Blogging is a burgeoning business, but networking, education and support for bloggers are sorely lacking. Kachet Jackson-Henderson, a blogger herself for the last five years, has a solution. She’s launching The Blog Bloc, a business organization and networking opportunity for bloggers and online influencers in the Sacramento region and beyond.
The Blog Bloc Launch
When:
April 27, 6:00 p.m.
Where:
The Hotel Bar: 1501 L Street
Cost:
$12 – $15 Online info
The Blog Bloc offers education and resources to Sacramento’s social influencers. “Our area has many bloggers covering fitness, sports, fashion, food, parenthood and numerous other topics,” says Jackson-Henderson. “Some are professional writers with published books and sponsored blogs, while others blog as a hobby. Now, for the first time, there will be an organization to help all of them navigate their way to success.”
(Photos by Christina Best)
With a marketing and communications background, Jackson-Henderson is known throughout the Capital Region for her style and fashion blogging venture, The Lipstick Giraffe. “I’m very connected to this community, but as a blogger, even I sometimes feel isolated because there hasn’t been a way to connect to other bloggers.”
Related Event: The Blog Bloc Launch
Though it will have an online community to accommodate people from outside the region, The Blog Bloc will meet in person: “This is about real-life connection and harnessing our skill sets to take our crafts to the next level,” Jackson-Henderson explains. “I want members to be able learn from each other, put what they’ve learned to practice, and as a result, grow together.”
Gatherings will include twice-monthly strategy sessions, monthly mixers with changing topics, and quarterly events that will resemble micro-conferences. “There is a crucial social aspect,” notes Jackson-Henderson, “but underneath that a foundation of education to help all bloggers accomplish their goals.”
Goals for bloggers vary, and aren’t always about sheer numbers of views — frequency, demographics or engagement of follower, and perfecting content drive many bloggers just as much. “Talking about numbers has been kind of taboo, viewed as competition,” Jackson-Henderson says. “Now we’re starting to talk so we can all leverage our specific influence.”
Who benefits from The Blog Bloc? “Anyone, from teens to seniors, already blogging or interested in starting,” Jackson-Henderson says. “It will be an open forum for anyone under the social media, freelance writing umbrella.” Potential members include sponsored bloggers working with brand names who may feel they need to improve design skills, as well as hobby bloggers with 9-to-5 jobs who may need a community of like bloggers to keep motivated.
Related: Freelance life: How to overcome freelance isolation
The Blog Bloc goes beyond serving bloggers and influencers, with hopes of supporting local and national brands, de-mystifying influencer marketing and becoming a resource for those looking to partner with Sacramento’s finest bloggers. “Businesses know bloggers can help promote services and products better than traditional advertising in some cases,” Jackson-Henderson says. “Some businesses are even making space in their marketing budgets to work with influencers and bloggers. Through us, they’ll be able to find the perfect blogger match.”
“The $10 monthly membership fee covers our modest operating costs. For the cost of two lattes, you could boost your blog to the next level and connect with a lifetime network of friends and mentors,” Jackson-Henderson says. The Blog Bloc will celebrate its launch with sponsor The HOTEL Bar on Thursday, April 27 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
For more information about The Blog Bloc or to join, visit theblogbloc.com. For tickets to the launch party, visit TBBlaunchparty.eventbrite.com.
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