If you’ve ever considered going to FinCon (the artist formerly known as the Financial Bloggers Conference), now would be a good time to get off the fence. That’s because tickets to FinCon24 go on sale today at 50 percent off the regular cost with a discount code (more on that below). This code will be good for two weeks at half-off, and then for a lower discount after that.
FinCon24 takes place from Oct. 23 to 26 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta, Georgia. It’s no longer called the “Financial Bloggers Conference” because it’s no longer just about blogging. Podcasters, YouTubers, TikTok et al., illustrators, coaches, influencers, and, yes, ordinary civilians** attend FinCon these days. Those creators attend for one or more of the following reasons:
To learn. Even if you’re not a writer, blogger, podcaster or whatever, you might want to be, someday. FinCon24 will give you not just knowledge, but encouragement – and connections with those who are doing what you dream of doing. For example, I know of one guy who created a blog before the first FinCon had even ended, and I never thought of creating a writing course until I attended a conference session on this topic.
To meet/join forces with other* creators. Writing can be a damned lonely business, as can those other jobs mentioned earlier. Finding folks who do what you do means you now have a tribe to call on when you need inspiration, sources or just a sympathetic virtual shoulder on which to cry. A few years back, during a personal rough spell, the fabulous Jackie Lam and Sarah Li-Cain offered me this kind of support. I will always be grateful to those two fabulous women.
To look for sponsors/build brand relationships. You can pitch your work to brands that pay to play, or to affiliate networks that offer a wide range of money-making options.
To pick up clients. Those who want to grow their writing, design, social media management, or production businesses can find customers in the Expo Hall.
Another reason to go to FinCon24
The event now bills itself as “the business event for money creators.” But there’s another reason to attend: the chance to meet people. As in, meeting people whose work you’ve been reading for years.
In years past they’ve had what I can only describe as a FinCon “civilian pass”, which allowed anyone who wanted to go to attend certain portions of the event. A reader who goes by “FrugalStrong,” and who was profiled in the ongoing Meet A Reader series, purchased this pass when FinCon was in Dallas. She snared some cool stuff at the Expo Hall and, if I’m remembering this correctly, she also got to meet one of her favorite bloggers, J.D. Roth of Get Rich Slowly.
Because the conference has grown so rapidly, the civilian pass is no more. However, 50% off is a decent incentive if you (a) have thought about being a blogger, video content creator or podcaster, or (b) if you want to experience the creative excitement of a big money event and hunt for your favorites in the crowd.
About the latter: It’s a lot easier if the folks you read/listen to/watch happen to be doing programs. You just attend the program and catch them on the way out to say how much you enjoy/have been helped by what they do. (Yes, we all like hearing it.)
And, of course, I’ll be putting out the call for a reader meet-up. Or you can message me privately at SurvivingAndThriving (at) live (dot) com and suggest a coffee break.
FinCon24 could change your life
Fact is, you might get swept up in the excitement and encouragement of the programs and speeches and realize, “Hey, I can do this” – and then go home and do it.
Sound unlikely? Here’s a primer on how to get started:
- Attend all the FinCon24 programs you can, then make an ironclad plan to watch any you wanted to see but missed. (Sometimes a scheduling conflict is inevitable.)
- Take a ton of notes relating to your goal of becoming a freelance writer, starting a podcast, picking up more clients for your web design business, or whatever it is. Note: You might learn about gigs you never knew existed, such as the fast-growing job of “virtual assistant.”
- Snare fistfuls of business cards from the folks you meet, and if possible set up virtual or IRL meetings then and there. (Pro tip: Give them – and yourself – a few days’ worth of re-entry. The conference is a lot.)
- Go home and watch the recordings of those programs you missed.
- And then? Use everything you have to create a plan to succeed.
How much will all this set you back? That depends on how you play it. The basic “Creator” pass to FinCon24 costs $599, so with the discount code (more on this soon, honest!) you will pay about $300.
Lodgings are extra, of course, unless you live in the Atlanta area or know someone who does and who will let you crash there for a few nights. Re the latter: You can honestly tell them you won’t be there except to eat and sleep, because the conference will keep you busy, busy, busy.
If you decide to attend, I’d urge you to stay in the conference hotel if you can possibly afford it. Yep, it’s pricey, but being able to run upstairs for something you forgot, or being able to take a half-hour power nap in midday is huge. Each year FinCon makes a “seeking roommate” list available for those who want to split the cost of a room, if you’re comfortable with that.
Note: If you wind up starting a business this year, or expanding the one you already have, then you should be able to take the cost of attending as a business expense. I am not a tax preparer, though, so be sure that you check with yours (or check the IRS website) to be clear on what is and isn’t allowable.
How to save 50% on FinCon24
You have two weeks to get half-off with the discount code. To do this, visit the conference ticket link and use the discount code DONNA before checking out. (Disclosure: I will receive an affiliate fee if anyone registers using my discount code.)
If you’re reading this after April 3, know that there will still be some kind of discount if you use the code to register. It just won’t be half-off any longer.
If you want to stay in the conference hotel, I’d urge you to make the reservation now, and to ask for the block of rooms reserved for FinCon24. (Unless, of course, you’re being frugal and using rewards points. In which case I say: Nice.)
Hope to see some of you in Atlanta this October, whether that’s at the conference or at a reader meet-up outside the hotel. Stay tuned.
Related reading:
*The FinCon Expo Hall has tables with the names of different states/regions on them. Have a seat there to write, sip coffee or just decompress from all the action and someone who also lives in that area will find you.
**I mentioned that one guy who started a blog while still at the conference, and I know other businesses have been created as well.
