The Good, Bad & Ugly-SXSW-South By Southwest 2010

SXSW 10

Bluebonnets SXSW 10

I just arrived home after driving on a beautiful scenic route form Austin to Houston leaving SXSW South by Southwest.  A few Indian paintbrushes and bluebonnets are starting to bloom and pop out of the ground (thanks Lady Bird for standing so strong with your passion for wildflowers of Texas).  After being asked over and over my thoughts on the conference I wanted to share with EVERYONE, cause that’s how I roll.

I was smart enough and lucky to record Gary Vaynerchuk’s keynote with the surprise rap song at end so stayed tuned I will post it over next couple of days.

There was definitely some Good, Bad and some UGLY at SXSW.

You can listen while you read-hey it’s all about the experience, right!

What do I mean, simple…here was the good

1. Gary Vaunerchuk’s Keynote
2. Panel on Crowd Control
3. Blogger’s lounge
4. Being a Mentor

What are all these you ask? Giggle, it continues to amaze me as I attend conferences, workshops and “camps” (geeks version of workshops/conferences) where speakers and panelists have not taken time to learn presentation skills.  What happened? SIMPLE, folks thought their knowledge was enough to make the experience a success.

Now, what I find odd about this mindset is that Social Media is all about the “Experience”.  Since that is so why do they not think about the experience when they create their presentations?

You have taken time to learn how to be good in your arena “social media” or communication etc…now take time to learn what it takes to be a good presenter.  It is only fair.

• The GOOD, was how Gary Vaynerchuk connected with his audience.
• The GOOD, was how easy it was to connect with messages from Keynotes Get Visual-mindmaps-see my video).
  
• The GOOD was how well Pete Cashmore answered  and connected with the audience.

Microphone for SXSW interactive sessions

The BAD was how because of some BAD panels and a BAD keynote triggered the remaining panels & keynote participants to skip to connect with each other instead.

The BAD was the interactive rooms did NOT have microphones-so the ones with the most interaction were the HARDEST to hear.

The BAD was ok gonna behave and not NAME names of panelist who couldn’t seem to answer without going into so much personal detail attendees were saying “Oh, lord just answer already”.

• The UGLY was how the keynote with Ev Williams caused a mass exodous and MUCH Tweeting.
• The UGLY was the rain Tuesday that made us all look like wet rats running from one building to the next.
• The UGLY was the Celebrities and well known folks who did not extend themselves to meet and say hello to people outside their circle

There are always opportunities to learn, improve and transmute.  I trust that next year we will have clear, concise, connecting programs no matter who leads or participates.

Brainstorming next SXSW

Here is what I am doing:

Putting together my own programs and panels as this was a HUGE kick in the arse and wakeup for me to step forward.

Connecting with people I know would make great panelists, brainstorming and creating powerful panels for 2011.

I am asking colleagues who wanted to attend what was important to them so that we are looking at users wants/desires/needs-like we do for clients.

1. If you would like to connect and participate-tweet me and let’s talk.
2. If you want to share you views on this – tweet me let’s connect.
3. If you know topics and/or who you want to me interview next year – tweet me (yeah you are getting it, giggle).

Stay tuned for Gary’s video and what great things came out of Blogger’s Lounge.