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

I thought the conference was amazing.  I spent about $400 total for the weekend, and it was worth every cent and more.  I couldn't believe how great the presentations were, and I realized how much I really needed to learn, and still have to learn.

The presenters were also very approachable and down to earth. 

I agree with Barb's comment, it would have been better if there could have been more 'content' on Friday because my brain was about to break open by Saturday evening.

I loved the food and the organization of the entire event.  Nothing ever ran late, and the accomodations were clean and pleasant.  I also loved that it was close enough that I could attend!

In synopsis, the conference well exceeded my expectations.  I was never bored, and it was truly a great group of people.

Yakezie in Hawaii?  I don't think I could pull that off unfortunately.

Let's see costs were roughly $550 in total including hotel, airfare and car rental.  They pretty much foot the bill for everything else including the after, after, after party.  They did have transportation available for people not driving.  I think that if one is sponsored for this event the cost was fine.  If you were not sponsored the cost was still fine.

Best of the Best

I met so many people that my head is spinning.  I missed a lot of people too.  It was also nice to have potential advertisers chasing me down the hall to catch up, having read the blog.  Why knew?

Getting to chat extensively with current advertisers to build continued goodwill was great.  You guys should always take advantage of that opportunity.

Got basically a one-on-one session with Pat on Facebook marketing.  All of the keynotes were approachable and easy to talk to.  It's also surprising when they know your blog.  Weird.

Getting 20 followers in Twitter within 5 minutes of mentioning that I make around $25 for a sponsored tweet when I asked a monetization question.  I was able to help educate the swamp of people that surrounded me after.

Hanging with Barbara and Denver Eric of course!  You too Shane and Ray and Khaleef and Briana and Lord only knows who else.

Being amazed at who reads your blog and thinks of YOU as an expert.  Again, who knew?

Getting a push from someone selling their own products to being selling YOUR own…and not a low cost eBook either because they think that YOU have valuable content, a unique voice and are worth more than you think.

Getting stats and hanging with all the Wisebread people.  I've been made an honorary Wisebreader.  No, seriously.  Check their blog.

CONS

Paying for in-room WIFI.  Bloggers need WIFI…for free.

On Hawaii.  Most of you guys are on the left coast so Hawaii makes sense for you guys but that would be 2 months worth of salary for me.  Can't do it, but you can always update me!

Wow, I am SOOO kicking myself for not going. Glad everyone had such a great time and it was worthwhile.

Financial Samurai said:

Thanks for sharing the pics stream Jeff!

BeatingBroke, nice job winning the iPad!  Was it a random giveaway or something?

I'd be happy to speak, but you guys all know the power of the network already.  :)  Besides, I can't get photographed until I retire.

Does a Yakezie Hawaii retreat sound feasible? I'm thinking of going out to Honolulu the week of Dec 12th, 2011 or week of Feb 6, 2012.  I know it's kinda inconvenient for some, and not exactly cheap.  But to enjoy Hawaii when it's freezing in most of the country is a beautiful thing. 

 

FS:

1. I would consider attending a Yakezie retreat depending on where it was. Chicago is especially close for me, so it was a no-brainer.

2. Hawaii? No way. If I ever go to Hawaii, I won't be spending any time inside at a conference. :-)

Hawaii might be a bit out of the way for me…but anything in the continental US is doable.

Hawaii is expensive even for us left coasters.  I think a serious effort to have a Yakezie get-together needs to be CONUS.

Financial Samurai said:

 

And heck, if the business can cover the rountrip airfare and one night hotel, while we go do our own thing for the rest of the time we're there, why not!

I like this part of the idea…

The conference was a great time and I met a lot of people but still didn't get to meet lots of people I know were there.

I spent $129 on the conference ticket. I used a free night voucher for Friday night and spent $50 for a hotel room for Saturday night.  We drove up to Chicago and that probably cost us about $200 in gas round trip but we had to do work for our offline business while we were in Chicago so I'm attributing that cost to the business.  We spent about $50 on food for the weekend. It was well worth the cost.  It was cost effective to combine our business trip with the conference but I didn't like missing all the fun Saturday night because we had to work.  I won't combine the two next time.  I hope they keep it centrally located.

Sounds like a great experience for all.  Congrats Hunter for your viral post.  It was very well done!