The document outlines key tips for attendees of SXSW, emphasizing giving rather than seeking, connecting with strangers, exploring unfamiliar topics, documenting experiences, and dedicating time to important relationships. The author shares personal anecdotes and encourages audience engagement through Q&A during their keynote presentation. The overall message is to maximize the value of the SXSW experience by fostering connections and personal growth.

2. So I’m going to be giving a
keynote at SXSW this year.

3. So I’m going to be giving a
keynote at SXSW this year.
(Just like I always have.)

4. And to be honest, I’m going to
spend most of it on Q&A,

5. And to be honest, I’m going to
spend most of it on Q&A,
(Because that’s the most valuable thing
I can give to my audience.)

6. but I promised a keynote,
so goddamnit, I’m going to
give a great keynote.

7. So I made this slideshare because
I want to give you all a sneak peek
of what I’m going to talk about.

8. So I made this slideshare because
I want to give you all a sneak peek
of what I’m going to talk about.
(So let’s get into it.)

9. 1
FOCUS ON WHAT YOU
CAN GIVE TO SXSW,
NOT WHAT YOU CAN
GET FROM SXSW.

10. For the last few years
everything has been:
“Hey, let me give you my business card!”
“Invest in my startup!”
“Download my app!”

11. Those people have it
backwards.

12. The first year I went to
SXSW, I shipped a bunch of
wine down there,

13. The first year I went to
SXSW, I shipped a bunch of
wine down there,
(I basically wanted to get the nerds drunk.)

14. I wanted to be a part of this new
community, so I figured the best way
was to teach them what I know.

15. After a little bit of
shenanigans with this new
app called Twitter,

16. I ended up throwing an
amazing party.

17. I ended up throwing an
amazing party.
(At least CNET thought so.)

18. And now the Secret Wine Party is
—let’s be honest here—
the singular event of SXSW.

19. And now the Secret Wine Party is
—let’s be honest here—
the singular event of SXSW.
(At least my mom and I think so.)

20. 2
SAY HELLO TO
FIVE STRANGERS

21. If you do not do this step,
you’re making the biggest
mistake of your life.

22. The singular reason to go to SXSW
is that you have thousands of
people who are passionate
about similar things.

23. To be in line at a taco truck and
not say: “Hey, what are you all about?”
to the gal in front of you
is inexcusable.

24. You need to expand your social
graph beyond just new followers.

25. Please do that.

26. Please do that.
Please do that.

27. Please do that.
Please do that.
Please do that.

28. 3
GO TO AT LEAST
ONE PANEL FOR A
SUBJECT YOU KNOW
NOTHING ABOUT

29. SXSW attracts a huge breadth of
different digital experts.

30. Years ago, Travis Kalanick
of Uber asked me:
“Why do you keep going to all the
marketing panels?”

31. The answer was that I was selfish
and I wanted to feel smart.

32. So the next year I went to talks
about Bitcoin and women in tech.
I expanded my horizons,
and it was amazing.

33. So if you know nothing about
mobile tech, digital currencies,
or online dating...
you owe it to yourself to expand
your horizons at SXSW.

34. 4
DOCUMENT

35. Growing up I probably took
6 pictures my whole life.
(My family was the same way...)

36. There is like a picture of me at 4,
a picture of me when I was 17,
and then one at like 22.
4
17
22

37. There is like a picture of me at 4,
a picture of me when I was 17,
and then one at like 22.
(It’s terrible. There’s no documentation.)
4
17
22

38. I regret tremendously not taking
more pictures over the last six
years of going to SXSW.

39. I wish I could watch a YouTube video
from the first Secret Wine Party.

40. I wish I could see an Instagram of
when I was hanging out with
David Recordon and Josh Elman.

41. Why don’t I have a picture of me
talking to Dennis Crowley down by
that hotdog cart talking about this
new service FourSquare?!

42. There are too many awesome
things happening at SXSW.
Document, document, document!

43. 5
ALLOCATE 25% OF
YOUR TIME TO
THE PEOPLE THAT
YOU CARE ABOUT

44. Ironically, I spend more quality
time with my friends and serious
business acquaintances at SXSW
than I do in NYC.

45. Ironically, I spend more quality
time with my friends and serious
business acquaintances at SXSW
than I do in NYC.
(Even though we all live and work in NYC.)

46. SXSW breaks your normal habits and
gives you a chance to deepen your
existing relationships.

47. This is the only event when I text
my friends in advance to find out
about their schedules.

48. So yes, you’re looking to discover
new people (rule #2!), but you
should try to reconnect with the
people you care most about.

49. So there you have it. Go forth,

50. 1
Give

51. 2
Connect

52. 3
Expand

53. 4
Document

54. 5
...and Get a drink!

55. THANKS FOR READING!
(If you thought this was good, you should
see the real thing.)
Click here to RSVP
for my keynote at SXSW.
Friday, March 7
12:30PM - 1:30PM