Hello everyone! Some of you asked where I was yesterday.
I was recovering from all the excitement after FinCon13. It was an incredible experience, and I learned many things I plan to apply to my work.
If you’re thinking about going to FinCon in 2014, I strongly recommend it. I regret skipping the last few years—attending earlier would have been a smart move.
The networking alone is worth it, and the sessions are excellent. PT organized FinCon really well, and Ashley Jacobs put on a memorable performance.
I met so many amazing people—too many to list. I’m grateful for every conversation and connection. There were a few people I wished I’d met but didn’t get a chance to; hopefully next year!
To those who met me: I’m sorry I was sick during much of the conference. I know my raspy voice and coughing were noticeable (I was on medicine and not contagious, though!).
FinCon took place in St. Louis this year, which was convenient for me—I live about 15 miles from the hotel, so commuting was quick. W even drove me some days, which made it a low-cost trip for me.
One major benefit of hosting FinCon in St. Louis is that it brought many visitors to my city. I think St. Louis is underrated; there’s a lot to enjoy here.
I remember when FinCon13’s location was announced and some bloggers complained. That was disappointing—too many people have an unfairly negative view of St. Louis. After visiting, many attendees told me they loved the city: the architecture, the restaurants, the atmosphere, and the energy when the Cardinals won.
I’m finally self-employed!
That’s right—I’m officially self-employed. Some readers already knew, but I hadn’t announced it directly on Making Sense of Cents until now. I’ll share a more detailed post about this soon.
Wish me luck. There are several projects I want to pursue based on what I learned at FinCon, and I hope this transition helps me grow and succeed.
I want to write an eBook.
I’m planning to start an eBook for several reasons: to give readers something useful, to help others, and to establish a more professional presence while building my brand.
At this point I haven’t decided whether the eBook will be free or paid. Money isn’t the main motivation—creating a high-quality eBook takes a lot of time, and many writers find the financial return is modest when measured against their hours. For many, the larger benefit is brand building: an eBook can increase credibility with readers, clients, and potential advertisers.
I want to build my brand.
Jean Chatzky’s keynote reinforced the need to focus on brand-building. I’m still figuring out the specifics, but growing my brand is a long-term priority.
I need to promote content more effectively.
I tend to create content and then under-promote it. Promotion is essential, and it’s an area I’ve neglected. Yes, I’ll tweet and post on Facebook, but I need a broader and more consistent approach to get my work in front of more people.
Accept more interviews.
I have to admit I’ve declined interview requests—especially live or recorded interviews—because I get nervous. I’m more comfortable with written formats where I can think through responses, but I know interviews can be valuable for exposure.
Jeff Rose reached out to interview me for a podcast; I’d said no before, but this time I agreed. I still worry about “word vomit” in live settings, so improving my comfort and clarity on live interviews is a goal.
Eventually speak at FinCon.
I attended many excellent sessions at FinCon, and every presenter taught me something useful. Their speaking skills were impressive—many clearly have years of experience.
I’d love to speak at FinCon someday. I did okay speaking in class during school, but presenting in front of smart peers and people I admire is intimidating. The idea makes me very nervous, but it’s a long-term goal. If you’ve spoken at a conference, how did you prepare? Were you scared at first?
What are your short-term and long-term business plans?
Did you enjoy FinCon? Will you attend next year?
I’d love to hear your thoughts and plans—what are you working on, and what goals do you have for the months and years ahead?