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How to Rock a WordCamp Even if You Are a n00b

How to Rock a WordCamp Even if You Are a n00b

This is a primer for people who might never have been to a WordCamp, or are interested in enhancing their WordCamp experience.

Marc Benzakein

November 15, 2014
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  1. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    How to Rock a
    WordCamp Even if
    You’re a Total
    n00b

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  2. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    OK… THE IMPORTANT STUFF ABOUT ME
    What I Am
    What I Am Not
    • Overly Serious
    (aka “disclaimers”)
    (At Anything)
    • Opinionated
    • Father of Two (But Lately Five)
    • Husband of One
    • WordCamp Milwaukee Co-Organizer
    • WordPress Fanatic
    • Attendee at Over 20 WordCamps
    • Part of the ServerPress, LLC Team
    • A Very Creative Presentation Slide Maker
    • An Expert

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  3. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    My First WordCamp
    How my first tattoo was the word “Sucker”
    written on my forehead

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  4. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    For the Geographically Challenged

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  5. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    • 6 Hour Flight (Each Way)
    • $350.00 Airfare
    • TSA (Need I Say More?)
    • California Traffic
    ———————————————
    TOTALLY WORTH IT!
    Some Quick Math

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  6. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    Anatomy of a WordCamp
    WordCamps generally encompass the following (in no specific order):
    •Learning
    •Teaching
    •Volunteering
    •Networking
    •Socializing

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  7. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    OVERHEARD
    @WordCamps

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  8. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    “My Brain Hurts!”

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  9. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    “I would love to contribute
    but have nothing to give”

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  10. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    “Where are the booths?”

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  11. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    “These people are so smart
    and I feel SO inadequate

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  12. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    How to Rock
    WordCamp in
    14 E-Z Steps

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  13. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    Skip a Session or Two
    STEP 1
    (or three or four)

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  14. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    Ask Questions
    STEP 2

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  15. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    STEP 3
    Remember That it’s a
    Community Event…
    Not a Convention

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  16. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    Don’t Be Afraid to Leave a Session
    STEP 4

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  17. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    Small Camps Can
    Be As Invigorating
    STEP 5
    As the Big Fancy
    Camps

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  18. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    STEP 6
    And Friendship
    is Magic
    Twitter is Your Friend

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  19. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    STEP 7
    Don’t Be Intimidated

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  20. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    STEP 8
    Don’t Be Afraid to Switch Tracks

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  21. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    STEP 9
    Don’t Sit By Yourself at Lunch
    -Carrie Dils

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  22. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    Seriously. . .
    STEP 10
    Meet People!
    DO IT!!!

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  23. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    STEP 11
    If There is an After Party…
    GO!!!!

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  24. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    STEP 12
    Volunteer

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  25. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    STEP 13
    HAVE FUN!!!!!

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  26. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    STEP 14
    Stay in Touch (and Stay Engaged)

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  27. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    Conclusion
    aka: Quick-Reference Guide
    (aka: Cheat-Sheet)

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  28. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    Overheard @WordCamps
    • These people are so smart and I feel inadequate
    • Steps 2 (Ask Questions), 3 (It’s a community event), 7 (don’t
    be intimidated), 9 (Don’t Sit Alone @ Lunch), 10 (Meet
    People), 11 (Go to after party)
    • My brain hurts
    • Steps 1 (Skip a session or two), 4 (Don’t be afraid to walk
    out), 8 (Switch tracks), 10 (Meet people), 13 (Have Fun)
    • I would love to contribute but I have nothing to give
    • Steps 2 (Ask Questions), 10 (Meet people), 12 (Volunteer), 14
    (Stay in touch and stay engaged)
    • Where are the convention booths?
    • Step 3 (Remember that it’s a community event and not a
    convention)

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  29. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    EXTRA
    CREDIT

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  30. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    A Few Ways to Make Your WordCamp
    Experience Even BETTER!
    •Thank the Organizers
    •Thank the Volunteers
    •Thank the Speakers
    •Thank the Sponsors
    •Fill Out Satisfaction Surveys

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  31. @MarcBenzak
    @DesktopServer
    http://www.serverpress.com
    The End
    Contact Info:
    Marc Benzakein
    [email protected]
    @MarcBenzak
    http://www.serverpress.com
    Slides can be found at: http://bitly.com/TXDM2p

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