10 Tips from a Blogging Conference

Throughout the weekend I learned many things. Like wearing makeup when it is 104 degrees is dumb, and that fruity, pretty drinks are always delicious. But beyond learning that avocado soup is delicious and the homes on Swiss Avenue are dreamy, I actually learned some great tips about blogging, social, media, and various other topics at The Hundred Event.
Here are ten things I learned from the best weekend ever:
1. Don't be a jack of all trades and a master of none. This pertains to more than just blogging. I think we are all guilty of this because, as women, we seem to always be go-go-go. I am going to (try!) start scheduling out time to get things done. I need to use the hours in my day more wisely and not try to do a million things halfway.
I also took this as, your blog doesn't have to dip it's toe in the community pool. Just because other bloggers are diying this, and wearing that, and cooking delicious dishes doesn't mean you need to be a diy/fashion/cooking blogger. For me, personally, I love the one day a week I show off fashion, but my true passion is interior design and diy. My goal is to start focusing more on what I love and mapping out my posts so I can be more consistent with my diy/home decor posts.
2. It is illegal to promote your blog on your personal Facebook page. (insert giant gasps here) If Facebook finds out that you make money, are running a business, or even receive gifts from a company in order to promote your brand, it is illegal and they could shut your personal Facebook page down...forever. Facebook has no appeals process, so basically you are out of luck if this happens to you. I would suggest making a page specifically for your blog and encouraging your friends to 'like' that page.
PS: If you make no money, do no sponsored posts, and receive no free items from your blog, you should be okay to share on your personal page, but it wouldn't hurt to stay on the safe side.
3. Twitter should be a conversation, not a megaphone. Guilty as charged. I use twitter purely for stalking celebrities and reading celebrity gossip. I read blogs all day and my instagram is full of bloggers, so I feel like this is my one social media outlet where I am not bombarded with the same things I am looking at on my blogroll and instagram.
I use twitter as a megaphone because all you will find on my twitter page is my instagram pictures. We were encouraged to be more of a conversation on twitter, rather than shouting out things that are already posted elsewhere i.e. on instagram and Facebook. This is a goal of mine. Less megaphoning, more conversations.
4. Use searchable terms when pinning pictures to Pinterest. Instead of pinning something and captioning it "love this," describe what you are pinning with terms that people may search for. 
My pin found here.

Don't just say this - "love this! going to need this in my house asap!"

Say this - "Love this frame wall! Beautiful square, white frames from Ikea mounted above a wooden sofa table. All the frames, lamps, and accessories are neutral and work perfectly. The wicker basket is perfect for holding comfy blankets and pillows."
The searchable terms in the second description could be: frame wall, frames, Ikea, sofa table, lamps, neutrals, wicker basket, etc.
5. Always write a recap email to a sponsor or company who sent you something thanking them for the item and ensuring they are happy with your post and how you portrayed their product. I never do this, and I need to start. When you get something, you say thanks initially, post about it, and never look back. It is much more polite and will make you look better if you follow up with the company and make sure they are happy with the outcome. After all, they did give you something for free, so the least you could do is make sure they liked what you wrote. It is also a great way to get feedback for future sponsored posts.
6. Don't shot-gun post. Meaning, don't read something, or scour pinterest for hours, get an idea from said article or pin, then whip up a post and publish it. An unauthentic vibe may come across and you may say things that aren't your own and come off as a copy cat. Instead, if you read something that moves you and you want to write about it, write it, but save the post for another day when you can go back to it and make sure your opinions are still the same. I am definitely guilty of this which leads me back to number one and how I need to get better at scheduling time to write instead of rushing to get posts up.
7. You need good pictures on your blog, period. I think we all start out pretty rough in the picture department, but if you look at your favorite blogs, I bet most of them have great pictures. Pretty pictures appeal to everyone and this point was stressed in every session I was in.
8. Nowadays, everyone has a blog, so what sets you apart? Mommy blogs, fashion blogs, cooking blogs, travel blogs. Blogs are the thing, so why do people want to read yours? This is tough as a blogger because, let's be real, no idea is original. And for those who claimed you came up with an original idea, I commend you. It is okay to use others as inspiration, but there is a fine line between inspiration and imitation. The speakers this weekend were all well known for something they did that was out of the ordinary. It only takes one idea for it to catch on, it is just finding that idea that is hard. 
9. Be confident. If you don't think your blog is awesome, no one else will either. If someones asks you if you blog and you say, "Ya, I do, but it kinda sucks," do you think they are going to be racing to the nearest iphone to check it out? No. If someones says, "Oh, you blog?" and you say, "Ya! It is really fun and I kinda think it is pretty cool. You should check it out!" don't you think they are more likely to go stalk you? Yes, it is sorta embarrassing and makes you want to crawl into a hole, but so many people do it now, so what the heck? Own it.
10. Have no regrets. Now if you post a picture of something inappropriate, you might regret that. Or if you shot-gun a post and publish it without thinking of all the angles of the viewers, you might regret that. But, most importantly, you shouldn't regret blogging. You should not regret being who you are, or admitting your flaws. Anyone whose life on their blog looks perfect probably is struggling in another area. If I would have regretted starting a blog, I wouldn't have some of my closest friends. I wouldn't have just had an amazing weekend meeting some ladies who I have looked up to for so long. Yes, sometimes I may offend people, I may say something dumb, and I may wear something hideous, but it's whatever. It is who I am and I have learned (long ago! thanks high school!) that there is no way I am ever going to please everyone. My mom always said, "Sarah, just kill 'em with kindness," and that has gotten me through my many moments of regret.
And if you're feeling up to it, you can follow me:
Instagram @SarahTuckerUp Twitter @MrsSarahTucker Pinterest - SarahTuckerUp

