« Billy Joel / Tony Bennett: “New York State of Mind” @ Shea Stadium | Main | Billy Joel / Don Henley: “Boys of Summer” @ Shea Stadium »
July 19, 2008
Getting More out of Podcamp Boston 3
I had a great time at both the original Podcamp and at PodCamp Boston 2. Being part of the PodCamp community has had a positive impact on my life and is one of the reasons I have gotten to know many of the people I know in the greater Boston area.
If you are lucky enough to be amongst the 480 people who made up the community of people attending PodCamp Boston 3, there is no doubt in my mind you are in the middle of a fun weekend.
And I really would have liked to be in Boston this weekend for Podcamp. If I was able to make it PodCamp, I would have liked to host the session: “PR 203: How to Pitch a Blogger” and lead the discussion.
While I’m pretty sure Chris Penn and Chris Brogan may have covered some of this during their opening remarks, the following are my words of advice for friends attending PodCamp Boston 3:
“Don’t Wait to Say Hello”
If I had a chance to send words of advice to friends attending PodCamp for the first time, it would be to “Not to wait to say hello.”
I have lost track how many times I’ve attended a conference and saw a number of people when I first arrived and said to myself I would catch up with those people later in the day or the next day only to never see them again the entire event.
"Don’t be SHY"
If you have a hard time meeting new people, now is a chance to break out of your shell and give the rebooted version of YOU a try.
"Be SEEN"
It is real hard for you to enjoy ad-hoc meetings if you are spending your time outside of the facility. You have budgeted the time to be at PodCamp for a reason. So take advantage of it. Make an effort to be visible.
”Ask Questions”
Now is the time to get questions answered. Ask questions of the people speaking and of the people you see in the hall ways. There is no such thing as a stupid question. The only issue comes when you regret not asking someone a question. At PodCamp there are many people around you who share a common passion and who are subject matter experts on a variety of topics. Be sure to seek out the people whose blogs you have read and who you may follow on twitter.
"Exchange Your Social Media Identities"
When you meet someone, be sure to tell them how to connect with you on the social networks you are active on. If you are not using your name as your TwitterID, be sure to share it. If you are active on Facebook and/or Myspace, be sure to let those people who you are connecting with know how to find you.
"ALLOW for serendipity"
Almost without fail the best contacts I make at a conference are unplanned - yes I talk with a lot of speakers and attendees I knew would be there, but almost always it is a random person I meet at a dinner, or while waiting in a line for an event, or just taking a shared ride in an elevator that ends up being the contact that sticks post-event.
"Be SOCIAL"
As a member of the PodCamp Boston 3 community, make it a point to go to the social events.
"Understand that some meetings will not HAPPEN"
Apply the 15 minute rule and move on. “Things happen” and not everyone is as efficient with their on-site schedule as you are. It helps to keep the cell phone numbers of the people you are meeting handy. (And it is ok to blow off a meeting or two in favor of something that just came up, so better to text/SMS the person and tell them you are running late and need to reschedule.)
"ENJOY yourself"
Give “having fun” a try. If in doubt what this means ask Chris Brogan. Chris understands how to “take having fun…seriously.”
Tags: podcamp, PodCampBoston3, Chris Brogan, PCB3, Jeff Pulver
Share this post:
Digg |
del.icio.us |
Reddit |
Newsvine |
Google Bookmark |
Yahoo MyWeb |
StumbleUpon
Posted by jeff on July 19, 2008 04:32 PM | Permalink
Additional resources: Watch PrimeTime TV Shows | Watch the Jeff Pulver Show | Jeff's Qik Videos
Comments
Thanks for the tips, Jeff. PCB3 is my first podcamp, and I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I just need to make sure to get out and so some more networking/conversation today. I've sat in session during each time period so far, and the only thing I regret is that I've missed out on some of the hallway stuff.
Anyway, I will quit my tired babbling now and go and get ready for day 2. Thanks again for the article, and for the follow on Twitter (I'm @ecc1977).
Posted by: ChrisClark at July 20, 2008 07:08 AM
Thanks for the tippage. This is my 2nd podcamp but I'm still getting over the shyness. Luckily, fellow podcampers are some of the nicest and friendliest people on the planet :)
Posted by: @amaaanda at July 20, 2008 03:12 AM
Jey Jeff...I "participated" from Sydney via Twitter pcb3 and various posts and tweetfeeds. I was most intrigued by the programme, the braintorrent concept, the agenda items, and the way the different media integrated to create multiple dimensions for consumption.
I look forward to meeting Chris Brogan (Mr Fun!) later this year when I am in the US- he has agreed to come to Australia as my guest for the AMP Innovation & thought Leadership Festival that I curate- its an internal learning festival attended by 3000 employees. I hope to be a copy cat of the inspiring ideas that come out of Podcamp!
Posted by: Annalie Killian at July 20, 2008 01:24 AM
We miss you, man.
Posted by: Christopher S. Penn at July 19, 2008 11:48 PM
Jeff,
You're right on. Echoing Chris Penn's sentiments earlier today: Do It; Dive In; The experience is what you make of it!
So far, PCB3 has been great. Sorry you're not here.
Hopefully Philly?
Posted by: Bill Rowland at July 19, 2008 07:42 PM
Hey Jeff, GREAT points. And it was a delight meeting you at PodCampBoston 2, and hearing your fascinating story. Very useful for people who are new to conferences and events of any type. In the words of wikipedia: BE BOLD.
Indeed, you never know who you're going to meet at an event like this. I was delighted to have lunch conversation with @alexa whom I never met before today.
Posted by: Morriss Partee at July 19, 2008 05:31 PM