This was my first year ever attending (and even being invited to) rewardStyle The Conference or better known as #rStheCon. You may be wondering what the heck is it and was it worth it to go? I’m spilling all the details about it in this post and will be giving you my honest opinion.
What is rewardStyle?
First off, if you’re not a blogger, you may also be wondering what is rewardStyle? It’s an affiliate monetization platform that allows influencers to link items they’re wearing or recommending and earn a small commission if a user clicks on an affiliate link and makes a purchase. In other words, it enables influencers to monetize their blogs since we put in the work of finding the items, styling them, and reviewing them for you! I’m sure you’ve heard of the LiketoKnow.it account on Instagram as well – it’s part of the rewardStyle family and allows readers to shop influencers’ Instagram posts!
What is rewardStyle The Conference?
So now that you know what rewardStyle is, let’s talk about #rStheCon. It’s an annual conference where the top 200 publishers get invited to (more about this later). It’s held in their headquartered city, Dallas, Texas. Bloggers, YouTubers, Instagrammers fly in from all over the world to take part in this 3-day event. The goal is to teach you more about the rewardStyle tools, how to continue monetizing and growing your platform, and network directly with brand representatives.
Who gets invited?
According to the invite, the top 200 publishers get invited to rewardStyle The Conference. Although this sounds very prestigious, this list definitely doesn’t account for the major top earning influencers like Atlantic Pacific, Song of Style, and Extra Petite. This makes me wonder what number of “top bloggers” actually get invited. Maybe 500? Because I know not everyone will purchase tickets to the conference but they do end up selling out. Either way, I was totally shocked that I was even invited in the first place. I went because I don’t know if I’d ever get invited again so I said YOLO!
rewardStyle Conference Content
rewardStyle The Conference consists of several categories:
- Main Stage Session: The first full day of the conference starts off with this three hour session where everyone attends. Topics included The State of Influence, What Brands Want Today, and Building a Cult Brand. Baxter Box, Co-Founder and CEO of rewardStyle, also talked about the company and where they’re headed.
- Classroom Sessions: When purchasing your conference ticket, you get to select 3 classes that you want to take – there are about 30 people in each class. I took the classes The Modern Collaboration: The Anatomy of Successful Brand Partnerships; SEO Essentials: Attracting the Traffic; and User Experience Upgrades: Optimizing Your Site for Conversion. I learned a few tips here and there, but overall, I thought the classes were too high level and basic. If you’ve been to the rewardStyle School Nights, the content is very similar.
- Brand Meetings: There are tons of brands that attend #rStheCon including Topshop, Express, Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, and Storets to name a few. You get matched with 3 brands to have direct 15 minute meetings with. During these meetings, the brands usually ask about your own brand, your blogging experiences, and past collaborations. As a result of my meeting with Asos, I will be collaborating with them on a post that I will share with you on Thursday! I’m so excited since they’re a huge brand that I’ve always wanted to work with!
- Networking Hall: This is where many brands set up booths and you can go to talk to each brand, check out their latest line, trade contacts, and of course, get some swag! Everyone got a bag full of L’Occitane goodies and now I’m hooked!
- Brand Parties: There was always a brand-hosted party during lunch and then another one in the evening. You attend these parties to network and hang out with other influencers. Typically, contacts from the brands hosting the party are also at the party. I have to admit, it was pretty intimidating going into these parties especially when you don’t know anyone. Luckily, I met Erin and Becca from Living In Yellow and absolutely loved hanging out with them all weekend! I clicked with several other girls and it’s really refreshing to have someone to talk about blogging struggles with. It’s not easy juggling a full-time job and a blog at night, but these girls definitely understand the hustle!
How to prepare for rewardStyle The Conference
Here are a few tips for preparing yourself for all of the meetings, networking, and parties at rewardStyle The Conference:
- Business cards: Have these designed, printed and ready. You’re going to especially need them during your brand meetings and at the networking hall. I even got some from other fellow influencers! The best places to get them printed are Vistaprint and Moo.
- Media kits: Wow the brands with your media kit. My rewardStyle rep recommended that I keep it to one page and don’t include your rates. Instead, highlight important information like your blog purpose, blog and social media stats, demographics, previous clients/work, and types of services you offer.
