The stylish team at Phoenix Style Collective, which started in January 2007 to promote the fashionable and creative network in Phoenix, hosted its second annual Arizona Bloggers Conference on Saturday at Hotel Palomar in downtown Phoenix. The evening kicked off with a networking mixer where Arizona's fashion bloggers chatted away and visited the various sponsor booths, including Madewell and Kendra Scott Jewelry.
The conference hosted a lineup of speakers from all areas of fashion and lifestyle blog world. Sara Matlin from Frances Vintage spoke about blogging for francessmeeks.com and connecting local artists.
Former model turned entrepreneur, Summer Bellessa, from ELIZA Magazine and the popular online YouTube show "The Girls With Glasses Show" presented the conference goers with a presentation on balancing various priorities while running multiple businesses. ASU Walter Cronkite alumna, Sarah Hubbell, talked about her time on MTV's "The Real World" and how her experience on television influenced her pursuit of her own business, EMMA Magazine.
Danielle Hampton, a high school English teacher turned professional blogger talked about finding individuality and voice when writing a blog.
Finally, successful style blogger Jessie Artigue of Style & Pepper spoke about how to make your blog into a successful business.
Each speaker gave advice on creating a successful blog and business. All of the speakers agreed that bloggers are increasingly becoming more important in shaping culture, especially local culture. Although there seemed to be an inspiring overall theme that I think was perfectly highlighted by Danielle Hampton. Starting a blog can be very challenging with the enormous amount of current blogs already on the internet. According to Hampton, the best attribute to possess when starting a blog is to have your own voice. Here is a list to live by if you want your blog to be successful and rewarding:
1. Set your stage; show your voice in design form. You want the design of your blog to represent who you are.
2. Find your passion. Simply, write about what you love and your blog will not only be enjoyable to your readers but also yourself.
3. Write, write, write! Practice makes perfect. Hampton suggests free writing as much as you can, especially when writer's block strikes.
4. Tell your own story. Be real in your writing. Be genuine with your readers.
5. Realize that blogging is a lifelong evolution. There will be bumps in the road but if you remain determined and passionate about your blog, it all pays off in the end.
Reach the reporter at hdiiullo@asu.edu or follow on Twitter @HaleighD_SP.
