challenged the women of See Jane Write and some of my other blogger buddies to "blog like crazy." The challenge was simple: for the month of November post new content to your blog every day. That's a new blog post every day for the 30 days. Sure, it sounds simple, but if you're a blogger you know that posting every day is a lot easier said than done.

But many ladies of See Jane Write gladly stepped up to the challenge, posting daily and sharing their posts in the See Jane Write Birmingham Facebook group and on Twitter using the hashtag #bloglikecrazy.

Starting Nov. 1 we're going to #bloglikecrazy again this year. I hope you'll join us. You don't have to be a member of See Jane Write or live in Birmingham to participate. You just need a blog and willingness to write.

You may be wondering why you should bother blogging every day. Some people believe that writing daily can kill your creativity or result in sub-par content. While I believe there is some truth in those statements I also believe in the power of practice. Natalie Goldberg, author of Writing Down the Bones explained this notion best:

This is the practice school of writing. Like running, the more you do it, the better you get at it. Some days you don't want to run and you resist every step of the three miles, but you do it anyway. You practice whether you want to or not. You don't wait around for inspiration and deep desire to run. It'll never happen, especially if you're out of shape or have been avoiding it. But if you run regularly, you train your mind to cut through or ignore your resistance. You just do it. And in the middle of the run, you love it. When you come to the end, you never want to stop. And you stop, hungry for the next time.

This summer I exercised every day for 30 days as I was working to complete Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred workout plan. This meant that one night, after a very busy day and an evening spent at a friend's birthday dinner, I had to exercise at 10:30 p.m. with a belly full of Indian food. But I was determined not to skip a day. That month I likened exercise to brushing my teeth and in November I'll do the same with blogging. You don't skip brushing your teeth because you're too tired or too busy, do you? (I sure hope not.)

I believe that choosing not to write simply because you don't feel like will, in the long run, hurt your craft because you won't learn the discipline and dedication necessary to succeed at writing.

You may be thinking, "But what if I have nothing to write about?"

Don't worry. I have you covered. Head to See Jane Write Magazine for prompts for each day of #bloglikecrazy. Now, you don't have to follow these prompts to participate. But these suggestions are here in case you find yourself experiencing blogger's block and staring at a blank computer screen.

If you plan to participate, visit the See Jane Write Magazine announcement of #bloglikecrazy and leave your name, blog URL, and Twitter handle in the comments section of that post.

Let's get ready to #bloglikecrazy!

Fro Fashion Week to Host Blogger Boot Camp

'Fro Fashion Week is one of the most popular celebrations of natural hair and fashion in the country, drawing thousands of attendees from all over the nation. Now in its 6th cycle, 'Fro Fashion Week is headed to New York, Sept. 5-8, 2013, just in time for New York Fashion Week.

Since its first Blogger Brunch featuring Patrice Yursik of Afrobella, 'Fro Fashion Week has always worked to equip bloggers with the tools they need to build relationships with beauty and style brands as well as grow their own brands. This year 'Fro Fashion Week is taking those efforts a step further with Blogger Boot Camp.



'Fro Fashion Week is offering 10 natural hair or fashion bloggers the chance to take their media savvy to the next level. If selected for Blogger Boot Camp you will receive:

• training from 'Fro Fashion Week/Naturally Me Media founder Tarin Boone on brand partnerships, appearances, and event creation 
• the opportunity to host your own segment of 'Fro Fashion Week
• blog promotion and recognition in 'Fro Fashion Week marketing materials
• VIP access to all 'Fro Fashion Week events
• premium seating at the 'Fro Fashion Week Fashion Show
• 'Fro Fashion Week Goodie Box filled with sponsor products
• complimentary beauty services 

The deadline to submit your blog for consideration is TODAY, JULY 31, 2013. 

To submit your blog for consideration for the 'Fro Fashion Week Blogger Boot Camp, please contact Toni Martin at tmartin@brainchildassociates.com.

What Writers and Bloggers Can Learn from Taylor Swift

Image by WEZL via Flickr/Creative Commons

I am not a fan of Taylor Swift's music. At all.

But after yesterday's Y'all Connect conference I am a fan of Swift's marketing strategy and you should be too.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to attend Y'all Connect Presented by Alabama Power, a blogging and social media conference all about digital storytelling.

One of my favorite sessions of the day was Mack Collier's talk called "Think Like a Rock Star." In this session Collier examined why businesses and brands only have customers while rock stars have fans.

The answer was simple: while businesses focus primarily on winning new customers, rock stars focus on rewarding their brand advocates, a.k.a their fans.

This seems counterintuitive. If you want your blog, book, or business to reach more people it seems the best thing to do would be to concentrate on seeking out new customers or readers. But what many of us don't realize is that if we continue to excite and empower the people who already love our work, they will win new customers or readers for us. And they will be much more effective than we could ever be.

