PodCamp 3 Western MA

I went to my first overnight camp when I was in sixth grade. I had a lot of fun swimming, hiking, and making new friends, right up until the waterfront director got hit by lightning and a tree fell on my cabin. I guess the idea of camping didn’t settle too well after that.

Last year I became a camper once again — a pod camper at PodCamp 3 held in Western Massachusetts.  PodCamp is an informal, “un-conference” style, day-long series of workshops, roundtable discussions and networking that’s all about social media, podcasting, video production, tech gadgets, mobile marketing, apps, blogging and more.  There is something for everyone at PodCamp, whether you are just dipping your toe into the pool of social media or are a full-fledged, high diving, tech savvy social media junkie.

PodCamp’s agenda is a work in progress, with sessions scratched on pieces of paper taped to the wall, and campers chatting about where to go first.  There were many options: SEO for social media, Facebook privacy settings, WordPress help, video for iPhone, PR strategies, it’s important to know that if you are not getting what you want in a particular session, it’s not bad manners to leave.

PodCamp 3 ended shortly after 4:00 PM as everyone gathered in the main conference hall to wrap up the day. At one point I had visions of us all breaking into a camp song as we gathered our gear, said our good byes and made plans for the next gathering. I left thinking that 1) there are a lot of highly talented, creative, giving and fun-loving people here in Western Mass; 2) we are all learning and sharing ideas about how social media – the good and the bad — is affecting our lives, our children’s lives, our client’s lives and how user-generated content is creating and reporting our news; and 3) how we use social media is as varied and unique as we are as individuals. There is no one right way to “do” social media and for those of us who are involved in helping other small businesses wade through this brave new world.  We just need to continue to connect with each other in meaningful ways.

I am encouraging my clients to come to PodCamp 4 this year and hope to bring back a lot of great ideas myself that I will share through our newsletter, Facebook, etc.

If you are going to PodCamp 4, here are some helpful things to bring:

1. Your smart phone, laptop, tablet, camcorder and don’t forget the chargers!
2. Power strip (There will be many trying to access outlets at the same time, remember)
3. Business cards
4. Pen/paper

Lunch is provided and included in your registration fee, and there’s even an after-party.

You can follow PodCamp on Twitter, hashtag #pcwm , and the website is http://podcamp.westernma.biz/