How To Maximize Your South By Southwest Experience (part 2)

South by Southwest will be here in a few short weeks. If you are planning on using this festival (and I used the term “festival” lightly, since we are talking about the interactive session – SXSWi) as your startup launchpad, then you need to be prepared.

No pressure, but this isn’t the place where you want to “work out the kinks”. This is where you need to be on top of your game. Last week, my post was the first part of the best ways you can prepare for this time. Let’s cover a couple more items, shall we?

BE HELPFUL
The best way to leave a lasting impression is to be useful to conference goers. People always remember and value those who help them when they need it. Example? One year, startup founders of GroupME rented a space outside the convention center and set up a food truck with grilled cheeses and beer. This addressed two core needs of humans: hunger and thirst. Not to mention ease of accessibility. As a bonus, the area became a gathering spot for attendees to relax in between sessions.

In Austin, you can set up shop anywhere in town (it’s not illegal). There is a lot of foot traffic during this festival so it’s a great way to target the masses.

DON’T SLEEP
Plan on forgoing your standard 8 hours this week. This is the time to really push yourself. If everyone on your team gives 110% in representing your company, you will manifest serious results.

CEO of Chaotic Moon (a mobile app development company in Austin) Ben Lamm agrees: “Go to every event, every keynote, take every meeting. When you go, go all in. Our Chaotic Moon typical conference day goes from 6 a.m. to 3 a.m. the next morning. When everyone is sleeping in, we’re at meetings. We want it more, so we work harder.”

Who has been to SXSWi before? Do you have any other tips for first timers? Leave us a comment – we’d love to hear about your experience!

Kathlene Buchanan

As the founder of Metro Offices, she has championed workspace innovation since 1989, inspired by the creativity and drive of their 30,000+ clients. Woman-owned and locally focused, the company tailors its spaces to meet the unique needs of every business.

tags: Articles | entrepreneur | South by Southwest | startup | SXSW