- Bring a camera: There are tons of photo ops during the conference. rewardStyle and the brands are amazing at putting together events and providing props that are totally Instagram-worthy. Be sure to bring your camera to take advantage of all the cute spots!
- Pack a portable phone charger: Like I said above, there are tons of opportunities to take photos and record for Instagram stories. You’ll be on your phone a lot and a portable phone charger was a total life saver for me!
- Outfits: Everyone is dressed to the nines at the conference. I know it’s excessive, but bring at least 3 day outfits for the conference and 3 other outfits for the theme-based evening parties.
Is rewardStyle The Conference worth attending?
So after all of this information, the burning question remains – was rewardStyle The Conference worth attending? The most valuable part about the conference is that you get face-to-face time with many brands. I feel like you can’t get this anywhere else and it’s a great way to get your own brand name out there. It was also fun to meet other influencers who are in the same industry as well as to connect with my rewardStyle account rep, who I’ve only communicated through email for a year, in person! Another advantage is that everyone that attended got approved for rewardStyle Media (their widget for ads), which means a little bit more earning potential!
There are a couple of cons as well. The conference is very expensive to attend – you pay for your own flight, hotel, and conference ticket. The education was also too basic and not advanced enough for bloggers who have been doing this for more than a year. Lastly, this could be a pro or con depending on your situation, but only a few influencers were allowed to bring their significant others to the conference or even the parties.
So to answer the question – I think rewardStyle The Conference is worth going at least once for the experience and exposure. However, I don’t think I would attend again because of the overall cost.
About the Dress
Ok, sorry, this is such a long post. But if you’re here to know about the dress, I’m so happy you made it this far! This is a Rachel Parcell dress – she is the girl behind Pink Peonies. It’s the perfect little white dress that can be worn to work, brunch, almost anything. However, it runs small and you will need to size up (I got a Small).
I wore this dress to the conference and while talking to some bloggers, Rachel Parcell herself actually came up to me and gave me a hug for wearing her dress! It was a really cool and fun moment!
You can check out my other conference outfits here and here.
Have you been to rewardStyle The Conference? I would love to hear about your experience and what you thought about it!
SHOP THE LOOK
Little White Dress c/o Rachel Parcell (similar) | Lace Up Sandals (similar, similar) | Mini Saddle Bag c/o | Earrings
Congratulations and you look beautiful in this dress😊
Definitely sounds like an event that’s fun to attend once to know what it’s like at least! And lovely to get an opportunity to bond with brands etc, but it doesn’t sounds logical with basic knowledge if the top publishers are invited? Anyways, love your dress, such a cute one for spring!! Xx
http://www.thefashionfolks.com
a long one, but full of great content! thank you for shining a light on the RS Conference-literally, I had no idea and I didn’t know Rachel made dresses!
You look beautiful!
Katelyn/http://www.theyellowspectacles.com/
This was so interesting to read hun, I’ve heard about this confernece before from vlogs/blogs but this was a proper insight. It must of been good to get up close with brands and sell yourself too, you always have the cutest outfits! xx
You look beautiful! I love this dress, so elegant and delicate
http://www.alessandrastyle.com
This dress looks amazing on you:-)
http://www.lostindaydreams.com/
Great feedback, babe! I’ve only attended one “blogger” conference and made a lot of great connections. Glad you were able to take in this experience. xx
Audrey Adair-Keene | http://www.happilyaudrey.com
First of all, congrats on getting an invite to the conference! It was so great hearing your honest experience about the Rewards Style Conference, and what you thought was worth it and wasn’t. It’s so great to hear that you were able to get some face time with brands, and it’s exciting that you will be collaborating with Asos on an upcoming post! I can’t wait to check it out. Also, you look so chic in that white dress!
-Helen
http://www.sweethelengrace.com
Tina thank you so much for sharing all of this information! I’m so excited that you were able to attend and can definitely see the pros and cons that you mention. Also, this dress is absolutely stunning on you. Nothing beats a feminine little white dress in my book. Pinned!
Heidi || Wishes & Reality
Beautiful photos! Those lace up sandals are too cute. And I love the neutral tones of the accessories with the white dress, such a clean spring look!
Luci’s Morsels | fashion. food. frivolity.
Beautiful post dear! Thank you so muchfor sharing your honest option. That is soooo interesting to read! Thank you a lot for your last comment on my blog : )
Sending much love!
