I agree, Chris: One of the most wonderful features of the PodCamp model is its scalability of focus and purpose. Combining more niched content with linkage to local resources and groups can make for a powerful and empowering mix--PodCamp EDU certainly proved that to me. Rather than try to manage an "all gizmos to all people" mega unconference, let a thousand PodCamps bloom! /D
Derrick Kwa
· 2 years ago
Completely agree. Would love to see more focused PodCamps. But before I go into any of your ideas here, my first aim is....a PodCamp Singapore.
joec0914
· 2 years ago
I'm liking the Social Media PodCamp. Certainly plenty of topics there to fill at least one day, I'd think. It wouldn't hurt to narrow the focus like this, even if fewer people came. Frankly, a camp experience should feel fairly small, in my opinion.
Morriss Partee
· 2 years ago
Hi Chris,
It was great to meet you at PodCamp Boston, and best wishes in your future endeavors.
I think that more smaller local PodCamps or SocialMediaCamps (not nearly as catchy a name) are the way to go. That's why Tish Grier (Constant Observer), Jaclyn Stevenson (WriterJax, TravelJax), and I are going to see if we can get PodCamp WesternMass off the ground for the Spring, and bring together isolated pockets of bloggers and business people who may not be familiar with the revolution that is ongoing.
Douglas E. Welch
· 2 years ago
After attending 2 "camps" in 2 weeks (PodCampAZ and BarCamp San Diego 2) One thing I would love to see is more effort made to collect the material created at these events (slides, video, audio) so that others can use it, even if they couldn't attend a particular "Camp". This weekend at BarCamp, I only ended up being able to record 2 other sessions, besides my own, even though there was great content there they should not be lost.
I have even thought about an IT Conversations-style system to collect and categorize all the material and act as a clearing house. That would be sweet.
I too, feel a need to keep camps small and focused to prevent "big conference syndrome" from taking over. I want to hear new, unique voices and not necessarily speakers I have heard online or F2F several times before.
Douglas
Dale Cruse
· 2 years ago
Chris, each of your examples focuses on the "Pod" part of "PodCamp." Let's create an example that focuses on the "Camp" part of "PodCamp." Imagine taking a bunch of geeks out in the wilderness in cabins or under the stars. What can the organic world teach us about technology? Let's find out! I can easily picture the large discussion circle that happened at PodCamp Boston II in the hallways happening around a campfire!
Neil Ford
· 2 years ago
Great article Chris!
This was kind of what I was trying to get at when I wrote my piece about Podcamp UK back in July - http://blog.neilcford.com/?p=58
I didn't unfortunately make it to MediaCampBucks in October due to an emergency at home, but I definitely want to look at running a focused, locally targeted, new media event in Brighton next year.
Thanks for starting this conversation.
- Neil.
Dan Schawbel
· 2 years ago
You are talking about segmentation vs non-segmentation, therefore I believe you need multiple podcamps in areas each year. Think of the proficiency levels as well.
If you are a novice, wouldn't you want to attend a general podcamp?
eric : gardenfork.tv
· 2 years ago
i'd be into a podcamp on social networks, especially Ning, which i think is amazing. I'm building one for Gardenfork.tv and RealWorldGreen.com, and I'd like to share my experiences and learn some stuff, esp domain mapping anyone?
Aaron Brazell
· 2 years ago
I suppose my biggest concern about PodCamp in general is it's obvious move away from podcasting. Obviously, there's huge overlap between podcasting and blogging, social media, learning, gadgets, etc - but is it the intent to keep podcamp oriented toward podcasts.
If so, then I'm not sure that the above suggestions work as there is already BarCamp, DemoCamp, etc.
If not, then maybe a name change is in order.
My first PodCamp was in Philly. I went expecting a focus on podcasts and got podcasts and video. That was cool, but unexpected. I kept telling people I didn't podcast and they were okay with that. Cool.
My second podcamp was Boston 2. There I had a better idea of what to expect and my approach was as a social media guy there to support the podcasting movement. What I got was more business, PR and social media.
I was confused.
