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About Alt Summit: The Advice You May Not Hear Too Often

Alt Summit

By now, I’m sure you’ve been hearing all about Alt Summit – the outfits, the sparkles, the business cards, photo booths, etc.etc.etc. But what about the rest? What about the blogger’s insight?

In this post you will learn how to be successful at your next big event – or in this case – Alt Summit. Sort of a “survival guide from a guy’s perspective”.

So, is Alt like giant fashion show with bloggers and great speakers? Yes. Is that all? No. It’s so much more. Like I said, I am not going to talk about the fashion, style and business card designs. I am going to talk to you – from my own personal experience – about some of the best things that happen before, during and after. The tears and the joy. Let’s get to it!

Adventurer by Fate

THE BEST CONNECTIONS HAPPEN AFTER MIDNIGHT: Like cinderella – but instead of turning into a pumpkin, you turn into a friendship-driven owl that all of the sudden loves drinking Moscow Mules. Midnight is the best time to strengthen partnerships. Why? Because you’re drunk! Ha, just kidding (kinda). No but seriously, after midnight everyone is more relaxed; the panels are over and you don’t need to take any notes – you just chill and talk. That’s it. Simple, right? You talk about how freaking uncomfortable your polka-dot shoes are, or how you’re boiling under that sparkly coat, or even how you started stuttering when you were pitching an idea to your dream sponsor. You let your “guard” down and you get to know the real deal. Plus, having a few – many – cocktails totally helps.

At your next big conference, join the late party. Have a cocktail! If you’re an early-in-bed person, just nap like a pro – take it from a Mexican that endured years of partying without skipping school.

The Aim of Life is to Live

ALT IS LIKE AN INCUBATOR: Did you know that several companies and small businesses have gone shazam! after attending Alt? Just ask Ben Silverman of Pinterest. Or what about the amazing filmmaking duo Tiger in a Jar? Big or small, your business can benefit.

If you own a shop of sorts, I suggest you get yo shiz together for next year. You create a killer pitch and you send it to Alt or any other important event in your area. If you don’t make it to the cut, still, bring it! Go and connect with dozens of design-and-lifestyle-hungry humans. Dude, these peeps sprinkle glitter on their morning cereal and use striped straws to drink pop. They (we) love this stuff.

Don’t just pass swag around – engage and create conversations. In this cyber world it’s either evolve or get left behind.

An original life

YOU MAY BE REJECTED AND IT WILL SUCK: Yes, there are lots and lots of speakers and sponsors – but not all of them will want to collaborate with you. Maybe not even one! And that’s ok. It will really suck, you will feel like you just wasted your time, you’ll want to scream. And that’s ok! Just let it all out in your pillow and move on.

I learned this the hard way and it helped me so much! It hurts, but it makes you stronger. Why? Because now you know what works and what doesn’t, which companies to focus on and what ideas you can potentially grow. Without this experience you may be knocking at the same – wrong door – for months to come. By moving on, you allow yourself to be open to new experiences – and guess what – some of the best deals bloggers score come as a total surprise! What matters is that you’re putting yourself (and your ideas) out there.

At your next big event, bring plan B. What if your dream sponsor doesn’t want to work with you? Or what if they don’t like your idea? Do you have other projects as backup? Are they the only ones in that area? Do your research, and bring some Tiger Balm for your pride.

Be the change

YOU ARE NOT GOING TO BE FRIENDS WITH EVERYONE, SO CHILL: Yes. Slow down. Don’t act like a butterfly in a flowery brothel. You may want to meet everyone, literally. You could even go as far as striking up conversation with the person doing his/her business in the stall next to you. Eeek! Stop. I am not saying you should be a snobby prick – ’cause that will definitely take you nowhere – but rather, be friendly-selective. Say hello to everybody as you should, congratulate a fellow blogger, compliment those shoes…and stop. Now, who do you really want to connect with?

Focus your energy on building 3-5 strong relationships and the rest will follow. Don’t spread too thin trying to please everyone, running to take as many business cards as you can – it doesn’t work! You’ll get home and you might as well use them as coasters. By planting a “seed” on these 3-5 people, you ensure the friendship will grow. A true, lasting connection is worth more than a 100 weak ones that fade with time.

Pura Vida

IT IS DAMN EXPENSIVE! GET READY TO MORTGAGE YOUR DOG: Not gonna lie. You will break the bank a little bit – or a lot. You’ll have to drop your dimes for a hotel room, an airplane ticket, food, outfits, business cards..aaaah! Your credit card will get man-handled. More so than Snooki’s chichis at a Red Bull convention in Las Vegas. BUT, the difference is – you are actually making an investment (and you are not Snooki, phew). You are not just traveling to hang out with friends. You are actually traveling to do business, and that makes it a very precious investment. Everything else (the food, the parties, the fun) is icing on the cake.

