Podcamp Western Mass #9 (#pcwm9) - April 29, 2017 via Storify

The 9th edition of this unconference was held on Saturday at the Kittredge Center on the campus of Holyoke Community College. Here is a recap of the day via the tweets of those participating!

Be sure to scroll within the Storify widget to review all the posts!

The session wall early in the day, it filled out more as the day and conversations continued

PodCamp WesternMA - 5 days, 5 reasons

This is where I go to learn about using social media tools. I'll be there this year at the Welcome Desk.

If you want to know more about this event, please let me know!

Tickets on sale 'til Friday View this email in your browser PodCamp #9 is less than a week away... And in case you've been wondering whether PodCamp is for you, here are 5 Reasons why you should join us: 1. If you're an absolute beginner (or nearly so), we have sessions for you.  It's an unconference for everyone, at every stage of the game.  2. If you have experience or tips to share, your bringing that to the community is what fuels PodCamp.  Help facilitate a session or just schmooze in the hallways.  It's all valuable. 3. Meet others who are on the path with you -- running a business, starting a new one, doing community work, or just learning how to get the word out better.  We're all in this together! 4. Hang out and make friends.  Seriously!  This is an event that has the super-power of attracting the nicest people.  We don't know quite why....we just know it's true. 5. Did we mention the food?  Your ticket price includes coffee in the morning, a delicious healthy lunch and happy hour snacks at our 4:30 gathering at Slainte.  So, no need to pack a lunch, just grab your laptop, a smart phone, tablet or a pad of paper.  Heck, we'll even give you a free water bottle so you can stay hydrated!  (Swag, baby!!)    Don't be a fool this April 1st...get your ticket now! PodCamp #9, April 1st from 9am - 4pm at Holyoke Community College. Your ticket price includes: Coffee and tea when you arrive 5 Classroom sessions of your choosing A fabulous, healthy lunch, including gluten-free and dairy-free options Networking happy hour with munchies sponsored by Cider House Design Special thanks also go out to WBOA for their third year sponsoring PodCamp.  If you already bought your ticket, we can't wait to see you!  And because sharing is caring, please forward this to a friend or colleague who should be there with you! Get your tickets here. If you have any questions, just hit reply.  We'd love to hear from you and we're looking forward to seeing you this coming Saturday. The PodCamp Team   Copyright © 2017 PodCamp Western Mass, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or an event. Our mailing address is: PodCamp Western Mass 20 Northampton Street Easthampton, MA 01027

PodCamp Western Mass is coming April 1 (audio)

Missed a couple of weeks due to some events and last week in particular due to some technical difficulties with the app. I recorded 3 times and the third time was not the charm. It still failed to upload. So I went back to my trusty recording device to get this one complete.

PodCamp Western Mass is coming April 1. The 9th instance of this event is a great thing to do. This is where I go to learn and share and collaborate.





For more about PodCamp and to buy your ticket, visit  http://www.podcampwm.org/

stone wall sticks up out of the snow in the woods

PodCamp returns to WesternMass on Apr 2, 2016

The Kittredge Center on the campus of Holyoke Community College will again be the site for the 8th PodCamp WesternMass.

This is the longest running PodCamp in New England!

Powered by Eventbrite

I look forward to welcoming you to this event!

PodCamp WesternMA #7 - April 25, 2015

If you need a PodCamp 'fix', a day trip out to Holyoke can be the cure. As the longest running New England (not just MA) PodCamp, you get to learn and help carry on the spirit.

PodCamp WesternMA #7

Yes, I am helping to organize this event. You'll see me at the Welcome Desk. 

A PodCamp is always a good time!

At PodCamp, everyone's a rock star. 

How big of a rock star do YOU want to be? 

PodCamp is an un-conference about social media and online networking. It is an open and collaborative event with discussions and interaction from attendees. Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join. Some sessions will be planned ahead of the event, but plenty of spaces will be open for the topics YOU want to discuss and learn. 

Tickets are $30 ($10 for students), but all are expected to participate and/or present. You can participate by giving a presentation, demo, or joining into another cooperative event, being on a panel/roundtable, or in other ways helping out on event day. 

PodCamp is NOT just about podcasting, but about all social media/networking, and its relevance and usefulness to community, business and otherwise. This PodCamp is all about blogging, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, podcasting, videocasting/YouTube, and any other online community tools. 

Western Mass entered the Social Media age with the inaugural PodCamp WesternMass in early 2009. We have a thriving community here of some truly amazing people. This is a chance for Western Mass bloggers, business people, artists, and academics, to get together, make connections, and for everyone to learn how social media can enhance their business, cause or organization. 

