This year I’m doing much less speaking for a number of reasons that I won’t go into in this post. The most obvious is that I am living outside of the country for most of the year.
The only time I plan to present in-person this year is at New Media Expo 2008 in Las Vegas (if my proposal is accepted). I’ll save my reasons for cutting down on speaking until another time, but here are the reasons why I DO want to speak at this event.
1. The People
I’ve met a lot of fabulous people at the past expos. Like Karin Hoegh, Leesa Barnes and I like to say, the first year we shook hands and exchanged cards but now it’s like a reunion and everyone is hugging. I always enjoy meeting people after my presentations (don’t worry…you I won’t give you a hug unless you want one ;). There are tons of extrememly interesting people who attend this event.
This is also the event that tends to attract the most people from my podcast audiences. It’s great to have the opportunity to meet face to face with listeners and people I have interacted with online. It’s a unique experience presenting to people who “know you” and have developed a certain connection with you. I haven’t found that in any other presenting environment outside my own events/courses.
2. The Passion
The excitement, energy and passion can be felt throughout the event. I thrive on that kind of energy and it makes for a great environment to teach/present in.
3. The Live Audience
The performer in me still loves that live presentation and interaction. As much as I enjoy doing my online coaching courses, I still have to have the live element from time to time. So I can’t go 100% away from speaking in person. I would miss it to much.
4. Personal Investment in the New Media Expo
I feel invested in the (Podcast and) New Media Expo. I’ve attended every one of them. I showed up at the first one in 2005 a brand new, hopeful podcasting consultant and left with connections and opportunities that have changed the course of my life. Since then I feel an attachment to the event and enjoy taking part in and contributing to it.
The Bourquins don’t need me by any means and would do fine without my help, but I still like to think contribute to a great event however I can.
My Proposed Presentation for 2008
So, after some very helpful input here on this blog, on Twitter and by email, I’ve chosen a topic and submitted it for New Media Expo 2008. It’s a topic that I have thought about, developed and taught for a long time now. It’s something I feel very strongly about since I’ve seen it work extremely well for myself and other online content creators.
We’ll see if Tim and Emile find it a good fit for their event. I know there are a lot of very talented and intelligent people who submit to speak and the Bourquins have over ten times as many submissions than they have room to accept. In any case, I wanted to share the proposed presentation with you and get your feedback. First, here are the title and description.
The Magic Triad: 3 Key Ingredients for Creating Effective Content and a Loyal Audience
In order to get your message heard online it
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
I certainly hope you are accepted to speak. I will be attending for the first time this year and am looking forward to hearing you speak.
Great content, I believe, is still one key ingredient. You have my curiosity piqued about which ones you have chosen. Jeez, now you’ll have me checking your website and Twitter feed all the time. Thanks. :)
March 3rd, 2008 at 6:44 pm
Great idea to let your readers “guess” about your Magic Triad. And since hugging at the EXPO ;-) is far away, I will give it a go here:
1. Personality – you need to invest some of your personal self in your podcast in order to communicate whatever you want in a podcast.
2. Dialogue – you need to connect with your audience and sincerely want to know what THEY think and feel about your topic and content.
3. Usability – make your site userfriendly and make sure, that you audience, who are not all geeks and know how to add an rss-feed to a podcatcher.
Well the last one is completely my hobbyhorse, and the topic I have submitted to the Bourquins. If I am speaking or not is not the main thing.
I will be in Las Vegas – cause I wouldn
March 4th, 2008 at 11:08 pm
@Karin,
I like your three points. #1 and #2 are quite close to two of my ingredients for The Magic Triad. Personality is part of one ingredient and dialog is part of another of the ingredients.
Usability is definitely very important. Make it as easy as possible for people to find you and consume your content.
@Chris,
Great content is important. The Magic Triad is my system for making sure that you have great content.