No tweet, pin or feed will ever match the fruitful results of a face-to-face interaction. Save up. Make sacrifices. Plan in advance. Look for loose change under the couch. It’s worth it! Right about this time last year I started budgeting for Alt. Yes, 12 months in advance. I am not a CEO so I do have to pull the strings on my murse a little bit (man purse, yes, broke but fabulous).

Maybe Alt is not for you, maybe you’re more of a Social Media Week or Interior Design Show person – doesn’t matter – the advice can be applied to all of those too.

Bottom line: Events like this help you become a better blogger or entrepreneur, and the rewards will last for months or even years. Take the leap. Invest in your future and get out there!

IMAGE ON TOP VIA
ALL OTHER ART WORK: Leah Flores

Reader Interactions

43 Comments

  1. One of the best, most honest recaps out there so far on this! Also admittedly it’s been awhile since i’ve been back on your site and love love the new look – looking forward to some more of those mules in NYC!

    • Hey you! Thank you! It took me some time to think about it, so I’m glad you liked it! And yes. Can’t wait to have more mules in NYC!

      • This is THE best recap. THE best. Truly.

        I LOVE the redesign. I LOVE your passion and ideas and thoughts and all that. Your personality shines through, my friend.

        I had some pangs about not meeting MORE people while I was at Alt last week but you reminded me that it’s really the deeper connections that matter – at least for me.

        Yay!

        • So many to choose from! Depends on the budget! I want SF cuz it’s close and NY cuz I’ve never been. Eek! Gotta plan it soon

    • Tamera! Oh my gosh, I am so happy I found you at ALT!! I still rave about you and your charming personality. Thanks so much for your compliments! Really means a lot to me :)

  3. I loved your article so much, I clicked to see your about…. and I recognize your very stylish self from ALT! I do say you oozed style each and every day! So happy to have happened onto your blog. I have now added you to my must reads!

    • Thanks Ashley! I know, it’s crazy – my poor master card is all bruised. She’ll recover tho haha. So happy to meet you too! Let’s keep in touch, yes?

  5. Doll, this may be my fave Alt recap of them all. You are spot on and totally delicious. Also, “Tiger Balm for your pride” is the most brilliant idea ever.

    • Thanks Chelsea! Haha someone should definitely make one of those. Then we can pack it next to our Chapstick ;)

  9. I love you. That is all.

    Also, this is one of the best recaps I’ve read.

    Oh and one more also: I so enjoyed my cocktails with you after hours.

    xo

    • Love you too! And after hour cocktails were the best! (Hope I could have them more often haha)

  10. Found you via the lovely Sandra Harris… I still haven’t been able to afford to go, but fingers crossed for next year (or if they ever do a CA version)- hooray for bootstrapping! Anyways, this was a fabulous post, and I think it really applies to a LOT of conferences. People get so worked up about outfits and cards and the like but it’s really the small things like making those couple small but strong connections and being present to have genuine talks past the elevator pitches with people that make conferences worth it!

  11. Good work my friend. Nice to get down to the ‘meat’ of Alt. Only wish I could have had more cocktails with you (Moscow Mules are my 2nd favorite after Old Fashioneds)! XO

  12. So you’re a gem. An honest one. And I love ya! I definitely agree with all of the above! I also love that you were a partying mexican that never missed school.

    Thanks for being real and great! You’re real great!

    xo,

    Lexy

  15. fantastic recap! hilarious and honest. i missed out on midnight drinks this year – i was an alt newbie and wanted to make sure i wasn’t tired and overwhelmed more than i needed to be. save me a drink for next year though! cheers – corey

    • Hey Corey! Yes, you definitely have to stay for late night cocktails with us. That’s where the fun is at ;)

  16. Loved this! Thank you for laying down all the good and yes-it-happens stuff. Great to meet you at Alt – chat more about art hopefully next year, over cocktails of course!

    • You too Melanie! It was great to finally meet you, I’m sure we’ll see each other again very soon (ALT NY, SF or anything in between!)

  17. gabriel,
    met you at alt briefly last year in watercolor class, but i didn’t go this year. really great recap. and i lurrrrve your new design!

    • Thanks Tammie! Yes! We were actually talking about that class the other day, it was so much fun.

  18. Oh Gabriel you are beyond awesome. I agree with all these points, especially about not being friends with everyone. It’s just not possible, and damn that would just be exhausting! I didn’t get rid of even half my business cards and you know what, That’s totally cool by me because a) I now have some coasters and b) the ones that are gone I know are in the hands of some pretty wicked people

    • haha right? We all have coasters. Last year I almost went on panic mode because I felt I had to meet EVERYONE. This year I took it slow and it was awesome! Let’s hang out again soon, please!

  22. “Don’t act like a butterfly in a flowery brothel.” Ha! Should be applied in every situation.

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