How to Rock a WordCamp (Updated): Miami WordCamp Presentation

In this presentation, I cover 14 steps to help you rock your WordCamp. While it is directed toward new attendees, I have been told that there are some points in here that even seasoned veterans had not considered.

This presentation was the first one done using WPPresenter; a theme developed by @trishacodes built upon the increasingly popular reveal.js open source presentation maker and makes it as easy as installing a WordPress theme and configuring it to make it sing and dance. You can find out more and get involved with the development of this theme at https://github.com/ServerPress/wp-presenter

Transcript

1. HOW TO ROCK A WORDCAMP EVEN IF YOU'RE A TOTAL N00B
2. OK... THE IMPORTANT STUFF ABOUT ME What I Am Opinionated Father of Two (But Usually Five) Husband of One WordCamp Milwaukee Co­Organizer WordPress Fanatic Attendee at over 25 WordCamps Part of the Serverpress, LLC Team
3. OK... THE IMPORTANT STUFF ABOUT ME What I Am Not (aka "Disclaimers") A party animal Terribly filtered Always right (just ask my wife and kids) Overly serious A very creative presentation slide maker An expert (at anything)
4. MY FIRST WORDCAMP HOW MY FIRST TATTOO WAS THE WORD "SUCKER" WRITTEN ON MY FOREHEAD
5. FOR THE GEOGRAPHICALLY CHALLENGED
6. SOME QUICK MATH 6 Hour Flight (Each Way) $350.00 Airfare TSA (Need I Say more?) California Traffic TOTALLY WORTH IT!
7. ANATOMY OF A WORDCAMP WORDCAMPS GENERALLY ENCOMPASS THE FOLLOWING (IN NO SPECIFIC ORDER): Learning Teaching Volunteering Networking Socializing
8. OVERHEARD @WORDCAMPS
9. "MY BRAIN HURTS"
10. "I WOULD LOVE TO CONTRIBUTE BUT HAVE NOTHING TO GIVE."
11. "WHERE ARE THE BOOTHS?"
12. "THESE PEOPLE ARE SO SMART AND I FEEL SO INADEQUATE."
13. HOW TO ROCK WORDCAMP IN 14 E-Z STEPS
14. STEP 1 SKIP A SESSION OR TWO (OR THREE OR FOUR)
15. STEP 2 ASK QUESTIONS
16. STEP 3 REMEMBER THAT IT'S A COMMUNITY EVENT
17. NOT A CONVENTION
18. STEP 4 DON'T BE AFRAID TO LEAVE A SESSION
19. STEP 5 SMALL CAMPS CAN BE AS INVIGORATING
20. AS THE BIG FANCY CAMPS
21. STEP 6 TWITTER IS YOUR FRIEND
23. STEP 7 DON'T BE INTIMIDATED
24. STEP 8 DON'T BE AFRAID TO SWITCH TRACKS
25. STEP 9 DON'T SIT BY YOURSELF AT LUNCH
26. STEP 10 MEET PEOPLE!! Seriously...
27. DO IT!!!
28. STEP 11 IF THERE IS AN AFTER PARTY...
30. GO!!!
31. STEP 12 VOLUNTEER
32. STEP 13 HAVE FUN!!!!!
33. STEP 14 STAY IN TOUCH (and Stay Engaged)
34. CONCLUSION aka: Quick­Reference Guide (aka: Cheat­Sheet)
35. 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 conventions booths? Step 3 (Remember that it's a community event and not a convention)
36. EXTRA CREDIT 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
37. THE END Contact Information: Marc Benzakein marc@serverpress.com @MarcBenzak http://serverpress.com If you'd like to learn about our family and fostering to adopt, you can follow our shenanigans at www.twotofive.us Presentation Theme: WP­Presenter built by @trishacodes upon reveal.js (github.com/hakimel/reveal.js)