What did I learn at alt? I thought you might ask, so I took notes.

Growing your community

{Sarah/Babble, Meg/A Practical Wedding, Jenny/Little Green Notebook, Danielle/Jealous Curator}

• Set goals & focus on them
• Understand your readers, ask & listen to what they want
• Make thoughtful comments on other blogs
• Find ways to network offline
• Post consistently

Advertising Beyond the Banner

{Erin/Design for Mankind, Liz/Cool Mom Picks, Maggie/Mighty Girl}

• Re-invent the wheel – be creative!
• Test the waters first – learn to manage sponsors & learn your value.
• Know yourself & your worth – what’s your brand?
• Disclose in an authentic way, paid or unpaid
• “If you want to be sponsored, be sponsorable”
• Consider throwing an event
• Remember advertisers are people too
• Pitch to your passions!

Side note: Erin is the sweetest and most adorable person – you really can’t help but smile every time she walks into the room! xoxo

Taking it Offline {We’re talking PARTIES!}

{Brittney/One Charming Party, Victoria/City Cradle Design, Ashley/Ashley Meaders, Jordan/Oh Happy Day}

• Never take yourself too seriously
• Use your hands, get dirty – creating backdrops, packaging, etc.
• Collaboration cultivates creativity – now go socialize with other creatives!
• Volunteer your services  in trade for something else
• 6 tips to take your party to the next level, HERE
• Get to know {make friends with} your local vendors

Side note: I had the pleasure of not only meeting Brittney and Sara from One Charming Party, but was able to see them in action – wow, they rock the party scene! So much fun getting to know them!

Side note II: I couldn’t help myself, I had to introduce myself to Jordan from Oh happy day, I’ve always admired her style and I’m constantly blown away by her creativity. Serisouly, who wouldn’t want to be a guest at this party she designed??

HIGHLIGHT: Keynote Speaker Tina/SWISS MISS

• Always credit sources
• Keep it light, make people smile
• Blog with the right intentions, not for money
• Find your place and own it – the niche you want to fill
• There’s such a thins as blogging too much
• Think BIG – beyond the blog

If you’re going to pitch your product to Heather at Dooce (or anyone for that matter), be sure to…

{Heather/Dooce and Neil/Federated Media}

• Send a personalized note, typed or handwritten
• Get her name right. It’s Heather, not Sarah.
• At least pretend to have an idea what the website is about
• Helps to have a unique product

Side note: Heather is not only beautiful, but she’s hilarious! And her chunky turquoise necklace… love.

MORE great recaps!

Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger Blogging – Not Martha, HERE

Online Etiquette and Ethics – Design*Sponge, HERE

Eight Steps to get over post alt summit depression, HERE

10 Design Blogs you must read – Todays Mama, HERE

Images credit, here.