Think about it: are you more likely to purchase something because a salesperson said you should or because your best friend enthusiastically recommended it?

In his talk, Collier explained how Swift and other musicians cultivate an army of fans (who are advocates for their brand) by constantly devising amazing experiences for them. Swift, for example, has what she called a T-Party after her shows. During her concerts her team will scan the audience for the most enthusiastic fans -- those having the most fun, screaming the loudest, and waving homemade signs.  Her team selects about two dozen of these special fans to join Swift and her crew backstage.

In 2010 Swift did an autograph signing in Nashville as part of the CMA Music Festival. She was going to sign autographs for 13 hours (13 is her favorite number) but when that time was up and there were still fans waiting, she kept going. Swift signed about 2,000 autographs for 15 hours that day, taking a break only to give a quick performance for the fans gathered.

By creating experiences like these, Collier said, Swift is communicating two very important messages to her fans: I appreciate you and I love you.

Here's how you can communicate the same to the people who follow your work:

Be accessible. Interact with your readers and look for ways to have closer connections with them. Don't spend all your time on your own blog. Visit their blogs or other sites that your readers love and leave comments. This will also give you a better idea of the kind of content your readers want.

Be relevant. Find the bigger idea behind the content you create. What problem does your writing solve for your readers? What void does it fill? Swift's songs are so popular, Collier said, because they're autobiographical and deal with issues many teen girls experience. They're relatable and let those girls know they're not alone.  You need to create content that raises awareness of ideas and news relevant to your niche. You need to be a teacher; everyone loves a good how-to post. And you need to create content that is inspiring.

Be humble.  While you need to think like a rock star, remember the spotlight should be on your fans, not you. Create content that focuses on and celebrates your readers. Get them involved by asking for feedback and suggestions. And remember to do something to make your fans feel special. Now that See Jane Write is becoming a membership organization, I plan to do this in part by planning events and extending offers and discounts that will be just for members and sponsors. If you're an author you could do this by giving your fans early access to your new book or maybe you could have an intimate book signing and author chat with them.

The major takeaway is this: Your fans are the real rock stars.

For more on this topic, read Mack Collier's book Think Like a Rock Star.

You can read more on my experience at the Y'all Connect conference Monday at SeeJaneWriteMagazine.com.

Finding a Niche for Your Blog

Sponsor Spotlight: Southern Belle Simple

When Kate Spears started her blog in fall 2009 it was called Small Town, Big Dreams. But Spears struggled to find a way to weave what the name represented into each post.

“It finally dawned on me that so much of who I am, both positive and negative, has been established because of my experiences growing up in the South,” Spears says. “I knew that because my love for the South runs deep, I would never tire of writing about it. Plus I wouldn't have to reach very far to find topics to write about because it's just what I know best.”

And so Southern Belle Simple was born. Spears’s decision to blog about the South has served her well. Her blog has nearly 3,000 Facebook fans and more than 1,600 Twitter followers. Spears was a presenter at The Southern C Summit in Jekyll Island, Ga., in May and she has used her blog to develop relationships with Southern brands and businesses.

Kate Spears of Southern Belle Simple

Spears has taken these relationships to the next level with her new company Screen Door Media. Through this company Spears offers companies traditional marketing and public relations services as well as help with social media marketing and content development. She has clients not only in Southern states such as Georgia, South Carolina, and Tennessee, but in California as well.

“Sometimes the business of doing business keeps folks so busy. They don't always realize their stories are interesting to their customers and other audiences,” Spears says. “I can help them take an objective look at how to best tell their stories to engage and capture the attention of the right audience who will help them be successful. Your story is unique to you. It's one of the most important things you have, as an individual or a business.”

And as you blogging, finding a niche for your site may help you tell your story more effectively.

“If you are just starting out, having a niche can help you find your unique voice. If you are in a content drought or a creativity dry spell, having a niche helps you push past it,” Spears says.

Having a niche can also build your audience.

“It's always good to help readers know what they can expect from a blog because this helps to keep them coming back for more,” Spears says.

Just as Spears did, choose a niche that reflects your interests, something you’re so passionate about that you feel you could write about it endlessly. For Spears it was the South. For you it may be fashion, feminism, or food. Perhaps you want to blog about DIY projects or gardening. Maybe you want to blog about relationships or politics or career development.

“A good blog is an expression of the person writing it,” Spears says. Don't choose a niche just because you think it's popular. If it isn't authentic, readers will pick up on that.”

If you choose a niche and soon realize it’s not a good fit, it’s OK to switch.

“Don't ever be afraid to change directions if you feel like something isn't quite right,” Spears says. “Trust your instincts!”

Cross-posted at SeeJaneWriteMagazine.com