So You're Speaking at PodCamp 2010: Tips of the Trade

You already know PodCamp Nashville 2010 will be held Saturday, March 6, at Cadillac Ranch in downtown Nashville (doors open at 8 am, map). You may have a few questions about sessions and how to approach.

We've got you covered with a few essentials that will help you prepare for and experience PodCamp Nashville 2010 at its very best. Let's do this.

What should I do before Saturday to prepare for my session?
Publicize your session by encouraging people to sign up for it. Link to the session page and use the hashtag. If you haven't already, check out the PCN Facebook Group and PCN twitter page to follow the latest buzz.

Plan ahead and start outlining how your session will progress. A PCN session should be educational and potentially provocative, but it should not simply promote your brand or provide a product demo, as your PCN audience will not likely interact with this format in a positive manner. Absolutely use your company's products and experiences as examples and case studies for whatever larger message you're trying to convey.

Sessions are 35 minutes long with a 10-minute break in between, so be sure to leave time for questions and audience participation at the end.

Complete your profile on the PCN site

Enter your t-shirt size on the "Extras" tab in your profile (click "Edit" then "Profile" then "Extras"). Only the first 300 people to register and show up before noon are assured a t-shirt. Make sure your T-shirt size is set today!

Also, don't forget to complete the rest of your profile, including adding a photo so people can recognize and connect with you at the event.

What's the schedule for Saturday?
The session schedule will be available on the PodCamp Nashville website by Friday morning, so please check to see what time your session has been scheduled and in which room. Allow plenty of time to check-in at the Registration desk when you arrive.

The doors at Cadillac Ranch will open for late registration, check-in, breakfast, and early networking at 8 am, and the first sessions will begin promptly at 9 am. Please let the registration desk know that you are a speaker when you check-in.

Details About Speaking
Remember, sessions are 35 minutes long with a 10-minute break in between. There should be a program manager in each room to let you know when your time is about up, and to provide any assistance you might need during your session. If your session generates lots of interest (and we hope it does!) and looks likely to run over time, please move the conversation to a table near the first floor main stage or the Impromptu Room.

A few other details to consider for your PodCamp session:

  1. We'll have projectors in each session room, so feel free to bring slides. You'll also need to bring your own laptop and video adapter. If you do have slides, please post them to SlideShare with tags PCN10 and podcampnashville.
  2. Record your own session as well as other people's sessions and share with the community.
  3. Finally, be sure to bring plenty of business cards!

For more juicy tips on speaking at Podcamp:

Learn how to obey the obey the Law of 2 Feet from Rules of PodCamp
Essential speaking tips from Scott Schwertly's 6 Presentation Myths

Don't forget that all content on the PCN site is licensed under Creative Commons!

More details to come soon on the after event, meals, parking and more.