FamilySearch Contest Winners

By: Melanie Blodgett

We sent a call for posts and photos about pops and you responded with thoughtful essays, videos, tributes and sweet moments captured. To be honest, it made us a little teary eyed. Okay, to be really honest, a lot teary eyed.

Thank you for participating, we wish we could give all of you a prize. 

Today we'd like to announce that the randomly chosen winner of the ticket to Alt SLC is Carly Morgan. And the lucky winner of the iPad is Courtney Khail.

Networking With Authenticity

By: Sara Urquhart. Photo by: Justin Hackworth

If a phrase like, “Your network is your net worth,” sounds painfully cliché, it’s probably because, like most clichés, it’s quite true. The value of networking in today’s business and blogging world is undeniable.

From the beginning, the intention of Alt has been to build bloggers’ networks. Networking is simply a matter of connecting dots, and Alt helps people develop those valuable working relationships that connect the dots from one business’s needs to another business’s solutions. If someone is looking to go to Point B, and your relationship can help them get there faster, you’ve connected a dot, and you’ll likely both benefit from it.

Network with authenticity and value by:

Listening carefully and openly

• Being honest, confident and relaxed
• Making your interest in helping others clear
• Being memorable with a funny story or moment (that’s organic to the conversation!)
• Not leading with your “big ask”; focus first on understanding needs
• Offering to connect someone with other people when the need is outside your area

If you’re having a great conversation that helps move your work, or another’s work, forward in an interesting and useful way, you’re networking, and you’re having the right conversation.

Alt Summer Conferences: Be Ready

By: Sara Urquhart

The Alt summer conferences offer so many opportunities for building your business and your network. Be prepared to make the most of them with these suggestions.

1. Know what you want. You’ll get the most out of Alt by establishing clear intentions. Are you hoping to meet new friends, collaborators, or business partners? Looking for opportunities to contribute on other blogs? Hoping to connect with sponsors? Or just seeking inspiration and advice from the Alt community? Approach Alt with one or two goals in mind, and use them to guide your conversations and interactions.

2. Be flexible. Remember that great things often happen when we’re least expecting them. Be open-minded about unexpected directions or conversations, and you might walk away with an opportunity you’d never dreamed of.

3. Share openly, and listen well. Introduce yourself and your work with confidence and listen respectfully as others share their work and thoughts. Offer assistance, connections and introductions in the spirit of helpfulness that characterizes the Alt community.

4. Plan for success. Shortly after Alt, make an appointment with yourself (and keep it!) to review your notes and create a plan to implement your new ideas. All the great things you learned will serve you best when you put them into action.

Win a Ticket to Alt SLC 2014!

By: Melanie Blodgett

Do you get a tad bit anxious thinking about securing a ticket to the next Alt SLC? Well, today's giveaway is just for you. You can be eligible to win a ticket to Alt SLC 2014 (before they even go on sale!) in just three steps: 

1. Write a blog post focused on the theme father. Whether it's about your father or your husband, a diy project or gift guide for Father's Day, make it all your own. Just make sure to post it before midnight PST on Wednesday, June 19th. 

2. At the bottom of your post, make sure to include the disclosure: 

This post is part of a promotion with FamilySearch.

3. Send the link to your post to melanie@altitudesummit.com 

That's it! Winner will be randomly selected on Thursday, June 20th and emailed by a member of the Alt team. Can't wait to read your father-centric posts. Thanks FamilySearch!

Alt Connections: Caravan Shoppe

By: Amy Hackworth Image by: Caravan Shoppe

We all agree that the best thing about Alt is the incredible network, so we’re excited about a new series featuring the people, connections and stories that make this such an inspiring and vibrant community.

Graphic designers Alma Loveland and Melanie Burk first met at Alt in 2011, when Alma was on Melanie’s list of people she had to meet at Alt. When Melanie saw Alma in the hall she rushed toward her, calling Alma’s name. While they laugh now about Melanie’s enthusiastic approach, the two have been, in their own words, “joined at the hip ever since.” 

They each work independently as designers—Melanie at Fifth & Hazel and Alma at Ollibird (with her husband, Mike Loveland)—but joined forces to launch a new business in 2012. Their collaboration, Caravan Shoppe, is a brilliant collection of digital downloads for décor, toys, prints, cards, calendars and more.

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