So now I just don't know what Podcamp is anymore. If someone could tell me then I'd be happy. How is PodCamp different than BarCamp? Social Media Club? Why are these groups not putting their heads together more efficiently.
PodasocialPRabizCamp?
Come on.
David Jacobs
· 2 years ago
Love this idea of more focused and smaller camps. Also, the idea of just a few large, regional camps would be good. Like, Boston, California, Chicago, and Texas maybe.
Brent the Closet Geek
· 2 years ago
I like this idea of separate niche Podcamps, or at least having different streams of sessions focusing on a particular thing.
Personally, I've been trying to think up ideas about how to make Podcamp Toronto more useful to music podcasters because I think there's a lot of information to be learned about where podcasts fit into the music promotion ecosystem.
To be honest I don't know jack about music promotion, but I know there are people out there who do and I want them to come to podcamp.
Thomas
· 2 years ago
Please, Chris, don't use terms like "deep dive." Please.
Justin Kownacki
· 2 years ago
Aaron's point is valid: what IS PodCamp?
I think the name, like all things "pod," was obsolete the moment it was created - but, as a brand, it now has traction.
I don't think PodCamp is meant to be ONLY about podcasting (and, as Aaron's comment shows, there's still confusion as to what podcasting itself means, since video IS "podcasting"). I think PodCamp is meant to be a conversation about all things related to social media.
That's a gigantic playing field. If PodCamp wants to have a hand in all of it, perhaps a name change IS in order.
(Bottom line: I agree with diversifying, specializing AND swirling it all together. We just need to be clear about what PodCamp IS, and therefore what each variation is ABOUT.)
Steve
· 2 years ago
I like the idea of take an educator to podcamp. I figured I did the "take your son to podcamp" thing, and educators need to learn new media as well!
I actually did record my presentation on using podcasting in Supply Chain education, and posted it over at my site(s).
Joel Mark Witt
· 2 years ago
Chris,
Podcamp EDU was a success because it was small. I got to meet everyone in the room and we were able to have the entire room in the discussion all at the same time.
Even though I like presenting - I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of moving away from slide decks and more toward a workshop approach. I think this combined with a more specific focus for the day (podcasting, audio, video, blogging, etc) would yield great results.
During one of our sessions we delved into a giant twitter discussion - which was really insightful for people.
The biggest issue I saw was the fact that we had a very polarized audience. We had about 40% complete geeks that knew everything - 40% complete newbies that had never heard of twitter - and about 10% in the middle. So sometimes the geeky crowd would begin talking a mile a minute about stuff that the new crowd was sitting there saying "huh?"
Anyway - to sum it up - it would be helpful to have a couple moderator type personalities that could keep the meetings and pod(focused)camps moving along to meet everyone's needs and goals for the day.
Just some thoughts...
Joel Mark Witt
eve-park
· 2 years ago
Hey Brogan!
Here's my great idea for a future podcamp: Podcamp Xtreme! (bad name, but not joking.) Just to take a little footage skiing, I've had to learn which waterproof sports cameras work well, about memory cards that perform well under extreme temperatures and the effectiveness of different batteries in cold temperatures.
I'd like to share this with other people, in a hands-on Rocky Mountain Podcamp Xtreme. I'm imagining that maybe a little over a year from now, we could get together a great group of podcasters for a vacation filled with snowsports, shooting, editing and 'Apres-ski' fun.
Maybe someone who lives in a warm costal climate could follow-up by sharing their love of watersports in a summer version of PodCamp Xtreme?
All Comments
One of the most wonderful features of the PodCamp model is its scalability of focus and purpose. Combining more niched content with linkage to local resources and groups can make for a powerful and empowering mix--PodCamp EDU certainly proved that to me. Rather than try to manage an "all gizmos to all people" mega unconference, let a thousand PodCamps bloom! /D
It was great to meet you at PodCamp Boston, and best wishes in your future endeavors.
I think that more smaller local PodCamps or SocialMediaCamps (not nearly as catchy a name) are the way to go. That's why Tish Grier (Constant Observer), Jaclyn Stevenson (WriterJax, TravelJax), and I are going to see if we can get PodCamp WesternMass off the ground for the Spring, and bring together isolated pockets of bloggers and business people who may not be familiar with the revolution that is ongoing.
