Comments on: Suggestions For Mashable’s Top Ten Blog Conference List

By: Being Amber Rhea » Blog Archive » links for 2007-11-06

Being Amber Rhea » Blog Archive » links for 2007-11-06 — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 23:26:51 +0000

[...] Extraface » Suggestions For Mashable’s Top Ten Blog Conference List “I think overall this list might lead people away from what’s in front of them.” Dave hits the nail on the head here. (tags: blogs conferences events socialmedia web2.0 hyperlocal) [...]

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:49:16 +0000

Love it. We talk a lot at the PodCamp experiences about how to bring more value from the local experience. Philly did a great job with it. Arizona did some neat stuff, too.

And so did Atlanta! The local community was REALLY active in PodCamp Atlanta, giving it a unique atmosphere.

By: Amber

Amber — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 17:48:04 +0000

But I think overall this list might lead people away from what’s in front of them.

You really hit the nail on the head here, Dave. I think far too many people overlook the local community, often not even bothering to see if one exists at all (which, typically, it *does*). And, of course, what is a great conference to one person can be a not-so-great conference to another. I think these kind of all-encompassing top 10 lists are really off the mark, especially when we’re talking about *unconferences.*

By: Dave Coustan

Dave Coustan — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:38:07 +0000

Rusty: Good point. Politics-wise in Atlanta, in my relatively short time here I’ve seen in many cases how the localities are needed to fill in city services gaps. It becomes more and more important to think of yourself as part of a neighborhood (or NPU) in addition to a city or state.

Chris: I read the PodCamp AZ tweets, and it sounded like a great event. Hopefully the good work of the PodCamps and BarCamps also sparks an interest in individuals getting together more and in different ways afterwards.

Brian: Thanks for your insights. I saw your Ignite presentation at Gnomedex this year and really liked it.

By: Brian Dorsey

Brian Dorsey — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 21:42:38 +0000

Hi! Thanks for the Noonhat reference!

Looking for local events is great! If you don’t find them, I echo the advice to create them. Seattle Mind Camp (semi-Bar Camp derivative) was started with an email to a single mailing list inviting interested people to have dinner and start planning. Followed by a lot of work later. ;) Ignite Seattle came out of a hallway conversation between two Seattlites in at a conference in Europe. Go for it!

Another great thing about doing things locally is that you’ll build up lasting relationships with other locals interested in similar things.

Take care,
-Brian

By: Chris Brogan...

Chris Brogan... — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 20:03:28 +0000

Love it. We talk a lot at the PodCamp experiences about how to bring more value from the local experience. Philly did a great job with it. Arizona did some neat stuff, too. I think that’s the way of these events. Gathering up the stars of our little niches is one thing, but spreading the community love is another, and just as important (if not more).

Cool that you thought about it more.

By: Rusty

Rusty — Mon, 05 Nov 2007 17:58:06 +0000

Good post. To make a politics analogy, what really has a more practical impact on your life? What Georga Bush/Hillary Clinton is up to? Or what your city’s council members are up to? There’s at least a chance the council member will read what you wrote and respond to it somehow.

The more locally you act, the more of an impact you can have.