Emma describes 10 steps you can take to have a great barcamping experience. First presented at BarCampCork2

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

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

3. Step 1:
Be Prepared

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

5. Step 2:
Go Alone

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

7. Step 3:
Arrive Early

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

9. Step 4:
Be Prepared for
Change

10. 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

11. Step 5:
Don’t Be Afraid

12. 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!

13. Step 6:
Make Few Plans

14. 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!

15. Step 7:
Bring Cards

16. 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

17. Step 8:
Keep in Contact

18. 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!

19. Step 9:
Have Fun!

20. 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

21. Step 10:
Organise Your Own
Barcamp

22. 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!

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