Feedback From The Financial Bloggers Conference 2011 In Chicago | Bloggers Lair | Yakezie Forums

I loved, loved, loved it!  It was great to meet other Yakezie members, and I found most of the sessions very informative.  Plus, it was great to hear from the big bloggers that I already read for inspiration; hearing them speak was that much better.  By far this was the best blog conference I attended.  There are so many things I want to change on my blog superficially, and I have begun to think more deeply about the direction I would like to take my blog in the future.  Can't wait to see where next year's conference will be held!

It was really good. Was great to meet lots of nice people. Fun to meet many fellow Yakezie members of course!

In terms of content, there were some really good presentations - Ramit, Pat Flynn, JD Roth and of course others. Definitely got my mind working on how to view my blog – and other potential opportunites – in terms of content, user engagement, SEO, social media, and general strategic direction.

I would describe it as drinking from a firehose of information.  Good stuff.

Being able to meet online friends in person was such a gift, and it was great to meet some of our guests/speakers – Pat Flynn, Laura Adams and others.  

I loved the content- having insider perspectives on how to blog, publicize and reach out to other companies was great.  Some of the sessions were rich in specific tools, tips and tricks to taking your blog to the next level.  Others, were a bit too introductory, but was perhaps necessary since we all have different levels of experience.

I hope that next year we can get some more sessions that really build on what it means to be a good personal finance blogger.  Perhaps, a session on how to properly research and talk about hot topics in finance, or maybe a session on how to handle the sometimes dicey legal issues of being a PF blogger (issues of taxes from blogging income, liability for advice, disclosure, etc.) to ensure that our blogger friends aren't making little mistakes that could get them into trouble later.

I thought the sessions that touched on "thinking outside the blogging box," were exceptionally helpful-  learning how to pitch to companies, get involved with local/national/big online media, different monetization strategies and solid personal branding were great.  

It was a great conference, lots of great energy, useful tools and next year…maybe, VEGAS?  Then again, sessions were so jam-packed I don't know how much time there would be for sight seeing!

Overall, the conference, for me, was absolutely amazing.  Having started my blog in 2008, it was so great to meet so many people that I've been emailing, Google chatting, Tweeting, Facebooking with for so long and actually get to share their hand and meet them in person.

A lot of the presentations were extremely helpful including Ramit, Baker, Wisebread team, Daily Worth (email marketing), and the PR panel.  Pat Flynn did an awesome job closing it down. 

Saturday for very overwhelming (but good) trying to meet and network on top of attend the sessions.   I think I ended up skipping out on a few just so that I could mingle in the hallways.   Unfortunately, for all the people that I did meet, I didn't get a chance to meet as many people as I hoped – including those in this forum.   I think I only met maybe 6 or 8 of you?   That's the part that sucked.  So little time, so many people.  

All in all, it was great and so glad that Phil took the time to put this thing together.  #FINCON12 will be a blast!!

It was great.  Well worth the money.  The seminars, meeting everyone, seeing 30 Malnati's pizzas lining the floor at the love drop event….

I spent $456, but will be getting $182 for the hotel reimbursed from my travel rewards card, putting my out-of-pocket total at $274.

I didn't get a chance to go but it sounds like it was amazing. I am definitely interested in the next one.

Financial Success for Young Adults said:

 

I would love to see pics too! If anyone has some, I saw a few on Twitter but more would be great to make me feel like I was there!

Here's a link to the Flickr group  http://www.flickr.com/groups/fincon/

by the time I account for everything, I spent a hair under $500 for the whole weekend. If you add in the value of the iPad that I won, I made money on the trip! ;)

The experience was incredible though, and was easily worth far more than I spent. Between the networking opportunities and the education provided by in the sessions, I was very unhappy that it had to end.

I think next year, Sam, you should present on the power of a network and all that the yakezie has accomplished.