Xx
Rosa Larissa Klara
conscious lifestyle of mine
love this dress! you look so pretty and elegant! thanks for posting this, it’s a great content!
have a wonderful day!
I really love this dress on you and I follow Pink Peonies too and love her clothing line! You look fab in her dress.
Mich x
https://michjosephblog.wordpress.com
Tina, first of, you look beautiful and the fact that Rach Parcell gave you a hug since she noticed it’s her own design IS so cool, and secondly I enjoyed reading your honest opinion about Rs’ Conference. It is indeed expensive to attend but I love the fact that you get to meet with brands (congrats on your ASOS collab!) and some of your fave influencers! And I hear you about being nervous meeting all infliuencers at once! I happened to myself as well…I felt lost but quickly regained strength and made some friends! It just takes time. Anyhow, hope to meet you in person one day! You are so down to earth AND I LOVE that!
Happy Monday, babe!
xoxo, Vanessa
http://www.WhatWouldVWear.com
I was so curious how it went so I’m glad you shared your experience, Tina! Hope to see you soon!
Love your dress! And I agree with you, I’d probably only do it once as well. For the Toast of Hockeytown, to meet Red Wings, I did it once and I’m fine with that.
xx Jennifer
Effortlessly Sophisticated
Such a fascinating read! Thank you for being honest about your experience at the conference. It’s still so awesome that you got invited and are willing to share all the details with us! I feel like the rS conference is always such a mystery and now I’m wondering what their goal is between having the conference and the rewardStyle school night out events in each of the cities. Sounds like a lot of the same presentation content but I guess your networking pool gets much bigger outside of the targeted city events?
xo,
katrina
You look so stunning & beautiful! Love the pictures & how you styled this dress!
Have an amazing week!
Xx Caroline Flowers
https://www.foreverdolledup.net/blogs/news
It’s so cool you got to attend! Thanks for your honest review. The one on one time with brands seems really great but it does seem very expensive to attend too. It seems like you had a great time though!
TFM BLOG
This was a great read, Tina. I appreciate your perspective about the rewardStyle conference. I think the opportunity to meet face to face with brands is pretty amazing and to meet other influencers too. I would have been just as nervous, I can be very shy. It’s too bad the classes weren’t more useful for you. However, I think it’s pretty cool that Rachel Parcell noticed that you were wearing her dress. Which by the way, looks fantastic on you.
Hope you’re having a great start to the week!
xo, Jackie
stylemydreams.com
Amazing blog post and great photos.
I am glad you enjoyed reading my recent post and thank you for the comments!!
As on this month, MyLyfeMyStory has been officially renamed as Harija Ravi 🙂
Harija Ravi
I am sooo in love with that amazing dress
http://carrieslifestyle.com
It sounds just great! I’d love to attend, unfortunately I don’t think I can fly to America just for this conference. But hopefully one day!
Thanks for this article, it’s great!
Plume d’Auré
http://www.plumedaure.com
great recap! i’m so glad i met you through the conference and congrats on your ASOS collaboration! I’ll have to convince you to come again next year. 😉
kileen
cute & little
love the dress! it’s such a nice lace.
natalie
http://www.lucyandtherunaways.blogspot.com | https://www.instagram.com/lucyrunaways/
This is so pretty summer dress! Love your pictures x
Laura
Pink Frenzy
Congrats on getting invited!!! Thank you for sharing your honest opinion. BTW you look so stunning in that dress!! Have a fab week babe!!
xo-Nina
http://www.ninalnguyen.com/2017/05/preparing-for-europe.html
Looking amazing! Love this look babe x
http://www.fromluxewithlove.com
http://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/from-luxe-with-love-14590195
This sounds absolutely amazing! I hope to attend one of them one day, thank you so much for sharing your insights into the experience!
Characters & Carry-ons
Such an insightful post, I was curious to know if the reward style conference was worth it or not. I definitely think meeting with brands face to face is the biggest benefit, along with meeting other like minded influencers too.. but for me (being in Australia) I think the cost would just be way too much!
You look gorgeous in this dress, by the way!
x Emily
http://shedoes.com.au
I love your outfit! Sounds like the conference is a great networking opportunity.
Julia・Little Miss Haute Couture
I loved hearing what you thought about the conference, lady- I was super curious if the education would be deep enough for vets, or if it was more newbie-based. And you looked amazing, of course!
