Ace Department

…From BlogHer Handmade & The Creative Connection

You already know that I was at the BlogHer Handmade and Creative Connection conference last week. The three-day event was packed with business classes, motivating keynotes, craft tutorials, and a handmade marketplace. We heard from Holly Becker of decor8, Christina Ferrare, Jo Packham, publisher of Where Women Create, Leslie Shewring of A Creative Mint, and many more accomplished, smart, entreprenuerial women.

It was an inspiring and informative event, and it was great to meet in person some of the women I have been following online. It is motivating to see so many creative women starting their own businesses and succeeding!

We received a lot of helpful business, life, and art advice during all of the conference talks and classes. Below I have condensed the experience into the 10 Best Tips…

1.

Get started! You’ll learn as you go. “You don’t have to know everything, you just have to know where to find it.” – Rebekah Teal

2.

Everyone makes mistakes. Learn from them, recover, push on. “If you’re not making mistakes then you’re not learning.” – Todd & Diane of White on Rice

3.

A simple, clear website design and beautiful photography are key. “Keep website/blog very simple so that your art or photos can shine.” – Becki Crosby of WhippyCake

4.

Edit your message to fit the audience style of each of your social networks. “Think of social networks as different cocktail parties with their own unique guests.” – Crafty Chica

5.

Similarly, don’t offend your target audience. “Know your audience, it will save you mockery on Twitter.” – Elisa Camahort

6.

On getting funding from venture capitalists: “If you want money, ask for advice. if you want advice, ask for money.” – Jory Des Jardins

7.

Stand out by highlighting what makes you or your company unique. “The difference in you is your super power.” – Karen Walrond, Chookooloonks.com

8.

Don’t let jealousy bring you down. “Don’t compare and despair. Admire and aspire.” – Betz White

9.

Don’t neglect your highest priorities, like your health and family. “Work/life balance is like juggling several balls – some are glass and some are rubber. Don’t drop the glass ones.” – Stacy Julian of Big Picture Classes

10.

Success is possible for everyone! “A happy ending is possible from any beginning.” – Holly Becker

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That is me being a fangirl and posing with Holly Becker, Leslie Shewring, and Crafty Chica.

If you’d like to read even more about the conference, I put together a full recap on my personal blog. And, check out these blog posts from other attendees here, here, here, here, here, here, and here. Or, visit the BlogHer Handmade Virtual Conference page.