This wednesday I decided to just go NUTS and post a ton of random photos from 2 fun parties at Alt Summit. I’m sharing these images with minimum explanation. Ha! You will see my roomies in these photos….. Those ladies were (and still are) so amazing: Morgan, Moorea, and Dayna.

Clue Party:

{Kirsten, Morgan, Bear and I}

 

Method Party:

 {Whitney, Susan, and me}

{Probably my most FAVORITE photo of Moorea EVER!}

{All my roomies and Gabrielle}

{Me and Mr. Aubrey}

 

All photos are from the following LOVELY people: Justin Hackworth, Brooke Dennis, and Smilebooth.

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{If you have a Wordless{ish} Wednesday, please feel free to link it up below. And, feel free to link up to these blogs too… Parenting by Dummies, Project Alicia, Jenni from the Blog, and Live and Love Outloud.

Well, it’s officially been OVER a week since I got home from Alt Summit. As usual, it was inspiring and fantastic. I had a blast! This year I spoke on a panel to share some info for any bloggers looking to land a job as a contributor/freelance worker on other sites. I was joined by 3 other lovely ladies: Capree, Melanie, and Victoria. We had a TON to share… so much that it would probably take up about 4 different blog posts. I won’t talk about all the info with you, but I will share a few bits and pieces (the full panel notes will probably be up on the Alt Summit blog soon). Enjoy! AND, if you have any questions… feel free to leave a question in the comments.

How we got here:

• - Capree responded to a call for contributors, and submitted a post to a big site.
• - Victoria built a site and projects and shared her work with anyone who would have her.
• - Chelsey was approached by companies that liked the original projects and DIY’s on her site.
• - Melanie grew her audience and became more marketable, networked and asked for introductions.

How to be approachable:

• - Find your own authentic voice: A strong, unique voice in a sea of blogs will get you noticed.

• - Engage! Put yourself out there and engage with other bloggers, big and small.

• - Don’t be afraid to start small Consider guest posting on the “smaller” blogs, not just the “big” blogs.

• - Lookin’ good If someone found your project on Pinterest, would they recognize it as your photography/font/graphics style?

• - Cold calls Interested in guest posting on a favorite blog? Ask if they’d ever consider taking a contributor.

The art of the pitch:

• - Get to know people one on one, in person locally and at conferences.
• - Networking is vital.
• - Be confident. Be persistent. Be tough.

What to expect:

• - Be comfortable working on a variety of blogging platforms.
• - Your posts will likely be submitted for review, either through email or a post draft.
• - Each person/company you work with will be different.
• - Some may have traffic goals, some may not.

What Editors are looking for:

• - A unique perspective and a strong voice
• - Writing skills!!!

• - Passion and Energy

• - Creativity and Initiative

• - BONUS: mad photography skillz.

Good Working Relationships:

• - Keep those deadlines: You’re representing your business and brand, make sure you look good.

• - Communication
  • + If you have any questions, ask.
• - Be Professional

Producing Fresh Ideas:

• - Find inspiration and stay original.
• - Set hard deadlines for yourself.
• - Know your limits.

Producing and Balancing Content between Sites:

- Consider keeping specific topics to specific sites.

- Think about topics you’re knowledgeable in but not currently covering on your own blog.

Value of working relationships and networking v. pay:

Providing free content?

- Weigh the benefit of possible exposure and networking opportunities and decide if it’s worth your time

+ Will this site send me enough “traffic profit”?

+ Is this blog/company someone I’d like to build a relationship with?

- Consider agreeing to a trial period (3-6 months, depending on post frequency) and then evaluate.

Providing a post for a friend

• • - Decide if you have enough time, or if it cuts into other work.

• • - Decide if you have enough time, or if it cuts into other work.
• • - It’s good practice.

Negotiating:

- Always negotiate

- Talk numbers with confidence and value your work.

- They are paying for creative genius and that is costly!

- Contracts

• + Always have one
• + Key elements to look for
• + Important points to negotiate

• Setting Rates and Knowing What’s Fair:
• - Don’t sell yourself short. You are valuable!