-Ashley
Le Stylo Rouge
Amazing dress 🙂 I didn’t know about this site & conference, but this event sounds interesting. I hope you’ll have awesome time there 🙂
The dress looks absolutely lovely on you, Tina! You paired it really well with the heels too!
☼ cabin twenty-four
This was an insightful post. Thanks for sharing. You look very classy, beautiful and wonderful in this dress, Tina. I love you choices of shoes. 🙂
http://missymayification.blogspot.co.uk
So glad you shared all this info about the conference! I’d been wondering about it. I love the dress and cute bike photos! xo Jana | http://www.janastyleblog.com | @jana_meister
RewardStyle does sound like a great event so long as expense is not an issue. I adore these photos, your dress is so pretty <3
Abigail Alice💕
These are great tips and much needed info! I hope one day to be invited. Your insight is so helpful! Love this dress.
http;//www.kathrineeldridge.com
The event sounds interesting. The dress is very lovely!!
Thanks for your truly honest opinion on this babe. I have been blogging for well over 3 years on and off so I feel it may not be worth my money to attend. It would be amazing to meet brands in person though! I love the white eyelet dress you’re wearing above too, so stunning!
xoxo
Rina Samantha
http://www.andshedressed.com
this is such a nice blogpost and you look stunning!
Love your blog so much 🙂 If you want we can follow eachother on G+ and Bloglovin’
Check out my latest blogpost “The Sauvage Life”
to get some summer style inspo 🙂
>> http://evaredson.blogspot.it/2017/05/the-sauvage-life-bohemian-summer-look.html
xoxo Eva
Tina, I can’t take my eyes off of your dress. It is an absolute picture of stunning beauty… and so are you!
Jessica | notjessfashion.com
Thank you for your thoughts on RStheCon. I’d love to be invited your day. Your A-line LWD is so chic and you look gorgeous in it. Love the bicycle shots!
Hope you enjoyed Mother’s day weekend! I welcome you to stop by my blog and join my Thursday Moda linkup on Thursdays. It goes live every Wednesday night (tomorrow) at 6.00 PM EST. Thank you. =)
Ada. =)
The Conference Sounds Very Interesting.Hope you had a Great Time. You deserve That!
AND You Look So Gooood In White. Stunning!
-Zunera
https://zunera-serena.com
Oh congrats to that great invitation dear! I really like your honest post and I am sure it’s a great effort to organize everything. Apart from this I am happy you had a good time and some contact with brands 🙂 Can’t wait for some projects which will result of the conference 🙂
xx, Carmen – http://www.carmitive.com
Congratulations on this conference!! It must be a great experience! Great post and outfit!
xx
Mónica Sors
MES VOYAGES À PARIS
NEW POST: CALIFORNIA DAYS… IN N OUT
Crazy you have to pay to go! I thought it would have been comped.
I like this dress!!! It’s romantic!
Nicoletta
http://lavieestbellebynicoletta.altervista.org/
Thank you for your honest feedback and for shining a light on the RS Conference. Seems like an excellent networking experience. You look gorgeous as always.
Xx
Nikki
http://www.nikkilivinglife.com
This is such a great post! I really enjoyed reading your thoughts about this conference, and I’m loving that dress….it is gorgeous!
http://roadesque.com
http://ourruins.com
This was a really fun and insightful blog post! Thanks for sharing! I’ve always wondered what goes down at those conferences and value your opinion! I am not surprised you made the invite list. You are very good at what you do! And LOVE the dress! ^_~
Lillian
http://www.theoccupiedoptimist.com
First off, congrats on being invited, girlie, that’s awesome! I loved reading about your experience and thoughts; I appreciate how honest you are. As for your outfit, I simply adore that dress! The details are so cute and I love the fit and flare design. Thanks so much for sharing and I hope you’re having a great week so far!
XO,
Jalisa
http://www.thestylecontour.com
that sucks you can’t bring your significant others. My boyfriend takes all of my photos so it would be disappointing if he couldn’t come with me.
xo
http://www.laurajaneatelier.com
I enjoyed reading this Tina! And congrats on getting invited and experience the conference!
I know RewardStyle is invite only. And I am so sad that they still haven’t accepted me… 🙁