Emma’s Guide to
Great BarCamping
Emma Persky
storyteller, geek, believer, etc.

How to make the most
of barcamp in 10 easy
to follow steps

Step 1:
Be Prepared

Be Prepared
• Make slides and notes in advance
• Free to listen and partake in other
sessions
• Iron out those glitches

Step 2:
Go Alone

Go Alone or in a Small
Group
• Greater opportunity to meet people
• Network in groups of 2 or 3
• Introduce to each other

Step 3:
Arrive Early

Arrive Early
• Barcamps not every weekend
• Get your session on the grid
• Breakfast (if your lucky)

Step 4:
Be Prepared for
Change

Be Prepared for Change
• Barcamp is all about challenging
convention
• Be open to adapting your session
• Consider entirely new sessions on the
back of discussions at barcamp

Step 5:
Don’t Be Afraid

Don’t Be Afraid
(to leave a session)
• Not every session is for every one -
multiple trakcs
• Engage with the group before you leave
• Find another session!

Step 6:
Make Few Plans

Make Few Plans
• Anything can happen at barcamp. No,
really!
• Opportunities to socialise outside
barcamp, or perhaps share a ride
• If you make plans, you will miss out!

Step 7:
Bring Cards

Bring Personal and
Business Cards
• Don’t let people forget you
• Business cards for those interested in
your work
• Personal cards for everyone (else)
• Online contact details

Step 8:
Keep in Contact

Keep in Contact
• Collect those business cards
• Add people to your gmail account, and
import to LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter,
Flickr, Upcoming, Dopplr etc.
• If your really keen, do it on the way
home, but whatever you do, don’t wait!

Step 9:
Have Fun!

Have Fun
• Really! Barcamp is not just about
networking and learning
• Fun with likeminded people
• Play werewolf, uncricket, buzzword
bingo, etc.
• Take your eyes away from the screen

Step 10:
Organise Your Own
Barcamp

Organise Your Own
Barcamp
• Most important step of all
• Give back to the community, locally or
for a specialist topic
• Don’t worry about it, just do it!

Emma Persky
emmapersky everywhere
online
emma.persky@gmail.com