Brands that created a Positive #SXSW Experience

February 28, 2014 by Raul Colon

In less than a week many creatives and digital geeks (myself included) start our annual pilgrimage towards Austin for the South By Southwest (SXSW) Festival.

This will be my fourth SXSW Interactive experience and every year I try to plan ahead to make the most of the experience.

I go to SXSW for many reasons but the main reason is to spend time and reconnect with people I have not seen since last year.

Each year the crowds grow and I see companies adding to the Noise in their attempt to break through it.

I see how companies ignore the fact that attendees are bombarded with events and ads. On that note I would like to see more brands doing more for their audience vs. trying to create cult like following for each brand. Not everyone can pull off what Apple does.

Offering a Ride

Looking back into my three previous SXSW interactive experiences, I clearly remember my arrival to SXSW 2011. Freshbooks gave me a ride from the Airport to the Convention Center. The highlight was meeting Freshbook’s Head Creative (at that time) Saul Colt and getting welcomed by him and his team. While we waited for the next bus that Freshbooks had chartered for us, I had some pretty cool conversations with attendees and Saul.

Freshbooks made me a loyal customer and ambassador because of this detail. Before I continue, are you using this awesome tool for your cloud accounting and invoicing? (Affiliate Link)

The TradeShow Floor

No Need to be Stuck to a Wall Outlet

The first year I was sold on a device that would help me enjoy my SXSW experience by not having to be plugged into a wall. I bought my first Mophie device and since then I always carry one or two mophie devices with me when I am on the go.

My relationship has been so solid with their marketing team that last year I even got a complimentary review sample for my iPhone 5.

Emptying my Pockets at a Conference

On my second SXSW experience I had an individual with a cool looking mini-backpack approach me on the trade show floor and ask me if I was comfortable with my pockets full of stuff. I had received so many flyers, business cards, iPhone, and other items my pockets needed a break.

Since I bought my Runnur from Andrew Hamra, I don’t leave my home without it.

If I think of a brand or product that stood out in all of #SXSW experiences, Andrew Hamra’s Runnur takes 1st place.

Keeping my iPhone Sand, Water, and Lifeproof

Last year I stopped by the Lifeproof booth where I had the chance to chat with Natalie Barreiro & Barbara Meyer from the Lifeproof PR and Marketing team. Once they heard I had a parenting blog and I wrote about iOS device gadgets on my personal blog, they handed me a complimentary LifeProof cover. Since then I have convinced many friends too buy a lifeproof and I have written multiple blog posts on how my daily walks near the water on the beach are more pleasant when I have my iPhone protected from the sand and water.

Not every experience is positive

I also had a nutcase from another brand email me months later asking about my review for a complimentary item I never received. I guess in the chaos of SXSWi he might have thought he gave me a review sample and he never did. Even worse, he insisted in multiple emails that he gave me a device. I will never buy a product from his brand and much less recommend the device, and for his wellbeing I won’t mention the unknown brand.

From Booth Visitor to Brand Ambassador

I went from booth visitor and customer to brand ambassadors. With LifeProof I became a brand ambassador from the first day. I was grateful of the review sample and other gadgets they handed me.

The trade show booths are a big investment and I see many companies wasting opportunities to connect with those walking by.

Working the Booth

A great example of how to work a booth at SXSW comes from Hyperactivate duo Marc and Gilad. They engage with everyone that approaches the booth. Buying floorspace at the SXSW tradeshow floor is very effective because they put in the hours and have the right strategy to connect with the audience interested in buying their services. Stop by booth 547 and see how they work their magic.

What brands have created a positive experience for you at SXSW or any other conference?

Keeps Your Hands Free during SXSW

February 28, 2013 by Raul Colon

Yes it’s that time of the year again and I am getting ready to make my third pilgrimage to Austin along with many geeks, bloggers, developers, and people interested in learning more about digital.

Last year I created a few posts and a guide on making your SXSW experience an easier one. I do this more as an exercise to prepare myself; I advise that when it comes to SXSW Interactive, especially if it is your first one, most of the planning goes out the door once the conference starts.

Last year while walking the SXSW trade show floor, I found a booth that had a neat mini-backpack called a Runnur.

Andrew Hamra, CEO of the company, gave us all a quick explanation of the functionality of the Runnur. Andrew also did a great job on focusing on how it would benefit me by observing that my pockets where full of things I needed to keep in hand.

Being a fan of bags, I thought that the Runnur offered me a unique way of carrying my gadgets and gear with accessibility.

Don’t Leave Home Without It

A year later, if anyone has seen me in public, they have probably seen me with my Runnur. As the old American Express slogan use to say “Don’t Leave home without it”. I probably don’t ever leave home without my Runnur.

Walking the Dog on the Beach

When I walk the dog on the beach, I carry extra treats and even hang my sandals from the carabineer.

Visiting the Gym

I carry my headphones, my water bottle, and even hang my towel from it while having everything on hand.

Fun Walks with my Daughter

When we are out with our daughter, it keeps my cell phone handy, along with charger, and water bottle. I even made a small first aid kit with some necessities that every dad with a toddler might need.