Thanks to these wonderful speakers this weekend whom much of this post is inspired by: Stacy Reeves and Curt Steinhorst.

The Hundred Event: aka best weekend ever

Sometimes in life you take chances and they turn out really, really well. And sometimes you take chances and they turn out awful. The time I dyed my hair in college and forgot the dye was in my hair and hour and 15 minutes later I had dark blue hair. That was a really bad idea.

But, this weekend was the idea of these four beautiful (inside and out) ladies below and their idea of The Hundred Event was really, really good.

I have been following Lauren, Grace, and Megan (and now I stalk Bridget daily!) ever since I can remember, so when all three of them posted the same post one day, titled "The Hundred Event," I knew something was up. Well, that something turned out to be the best weekends I've had in a really long time!

Lauren, Megan, Bridget, Grace

The Hundred Event started Friday and went until yesterday afternoon. Believe me, I never wanted it to end! Well, I did need to come home and shower, but I would have gone back for another day month!

Walking in to the fancayyy schmancyy Warwick Melrose Hotel, I instantly spotted the Grace Patton. The blog Gods sang and I peed a little (totally joking...), but luckily no one noticed. We made awkward eye contact and I felt like a weirdo because all I wanted to do was stare at all of them, and that would have been strange, so I refrained. I found Amber and we sat steps away from the check in counter where we waited until they were ready for us to check in.

Finally all the blogger celebrity awkwardness went away when we all shook hands and met face-to-face. Only bloggers (or I guess online daters?!) know what it is like to know everything about someone, yet you have never seen/met them in the flesh. There is no weird like, "What do you do? Where do you live?" It is more like, "You're just like you are on your blog," or "Welcome to Texas where everything sweats profusely!"

Since Amber and I got there early, we went and had Mexican food and some drinks across the street after we checked in. The event didn't start until 6:00pm and we had a couple hours to kill. Nothing a little sangria and queso can't fix. 

The ballroom was decorated beautifully

When we went back we mingled with everyone and then we were seated in the ballroom for dinner and a speech from, none other than, Kendi The Great (actually it is Kendi Everyday, but you know...). Dinner was delicious, but I've never met a dinner I didn't like. The atmosphere and decor was like something out of a magazine. And, the company was more than I could have bargained for. 

I'm just taking it all in, and probably eyeing someone's dessert.

Saturday was perfect. We started the day at Bread Winners where we gorged ourselves on anything from Chicken and Waffles to Migas. I had the Strawberry Waffles and Cream and it was like heaven on a plate. I sat next to Grace, Lauren, and Bridget and we all chit-chatted each other's little ears off.

I carpooled everyone back to the hotel where we began with a speech from Curt Steinhorst. His speech was about being better with your time and making the time you spend on things count. An example he used was something we all do. We get online to blog, but then we have to check our email. The we see an ad for shoes and, just for a second, switch to shop online. Then we get an email that reminds us we were checking our email in the second place, which then reminds us that we originally got on the computer to blog. You get the point and I definitely need to start blocking off time to get things done. What I am trying to tell you is that it was a great speech!

Once Curt's speech concluded we spent the rest of the day at four other technical sessions. I will go into more detail about those later this week, but I learned so much valuable information that I can't wait to share with you all!

Saturday night we went to Peacock Alley in the Design District of Dallas. Peacock Alley hosted the night for us where they had the famed Ruthie's Rolling Cafe food truck and Steel City Pops. I'm telling you, this event, if nothing else, was worth it for the food. Luckily it was more than just the food, but you know where my brain is at. Every day we ate like little blogging queens.

