What an experience!!! I thought in the Spring I knew what to expect, but that was not the case at all. With deployment I really did not prepare like I would have if I wasn’t in a deployment. Basically 24 hours before I printed my session handouts & packed. That’s it! It started off rocky since I do not look forward to flying for more than 2 hours at a time & the fact I had a 3 hour time change. Don’t forget to add a nutty Vegas airport experience that added an additional hour, long story… But I made it & I adjusted to the sleep deprivation.
It was really just a wonderful experience for me to physically meet & talk to all of my virtual friends for close to 2 years now. That is really the best part for me of TpT! I love them all & was so happy to have them by my side.
Here is my short & sweet personal reflection:
Pro’s to this experience of attending the TpT Conference:
- I met all of my virtual BFF’s in person! [#1]
- I had great training in what I needed, business mindset! [#1 too]
- I have a long list & plan of actions I need to take to grow my business.
- I had a lot of fun too! Especially on my last night at my collaborative blog’s Primary Pack Meet Up!!! We will definitely be doing that again!!!
- Overwhelming with people… Meaning I’m not the Time’s Square on New Years Eve type of girl. The largest crowds that don’t bother me are in Yankee Stadium or the Swamp watching a Gator game. So many people crammed in one place is not my style.
- The time change & sleep deprivation.
- The rushed feeling with so many events going on. If I wasn’t on deployment I would add an extra few days on each end of the conference to actually enjoy Vegas & leave the hotel.
- Missing my daughter ๐
- Use your stats! Learn what is selling & what is not selling to find your buyers likes.
- What service are you providing your buyers?
- On IG create a hashtag.
- On IG put the link in your profile.
- On Pinterest put your store & blog boards at the top.
- Blog as a teacher first & a seller second.
- Blog posts need to be full of value.
- Use videos.
- Create an email list.
- Always print your products before you post them.
- Make square covers that is part of your brand.
- Listen to podcasts to change your teacher brain to entrepreneur brain.
- Product planning method that you can execute.
- Put your name on everything.
- Include a Terms of Use page in every product.
- Include an informational page in every product with clickable links to similar products.
- Be visible in all routes of social media [IG, FB, Twitter, Pinterest, Blogger & others].
- Always protect files with a password.
- Use online PDF reducers for large files.
- Use product description information to the best.
- Preview is always landscape in TpT.
- When you have product feedback, click the heart if it was helpful to have the comments stay at the top.
- Clean up Pinterest boards to represent you. Pinning parties is not the way to go, don’t pin crap or things you don’t know.
- Take the online Pinning Perfect class from Melissa from Blog Clarity.
- Have a few products going at a time so the big ones don’t burn you out.
- Don’t use the word “Sampler”, use “Free”.
- Make yourself a schedule & stick to it. Set daily, weekly & manageable goals that you can & will actually accomplish.
- Think of your store as 1 shelf in an enormous supermarket, how should you brand it.
- After reading your stats & seeing what buyers you have, decide how to continue to keep them & how to gain more.
- GET A VIRTUAL ASSISTANT!!! YES!!! YES!!! YES!!! I’m already on it. Basically make a list: What I hate doing? What I can’t do? What I need to do? Get help, investing in yourself will help you reap the benefits down the road.
There is so much more & so many more details, all I can say is you need to go to Vegas to get it all for yourself. You need to have that business training for your own mindset. It is really what it was all about for me.
Be sure to check out the scoop from all of my friends below too —->
LOVE the organization of this post girlie. So glad we got to meet!!! <3
Ashley
Schroeder Shenanigans in 2nd
Thanks for sharing the tips! I could use some of those too! Sounds like you had a great time.
Jamie
Teaching Tidbits and More with Jamie
I am so glad we got to meet!
Wow, what a great list–thanks for sharing it! I agree that the conference was overwhelming at times but my reaction is the same as yours: Overall, it was so definitely worth it. ๐ Best wishes as you put into practice everything you learned!
— Susan
The ESL Connection
It was great to meet you in Vegas! I cannot believe how quickly you left home to get to Vegas. I know you were ready to be home! Looking forward to being part of the EE group with you.
You are soooooo fun! Can we do it again next week? When you move, please consider PA!!!! Until 2016 ๐ Melissa from Mrs. Dailey's Classroom
I liked your pros & cons…I LOVED meeting people, I was not wild about the noise level in the happy hour, it made my head feel weird! Maybe we will meet next year…I know I saw you because I recognize your logo! ๐
Thanks,
Nancy
I know I walked past you a number of times!! I remember your button, but I didn't 'know' you yet from the online world! Looks like you had a great time!! I can't wait for next year!
Thanks,
Nancy
The Apple Basket Teacher