Thoughts for Future PodCamps

February 24, 2008 · Comments

chris and markFresh back from PodCamp Toronto which was, once again, well run (Thanks entire team of Toronto organizers) and of a level of technological excellence that deserves awards (Thanks Ryerson University for amazing accommodations and tech- including LIVE video streaming). It was great reconnecting with old friends, and exciting to meet up with some new ones, like Chris24 and his posse, amazing artist Anne Abbott, and so many more great people.

Here’s what I observed, and what you might consider:

Interest in the Tools is Rising

There were perhaps 60% newcomers to PodCamp Toronto, several of whom were hoping to get enough information to start their own projects. People are accepting that they WANT to make media. Now they’re reaching out to learn.

Hats off to Mark Blevis, Bob Goyetche, Rob …, and whoever else put together From Zero to Podcasting, a sort of micro NewB/BootCamp for both days, complete with a pre-planned agenda dedicated to moving through most every aspect of making media. (More on this later).

PR and Marketing are In

More and more people were from the PR and Marketing practices. There were more ad agency people, too. This pleases me. It means that there is an opportunity to engage in conversations on what works and what might need rebuilding. I have a feeling about this. I think there are big changes afoot. Not just a tool refresh, but a huge shake-up of metrics, practices, and strategy.

To that end, PodCamps have the potential to be at the forefront of being a friendly hand outstretched to people with traditional skills seeking to learn our world.

Social Conversation is Alive and Well

Shortly after last fall’s Podcasting and New Media Expo, I observed that there are a few different ways people use podcasting. One group of people podcast to make “shows,” with the intent of finding advertising/sponsorship funding. Another group use podcasting for information transfer or branding (or both). The third group use podcasts as a way of making social conversations.

This last group don’t care about making money off their production. They simply use the tools as a way to convey a message. They have loyal listeners or viewers, and they usually subscribe to each others’ media.

All three groups are dedicated to different goals, and it’s important to consider those three major categories when thinking about the “podcasting community.” It’s not all one motivation driving them, and people seeking to understand the dynamics of personal media need to consider them all separately.

Serving the PodCamp Community Requires a Shift

There’s definitely a mix of learning and experience needs between the different groups coming to PodCamps. For us to deliver value in our sessions and our community experience, organizers of PodCamps need to consider how to best serve both newcomers as well as veterans.

Subject Matter

One of the main tenets of a PodCamp is that the participants drive the content. I don’t want to change that. But I do want us to find ways to interject a somewhat larger view of what’s out there. Maybe part of it comes from adding preparatory materials to the wiki beforehand. Maybe it’s some kind of quick run through of the landscape of social media tools and experiences out there today (at least maybe the first 50 or so).

I’m wondering if there are ways to encourage giving a “lay of the land” type presentation early in each PodCamp. Nothing mandatory, but it would be great for people to see that there is a lot going on beyond what they might be creating themselves today. It might also do a better job of bringing in the newer experiences, like live streaming video, mobile media making, and social network platforms, and more.

Newcomers

From what I observed of “From Zero to Podcasting,” it seemed like an interesting model. It was essentially programmed content, built by PodCamp volunteers, delivered in a certain order, but still alive with the participatory ethic, so in effect, it was a hybrid of the unconference “just show up and whoever’s there is the right speaker” and a more structured experience. But I think it worked well, and encourage other PodCamps to consider doing something like it as an all-day potential “track.”

There was also a mentor lounge organized by Tommy Vallier, community guy for Talkshoe. This started at PodCamp Pittsburgh (or BootCamp, I forget which event in the PGH). The idea is to have a place for veterans to answer newcomer questions. I think this should be a standard at PodCamps, should there be space and willingness.

Veterans

The beauty of PodCamp is helping new people learn and grow. The challenge is that people who’ve been around want to grow as well. Different subjects are of importance to these folks. We know what RSS is, and now we’re thinking about ways to expand on what we’ve done so far. We’re thinking about projects that need doing, collaboration, ways to grow the space overall.

Yes, lots of experienced people were on hand to help newcomers, and that’s important and useful. But as well as giving back, we need to come up with material that will bring the story forward, will get us out of some of the conversational loops that happen at PodCamps, and that will give people even more to engage on at these events.

