Chris, thanks for the insight... still planning on and hoping for PodCamp CHI in June? Interested in coming out?
Bill Deys
· 1 year ago
No doubt Ryerson has to be the best location to host and serve the needs of a group like us! I had an amazing time and it was so different then last year. I loved how many people there were not podcasters or bloggers. I love being asked questions and being able to talk about the stuff I love to do. I found more of that then at any other conference. I also presented for my first time. Vergel Evans and I threw together a last minute session on the mechanics of video podcasting. The reactions I got were better then my own feelings of the session so I'm super encouraged to do it again next time I get a chance. I also found it interesting that the word "monetize" didn't come up as often as in the past and I don't think there was a session dedicated to it. We may be seeing a new shift! Anyways it was super cool to hang out with you again Chris hope to do it again sometime soon!
Angelo Mandato
· 1 year ago
Creating sessions for folks that are new to the space is critical. When we start accepting sessions for PodCamp Ohio, we'll definitely put a call out for some of the sessions to be geared toward newbies.
We may have gotten lucky with PodCamp Ohio in regards with after event activities. There is a Dave and Busters within walking distance of the event, so it's a no brainer to coordinate after event plans their. Even though its got a bar inside, I don't think they turn away younger guests till 9pm.
Can you make it out to PodCamp Ohio and possibly speak at a session? We'd love to have you!
Joel Mark Witt
· 1 year ago
I would like to see Podcamps become even more decentralized and smaller. I think that we as a Podcamp community need to preserve the "camp" aspect of the experience.
For example - we seem to want to draw in large numbers of people as our gage of success. I think just the opposite needs to be explored.
In November 2007, Podcamp EDU, Washington, DC drew in about 70 people in the same room. We got to know each other and spend an entire "camp" day together.
I think that this size group or even 20 people smaller is a good size for really learning and growing in our social/new media craft.
Thoughts?
Joel Mark Witt
Mark
· 1 year ago
Joel... I agree. Numbers are not a guage especially since it's a significant challenge for the organizers to make a reasonable guess on real numbers versus the registration list. Food in particular becomes a challenge, as does over planning the necessary space.
I believe that the 'local PodCamp' is very much the future of the event. Verticals are also a model that screams success.
In November, 20+ people gathered for PodCamp Ottawa (about 85% turnout) for a full day of facilitated campfire discussions (no podiums, no canned presentations, no projectors or computers) and one demonstration of using Audacity to prepare your show. The success of that event as a tool of real engagement of the community was the catalyst for Zero to Podcasting. PodCamp Ottawa took just a few days to plan and was announced three weeks before it took place. Small scale is easy to manage and does wonders to connect real people.
whitney
· 1 year ago
It's such a tricky balance. More attendees means potentially more people to interact with. But after we hit Dunbar's number (150), the intimacy of the experience declines, and people start to naturally act like it's a traditional conference. This means not talking, listening but not interacting, not leaving the room if they need to, more conformity and less individuality. People look for a few "birds of a feather" or "wingmen" to hang out with, and the 'open social' declines.
Yet with something like Podcamp NYC, there are simply tons of people in the area who want to attend, both to be mentors, to interact, to pick up new tricks, and to move ideas forward. Podcamps in major metro areas may always end up being a bit bigger, but I think we also need to emphasize that bigger is not always better.
Before I totally hijack Chris's blog going on and on about the interaction between group psychology, conference planning, logistics and the like, I want to say the most important reason to hold a Podcamp is to grow your local community and bring them together. This means considering your event local not national; looking at sponsors as community participants, not as wallets; and treating everyone- speakers, attendees, sponsors, venues, vendors- EVERYONE- as special, important, and as part of your extended family/community.
I think the time is rapidly coming where we have to get over the "oooh, Shiny!" aspect of all the tech toys, and look into the application of the tools to the right job. Tell meaningful stories. Make an impact. Change the World. Take risks. Remember you make a contribution by your point of view, and whatever it is, it's worthy and worth talking about with others!
Joel Mark Witt
· 1 year ago
@Whitney - You are right. Big metro areas will always be big. But down here in Baltimore there are a handful of social media people. A small regional/local podcamp would work great.
@Mark - I think it is important not to have Podcamps become glorified "teetups." Not saying that yours did - just worried that they will become too informal.
Enough leadership needs to be in place to help move collective knowledge and ideas forward. Hanging out is cool - but not the true purpose of a Podcamp. I like your idea of taking a couple days to plan a podcamp and get it going now - rather than waiting months to plan for the "big event."
Final Note about groups.
I really enjoyed Podcamp EDU and Southern California because everyone was together the entire day. There were no separate sessions - we all got to hear and see and experience the same thing as one. I believe this also adds to the "camp" experience.
Joel Mark Witt
Leesa Barnes
· 1 year ago
I applaud you Chris for identifying what's been missing amongst podcasters - a sense of community. We gather, but then we shun those who aren't doing it for non-commercial reasons. Or vice versa.
