Hey everyone! I'm freaking exhausted, but I thought it would be cool to give all of you a recap of the FinCon blogging conference that happened this past week! It's always fun to pull the curtain back a bit so you can see what being a full-time personal finance blogger is actually like.
For those of you that don't know, the FinCon expo is a conference specifically for personal finance bloggers, podcasters, and YouTubers (or people that do all three). It's basically a week where a ton of money nerds descend on a city and talk about 401ks and how crappy their super old cars are haha.
This was my second time to go, and it was massively different than my first FinCon in San Diego last year.
Here's why:
People actually knew who I was this year (which makes it a lot more interesting)
Last year's FinCon actually happened right after I was featured on CNBC and the site blew up for the first time. As “famous” as I thought I'd be (ha!), nobody at the conference knew who I was or really even cared about the feature at all.
Basically, every blogger that is big at FinCon has been featured somewhere before multiple times, and probably knew that features don't really matter if you can't parlay them into sustained success.
In 2016, I was invited to exactly zero parties and zero one-on-one meetings with companies for sponsorships. In fact, I accidentally walked into a party sponsored by an insurance company and didn't realize that it was invite-only until after I had talked with the CEO for about an hour.
Literally the most awkward thing that has ever happened to me. Ever.
Fortunately, this year was waaaaay different
Since last year's FinCon, I've been super fortunate to be able to grow this site's reach and community exponentially. 180,000+ monthly readers, 30k very active Facebook likes, 17k Twitter follows, and almost 4k awesome people in the M$M private Facebook group.
That, in turn, gets you noticed. I was invited to swanky dinners and cool exclusive cocktail parties this year, as well as one-on-one meetings with brands that were interested in potentially partnering up.
In addition, the site was nominated for blog of the year and the People's Choice award. I didn't win either one, but that wasn't really the goal this year. Even getting nominated by you was a big deal to me! If you voted for me, I heart you.
I just wanted my hard work to be noticed in 2017. This thing has come a looooong way from the early days of M$M.
It was surreal getting in the elevator and people saying: “Hey, I know you!“. I was stopped a lot by people that just wanted to introduce themselves or thank me for motivating them along the way.
And yes, I know everything above is a giant #humblebrag, but it wasn't really about feeling famous or anything. Even the most popular bloggers in the world are like z-list celebrities.
For me, it was more about seeing the progress. Just like paying off debt or investing, you can get lost along the way…
I haven't mentioned it on the site, but for the past three months or so I felt like the business had hit a wall. Of course, I'm making great money and things are going well. But I've found that those things wear off pretty quickly.
If you aren't steadily growing revenue, it feels like you're doing something wrong!
All I really needed was a shot of perspective from this conference, and also a reminder of what it was all about:
The readers.
There are some bloggers that just want to make a bunch of money in the most efficient way possible. The human side of things isn't necessarily the focus for them. There's nothing wrong with that, and I could go that route…but it just doesn't feel right.
Some of the advice out there is basically: “Have someone else answer your emails as you, don't interact in private groups, don't respond to comments, etc.”
Supposedly, that can be a waste of your time as a blogger.
For me? Screw that. I like helping and talking to all of you. If answering comments and interacting with the people that got you to where you are is a waste of time, then I wouldn't do this anymore.
I always get questions about how I built a loyal audience or why I've had success so quickly. It's really not that hard – I took time to talk to my readers (and more importantly listen to what was going on in their lives with personal finance) and built everything around that.
Of course, there are ways that I can streamline my process, but I can't ever take away the reader interaction just to make a buck. My favorite thing about my business is the private Facebook group, and I don't even make money from it!
So ultimately, I was able to hone in on what my focus needs to be moving forward with the site and what type of content I should be creating for all of you. FinCon had insane ROI for me in that regard.
If you like money, you should be excited about the future
So aside from meeting all of the cool people at FinCon and hanging out with other bloggers, there are also a lot of brands there to talk about their upcoming products.
I can't really go into too much detail here, but I will say that there are some pretty cool new apps and technology coming out from the fintech startup space.
We're talking programs that automatically optimize the whole credit card reward point/travel hacking thing for you, companies that are helping customers take the guesswork out of selecting health care plans, and on a larger scale – possibly a future where computer algorithms can make all of your financial decisions for you.
Crazy, right?
Also….yes. I'm going to create a podcast
I have had soooo many readers ask me about doing a M$M podcast, and I've never really made a decision on it.
But in the process of creating the Make Money Marketing course (which is all voice recorded), I realized that I might actually have some talent on the audio side of things. That, along with a lot of conversations with other podcasters at the convention, made me realize that it's something I need to do to further grow the M$M brand.
Podcasting is a technical beast and can take a lot of time, so I'll probably just hire out the editing process and tech side of things to someone else and focus on creating a great product.
Later in November, I'll start putting the plan together for it and then start rolling out episodes on the site periodically to test the waters.
It will be cool.
As always, thank you!
Seriously – if you voted for the site over the past week or stopped me to chat at FinCon, it means the world to me. I think that we are creating a community here that's truly special. I'll do everything I can to make it awesome for you in 2018 (and beyond). 🙂
Question for you:
Are you going to FinCon in Orlando next year?
Niiiiice, looking forward to the podcast!
Sounds like FinCon was a blast for you. I hear great things about it, and am excited to go next year in Orlando.
As far as names go, any reason you WOULDN’T want to call it something simple like the Millennial Money Man Podcast? 🙂 Are you trying to reach a different sort of niche (maybe like focus on entrepreneurship or something like that for example)???
