My Plans for SXSW

Chris Brogan SXSW 2010 Are you going to be in Austin, Texas for South by Southwest? So will I. So will Justin Levy and Colin Bower from New Marketing Labs. While we’re there, I’m definitely up for business meetings with people interested in talking about upcoming projects. I don’t like making set time meetings at the event, because things are a whirlwind. That said, when we get it narrowed down to a day, we can usually do okay on getting a meeting set up.

I’m also going to be out and about for some socialization, naturally. I won’t be going to many of the parties. I just don’t like the crush of the crowds, the loud music, and the waiting in very long lines. I’ll be in the halls and the blogger’s lounge and the Pepsi area at SXSW. I’ll dip in and out of sessions. I’m speaking on Saturday the 13th with Julien at 12-something-PM. The panel is “I don’t trust you one stinkin’ bit.”

On Monday the 15th, I’ll be with Tim Hayden and others at the AT&T Conference Center for part of the day for Get Ready to Live, an event with UT Austin that will explore the future of marketing and where all this social and experience marketing stuff is going.

I’m There To Meet You

Don’t be shy. If there are lots of people, just come on up and say hi. It’s why I’m there. If you’re normally shy, PRETEND you’re not shy. Want some hints on how? Here’s my post on how to be sexier in person.

By all means, make sure you say howdy do. I’ll be there for all of Interactive. I can’t stay for the Music part. That means you have about 5 days to try and connect. I won’t see your @ messages on Twitter, but will dip into my direct messages as often as I can.

The worst thing you could possibly do is tweet me a few days later and say, ” I saw you but didn’t want to interrupt you.” That’s why I’m there. Please come say hi.

The Business Card Thing

Here’s a test. Let’s see if you remember this when we meet.

Unless you want to do business with me, don’t give me a business card. We both know how to reach each other, so unless one of us asks for one, let’s not hand them out. We tend to give out business cards because we’ve been taught this is what to do. It’s not. It’s the old way. In the old way, we just blast people with messages whenever WE need something. In the new way, you and I should only exchange cards if we’re looking to do future business. Otherwise? We roughly know how to reach each other, don’t we?

Save a card. Save the planet. Rewire the way humans do business.

Can’t Wait to See You

This event is quite social. It’s a great way to meet lots of people you haven’t seen before in person. They’re all just people, just like you. Never treat people like they’re gods and you’re there to worship. They’re all just people. The biggest names in the world that I’ve ever wanted to meet are just people. And you know what? If they ACT fancy? That’s because they’ve got low self-esteem. That’s not your issue.

Let’s say hi at the event, okay? And more interestingly, let’s think about what we can do that would have some IMPACT while we’re there.

Good?

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  • http://paintingdenver.net/ PaintingDenver

    Rats, wished I could be there, but won't happen this time, not because I'm shy, but work just starting to get going after the winter. Chris, you''ll have to make another post how it all went!

  • http://twitter.com/kanishk24nov kanishk kumar

    Many people have common names and w/o the biz card you can easily get the twitter handle etc confused w someone else when u try to reconnect.
    become taller

  • http://www.opinionatlarge.com Opinion@Large

    I'll amen your amen. I always found it so strange, annoying, and kind of hilarious how people seem to automatically reach for the business card no matter what the circumstance of the meeting/interaction. And then we both know we will just be throwing it away as soon as we get back.

  • superdumb

    Moderately embarrassed about thrusting my card at you in Orlando now! Oops.

  • http://chrisbrogan.com Chris Brogan

    We're friends now. Besides, yours has a lot of fun insights into who YOU are.

  • superdumb

    Next time, I'm doing a scratch-off card…

  • http://www.winningworkplaces.org/ Mark

    Excellent thoughts, Chris. I thought your point about restricting biz cards was so good that I expanded on it in a triple bottom line capacity on our blog today: http://bit.ly/d9fBdm

    Thanks again. I can't attend SXSW this year — actually have never been — but I do hope to go at some point.

  • thejakestershow

    Your comment about biz cards so inspired me I got up off my a*s*s & recycled several poor trees that had been killed – who knows maybe I'll be wiping a particular part of my anatomy w/ them soon – everything goes ard in circles

  • heathtav

    I'll be volunteering in Ballroom D on the interactive panels if anyone wants to stop by and say hello!

    Looking forward to reconnecting with you Chris. You, CC and Chris P. spoke in my social media class at Emerson College in 2008. Excited to meet new people and contribute to the event.

    As a recent grad trying to lock down a full-time position and more freelance work, I'll be loaded up with new business cards. This is a nice post that has me reevaluating my networking strategy and how to not go about exchanging cards with everyone I meet.

  • Siva

    hi,

    I like your post and also that retweet widget…can you tell me how you did this….

  • CharlieCurve

    While I agree with just about everything you post, I completely disagree on being stingy with business cards at SXSW. Sure, if you follow the traditional “rules” for designing a business card, they're a complete waste of paper (that get stuffed into pockets before being stuffed into junk drawers and recycle bins).

    With a little creativity, design and printing magic, business cards CAN be a powerful personal brand builder, a creative catalyst, a conversation starter and the start an effective viral marketing campaign.

    The rule with business cards (and every other interaction): Never be boring.

  • terrance collins

    Chris,

    I select a tidbit a day from the cloud to put in my journal. Congratulations, this one from you took the crown today: “And you know what? If they ACT fancy? That’s because they’ve got low self-esteem.”

    Have just relocated to Cebu, Philippines from my hometown, Austin, and will miss SXSW this year. Enjoy the show and Austin, America's greatest city.

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  • http://dhdeans.blogspot.com dhdeans

    Chris, I missed your panel, but wrote this about “trust” in big media http://bit.ly/cmsjXz

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