Back to SXSW or any other Big Conference

RIMG0175-1024x768 Keeps Your Hands Free during SXSW — SXSWi 2012 with Rock Star C.C. Chapman wearing my Runnur

Once I arrive at SXSW my Runnur will have:

License – Very useful when I am trying to get into venues with an age limit and they might think I am under 21.
Bus Pass or Shuttle wristband– The previous two years I used the RR Shuttle, which made you carry a wristband that had a cost of approximately $60-$70 dollars. If you lost it, you would have to buy a new one. Keeping it in a safe place like your Runnur will save you money and a headache when every bus driver asks for the wristband.
Sunglasses – I normally don’t buy expensive sunglasses because their life span in my hands tends to be short. Last year I had some sunglasses I accidentally dropped and broke. Since then, I use the compartment made for sunglasses.
Extra Battery Pack – At SXSWi you need to ABC or Always be Charging. For that reason I will be carrying my Extra-Battery pack with me so my cell phone does not run out of battery.
Phone Charger Cable – I will have the cable to my iPad 2 and iPhone 5 handy.
Instead of my wallet I will be using my Runnur. I will have my credit cards, debit cards, and cash. A lot easier to lose your wallet than to lose your Runnur.
My iPhone5 will also act as a Wi-Fi hotspot when the SXSW networks gets slow and I need to do something online.
My Point and shoot camera, a Ricoh CX2, with an extra battery.
Since going to SXSW is a business expense, I can store my receipts and scan them later.
If you’re staying at a hotel the key can also be placed in the Runnur.
I will be using the carabineer to carry my swag bag.

I am sure I will find other ways to make use of my Runnur.

One thing is certain, if you see me at SXSW you will see me wearing one.

Buy a Runnur (now called the iBand Adjustable Sling) from me here.

Easy Way to Share Video

May 25, 2012 by Raul Colon

On my visit to SXSW (South by Southwest) I was able to meet Jade Kurian president of Latakoo a video service that makes creating and sharing video easier. They also made me create a short video based on my SXSW experience.

Creating Video Easier

The reason I stopped at the Latakoo booth on the Trade Show Floor was because I have huge issues creating video. I know I need to learn more about it and as I experiment I see even more need for improvements.

There are so many moving parts to creating online video include having hardware, software, an idea, connection, and lots of time on the part of uploading the video your sharing.

Video Glitch by Skype Recorder

Jade Kurian was nice enough to offer me an online video interview via skype which I attempted to record using Skype Recorder.

During the interview I learned a lot from Jade and the many benefits that Latakoo offers as an online video platform. A few days went by and when I went to edit the video I realized that the audio on my video was not recorded and my video image was still in one frame. Confirming my learning curve when it comes to creating video.

Since the video I attempted to record seems looks more like a monologue I rather focus on the three key benefits I see in Latakoo.

Time Saver

When you upload a video to Youtube and other services, Latakoo makes it quicker for you to bring any video online. So if you are covering an event for your blog or have a need to bring video up as quick as possible then Latakoo is a the platform you may want to use as your first option.

Security

With Latakoo you can also share videos with a group of specific people such as friends or family members. The main reason I set up a website with security for my daughter was because I did not want everyone having access to her photos and videos. If you are not in the business of building websites and want to have a secure platform, sharing videos on Latakoo can provide that for you.

Remote Collaboration

When you work online sometimes you want to share quality video with someone at another location. With most platforms I know of there are too many steps in the process.

I can also take care of clients in England, Mexico, and all over the United States while I enjoy living in the tropics in Puerto Rico.

Latakoo does great for collaboration when sharing a file of videos remote users and he/she can even edit and polish the video. Latakoo has multiple clients in the Journalism field that benefit greatly from this service.

I want to thank Jade Kurian for the time she gave me helping me understand Latakoo and watch this video that she created on some great tips on shooting video for the iPhone.

Feel free to learn more about Latakoo on their website or follow them on twitter @latakoo.

Personal Interactions During my #SXSW Experience

March 25, 2012 by Raul Colon

Something I really enjoy are healthy interactions where I am able to interact with people who are creating and accomplished their goals in life and still going for the next thing. An even better treat is when I get the opportunity to interact with folks who have a solid track record at creating and building solid communities online.

My second trip SXSW I was able to interact with a few individuals at a much closer level. People who I have read their blogs for quite some time and seen them speak at a conference or two. I am use to bumping into them and thanking them for the great content they create but this time I was able to hold a few conversations which where at a more personal level.

Role Model Dad Blogger at South by Southwest Interactive

I have seen C.C. Chapman speak on many occasions and I have said hi to him on many occasions. However since I created Papaheroes.com and C.C. Chapman is someone I look to as an example to follow when it comes to parenting blogs I have been able to chat with him more often than before. C.C. Chapman is also very helpful when it comes to sharing advice. I had a great conversation that I might share in more detail in another post regarding his next projects. Overall it was great to talk with C.C. about a few things and get his feedback on a few of my projects.