I don’t know yet haha – I’m probably just overthinking it
Yep. Besides you could rebrand the podcast later if you get into it and you find that the theme isn’t really hitting the same target audience. Kinda like The Money Show turned into Afford Anything post-J$. I mean obviously different circumstances there and everything but it wouldn’t be the end of the world.
Millennial Money Man has some clout now and I think that unless you’ve got a compelling reason to NOT use it, you’d be better off leveraging the brand recognition you’ve worked hard at creating.
Just my $0.02 (UGH my first finance blog was called My Two Cents and I’m so disappointed I gave that name up lol)
Ah dang that is a good blog name!!!!
Keep on rockin’ , pal! But dont forget to cover some investment topics like ETFs
Will do!
I think I’ll be in Orlando. Good stuff Bobby!
-Josh
Awesome! See you there
I listened to your podcast with Phil on DYEB and thought ” this guy needs his own podcast ” … glad you’re taking the audio plunge. Who won blog of the year?
Well Kept Wallet – there were so many good ones!
M$M – I like your site a little better, your writing style is engaging and your interaction in the comments section is friendly!
🙂 thanks for the kind words Sharon! Deacon does a great job over at Well Kept Wallet. Definitely very deserving of blog of the year in my book! Just a different style of blog and business model (wouldn’t it be boring if we were all the same?)
I’m excited to see the podcast launch. What about a YouTube channel? You and your wife seem like a great team – I very you guys would kill it on video!
Whoops – typo!
I *bet* you guys would kill it on video
We had a lot of people mention that to us! Probably something we will experiment with 🙂
That’s exciting what a difference a year makes! that’s nice to see the change that you went through from last year to this year.
I was fortunate enough to be at FinCon this year and there was so much information to digest, but you’re right the biggest thing was care about your readers. When you care about your readers, everything else can fall into place. Nice to know that you answer your own emails 😉
The other take away I got from talking to everyone that I was able to speak to was just start. I’ve been wanting to launch my blog for months now, but I’m such a type A, OCD everything has to be perfect before I hit publish and it hasn’t amounted to anything. I’m setting my goal launch date November 30th and it’ll be done, that button will be pushed.
Looking forward to listening to your future podcast!
Ha I do answer them! IF it ever gets to the point where I just can’t handle the volume any more, I could see a situation where I have a virtual assistant answer (not pretending to be me) or find a relevant article/guide the reader to the private Facebook group. I think that would probably be the most efficient and honest way to go about it.
Saw you guys at the conference Bobby but what too chicken to jump in and say hi. Had a blast and will most definitely be in Orlando. Already bought my tkts 🙂
Ah you should have jumped in! I’m nice I promise haha
I would have loved to go but I had a vacation planned somewhere else! I will definitely go next year though! Can’t wait for your podcast!
Yes go next year!
Awesome!
Thanks for the roundup post. Loved watching everyone’s IG stories while they were there, looks like an absolute blast!
Excited to get my hands on your course and get our digital marketing business started.
Also, can’t wait to start hearing your podcast. It’s something we have wanted to do from the start so maybe you will motivate us to actually start one like you are about too.
It will be interesting – I definitely have to take one thing at a time, but there have been so many readers that have pushed for it that I feel like it’s the logical next step for the blog.
Dyuuuude I can’t wait to see your podcast! I don’t know how you have the time. 🙂 I actually saw you a lot at FinCon and meant to say hi; oops. Hope to see you at Orlando!
Ah what!?!?? You should have said hi!!!!
I’ll be in Orlando for FINCON next year! I missed this year but I saw your tweets and I’m glad you had a good time.
Lately I’ve been running into a lot of the people who are focused on growing page views and clicks instead of community. It can be frustrating because you know they aren’t focused on what the readers need. Glad to see you still have your head on straight.
Keep it up – looking forward to the podcast!
Awesome let’s meet up next year! Yeah I just don’t see the point in doing this if you’re going to treat your readers like cattle. I’d start a swimming pool company or something if that was the case.
Was really awesome to talk to you, Bobby and appreciate all the kind words and good advice you had. A M$M podcast would definitely rock. Looking forward to it!
It was great meeting you too!!!!
Holy cow! It’s so exciting that you’re doing a podcast! I’ll definitely be on the lookout for it in the new year! My wife and I are already talking about getting our butts to Fincon next year. Orlando looks incredible!
Also crazy excited for the digital marketing course! Thanks for providing so many awesome resources and avenues to help so many people.
No problem! Just have to get them finished and started haha!
Damn, I didn’t get a chance to say hi at FinCon! I’ll definitely be there next year. Good luck with the upcoming changes this year – super exciting!
Ah dang you should have!
So glad we got to have dinner on a night you weren’t cloistered away in a swanky company dinner 😉 Super excited to hear about the podcast! They’re lots of fun. Let us know if you want us/me/J to be on yours! See ya next year at FinCon !
Psh our dinner was the best one! You can both be on it every week if you want haha
Congrats on the recognition and connections at FinCon. That’s cool to see a dream realized.
Sorry to be a naysayer, but I figured I’d speak up for the minority of folks who aren’t podcast people. I don’t enjoy them. I tune out if I’m trying to do something as I listen to them, and I don’t want to dedicate the time to just sit and listen to them (I also have a hard time sitting still to watch T.V., it’s rarely on in our house). I can read much faster than people can talk, so it’s very inefficient to me.
So, putting in a “down the road” request: please consider integrating a transcription service that would type out that content. Probably not feasible right upfront, but just something to keep on the radar. I’d enjoy getting that content, but I’d lose my mind trying to listen to a podcast or watch a video.
Definitely going to start up a podcast – that’s awesome! Looking forward to that!