TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM

So this week I was planning to be here, savouring every word the keynote speaker would give, connecting with like-minded creative people, coming home fully pumped for blitzing in my business. But...then...well, I have a young family and we aren't millionaires, so I took one for the team and am keeping it real here at home this week. If you'd asked me a couple of weeks ago how I felt, I would have said I was gutted. Coz really it's been a dream for a couple of years now. But I know my time will come. And really...we have other priorities at the moment, like getting ready to head back home to Brisbane at the end of the year (excited!!), so there are plenty of things to do on the home front to get ready. And really when you think about three days in San Fran vs. moving back closer to family for like. ever. then it doesn't really compare.

Until then, I will keep saving my pennies. Who wants to come with me next year?! : )

Image: Levi getting a new passport photo taken. This is serious business people! 

I'M GOING TO ALT...SAN FRANCISCO

Earlier in the year, Alt announced they were doing a day long Alt conference in San Fransisco. I have always wanted to go to the original in Salt Lake, but since I missed it in January, this new location was looking pretty good. There was a mad rush when rego's were released, so it was a bit like getting a 'golden ticket' when my registration went through. (I held my breath everytime I had to go to a new screen and got the confirmation just before their system crashed. Talk about edge of your seat! Haha).

All this to say....there are more tickets that have just gone on sale! You can register here. I'm sure these will also sell out, so I'd get on it if you missed out.

I'm an extrovert, but not a huge networking kinda girl, so that kind of makes me a little nervous. But, I just can't wait to go and just be inspired, sit & mix amongst those I admire and just soak up being in a creative environment. (not to mention a little getaway for mummy! : )

Are you an Alt conference veteran, do you have any tips for me? let me know if you're going to the San Fran day too, would love to meet you in the flesh!

BING IT ON

Okay, so today's post is a shameless bid at winning a ticket to Alt SummitSLC in January. I'm big enough to admit it. 

I'm a big fan of Alt. I remember reading this post about the first one. And I'm an even bigger fan, that I Alt has built on it's annual Salt Lake City summit, and is now accessible for all, with their online Alt classes, & now their blog. (Make sure you check it out, it's a happening place full of 'meaty' content.) But I'm sure there is nothing like the being there in the flesh and having a physical conversation with others who are in the creative industry. Fun times.

Bing is a big partner of Alt's and they generously gave me a free Alt class last month. (Thanks Bing!) I've been hearing all the buzz about their search engine being superior in the way it searches through social networks too. It's all about turning off auto pilot, and 'Binging it On'. Did you even know you can change your default search site right here in Safari? (those of you who own a PC, please feel free to share the instructions in the comments for others).

Just pop up the top search bar and click on the little magnifying glass thingy. In the drop down it has the three main search engines you can use...just go ahead and change it to Bing! Easy. Done. And here's the better social searches! And spread the word! You never know...we might just get to meet-up at Alt! : )

For blogging inspiration & business advice check out the new Alt blog.

ALT SUMMIT CLASSES

You may have read about my desire to attend Alt Summit design conference before? I've haven't made it yet, but I'm getting closer with this move to Canada...maybe this coming January is the year!

Even though I've never made it to the summit, the girls who run the show have started offering online classes. Have you seen them? They offer topics from starting out in your blog, finding your niche, advertising, and technical aspects to bloggins such as photography & writing. I truly have learnt a truckload from the couple I've already taken. My fave so far was this one hosted by Liz from Say Yes to Hoboken.

I'm looking at few others coming up next month like growing your readership, and being more organised. I was too late for this one which sounded really interesting! I do wonder what the critique would have been!

I encourage you check out all the Alt classes here they might just be what you need to take things to the next level in your creative endeavours!