That to me is sad. We can't preach community all the time if even amongst us as podcasters we don't support it. Whether you do audio or video, who cares? If you're a well known podcasters or not, who cares? What should unite us is the love of this medium. How we choose to use it shouldn't matter.
Vergel Evans
· 1 year ago
Great points Chris and definitely a sign we're turning the corner from a new style -> to the style... of learning.
It's always a great event when people connect and re-connect after not seeing each other for ages. One thing I liked about this Podcamp that might have been missed was the "many hands make the work light" experience.
So many friends and people I appreciate in this social scene were so busy sharing their knowledge that the opportunity to connect and relate wasn't as apparent as other Podcamp conferences.
But at the same time, there was so much knowledge and info shared, it was exciting to see so many ppl lit up with ideas related to the Podcasting experience.
Daniele Rossi
· 1 year ago
The funnest post-podcamp part is bringing a tonne of new friends on Twitter!
Dale Cruse
· 1 year ago
I think a great feature for future PodCamps would be identifying people who are looking for specific types of help. Maybe you need a good analytics tool, or a microphone recommendation, or whatever else. In the corner of your badge you'd write the word "HELP." Then when someone saw it they'd ask you what you need help with (great icebreaker) and either give you an answer or point you toward someone who knew the answer. This is dead simple, requires no extra effort or money, and adds value to PodCamps!
All Comments
http://www.christopherspenn.com/2008/02/24/refl...
We may have gotten lucky with PodCamp Ohio in regards with after event activities. There is a Dave and Busters within walking distance of the event, so it's a no brainer to coordinate after event plans their. Even though its got a bar inside, I don't think they turn away younger guests till 9pm.
Can you make it out to PodCamp Ohio and possibly speak at a session? We'd love to have you!
For example - we seem to want to draw in large numbers of people as our gage of success. I think just the opposite needs to be explored.
In November 2007, Podcamp EDU, Washington, DC drew in about 70 people in the same room. We got to know each other and spend an entire "camp" day together.
I think that this size group or even 20 people smaller is a good size for really learning and growing in our social/new media craft.
Thoughts?
Joel Mark Witt
I believe that the 'local PodCamp' is very much the future of the event. Verticals are also a model that screams success.
In November, 20+ people gathered for PodCamp Ottawa (about 85% turnout) for a full day of facilitated campfire discussions (no podiums, no canned presentations, no projectors or computers) and one demonstration of using Audacity to prepare your show. The success of that event as a tool of real engagement of the community was the catalyst for Zero to Podcasting. PodCamp Ottawa took just a few days to plan and was announced three weeks before it took place. Small scale is easy to manage and does wonders to connect real people.
Yet with something like Podcamp NYC, there are simply tons of people in the area who want to attend, both to be mentors, to interact, to pick up new tricks, and to move ideas forward. Podcamps in major metro areas may always end up being a bit bigger, but I think we also need to emphasize that bigger is not always better.
Before I totally hijack Chris's blog going on and on about the interaction between group psychology, conference planning, logistics and the like, I want to say the most important reason to hold a Podcamp is to grow your local community and bring them together. This means considering your event local not national; looking at sponsors as community participants, not as wallets; and treating everyone- speakers, attendees, sponsors, venues, vendors- EVERYONE- as special, important, and as part of your extended family/community.
I think the time is rapidly coming where we have to get over the "oooh, Shiny!" aspect of all the tech toys, and look into the application of the tools to the right job. Tell meaningful stories. Make an impact. Change the World. Take risks. Remember you make a contribution by your point of view, and whatever it is, it's worthy and worth talking about with others!
@Mark - I think it is important not to have Podcamps become glorified "teetups." Not saying that yours did - just worried that they will become too informal.
Enough leadership needs to be in place to help move collective knowledge and ideas forward. Hanging out is cool - but not the true purpose of a Podcamp. I like your idea of taking a couple days to plan a podcamp and get it going now - rather than waiting months to plan for the "big event."
Final Note about groups.
I really enjoyed Podcamp EDU and Southern California because everyone was together the entire day. There were no separate sessions - we all got to hear and see and experience the same thing as one. I believe this also adds to the "camp" experience.
Joel Mark Witt
That to me is sad. We can't preach community all the time if even amongst us as podcasters we don't support it. Whether you do audio or video, who cares? If you're a well known podcasters or not, who cares? What should unite us is the love of this medium. How we choose to use it shouldn't matter.
It's always a great event when people connect and re-connect after not seeing each other for ages. One thing I liked about this Podcamp that might have been missed was the "many hands make the work light" experience.
So many friends and people I appreciate in this social scene were so busy sharing their knowledge that the opportunity to connect and relate wasn't as apparent as other Podcamp conferences.
But at the same time, there was so much knowledge and info shared, it was exciting to see so many ppl lit up with ideas related to the Podcasting experience.