FinCon
About the Company
Philip Taylor founded FinCon as an annual conference and trade show designed for personal finance content creators and brands. The event primarily attracts personal finance bloggers, financial advisors, and related brands who seek to connect and exchange ideas. FinCon offers various ticket options, sponsorship opportunities, and exhibit spaces, providing a platform for creators to showcase their work and for brands to reach a targeted audience. Over the years, FinCon has evolved beyond a simple blogger conference to include a broader range of personal finance professionals, reflecting the diverse interests and needs of its attendees.
The conference focuses on education, networking, and community building, featuring keynote speakers, breakout sessions, and workshops. Attendees have access to presentations from leading industry figures, opportunities to network with peers, and the chance to explore the latest trends in personal finance. FinCon emphasizes a collaborative atmosphere, encouraging participants to share their knowledge and experiences.
With its emphasis on content creators, FinCon has become a hub for those interested in financial independence, offering resources and inspiration to help attendees grow their online presence and influence. The event has expanded to include new tracks and opportunities for engagement, such as sponsorships and expo hall formats, further solidifying its place as a leading event in the personal finance sector.
Idea Behind Company
Philip Taylor's journey toward creating FinCon began with his dissatisfaction with his career in public accounting. Despite achieving his CPA designation, he sought more creativity, independence, and freedom, leading him to explore other opportunities. His exposure to personal finance blogs and the teachings of financial guru Dave Ramsey sparked his interest in financial independence and inspired him to start his blog. This blog not only helped him manage his finances but also connected him to a community of like-minded individuals.
The idea for FinCon emerged when Taylor recognized the need for a niche event catering to personal finance bloggers and creators. His participation in general marketing conferences made him realize that personal finance content creators could benefit from a dedicated conference where they could share insights, learn from each other, and build valuable connections. The concept of a "niche marketing event" resonated with him, prompting him to consider launching an event focused specifically on personal finance.
Taylor's motivation was driven by his desire to bring together a community that had significantly impacted his life. He saw an opportunity to create a space where personal finance creators could gather, collaborate, and inspire one another. His passion for finance and blogging, coupled with his willingness to take risks, laid the foundation for what would become FinCon.
Creating the Company
To transform his idea into reality, Philip Taylor began by validating the concept for FinCon. He took the initial step of registering the domain financialbloggerconference.com and setting up a basic website with an email signup form and a Facebook page. His goal was to gauge interest in the event among the personal finance blogging community. By sharing the website link in a popular personal finance blogger forum, he quickly attracted over a hundred people to the email list, confirming the demand for such an event.
With growing interest, Taylor knew it was time to move forward with event planning. He sought the support of influential bloggers like Pat Flynn and J.D. Roth, whose involvement would lend credibility to the conference. Taylor also relied heavily on feedback from his audience, using surveys to determine key aspects of the event, such as dates, speakers, and networking activities. This collaborative approach ensured that the conference would align with the community's needs and preferences.
Taylor's event planning efforts were further supported by a venue-sourcing company, HelmsBriscoe, which helped him secure a suitable location for the inaugural event. He chose a Sheraton hotel in the Chicago suburbs, which was the ideal size for the event's projected attendance. Friends and family pitched in to assist with logistics, ensuring the first Financial Blogger Conference came to fruition.
Launching the Business
The launch of FinCon involved careful planning and strategic decisions to attract attendees and ensure the event's success. Ticket sales commenced in March, with an immediate positive response from the email list Taylor had built. Approximately 50% of subscribers purchased tickets, demonstrating strong interest and enthusiasm for the conference. To further promote the event, Taylor collaborated with his friend Pete from Bible Money Matters to create badges that bloggers could display on their websites, indicating their attendance.
FinCon's marketing efforts extended beyond ticket sales. Taylor continually updated the conference website with speaker information and event updates. He employed content marketing strategies, hiring a freelance writer to produce how-to articles and community roundups, and repurposed conference talks into blog posts. The team also engaged with attendees through social media, fostering a sense of community and anticipation for the event.
One of the key elements of FinCon's launch strategy was building a sense of community among attendees. Taylor encouraged feedback through surveys and sought the involvement of influential community members to lead various aspects of the event. The conference also integrated existing initiatives, such as the Plutus Awards and a mentoring program, to enhance the attendee experience and create a cohesive community.
Earnings
FinCon's growth and financial success have been driven by a combination of strategies focused on improving the event experience, expanding offerings, and fostering community engagement. The conference continuously seeks ways to enhance the attendee experience, such as improving venue quality, securing superior presenters, and offering diverse educational tracks. These enhancements have attracted more attendees and contributed to the event's financial success.
In addition to improving the event, FinCon has explored various revenue streams to boost earnings. These include expanding sponsorship opportunities, transitioning to an expo hall format, and introducing tiered ticket options. The event's name change from Financial Blogger Conference to FinCon reflects its broader appeal to personal finance professionals beyond bloggers.
FinCon's marketing efforts have been instrumental in driving attendance and revenue growth. The team employs content marketing strategies, including a blog, podcast, and community roundups, to engage the audience and generate interest. Social media plays a significant role in community building, with initiatives such as Twitter chats, Facebook groups, and local meetups helping to connect attendees and foster loyalty.