Feel free to stop by C.C. Chapman Parenting Blog and Personal Blog.

Blogger & Writer Extraordinaire

I read Trust Agents a few years ago. After reading Shel Israel’s Twitterville: How Businesses Can Thrive in the New Global Neighborhoods
which was given to me as a gift by my friend Ramon Morales I decided to start reading Chris Brogan’s blog and buy his book Trust Agents. Chris a friend and someone I have the privilege to work with at Human Business Works wrote this amazing book with Julien Smith another amazing author.

While I was talking to C.C. Chapman he introduced me to Julien Smith. For some reason I did not recognize him, I quickly found out that we have something in common by being fans of minimalist barefoot style footwear. Julien told me on how he loved Vibram style shoes and how he had walked a long distance in spain (I think it was more than 400km) to the point the Vibrams had holes in the soles. I have read Julien’s posts which are very transparent, different in a good way, but overall refreshing from the regular content you find online.

Feel free to visit his blog and stay tuned because Chris and him are working on a book they will publish by next fall.

Online Video Superstar

In September 2010 I met and was able to see Steve Garfield speak at the Inbound Marketing Summit. When he got on stage he had a neat exercise where he got the complete audience involved in creating video. He quickly convinced me that I needed to create more video and since then I have been following his blog, read his book, and have connected with him on various platforms. Steve is always willing to help and has some really practical tips for you to create video. He is also very creative and is always looking for neat ways to create online video. If you are trying to get to understand online video a bit more I would recommend following Steve.

Small Business Marketing Coach

With John Jantsch I have a few things in common I coach small businesses, I am vegetarian, and I like writing on tips of how to use emerging technologies for business. John is more disciplined and has creating interesting content for small businesses down to a science with his Duct Tape Marketing program. I met John also at the 2010 Inbound Marketing Summit where he handed me a copy of his book the Referral Engine that I have written about on various occasions on this blog. During the Go To Meeting Meet and Greet Chris Brogan event I was able to talk with him for a few minutes. John has also helped me in the past with promoting my blog content and I really appreciate how helpful he always is.

Grateful Dead Fan, New Marketing and PR expert

I always check on David Meerman Scott very often I enjoy his perspective on many subjects and have seen him speak multiple times. I had the opportunity to talk with David during the Copyblogger event on one of the most interesting post he wrote when the Occupy Wall Street movement started. We had a good chat I got some great feedback and the story behind the reason why he wrote that post.

Feel free to visit his blog.

Earning My Way

Similar to the post “Earn Your Way In” my friend Chris Brogan I had the privilege to chat with the previous people mentioned because in one way or the other I have earned my access to them by supporting what they do either by reading a post, sharing their content, leaving comments, or referring others to the awesome work they do. Other factors are being able to be physically present which is an investment I made by going to SXSW and involves some sacrifices other than the economical aspect (like not seeing my daughter for 7 days).

How will you earn access to those you admire and see value in having at least one conversation?

What is your plan?

Tommorow’s post will give you a bit of access to someone very important in the global online world if you will be in San Juan in the next days.

I will be also sharing some tips on how I have Earned Access to awesome people to those who have signed up to my newsletter so if you have not done so feel free to sign up now.

5 Quick Steps to Recover After #SXSW

March 15, 2012 by Raul Colon

I am writing this on my flight back from my second SXSW. The main thing on my mind is how I will make sure to get everything in order the next few days. Another important thing is making sure I continue the conversation alter the conferences with those I met.

It was great seeing people I met online and had the opportunity to shake their hand.

1. Make a List of People you have to Contact

In a conference like SXSW the amount of Business Cards you collect and people you meet can be overwhelming. In order not to disappoint those you agreed to keep in touch with I recommend creating the following lists:

People you promised things too.
People you want to touch base with because you seen future opportunities.

2. Continue the Conversation

I also tend to want to continue the conversation after I leave the conference. That is my main purpose when I go to conferences to create relationships with individuals I have not met before. To make sure you keep the conversation going you might be able to do the following Things.

Create a list of people you met on Twitter or make a separate circle on Google Plus.
Visit the blogs of those you met and comment on their posts.
If you have there email send them a personalized email.

3. Make a list of your priorities

And you probably neglected a few things because of how busy you where during the conference. I know I did.

I have a list of items that I will be taking care of in route home and in the next few days. I will make it a priority to take care of these tasks before I get anything else completed.

4. Make some time for those love ones

Make some time for those love ones that you might have not seen in a few days. As my daughter keeps growing it makes it more difficult for me to leave the house. Looking at how much I need to complete I need to make sure I make some quality time with my daughter.

5. Share your photos and experience

If you took photos of the conference it is very important that you shared them as soon as possible. People are excited about coming back from the conference and want to share with others. Even better yet if you share the pictures on your blog or a place where others can get a feel of what happened during the conference.

How do you recover from a conference?

I shared my 5 key steps into recovering from #SXSW or any other conference how do you recover from it? Any tips? Did I leave anything you think will make it easier on others out.