The Style Collective Conference ’18 Is Coming To Raleigh, N.C. (And IFB Has A Deal On Tickets!)

• Admission to two full conference days, April 14 & 15 in Raleigh, NC.
• Access to insightful brand and influencer panels, hands-on workshops, and bossbabe networking.
• Lunch provided both days.
• Coffee and snacks throughout both days!
• Workshop supplies, including cute notebook and pen keepsakes.
• Tons of photo ops for the ‘gram.
• Group photos during the day.
• Curated swag bag filled with tons of goodies, including the signature scent from the conference.

• Access to a VIP cocktail party with Annie Spano and select speakers on Saturday, April 14th from 8:00pm-10:00pm at the Cannon Room.
• Dedicated VIP check-in line to skip the long wait!
• Guaranteed VIP seating in the first few rows on both conference days.

7:00am-9:00am: Breakfast at the hotel with your fellow bossbabes!

8:00am-9:00am: Conference Check-in at Cannon Room

9:00am-9:30am: Opening Keynote with Style Collective Founder and CEO, Annie Spano

9:30am-10:00am: Speed Networking and Coffee Break!

Get to know your SC sisters and trade Instagram handles while fueling up with local coffee for Saturday’s amazing panels and workshops!

10:00am-11:00am: Influencer Panel, moderated by AdrinaRose, featuring Holly Boyd and others to be announced soon!

Listen and learn while our panel of expert influencers share their tips and tricks for standing out from the influencer crowd.

11:00am-12:15pm: Group photos and De’Ana Fierce will be directing poses at our #SCSister photo booth

12:30pm-2:30pm Lunch and Learn: Build Your Brand and Discover Your Authentic Leadership Workshop with Annie Spano

• Explore the state of the influencer industry and identify your biggest opportunities for increasing profit
• Dissect the formula for a successful brand and apply it your personal brand to attract your audience
• Dig deep to discover your own ideology and value set to refine your brand
• Share your deepest goals and purpose that inspires action, from follower growth to increased revenue
• Inspire your followers through your unique vision and garner attention from consumers and brands
• Build your empire through a deeper purpose, authentic voice, and proactive long-term planning

2:45pm-4:15pm: 2018 Content Planning and Writing Emotional Headlines That Convert Workshop with Jessie Undorfer

• Determine your focus, get serious about your business, and set the RIGHT priorities
• Formulate the most effective plan that will lead you to your ultimate goals
• Dissect your analytics and utilize them towards growth in the coming year
• Identify your niche audience, how to reach them, and expand your influence through  research-backed marketing techniques & tools
• Plan relevant, eye-catching, and revenue generating content for the next 6 months using practices from bossbabes and media agencies

4:15pm-4:30pm: Closing Remarks

4:30pm: Dinner on the Town

Rendezvous with your SC sisters at the hotel and head out for a bite of dinner and a taste of the Raleigh nightlife!

8:00pm-10:00pm: VIP cocktail party to network and celebrate with Annie Spano and select conference speakers at the Cannon Room. There will also be a Kendra Scott pop-up color bar and 20% of proceeds will be donated to the foundation for women’s cancer.

Sunday, April 15

7:00am-9:15am: Breakfast at hotel and checkout.

Don’t worry – you can store your luggage at the Cannon Room.

9:15am-9:30am: Opening Remarks by Style Collective Founder and CEO, Annie Spano

9:30am-10:00am: Speed Networking and Coffee Break!

Get to know your SC sisters and trade Instagram handles while fueling up with local coffee for Sunday’s amazing panels and workshops!

10:00am-11:00am: Brand Panel, moderated by AdrinaRose, featuring Sarah-Butler McKinney from Kendra Scott and others to be announced soon!

Get tips and insight on working with brands right from the source – a panel of expert brands who regularly work with influencers just like you!

11:00am-12:15pm: Group photos and De’Ana Fierce will be directing poses at our #SCSister photo booth

12:30pm-2:00pm Lunch & Learn: Media Exposure, Brand Deals, and Leveling-Up Workshop with Amanda Berlin and Annie Spano

• Set your goals so that you get what you want out of publicity and working with brands
• Learn how to find the right places to go and people to talk to for media placement or brand deals
• What to say to create authentic connections with media and brand contacts in order to increase your visibility, build your reputation, and monetize your passion
• Leverage your publicity opportunities to improve your credibility, your pitches, and 10x your brand deals
• Wrap your head around visibility and cultivate your pitching mindset to become the bossbabe you were meant to be!

2:15pm-4:00pm: Ready to Launch: Podcasting and Making it to the Top 10 Workshop with Courtney Bentley and Annie Spano

• Learn why you should start a podcast to share your vision with millions of people around the world
• Find out what chart-topping podcasts have in common
• How guests amplify your mission and how you can collaborate with others through a shared purpose
• How to hustle your way to the Top 10

4:00pm-4:30pm: Closing Keynote with Annie Spano

Annie delivers some inspiring words to carry with you on the journey home, where you can finally put your new knowledge and skills into action!

4:30pm: Wrap-Up Activities and Dinner – and don’t miss your flight!

Why You Should Attend SC Conference 2018

Jokes aside, we all know how important networking is for our blogs and brands in 2018. While we are aware there is a cost for attending a conference, it's one of the best investments you can make in your blogging business.