If you're not familiar with Peacock Alley, they basically design the most gorgeous bedding and bath accessories I've ever seen. If I ever become rich, they will design every bed and bathroom in my house. Their stuff is perfect, ya'll. And guess who won the drawing for one of their coverlets? This chick right here! Ya ya! I never win anything and so you can bet I was elated. Once I get it in and take a nap on it, I will then style it and show you all it in all it's glory. I' pretty pumped.

Sunday we headed to the Aldredge House for a brunch that made me feel fancier than Caroline Stanbury. Once again these ladies went above and beyond what this country girl could have imagined. It was magical. We ate quiche off antique plates and sipped out of 50 year old glasses. We took pictures in front of a tasseled photo-booth (so blogger of us) and got gifts like I never imagined. Just like Oprah, everyone is going home with a pair of Joules Wellies! By the way, Joules was one of the weekend's sponsors and I am now slightly obsessed with their clothing. It is classic and so well made. Gorgeous stuff right there!

As if Wellies weren't enough, we all got a number and were able to go and pick out a gift of our liking. And here is where things get crazy. So, has anyone ever heard of Lily Jade designer diaper bags? I have only seen them on Grace and some other (larger than life, like Grace) bloggers, but since, obviously, I don't have a child I never thought to own one of their bags. That was until it was my turn to pick an item and Grace held me at Lily Jade bag-point and told me to "get the bag." So I did. Because what Grace Patton tells me to do, I do. If you're wondering, I got this beauty; The Caroline in black It is way beyond my diaper bag level, but I'm in love.

But seriously, I walked out of that room to a line of girls going, "YOU GOT THE LILY JADE BAG? I DIDN'T THINK THEY HAD ANY LEFT!?" Which they didn't...but they put one out right before I walked in. I had a moment of guilt until I realized that these genius bags have a removable diaper bag portion where I can convert this designer bag into a regular purse! No wonder people were trying to barter with me. It is kinda hard to explain, but just go to their website and that will be less confusing than teacher Tucker over here butchering the description of a designer bag. Look for this bag in an upcoming fashion post! Chris Tucker couldn't believe his brown eyes when I walked in and showed him my new diaper bag. I think my ovaries were singing while his swimmers wanted to drown. Then I showed him this picture and I think I just freaked him into 2020 for baby making.

PS: If I look as good as this baby's mom after I have a human, then I know magic is real.

skirt here // shoes here // bag here 

Sadly things started winding down. I was able to chat off a couple people's (okay, Bridget's) ear and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was also a sweet surprise when I saw that this sessy lady was photographing the event with Jenni! I have known Shalyn for a little over a year now and she is just precious! 

Joanna, Taylor, me, and Amber

Now I'm home and having a Hundred Event hangover complete with a weak stomach due to missing so many ladies and a head ache from the knowledge I've gained this weekend. 

If you ever get the chance to attend a blogging conference of some kind, do it! I promise, promise, promise you won't regret it!

And thanks to Lauren, Megan, Bridget, and Grace for providing a weekend of learning and laughter, but most importabtly, a weekend to foster those lifelong friendships that come with the territory of blogging!

And to Amber, my other half this weekend. Thanks for tagging along with me and supporting me and this blog of mine. I'm so blessed our blogs have made our families real life friends. You're the patty to my melt, sista!

And if you're feeling up to it, you can follow me:
Instagram @SarahTuckerUp Twitter @MrsSarahTucker Pinterest - SarahTuckerUp

Fancy photos are from the wonderful Paige! And to see more, go to TheHundredEvent.com!

Linking up with Leeann, Kimberlee & Meg!

The BEST Weekend of Blogger Life

I am recovering from a conference hangover. Seriously. All I want to do is binge on Whataburger, stay in bed all day, and relive this weekend through my iPhone. My voice is shot (thanks to a lingering cold...), I ate my weight in food, and I took way too many pictures, but I wouldn't trade laughing at sweaty butt marks on dresses and comments about my big shoulders for anything in the world! 

I can honestly say this weekend was one of the best weekends of my life.

As I extend this weekend vacay at my parent's house, I hope you will enjoy some snapshots from my epic weekend.

=

Me + Stesha + Shanna = The Three Amigos

Jess, Me (duh), Shanna, and Stesha

Kristen, Stesha, Shanna, Jess

One of my faves, Kristen

RewardStyle HH at the San Jose. Nicest girls!

Kendi...yes, that Kendi

Another spunky Texas 'muffin' - whom I adore!

How was your weekend?

Happy Monday!

Linking up with Sami, Meg, Leeann, Molly and Carly!