On Monday I mentioned that I was attending  IFB’s Evolving Influence Conference . Hands down, it was the best blogger’s conference/meetup I’ve ever been to. Seriously. In a past life, I worked as a meeting and conference planner(and fashion in nyc for about 5 minutes) and know first hand that it is no easy feat to put together a one-day conference where every single panel completely engaging. Jennine from The Coveted, put together panels  covering Blog Marketing, the Business of Blogging , Blogging Ethics, and the Future of Fashion Blogging and I believe everyone there walked away with something invaluable about fashion of course, but blogging most importantly. I can’t even decide which, panel was most influentual to me, although the ones regarding Business and Blog Ethics were quite eye opening.   However, mostly I learned how important it is to be true to yourself, your blog’s vision and your peers/readers.

 Along with a better sense of  direction for the blog, I personally walked away totally inspired by both the people and the information. One of ideas I walked away with was that I am a part of a blogging community that is a social movement that celebrates  individuality, different perspectives and authentic voices. And I witnessed it in the room as well. There were so many diverse  people, styles and opinions  in one room it was impossible not to be moved. It was a real  inclusive and fabulous community and it made me really happy to be apart of it. (I think this diversity, community and  the  value  of voices being heard thing is why some people find there blog life more enriching than their work life).

Always a student, here are some of my notes from my moleskine:

{i’m totally a visual notetaker. if I can’t sketch and write, i don’t retain.}

Because I had such a positive experience at Evolving Influence, I’m feeling rather inspired and creative so I decided to work on all new 2010 goals for both the blog and myself. It feels like a good time to evolve.

xoxo,

Jessica