Welcome to week 2 of the Blog Conference Prep series. Shell from Things I Can’t Say and I are walking you through all things necessary to get to Blissdom stress-free and.. well.. blissfully!
This week, we’re all about the details preparation. With only six weeks to go, it’s the perfect time to prepare your blog with me and your life with Shell! Review our tips and don’t miss the business card template download or the Babsyitter/Daddy Do checklist download over at Things I Can’t Say.
Prep your Blog
With the conference fast-approaching, now is the perfect time to get things in order on your blog. You will want to have business cards so you can effectively network while at the conference; before designing your cards, however, you want to make sure your site is the way you want it to be when new visitors come by to take a look. Be sure that your blog:
- Is easy to navigate. Nothing frustrates a reader more than not being able to find their way around a blog. If it is too confusing, they will simply click away. Make sure it’s easy for them to navigate your posts, return to the home page, and get to where they need to be reading.
- Has a search option. Have you ever arrived on a blog via Facebook or Twitter, or through your reader, only to find yourself lost on a different blog a half hour later? Me too. But this presents a problem a few weeks later when I want to reference some awesome information I had come across and I need to search for it. Make it easy for people to share your content. And on the note
- Is easy to share. Where are your social sharing icons on your blog? If your only answer is in your sidebar, then you need to go add them in after your posts. Go on. Right now. (Don’t have them in your sidebar either? Here’s a quick tutorial for creating social icons and getting them in there.)
- Has contact options. You will meet fabulous people at Blissdom. It’s a given. After the conference ends, you can bet that many of them will want to contact you. In the event that they lost your business card (hey, there are a lot of business cards at Blissdom!) make sure you have a contact form, or at least an email address, on your site.
Prep your Business Cards
Your business cards are one of the most valuable things you can bring to Blissdom. While it’s true some can get lost in the shuffle, it is a great tool for connecting and networking at a conference. Be sure that your business card includes:
- Your name. It’s nice for people to know your actual name beyond the blog- and helpful for professional opportunities.
- Your url(s). You want to be sure that people can find you when all the excitement dies down a bit.
- Your social networks. Again, make it easy for people to connect with you!
- A picture. I cannot tell you how valuable this is to me. I use the same picture for Twitter, my gravatar, and anywhere else on the web I might go. I also put this on my business cards. Sometimes having a face to a name can be really useful.
Free Download
While I was planning on creating a template for y’all to use, my friend Cynthia from NWDesigns stepped in and saved us all and provided me with one. (If you need a designer to spruce up your blog or design your business cards and/or media kit, this is your gal. She is an amazing designer, unbelievably professional, and she just finished the SITS Girls web site.) Just click the link below for your template.
- Business Card Template (jpg file)
If you decide you want to make your own, click on this link for your free template and create away! When it’s time to print, there are a lot of great options, including:
Where do you get your business cards from? Share your tips!
Don’t forget to head over to Things I Can’t Say for her prep your life for Blissdom post- with a free downloadable checklist!
Welcome to My Front Porch Swing! I'm Ashley, a Georgia Mom of 2. I work from home running social media promotions, particularly representing small businesses. You can almost always find me on Twitter and devouring as much about Social Media as I can. Follow along as I navigate life as a work at home mom and wife while striving to find a balance. Note the word "striving"
Twitter: galitbreen
says:
Such good advice, Ashley! I especially agree with the photo on your business cards! Such a huge help!
Galit Breen recently posted..Dinner Conversations
Twitter: AshleyNAbele
says:
I would probably forget a huge percentage of who was who without that photo. It’s my favorite card detail!
Ashley recently posted..Blog Conference Prep Series: Prep your Blog
I would never have thought about putting my picture on my cards – thanks so much for that tip!
Mrs. Jen B recently posted..Wellness Wednesday: Feeling Great…But…
Twitter: AshleyNAbele
says:
It really makes such a difference! It keeps it personal and helps you remember people- there are so many people, and so many names!
Ashley recently posted..Blog Conference Prep Series: Prep your Blog
Twitter: SweetPhenomena
says:
Thanks for these great reminders!
Tiffany Manley recently posted..Train Up a Dog #ILoveMyk9
Great tips! I am planning to go to my first blog conference in June {haven} and have making biz cards on my list of things to do! I wasn’t planning to add a picture, but I think you’ve convinced me.
When you say “actual name” do you mean first and last?
Renee @ Living, Laughing, & Loving recently posted..Something New… a Book Challenge for 2012!
Now to find a picture that is halfway ok! Thanks for the advice (and template.) You & Shell are making this not as stressful as I was worried it would be.
I haven’t done my picture on my card before. Great tip!
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Helping to Build with Couch Cushions
Twitter: erinmargolin
says:
Love this post and Shell’s, too! Thanks for the reminder on the business cards, mine need updating from last year. YAY! The countdown is ON—cannot wait and these are all wonderful ideas & reminders.
GREAT tips- thanks so much for this!
One thing I’d really like to add/request on business cards is make sure it’s clear what your blog is about on your card. Include your blog tag line, short bio or list of your niche topics.
I received hundreds of business cards at Bloggy Boot Camp and unfortunately I couldn’t determine the blog topic/niche from the majority of the business cards I received.
Looking forward to seeing y’all at BlissDom!
Chrysta
Chrysta Bairre recently posted..Keep it simple with one word goals
All amazing advice, Ashley! I remember how intimidating it was getting ready for BlogHer last summer…
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
It never dawned on me to put a picture of myself on my business cards. Thank you for that!
Kimberly recently posted..Time Stands Still
Twitter: ByWordsMusings
says:
Yes, pics are a must – not that i would ever forget your smiling face!
By Word of Mouth Musings recently posted..Be Nice or I’ll Blog About You …
Definitely great advice.
Wish I was going to meet you and Shell at another bloggy conference – any chance you both could come to London in June
There WILL be wine!
All great pieces of advice. Before BlogHer last year, I designed my own bus card and threw down some $$ for cards through Moo. They arrived beautifully packaged, and the quality was excellent. BUT- they are not a standard size cut- the Moo cards are too wide to fit in a standard bus card slot. Just wanted everyone to be aware of this. I ended up ordering another batch from VistaPrint.
The Sweetest recently posted..I’m Going If You’re Going.
Twitter: grndbeefbudget
says:
So are you saying….business cards for a conference need to be a little different than just blog business cards? Sorry this is my first conference.
Shelley (Ground Beef Budget) recently posted..Want more Pinterest Recipes?
Great tips–thanks for sharing!
Natalie @MamaTrack recently posted..It Will Be Easier
I am LOVING the conference advice! I am going to 2 this year and these are so helpful.
DragynAlly recently posted..Silly Saturday