9 SXSW Tips From a Guy Who Can’t Go This Year

• Posted March 8th, 2009
• By Adam Darowski (bio)
• Filed under: Events/Presentation

Later this week, three folks from the BatchBlue Crew will be shipping down to Austin for South by Southwest Interactive. I won’t be with them.

After going to SXSW 2007 and 2008, this year I’ll be home. We’re expecting our third child… just about any minute now. But that doesn’t mean I can’t share my infinite SXSW wisdom with folks heading down for the first time.

So, here you are… 9 SXSW Tips From a Guy Who Can’t Go This Year:

Know the turf

Right away, take a walk around the Convention Center and get a feel for it. Know which exits are on which streets. Make sure you know how to get to each level. There’s not a ton of time between panels.

Use Twitter

If you don’t plan to use Twitter, stay home. Twitter is basically the subway map of SXSW. Here you can find out which panels you should go to, which impromptu meetups spring up, which parties (cough, business gatherings) are cropping up, which events are full, what’s lame, what’s fun, etc.

Talk to people

They’re really nice. No, really. Maybe it’s the Texas warmth in March. Maybe everyone’s still just a bit buzzed from the night before. But everybody’s really nice and wants to hear what you’re interested in.

It’s a place to make connections, not to find a job

In 2007, I was looking around for a job doing this crazy “new web” stuff. While I made a few good connections that really helped my career, nobody was down there looking to hire anyone. However, they are looking to meet talented people in order to expand their network. So, make some connections and something may happen down the line. No need to bring a stack of resumes to Austin, though.

When to caffeinate

If you want coffee, get it while a panel is in session. Seriously, if you get in the coffee line in between panels, you’re going to miss most of the next panel anyway. We’re all web geeks. Caffeine is a necessary fuel. So just pick some downtime, get coffee and get caught up on email/Twitter/whatever.

Plan your panels

Last year, I imported every panel I was interested in into a calendar I synced with my iPhone. You need to do this. Why can’t you just work from the handheld program? That doesn’t have things like speaker lists and descriptions. Don’t just pick one panel per slot, either. Things will change depending on where you are, who you’re with, a modified schedule, whatever. Have options and know what they are.

Downtime is good

Related to the one above, don’t force yourself to go to a panel at every time slot. Some of the best conversations happen in the halls while sessions are going on. Also, you may need to catch up on email, blogging, Flickring, Twittering… or napping.

Bigger isn’t always better

Don’t focus solely on the huge parties. It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality. Find out where your friends are going. If you’re there to network, check Twitter to see if the folks you want to meet posted where they’ll be. While I’m a fan of the annual Great British Booze-Up, some of the best conversations happened in small restaurants with a few smart people.

Have a buddy

Last year, my buddy was Michelle. Of course, we actually traveled to Austin together, so that worked best. But if you’re coming alone, you can still find a buddy. I flew solo in 2007. I posted on the SXSW blog, wondering what the best way was to get to the Convention Center from my hotel (it was in the middle of nowhere). A kind fellow named Chris Lee said he was driving right by there every day. He picked me up and drove me back… every day (remember the third tip where I said people are nice?).

So, there you have it. If you’re going, I admit I’m kinda jealous. But remember, while you’re up all night surrounded by screaming people, I’ll be right there with ya. Just for different reasons.