• - Don’t be afraid to counteroffer
• - Is this a small company/blog?
  • + Rates will be lower, but don’t forget to consider the “traffic profit” you may get.
•  
• The key in all of this: the big ol’ X factor!
• - How will this grow your brand?
• Suggestions to get your work out there:
• Contributor positions:
  • Curbly - www.curbly.com
  • Momtastic - http://www.momtastic.com/
  • Dotcoms For Moms - http://www.dotcomsformoms.com/
  • Vivint/The Neighborhood - http://neighborhood.vivint.com/
• Submit stories:
  • Apartment Therapy - www.apartmenttherapy.com
  • Design Sponge - www.designsponge.com

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I was so happy with how the panel went. Gotta be honest: I was so freakin’ nervous. Speaking in front a large crowd of people isn’t usually something I LOVE to do. After the nerves wore off, it was great! We had a great turnout of people… I mean, look at all of them:

ANDplusalso… one more thing. Here’s the crazy outfit I wore for my panel day… I have titled this outfit: Crazy Aunt Louise!

//Heart cardigan: f21//Dress: Anthropologie//Tights: Target//Shoes: LuLu’s//

Happy Monday,

Chelsey

Look Who’s Talking (a little 80′s flashback)… but seriously: Look who’s speaking at Alt Summit! Look, right over here… a little to the left. No, not behind me. Yeah… right there in front of you… It’s me! Woo!

I actually have no idea if I’m supposed to share our topic yet…. so, I won’t say nothin. I will say I am both suuuper excited, and a little barfy nervous (see: fear of public speaking). BUT, I got this. I hate that fear, so I’m going to conquer it. Bam. Woo! Ok, slow down… had a bit of coffee this morning. Hee.

Will I see you there? Here’s the first list of speakers… more to come. BUT, I’m on there. AND, say hello to my partner in Crime: Capree. I would list off all the blogs she contributes too… but, it would take years. Go check her out!

- Chelsey

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{If you have a Wordless{ish} Wednesday, please feel free to link it up below. And, feel free to link up to these blogs too… Parenting by Dummies, Project Alicia, Jenni from the Blog, Bree: his honey and her mommy, and Live and Love Outloud.

One of the sessions Jess, Robin, and I wandered into at Alt Summit was the Work and Life Balance session. The panel was an amazing group of talented ladies: http://inchmark.squarespace.com/, http://chrysulawinegar.com/, http://www.snippetandink.com/,  http://sarahjanestudios.com/blog/. You would think this would be totally obvious, “Oh yeah…. I’ll be a work at home mom. No problem. I can pull it off!” But, turns out I’m not so good at the whole balance thing. Why do we seek balance? What does it feel like? What is it like without balance?

I have so many orders right now I get a bit overwhelmed… I’m forever learning how to manage my time properly: I’m a work at home mom. There’s a lot involved in that role. I often remind myself to stop thinking about work while I’m playing with R. I don’t want to seem distant or like I’m not putting my all into being the best mom I can be for R. And, I know it can’t be healthy to think of work 24/7. I blog for a living…. I don’t live to blog. Something to remind myself. It’s hard when I’m in the moment and think, “Oh, I should take photos of this for the blog….” No. I should take photos of this moment for me. For my family. To remember. In December I talked about how I’ve been actively leaving my best bud, Camera, at home just so I can BE in the moment…. And not the photographer of the moment.

One thing I’ve been doing to get all of the garble out of my head is… Stop… Pull out my phone and add a note to my Note App. That way the thought is out of my head and I know it’s safe and saved along my phone for me to come back to later. Out of my mind. I always have my phone with me anyway…. So, it works! I copy/paste and email the notes to myself for when I’m actually working. In FACT: that’s exactly where I wrote this post. On my phone. I wasn’t sleeping too well and just had to get all my thoughts out… here they are! Actually, this is how I write MANY of my posts.

So, what I really took home from this work and life balance session:

- You can choose what projects you work on. It is ok to say no sometimes. Don’t let the guilt get to you.

- Don’t dilute your brand with quantity. Quality is ALWAYS better than quantity. Oh so true.

- Design your life… who am I? why am I here? and, what am I supposed to be doing?

How do you get your thoughts out?

{Related Posts: Learning to step back… to breath // Alt Summit sessions begin! // Making a living… doing what I love! }