Every time I go to a blogging event, I get the same DM to my stories, “how do you get invited to events?” At first I found the question a bit flattering, maybe even a bit annoying. Now, I find the question a little bit offensive as if they think I don’t deserve it! When people ask, they generally come off with the tone of, “why were you invited to the event, and why wasn’t I?”
For me, a lot of different factors go into getting invited to blogger parties. All of the ways that I know require putting in extra work and thought to your posts and blogging social life. This is a common question, so I’ve compiled the easiest answers to get yourself invited below!
Be Sure Your Profile Has Your City or Utah in the Bio
Brands want to know your location! Often times, I will find an influencer’s profile that doesn’t have their location. This makes it difficult for them to know where you are living and if you are in the area of an event. Furthermore, they probably are hosting in your state because they are looking to tap into that local audience. As someone that has hosted blogging events, if a profile doesn’t have Utah in their bio or on their blog, I’m less likely to reach out because I don’t want to end up being embarrassed if they live somewhere else. Use your bio and blog SEO to your advantage!
Geotag Where You Are Posting
If you want to show up in location tags, you need to be geotagging your location! This will only show the city you are tagging; it doesn’t show your exact location. I understand some people value their privacy and don’t want others to know where they live. With that being said, it makes it hard for event planners to know your location if they find your profile, and makes it impossible for your profile to be found via a location search in the Instagram app. On your blog, you should have it search engine optimized to show up as a blog from your area!
Use Appropriate Hashtags to Get Your Content Noticed
Another way that event planners find influencers on Instagram to invite to events is through local city and state hashtags! Hashtags like #utahblogger or #saltlakecity with Utah or the local city included will pull you up when they are searching in the IG app. Along with that, these hashtags are most likely less popular (under 1 million posts) and therefore bring more attention to your profile. Doing this will bring you collaborations as well! When I’m doing outreach and researching who else to invite, I scour Instagram through the geotags and hashtags.
If You do Get Invited, RSVP, Even if You’re a No
I like to say, “although I cannot make it, please include me in your events for the future!” If you DO say yes, keep your commitment. I’ve personally been the event planner before and nothing makes me lose trust in another blogger faster than their absence at an event they RSVP’d for. If you say you’re going, keep your commitment! When we are fighting to have blogging taken seriously as a career, we need to be sure that we are presenting ourselves as professionals, which means keeping our promises. From my experience planning brand events, it is also just as important to RSVP no. This lets the host know that while you can’t make it this time, you’re still interested in being invited to future events. An email that goes unanswered means you don’t care to receive more.
Host Your Own Events
When I host events, I always invite other bloggers that have invited me to their own events. One way to get your name out there as a blogger who is interested in being a part of the community is to host your own events. I often see bloggers complaining that they never get invited to events, yet they never put in the time to host their own. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we constantly had events going on in the social media world because everyone decided to take part in the planning?! I guarantee that if you host an event, you will be invited to more.
Also, last thing: events cost money and the companies truly want to host them for brand awareness. Ask yourself, what can I offer the brand by going? Is is eyes to their Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest? Backlinks to their page from your blog? In the end, numbers DO matter.
kileen valenzuela
October 26, 2018These are definitely great tips girl! & love going to blogger events, it is such a great way to network and meet new friends!
Kileen
cute & little
Deborah
October 26, 2018These are such great tips! I think one thing I would also add is that these events are also a networking opportunity. You go to one, and network so that you can get invited to more!
xo Deborah
Coffee, Prose, and Pretty Clothes
♥Renee @ •Getting Fit Fab•
October 26, 2018These are really great tips! I went to two events this week and even though only one was really great the other one wasn't bad and really perfect for networking!
Unknown
October 27, 2018These are some awesome tips! I never thought about geotagging more often, such good thinking!
Denise | Fashion Love Letters
Tara Fuller
October 27, 2018such excellent tips – and yes, I find that tone quite often too, and it's super annoying!
Clair Zhan
October 29, 2018very informative and helpful tips! networking is so important and many will benefit from your tips 🙂
Azanique Rawl
October 30, 2018These are such great tips! I always ask to stay on the PR list even when I can't attend an event.
-xo, Azanique | https://www.lotsofsass.com
Brown Girl Things
November 6, 2018Such a useful tips for all the bloggers. Keep up the good work.