I have even thought about an IT Conversations-style system to collect and categorize all the material and act as a clearing house. That would be sweet.
I too, feel a need to keep camps small and focused to prevent "big conference syndrome" from taking over. I want to hear new, unique voices and not necessarily speakers I have heard online or F2F several times before.
Douglas
This was kind of what I was trying to get at when I wrote my piece about Podcamp UK back in July - http://blog.neilcford.com/?p=58
I didn't unfortunately make it to MediaCampBucks in October due to an emergency at home, but I definitely want to look at running a focused, locally targeted, new media event in Brighton next year.
Thanks for starting this conversation.
- Neil.
If you are a novice, wouldn't you want to attend a general podcamp?
If so, then I'm not sure that the above suggestions work as there is already BarCamp, DemoCamp, etc.
If not, then maybe a name change is in order.
My first PodCamp was in Philly. I went expecting a focus on podcasts and got podcasts and video. That was cool, but unexpected. I kept telling people I didn't podcast and they were okay with that. Cool.
My second podcamp was Boston 2. There I had a better idea of what to expect and my approach was as a social media guy there to support the podcasting movement. What I got was more business, PR and social media.
I was confused.
So now I just don't know what Podcamp is anymore. If someone could tell me then I'd be happy. How is PodCamp different than BarCamp? Social Media Club? Why are these groups not putting their heads together more efficiently.
PodasocialPRabizCamp?
Come on.
Personally, I've been trying to think up ideas about how to make Podcamp Toronto more useful to music podcasters because I think there's a lot of information to be learned about where podcasts fit into the music promotion ecosystem.
To be honest I don't know jack about music promotion, but I know there are people out there who do and I want them to come to podcamp.
I think the name, like all things "pod," was obsolete the moment it was created - but, as a brand, it now has traction.
I don't think PodCamp is meant to be ONLY about podcasting (and, as Aaron's comment shows, there's still confusion as to what podcasting itself means, since video IS "podcasting"). I think PodCamp is meant to be a conversation about all things related to social media.
That's a gigantic playing field. If PodCamp wants to have a hand in all of it, perhaps a name change IS in order.
(Bottom line: I agree with diversifying, specializing AND swirling it all together. We just need to be clear about what PodCamp IS, and therefore what each variation is ABOUT.)
I actually did record my presentation on using podcasting in Supply Chain education, and posted it over at my site(s).
Podcamp EDU was a success because it was small. I got to meet everyone in the room and we were able to have the entire room in the discussion all at the same time.
Even though I like presenting - I LOVE LOVE LOVE the idea of moving away from slide decks and more toward a workshop approach. I think this combined with a more specific focus for the day (podcasting, audio, video, blogging, etc) would yield great results.
During one of our sessions we delved into a giant twitter discussion - which was really insightful for people.
The biggest issue I saw was the fact that we had a very polarized audience. We had about 40% complete geeks that knew everything - 40% complete newbies that had never heard of twitter - and about 10% in the middle. So sometimes the geeky crowd would begin talking a mile a minute about stuff that the new crowd was sitting there saying "huh?"
Anyway - to sum it up - it would be helpful to have a couple moderator type personalities that could keep the meetings and pod(focused)camps moving along to meet everyone's needs and goals for the day.
Just some thoughts...
Joel Mark Witt
Here's my great idea for a future podcamp: Podcamp Xtreme! (bad name, but not joking.) Just to take a little footage skiing, I've had to learn which waterproof sports cameras work well, about memory cards that perform well under extreme temperatures and the effectiveness of different batteries in cold temperatures.
I'd like to share this with other people, in a hands-on Rocky Mountain Podcamp Xtreme. I'm imagining that maybe a little over a year from now, we could get together a great group of podcasters for a vacation filled with snowsports, shooting, editing and 'Apres-ski' fun.
Maybe someone who lives in a warm costal climate could follow-up by sharing their love of watersports in a summer version of PodCamp Xtreme?