PodCamp Nashville is about ME!

I know that statement seems a bit outrageous, but bear with me for a moment.

PodCamp is a free unconference in Nashville on March 26th. If you have not registered, do that now at PodCampNashville.org. Come back to this post when you are done, I will wait …

PodCamp Nashville, dare I say, is the best PodCamp in the world. Starting its 4th year in Nashville, PodCamp is a must attend event for anyone involved in new media or marketing. The event is packed with over 40 sessions on new media, including mobile marketing, content delivery, podcasting, social media, branding, music and much more. Did I mention it was free?

You should attend if … well, there is really no need for the “IF”… you should attend. You should attend, even if only for selfish reasons. PodCamp is YOUR conference.

I attend PodCamp Nashville to get what I want to out of it. I am selfish that way. I choose sessions I want to attend. I know my weakness and I go to learn on those areas. It’s not about the “popular” sessions. I skip sessions. I split my time between sessions. In other words, I do what I want.

Of course, one man’s bad session is another man’s treasure. That’s to be expected. I hope you do the same thing. Be selfish. Choose sessions based on your needs, not mine. It’s YOUR conference. Truth be told, PodCamp is about YOU … not ME. I have included 3 tips to help you make the most out of PodCamp Nashville.

Tips for being selfish at PodCamp Nashville

1. Skip Sessions – It is okay to skip sessions. Often times, the best networking and conversations happen in the hallways.
2. Law of Two Feet – If you are not getting what you want out of a session, then you have every right to leave. Walk out on a speaker, its okay. Obviously, I don’t encourage rudeness. Pick the right time, but leave.
3. Volunteer – Of course, volunteering helps the community. However, even if it you just look at volunteering from a selfish perspective, there is a business need. I have made several long-lasting personal and business connections while volunteering at PodCamp.

I have a few sessions on my radar, but again this is MY list not yours. Here is what I am looking forward to:

• The Rise of Data & Data Analysis by Brian Dailey – I am a bit of a data geek myself, I love numbers. Everything I do and every client I work with is about analytics. I am always looking to learn more and see things from different angles.
• Unique Strategies for QR Codes: More than just creating traffic to your homepage by Dave Barger – A lot of talk about QR codes recently, but frankly I don’t get it. I don’t see the need. Well, instead of burying my head in the sand and pretending they are not there, here is my chance to “get it”.
• Mobile Podcasting: Go, Dogs, Go! …Go Mobile! By Bayard Saunders and Jamey Tucker – If I am going to podcast, it’s going to be on my phone. I don’t see my buying audio equipment. But how and where do I start?

Of course I am being tongue-in-cheek with the word “selfish”. PodCamp Nashville is actually a beautiful mix of community volunteering, expert marketers, great speakers, and fabulous networking. None of that happens without you … and ME!

What about you? What sessions are you looking forward to the most? What do you want to learn?