When you look at the schedule for Influence, you’ll notice that at each session time there are two speakers. This is deliberate and exciting! We are offering two types of sessions, life and strategy, so that the conference will impact everyone on a heart level and also a business level if you so choose. You don’t have to “declare” a track like you would a major in college–you can pick and choose which speaker you want to hear at each time. You are not pigeonholed and you don’t have to tell anyone which track you’re interested in. This was simply our way of delineating the types of messages you would hear from each speaker.

LIFE SESSIONS

Sarah Matheny – food blogger & author ((How to Reach without the Preach))

Sarah’s “success” as a food blogger and best-selling cookbook author left her feeling unfulfilled. She toyed with the idea of letting it all go, her blog, her writing career, her thousands of readers, until she saw she could use her voice and her story to glorify God. Sarah will talk about how she strikes a careful balance on her blog between satisfying her readers who come for the food, yet still trying to reaching for hearts that can be won for Him.

Jami Nato – blogger & funny gal ((Influenced to Influence))

What would it look like for you to be influenced radically by the Gospel, so much so you are free to live and thrive in who God made you to be? Jami will be sharing her experiences on how God transformed her life and rocked her world through a broken marriage and a desperate situation. She will also tell jokes. Courtesy laughs required.

Emily Freeman – blogger & author ((His poiema))

You have something we desperately need. You are writers, mothers, friends, and artists who feel brave but then get scared, feel honest but then hide. Are you willing to share your influence and believe you have been set wildly free? God calls you his poiema, the kind that moves, the kind that breathes, the kind who has hands and opens them up to make art, love, a hot meal. So let’s pick up the pen, the pan, the brush. Let’s open our eyes, our hands, our hearts. Let’s see the fear then laugh in his face because somebody has to. Why not let it be us? Let’s carry on together.

Anne Bogel – blogger ((intentional adulthood))

Life is a journey through the 20- and 30something years. Come to hear what Anne has learned women wish they’d known about their 20s and 30s: what to expect from these years (the good, the bad, and the ugly), how to approach this season with intention, and practical tips for navigating young adulthood. We’ll touch on topics like love and dating, friends and family, mentors and career paths, and our journeys of faith.

Barrett Ward | nonprofit founder | ((a transformed purpose))

Barrett Ward will speak about his transformation from ruthless, bottom-line driven business man into a nonprofit founder with a heart for change. His story takes him from affluent middle America to impoverished Africa and back. His mission and passion is using business for sustainable social change and gospel transformation.

Jessi Connolly | blogger and eBook author | ((let’s get it right the first time))

What if our generation didn’t look back with any massive regrets? I mean, we can’t do it ALL and we can’t do it PERFECTLY, but what if we, by God’s grace, utilized our community and wisdom from Him to squeeze every last ounce of God’s glory from the present circumstances that He’s handed us? Let’s come together and talk and pray and ask Him to define a generation of women that wants what He wants and is willing to bet their lives to make much of Him.

STRATEGY SESSIONS

Allie Lehman | blogger and designer | ((let’s design a plan))

Whether you’re a small business owner or a new blogger – you communicate something through the design of your online space. Let’s figure out what your design is communicating and pinpoint ways you can enhance your branding. On the internet we only have a short window of time to build trust and interest – let’s exceed expectations and do it right.

Jessica Turner | blogger and top affiliate marketer | ((strategic affiliate marketing tactics))

In this information-packed session, Jessica Turner will demonstrate how to effectively integrate affiliate links into your blog to generate significant revenue each month. Session topics will include affiliate basics, Jessica’s top affiliate recommendations, things to look for when selecting an affiliate partner and ways to incorporate affiliate links into content. Be prepared to be motivated and inspired! You will walk away with very practical information!

Nish Weiseth | blogger and founder of Deeper Story | ((social media for social good))

If you’re active on social media, you have influence. That’s right, YOU have influence. The question is, what are you choosing to do with it? How you utilize social media can literally change the world – one person at a time. We’re going to talk about using your blog & social media clout for the good of others: Discovering passions & encouraging others, creating meaningful partnerships with organizations you care about, and how to write in a way that will compel others into action.

Casey Wiegand  | blogger and art studio owner | ((how to build a brand, but maintain your voice))

It’s hard to get traction in a busy and noisy world full of blogs.  While not easy, it is possible to maintain your voice and still employ smart business strategies to bring in revenue from your blog.  Come learn tried and true practices and special strategies that have worked to build an online influence from scratch.

Hayley Morgan | blogger and eBook author | ((let’s do it right the first time))

Just because you want to have an influence doesn’t mean you have to make your online life your job.  Discerning when to jump at opportunities and how to capitalize on success is what will make you truly successful on any level.  Learn how to do it right the first time so that you gain life and give life from your online presence.

John Saddington | blogger and website developer | ((tentblogging and entrepreneurship))

The phrase tent making comes from the fact that the Apostle Paul made tents while doing ministry in Corinth.  Tentmaking, in general, refers to the activities of any Christian who, while functioning as a minister, receives little or no pay for his or her church work, and supports him or herself by additional, unrelated work.  Tentblogging is John Saddington’s modern day answer to the desire to do ministry without drawing pay.  He will teach the reasons and the ways he draws a full-time income online.