Get Ready to Create Your PodCamp Session

Now that you've registered to attend PodCamp Nashville 2010, why not take the next step and start brainstorming a session so awesome that Steve Jobs reconsiders his calling and joins a convent?

Other than the whole being FREE part, one of the aspects of PodCamp that makes it a truly unique "un"-conference is that everyone has a chance to speak, and subsequently share their digital expertise. We encourage you to consider placing your ideas and experiences front and center at Cadillac Ranch on March 6, 2010.

To let everyone gather their collective marbles before submitting ideas, we won't be opening session creation until Tuesday, February 9, 2010. That gives us less than a week, so feed the gerbils and get those wheels a spinning!

So what makes a great PodCamp session?
The key to a great session at PodCamp is not just picking a topic that you're knowledgeable in. Focus your efforts on the niche, unique, direction of new trends, the state of things or even bigger ideas for the future. What is your expertise and how can it benefit the larger community?

Session Categories
Content: traditional media, new media, music, online video, blogging, web and graphic design, typography, etc.
Audience: networking, relationship marketing, promotion, etc.
Tools: hardware, software, accessories, etc.
Community: green/eco, non-profit, education, etc.
Commerce: business-related, social media integration, professional
networking, etc.

Session creation officially opens Tuesday, February 9, 2010.

Here's what you'll want to have ready:

  • The name of your session
  • A description of what you will cover
  • The broad category it falls under (see above).
  • One or more specific topic tags you want to associate with it (blogging, social networking, online video, content marketing, etc.)
  • The format of your session: Case Study, In Depth, Overview, Panel/Discussion.

The last bullet point is also quite important, as you'll want to hone your approach. It's perfectly okay to mention your own products/services, but it's best received if they are used as illustrative examples supporting your larger approach and session focus. If there is anything to avoid at PodCamp sessions, it's a straight demo presentation of a product/service that will likely come off as a sales pitch.

You'll also have the opportunity to set a custom hashtag for use in Twitter conversations, or we can set one for you.

How PodCamp sessions will work

Sessions at PodCamp 2010 will be 35 minutes in length, with 10 minutes between sessions to set up for the next presenter, so it will be important that speakers don't run over their allotted time. Also, plan for fitting in some time (perhaps 10 minutes) for Q&A at the end of your session.

One more important item regarding the event: There will be an impromptu room so attendees can sign up to speak in person day of; however, that space will be limited, so it's worth brainstorming and creating your session before the event.

Please remember that we only have one day for programming, so opportunities to speak are limited and session slots will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Session creation will close when the grid fills or by March 1st.

Now go forth ... and may your ideas be plenty.