Plus, they're loads of fun and super informative. So if you don't have anything going on on April 14 and 15 (and can make it to Raleigh), consider checking out SC Conference 2018.

Update

Missed the SC Conference 2018 last weekend? IFB's Contributor Jamie Madden gives a rundown of what went down in Raleigh, at Style Collective's first conference.

Empowered, uplifted, energized, confident and inspired.

That is how I felt leaving last Sunday evening after the two full days of the Style Collective Conference 2018. Before Day One was over, I decided I was ready to come back next year! Both days were full of panels and workshops that left us all ready to tackle our businesses as soon as we got home.

Influencer Panel

The first day of the conference started with a heartfelt and slightly teary-eyed welcome speech from founder Annie Spano. I know I was fighting back the tears hearing the joy and pride she has for this achievement. Next, we had our influencer panel consisting of three amazing boss babes: Keke O, Holly Boyd and Courtney Inkpen.

The panel discussed everything from finding your niche to how to break into the influencer world. They also talked about what and what not to do when it comes to working with brands. I took away three key things from the panel: The first was to think about why I started-what was my purpose for embarking on this journey. Secondly, I need to be personal and be myself. Finally, always remember it's a journey, not a destination.

Build Your Brand and Discover Your Authentic Leadership Workshop

After a short break, we sat down for our first workshop: Build Your Brand and Discover Your Authentic Self. This class was taught by Annie Spano herself.

We reviewed everything from what is a brand, to the requirements needed for a strong band (there are 4 by the way), as well as how to discover what are your values. We finished by building our mission and vision statements and finding what is our true purpose.

Through these activities, I was able to dig deeper into the reason why I wanted to start blogging. I looked at all the moments in my life that led me to this point and have shaped me into the person I am now. I discovered that my mission is to bring about the knowledge that, no matter what, you ARE worthy and deserve nothing less than the best. Believing that everyone, no matter the size, has the right to feel amazing. I foresee a world where there is no more “plus size” just clothing and I envision young women and girls loving themselves and each other.

Content Planning and Writing Emotional Headlines That Convert Workshop

After lunch, we ended the day with another workshop on content planning and how to write an emotional headline. We actually planned content out for the rest of the year! We worked on setting our goals and figured out who our audience was.

At the end of the workshop, we started to tackle the rest of the year with content. Feeling so empowered after the first workshop, I knew I wanted my blog to get more personal and tell more of a story. Finally, we looked at ways to beef up our headlines to get more of an emotional response from readers and of course, clicks!

When I said I was ready for next year after the end of the day, I wasn’t exaggerating. There was much going on in my head. I had so many ideas rolling around with topics and posts I wanted to try. It had been a while since I felt this excited, inspired and empowered about my passion.

Brand Panel

Day two was just as full as day one, with a brand panel in the morning followed my two amazing workshops.

The panel was made up of: Angel Bailey from Beam Collective, as well as Sarah Butler McKinney, and Jordan Blackwood of Kendra Scott. They talked about the best ways an influencer should approach a brand to work with them, the expectations of both parties, and things you should include when pitching a brand.

I loved the fact the panelists were open and eager to the idea of the influencers pitching a creative idea to them. So don’t be shy if you have an idea for partnership with a brand you love!

One of my biggest takeaways was that the brands are looking for information. They want their influencers to be aware of their metrics and stats so they know that the partnership will be beneficial for them as well.

Media Exposure Brand Deals and Leveling-Up Workshop

The first of the two workshops for the day was hosted by Amanda Berlin, PR Strategy Expert, and SC founder Annie. We focused on how to get what you want out of brand deals, where you go to find the right contacts and making an authentic connection with the brand.

I really enjoyed this part. It isn’t about trying to get as many paid deals and free products you can. I want to know that the brand I am working with shares the same values as I do. That way I can genuinely say that a brand means something to me. And let’s be honest, your followers can tell when you truly love and believe in something versus when you are just doing something because you have to.

If I believe in a company and what they are doing, I am going to want to shout it from the roof tops. I will work harder to get their name out there!

Ready to Launch Podcasting and Making It to The Top 10

Annie had everyone take a media personality quiz. Surprisingly, my result said I would be a good fit with podcasting.

Luckily, our second workshop was all about the ins and outs of podcasting! Perfect timing! Courtney Bentley from Fit Fierce and Fabulous podcast, alongside Annie, walked us through why we should start a podcast. They explained how it would help us achieve our goals and helped us craft intros and pitching to brands/guests.

Again, I looked backed on the things I learned on day one with Annie's brand building workshop. What do I have experience in though that would qualify me for having a podcast? My life! If I open up about my life, maybe that will encourage someone else to open up about their life. Maybe there are other people who are going through the same things I am and are looking for someone they can relate. I may not have the professional experience in styling clients, yet, but I have experience styling myself and styling my life.

“Know exactly why you started because when you are crying for two hours in a bathroom and want to give up your ‘why' will center you and help you move past the difficult times. The struggle is temporary and your legacy is forever.”

Annie Spano, Founder and CEO of Style Collective

Were you at SC Conference 2018? Let us know in the comments below, along with your favourite panel.

Special thank you to Jamie Madden for contributing her SC Conference experience to Independent Fashion Bloggers.