A Contributor Gift Guide

By guest contributor Tori Bowman.

Sending your contributors a little gift for the holidays is a sweet way to show your appreciation for all that they do. And it doesn't have to be expensive either. Here are a few gift ideas for everyone on your list, all for $15 or less:

• Touchscreen gloves, because everyone on your list will be wanting these this winter.
• IPad game pieces for the guys on your contributor list.
• Beautiful thank you/greeting cards for the partier.
• A book full of color inspiration for your designer. 
• A quirky and beautiful home accessory for the home EC queen.
• An LED camera pen for your photographer. 
• Adorable Matryoshka measuring cups for the foodie. 
• Red lipstick, a staple for any fashion blogger. 

Do you send gifts to your contributors? Do you do the same gift for each one or personalize each one? We'd love to hear your great ideas.

Friday Links, Getting Ready For Alt

By Victoria Hudgins. Photography by Alt.

'Tis the season for holiday spirit and fun! Today we are officially counting down to Alt SLC - 39 days! Are you getting ready yet? Here are a few links to help you prepare:

• Follow the conferences hash tag, and other ways to prepare
Don't forget to pack chocolate pretzels
Business card inspiration
Bring a list of Twitter handles for people you'd like to connect with
Bringing your A game
Erin Loechner shared a great primer for first time attendees this week

You Can't Grow a Blog as an Island

By guest contributor Monica Lee.

Listen in on this short chat with blogger Victoria Hudgins on the value of connecting with other bloggers at conferences, and at home.

The Home Office Deduction

This is part 5 in our accounting for blogers series, by Alt Channel Teacher Helena Swyter. Photography by Design Inspiration.

If you maintain an office in your home, you may qualify to deduct certain expenses associated with the space, such as:

Utilities Mortgage Interest Rent Real Estate Taxes Repairs and Maintenance Depreciation Insurance

The amount of the deduction depends on the percentage of your home used as an office. For example, if you have a 200 square foot office in a 1,000 square foot apartment, your business percentage is 20%.

In order to qualify, your home office space must be used regularly and exclusively. What does that mean?

Click to read more ...

What to Expect at Alt: A Guide for First-Timers

By guest contributor Erin Loechner. Photography by Alt.

The Altitude Summit is the must-visit conference of the year - but you already knew that, didn't you? The good news is that you've signed up and are headed to Utah this January. The bad news? You're shaking in your (well-insulated) boots. If this is your first time at Alt, fear not. Here's exactly what you can expect:

Wednesday, January 23rd
Depending on when your flight coasts into SLC, you'll want to check into your hotel. Drop off your bags and head to Grand America's registration desk. Your name badge, conference schedule, and friendly faces will await you--you lucky thing.

Take it easy, chat in the lobby bar, or take a power nap and get ready for dinner out on the town at 6:30pm (Have you signed up yet?). Then rest up - you've got a busy day ahead of you on Thursday!

Thursday, January 24th
Grab breakfast downstairs and head to your first panel at 9am sharp. Panels are conversational in tone, so be prepared to gain casual, yet amazing, advice from your favorite powerhouse bloggers/media leaders. Anticipate a lot of note-taking, idea-sharing, and fist-bumping.

Short breaks will be held between each panel, giving you time to refuel/chat/rest before the next groundbreaking session.

Click to read more ...