More Open Spaces and More Stress on the DIY Ethic

PodCamps need to stay a place where people who know something can share with people seeking to learn. Part of what makes our events excellent are the way we can flexibly serve all different types of experiential needs. We sneak off, find a corner, and show you how to get it done.

What I’d like from upcoming PodCamps, and what I’ll do for the ones where I participate and/or organize, is to make sure there are informal spaces that participants can come and occupy and throw impromptu learning sessions. This will go far towards ensuring that people with questions (at all levels) get answers and guidance.

What I’d ask of organizers of events is that we consider stressing these types of experiences at the outset of a PodCamp. Jay Moonah said it in the opening lines of PodCamp Toronto. He pointed out how people can throw “Come Teach Me” sessions on the wiki, and get their needs met. I want us to think about this and do more with it.

Small and Wired Rocks

The Toronto event had 400 people sign up. I’m guessing a little over 55% came between both days (though I left at noon on Sunday, so I’m not sure). I think it was a great number. The smaller the events, the better the direct connection between participants, is what I observed.

I think Ryerson University gets the award for keeping wifi alive the longest with that many geeks sucking the signal down into their Macbooks (About 90/10 split mac vs pc at Toronto). Keeping things lit up is a great way to keep us all better meshed together. Having a “hot” wiki is so much more useful, and the difference shows.

Our Social Experiences

People who’ve attended PodCamps know that getting out there and having a few beverages is part of the fun. Socializing amidst the geeks definitely makes the experience memorable, and I encourage people attending PodCamps to make the outings.

I want to recommend doing more with these opportunities. I think we could do better with lots of smaller “birds of a feather” experiences for dinner, and then perhaps a join-together after the feeding where we can maybe all reconnect. I was hoping to see more people out and about, especially newcomers, at our social events, and I think this would help grow the experience more, too.

However, as a side note, I want us to think about ways to engage people who maybe don’t want a few dozen beverages. One, we always lose the below-21 crowd, and I think they’ve got lots to offer. Two, maybe we should consider a way to throw “geek get togethers” back at the hotels or somewhere that we can make media, do software stuff, and be creative with someone at a PodCamp at night. I’m not exactly sure how to accomplish this, logistics-wise, but I’d love your take.

Verticals

Whitney Hoffman was at PodCamp Toronto, and she’s someone thinking long and hard about the ways PodCamp can be brought to various verticals, like maybe a PodCamp for Educators, for government, etc. I think it’s definitely something to consider, and I think the variations on the verticals are interesting and meaningful. Moving beyond podcasting for entertainment, or podcasting for conversational purposes, there are plenty of spaces that could use these tools for very specific uses that aren’t likely to be covered in a “general” PodCamp.

Grateful as Always

Every time I’m fortunate enough to attend a PodCamp, I feel grateful. I’m thankful that this thing that started out of an idea by Christopher S Penn and myself has grown up and found its own legs. I’m thrilled that we’ve had PodCamps all over the world, and that people continue to express an interest in bringing the experience to their areas.

My hope is that YOU bring amazing regional events to life, and celebrate the amazing people in your area. I want to see great videos and listen to engaging podcast coverage of events in Montreal, Tokyo, Boulder, and Helsinki. The events are about YOU and what you bring to the experience, and I’m grateful for each new amazing thing that comes out of a PodCamp. Thank you.

Your Thoughts

This was a long on. Truth is, I could’ve written another post twice as long on top of this one, I have so much going through my mind about all this. We’re in an amazing time, and our presence online and new media literacy is only the beginning. Once we have our feet under us with these tools, we’re in a situation where we can move into amazing new experiences. I’m anxious for you thoughts on this. I’d love to know how you see PodCamp growing, what YOU want from the events, and how YOU plan to participate to make it happen.

Photo credit, Mark Blevis

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  • Several hundred miles away, yet a similar experience.

    http://www.christopherspenn.com/2008/02/24/refl...
  • Chris, thanks for the insight... still planning on and hoping for PodCamp CHI in June? Interested in coming out?
  • 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!
  • 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!
  • 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
  • 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.
  • 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!
  • @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
  • 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.
  • 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.
  • The funnest post-podcamp part is bringing a tonne of new friends on Twitter!
  • 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!
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