How Sending an Email Newsletter is Like Throwing A Party

This post is sponsored by Mail Chimp.

Email newsletters are not synonymous with fun, but for a blogger they can be an important part of growing one's readership. If you think of your readers as your friends, and your newsletters like the party of the year, you might just have a line around the block trying to get in.

Get the Word Out
Every great party starts with a great invitation. Add a widget to your blog, or a sign up form to your Facebook page, and whoever is interested can RSVP. You can make it easy for people to invite their friends too, by adding share and social share buttons to your newsletters. The more the merrier, right? Well, kinda. Even though most people love a good party, some people just aren’t that social. You wouldn’t force someone to rock sequins and eat cupcakes against their will, so you shouldn’t add anyone to your email list without their permission.

Add a Little Sparkle
No party would be blog-worthy without some killer decorations. You’ve worked hard to develop your personal brand, from logo and color palette down to what shoes to pack for Alt. You'd also put that same attention to detail into tablecloth selection and DIY place cards for any party you threw. The same should go for your email newsletters, which are an extension of your blog.

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Pre Alt Links

By Jenny Batt. Photography by Flint Knits.

Here are a handful of links to prepare you for the Alt conference this week. Incase you are staying home, not to worry - we will be posting follow up links next week. If you are posting about the conference be sure to #altsummit so we can find your link.

When you are not going to Alt

Why I pack loosely

Let's talk about talking

A crafty bon voyage

How to stay calm at the conference

What to pack

A one week countdown

Tips for Alt conference success

How to make friends at Alt

How to host a resource party

How to stay healthy for Alt

A pre Alt checklist

Getting the Most Out of Alt If You’re Not Attending Alt

By Sara Urquhart. Photography by Alt.

We wish everyone who wants to attend Alt could be in Salt Lake with us this week, but if you’re feeling a little sad you won’t be there in real life, don’t worry! You’re still part of the Alt community, and there are so many ways to stay connected to the inspiration.

First, decide what you’d be looking for if you were attending Alt and then do what you can to gather this information in other ways. There are so many options!

If you’re looking for content and information… try registering for classes on the Alt Channel. Many of the same presenters, as well as many other great teachers, will be teaching incredible content there, not only this month, but all year long.

If you’re looking for collaborations and connections… reach out to others through the Alt Channel classes, in the chat box. Attend the Alt Summit on-line meetups for your niche and connect in person there. Or watch the Twitter stream(#altsummit) or Facebook page to find other friends who aren’t attending Alt and connect with them online. Check out each other’s blogs and see what partnerships might emerge. Using the platforms you have on hand gives you tons of options for making connections.

If you’re looking to meet Alt sponsors… then reach out to them. The Alt sponsors are very eager to meet people in the Alt community, whether those people at the Salt Lake event or not. Feel free to reach out to them through Twitter, and begin building a relationship and even pitch an idea or two.

If you’re looking for pretty things… it’s true, there will be many pretty things at Alt, and you can see them through our Instagram feed, our Flickr page and our blog throughout the conference and beyond. Watch for attendees’ Instagram feeds for even more inspiration.

Listen, if you’ll be missing us at Alt, we’ll be missing you, too. But you don’t have to miss out on building your blog and business this month!

It’s Time to Reorganize Your Blog and Get Ready for Tablet Visitors

This post is sponsored by PadSquad.

By Ryan Hazelton. Photography by Curious Mess.

There are a few times during the year when people tend to do a cleaning and re-organization of their home, closets, or office. The turn of the year tends to be one of these, as it is a means to starting the New Year fresh. It is a great time to reorganize your closets or shelves, get rid of things that may not be needed anymore, and allow space for new items to come in – perhaps the new jacket you bought at a holiday sale, or the new book on your bookshelf. You know how good it feels grab a shirt out of your newly organized closet, or to admire your keepsakes neatly arranged on a shelf. Why not give your blog the same attention?

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Creating A Stock Photo Library

By Alt Channel teacher Justin Hackworth.

Sometimes you need to get that blog post up right away and don't have a lot of time to search for, or shoot, the perfect companion photograph. One way to fix this problem is to plan ahead and start creating your own stock photo library.

Start taking photos that might have a broad interest or could easily complement a variety of themes, even if you don't currently have a use for them.

Photograph things like clouds, backgrounds, textures, sunsets and other abstract images that can be used to illustrate a number of different ideas. Everyday objects, like old books, a typewriter, silverware, tools, and cameras can work as well.

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