Selling Your Soul For Facebook Fans

Kita over at KoKoa Magazine cracked the case on all of those Facebook pages with thousands upon thousands of 'Likes'. She tweeted about it recently, saying some brands are buying their thumb-ups. 

She and I both agreed we weren't going out like that. I tweeted back saying I'll continue to grow my fashion blog page just like I've been doing - one click at a time. 

While I won't rule out purchasing FB ads in the future, you don't ever have to worry about me forking over my hard earned money for other fraudulent questionable social media marketing shenanigans. 

The conversation got me to thinking though. Like, how up until last week, I hadn't hit the 50 fan milestone yet. I was holding steady at 45 for quite some time. The biggest reason my page isn't growing is due to my lack of self-promotion. I publish content and engage, but that's about it. 

Last Sunday I got a new hairdo and shared a pic on my FB page. The photo was accompanied by this simple two word status update: "what'cha think?!" 

Within minutes thumbs starting flying left and right. When it was all said and done, 20% of my fans had weighed in by liking the update and the post was seen by 84 people. I then shared the post on my personal page and had three friends like discount thief. 

The small amount of effort I put into that update took me from 45 to 54 likes. An increase of 20%. 

A social media expert is going to read this and want to give me all kinds of tips and advice on being more strategic. It's not that serious right now. Will it take longer to hit the next milestone? Probably so. But that's ok.

The bottom line is that I already know what to do. I just need to do more of it. More often. 

VIDEO: Bloggy Boot Camp 2012

If you landed here and you're a blogger or you know a blogger - watching this video is a must. 

If you're a blogger searching for a blogging conference to attend - you're in luck. 

If you can't see the video CLICK HERE.

You still have time to get your ticket for Bloggy Boot Camp 2012: Brand Edition.

Got questions? Blast em below in the comments.

Wanna share your blogging conference experience?! Go ahead...in the comments below.

And if you know how to keep me from having these intoxicating looking YouTube thumbnails - please do tell!

How To Save Money When Going to a Conference

I'm headed to my first ever blogging conference in a couple of weeks. A larger conference like BlogHer is on my list to attend, but I wanted to ease into it by going to a smaller, more intimate one first. 

I can't actually remember the last time I've gone to a conference as an attendee. I'm usually speaking and the experience is totally different. Most times you don't have the opportunity to participate in other sessions because you're too busy working. And yes - it is work. 

Bloggy Boot Camp is touching down in Dallas, TX, the weekend of September 14th. I bought my ticket in March and booked my hotel room this weekend - which prompted me to write this post.

If you've ever traveled anywhere for any reason, I don't have to tell you how expensive it can be. Especially if you have to fly. When you throw conference tickets into the mix, it can add up quickly. And let's not talk about all the pricey add-on events....VIP parties, awards ceremonies, and the like. 

I got an email this weekend from the #BBCDAL team and it looks like their sponsors are footing the bills for the extra curricular activities. None of the party info was followed by "Buy Your Ticket" links. BAM! This is my kinda gig right here. 

Ok. So now. The reason for this post. 

Conferences always promote the special room rate they've negotiated with the hotel. One that's lower than the regular rate. $119 per night is the going price for Bloggy Boot Campers. Not wanting to pay that price, I attempted to get hotel sponsorship but couldn't. 

I have a client who works at DoubleTree by Hilton. I sent her an email asking if there were any promotions going on. No...I didn't ask for a hook-up. That's just tacky. 

Anyway, she hopped online and found a super low guaranteed rate of $89/night. When I got ready to book my room this weekend, there was even lower rate being offered. A $79 advance purchase rate. I must've typed about 95 miles per hour trying to get my info entered in! 

That's an $80 savings off of the conference room rate. 

Moral of the Story: Always do your research. It really does pay off in the long run. 

I'll be sharing more about the conference in the coming weeks so stay tuned. I'm really excited to be going. 

Do you have any advice you'd like to share to ensure I get the most out of it?

Yes...You Can't Do It Alone

When I launched the personal style blog, I thanked a few people who helped make it possible. When you read my Backstory, you'll see how my Daddy influenced my entrepreneurial endeavors. 

Throughout my entire life I've had somebody, somewhere giving me a hand-up (not to be confused with a hand-out) so I could then help myself.

I moved to Austin 21 years ago. Me and a couple of girls decided to come for the weekend and never went back to the small town we called home. They had family here. I didn't. That was my primary reason for wanting to stay. I needed to gain my independence and the only way I could do that was by leaving my family. I'm the youngest of four kids, my Daddy's 13th child, and needless to say - I was spoiled loved. I was going down the road of non-stop mistakes with my sisters, uncle, and mama bailing me out.

Fast forward to today. I've raised the most amazing daughter anyone could ask for, have a brilliant son following along in her footsteps while making imprints that are uniquely his own, and have been afforded the opportunity to work in a variety of fields. But most of all, I get the greatest joy and sense of accomplishment from what I do as an entrepreneur. 

And just like all of the people who welcomed me into their homes when I couldn't go and be with my family, I've been blessed to meet folks who embrace, inspire, and push me to achieve greatness in business. 

The notion that you can OR did do it alone is laughable. 

If you're striving for success and despite your efforts, you just can't seem to get there - it might be a good time to survey your circle of influence. Take inventory of your support group. Look at where your roots are planted in the community. 

Oh...you don't have any of that? 

Well it's about time you step away from the computer and start to really connect.

If you're any closer to your dreams today than you were yesterday, chances are, somebody helped you get there. 

Tea invited me to her Word Carnival. Wanna see what other bloggers/small business owners have to say about this topic? Go ahead...click here.

AT&T Penalizes Customers For Saving

While talking to my friend Linda last week, she mentioned she was going to call her home phone provider to have one of her features removed. We both have AT&T. I hadn't called them in a while to see what promotions they were offering, which would in turn lower my bill. Last time I did this I ended up saving 50% on internet service. 

Here's what happened when I called this past weekend:

$17 MONTHLY SAVINGS

Following Linda's lead, I cut back on the feature I no longer needed. In my case, it was long distance. It makes absolutely no sense when I have unlimited calling anywhere in the U.S. on my cell phone. 

My monthly plan went from $47 down to $30. 

There weren't any deals going on with internet service so I couldn't cut that cost, but believe me - I asked!

Here's what else happened:

$9.50 FEE FOR DOWNGRADING

They charged me for saving money. Can you believe that?!

I was penalized for getting rid of a service I didn't need. I don't know if this service fee was applied and explained when Linda changed her plan, but this type of stuff is something we should all be aware of as consumers. 

No matter what's happening with the economy and job market, companies are going to ensure they continue to get paid. One way or another. This is a prime example. 

It didn't cost AT&T one red cent to process the change in my plan. And likewise, had I called to upgrade my service, thus putting more money in their pockets, they would've thanked me for being a loyal customer and sent me on my merry way. 

Eliminating my landline all together isn't an option right now. It's still a necessity. Just because I have to have it, that doesn't mean I want to pay an arm and a leg for it. 

Thanks, AT&T, for the awesome customer experience. 

I owe you. No really. I owe you for this one.