This is also a chance to celebrate the cornucopia of Western Mass. culture, a joyous blend of urban and rural; business, artistic and academic; near enough to other large metro areas, but small enough to hear yourself think.

Event Registration Online for PodCamp WesternMass #7 powered by Eventbrite

 #pcwm7

Podcamp WesternMA (audio)

listen to ‘Podcamp WesternMA’ on audioBoom

PodCamp WesternMA logo

Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite here
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/podcamp-westernmass-7-tickets-15943168446

Unconference description  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unconference

The PodCamp WesternMA website  http://podcamp.westernma.biz/

Tickets are on sale for PodCamp WesternMass #7 - April 25

PodCamp start in Boston in 2006 and WesternMass is keeping the spirit alive with its 7th event coming up this April at Holyoke Community College.

What is a PodCamp?
A gathering of individuals to learn and share about social media tools in a conference format where you can make things happen and you get your questions answered.

At PodCamp, everyone's a rock star. 

How big of a rock star do YOU want to be? 

PodCamp is an un-conference about social media and online networking. It is an open and collaborative event with discussions and interaction from attendees. Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join. 

Some sessions will be planned ahead of the event, but plenty of spaces will be open for the topics YOU want to discuss and learn. 

Tickets are $30 ($10 for students), but all are expected to participate and/or present. 

You can participate by giving a presentation, demo, or joining into another cooperative event, being on a panel/roundtable, or in other ways helping out on event day

Tickets are available (order process below)

Sell Tickets through Eventbrite

PCWM granted permission to 110

Podcamp Western Mass #5 was held appropriately at the Kittredge Center on the campus of Holyoke Community College.

Michael Kittredge, Class of '73 gave back to the place that granted him to permission to accomplish what he did.

"HCC was there and accepted me. It gave me the important start I needed. For the first time in my life, adults not only gave me permission to follow my interests, they actually encouraged me and spurred me to seek excellence."

Kittredge Center

When folks were asked to declare how many had come to PCWM before, about half the room raised their hands. Which also was confirmed when the other half of the room raised their hands acknowledging that they were newbies! Hopefully, they were following in Kittredge's footsteps and PCWM was the event to enable them to "seek excellence!"

Who was Michael Kittredge?
For those in New England they may recognize the Yankee Candle Company. He founded it.

Christmas 1969. Seventeen-year-old Mike Kittredge, too broke to buy his mother a present, melted some crayons to make her a candle. A neighbor saw it and convinced Mike to sell the candle to her. With that small stake, he bought enough wax to make two candles - one for his mom, and another to sell. That was the birth of Yankee Candle.

Was it important to have some teenagers and students present and participate at PodCamp? Sure, it was.
Will they be as successful as Michael? Time will tell!

artfulness

The art piece hanging in the hallway provided an good setting for the session wall. The artfulness dripped down and spread!

Morriss Partee

Morriss Partee opened the event with an overview of the day and the event logistics.

brightness definitely within the room!

The nature of a podcamp or unconference is to create an overall structure within which flexibility, creativity, and serendipity can occur.

session wall

Many such conversations occurred at the session wall. Where are you going next? Oh really, that sounds good. Maybe they could do that together? Do you think they'll cover that? Do you know the speaker?

The community that is developing in and around PodCamp WesternMass I find special. There is an openness, a willingness to explore. It does help to have had the conference grow gradually. The 110 folks who participated this weekend are about the optimal size for an event like this. Enough variety and diversity. A larger group would force more structure into the logistics and take away from the spontaneity this size can facilitate.

My thanks to all the participants, fellow organizers and of course, especially to the sponsors: you came together learning, sharing and creating a great event!


Links and additional information on my session for Blogging 101 will be are posted separately
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2013/03/pcwm-blogging-101.html

PCWM - Blogging 101

For those who attended my Blogging 101 session at PodCamp WesternMass on Saturday, Mar 30, here is the slide I used as my point of reference to answer your questions.




In addition to the slide, I had previously created a series on basic blogging which covered similar ground.

You can find that series here:
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2010/10/basic-blogging-or-blogging-100101102.html


The "Fire Circle Story" in both text and audio (podcast) versions can be found here
text =  http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2005/11/fire-circle-story.html
audio = http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2006/10/fire-circle-story.html


If you have questions on any of this material, feel free to contact me and I'll do my best to answer your question.


My photo essay to recap this event can be found here
http://steves2cents.blogspot.com/2013/04/pcwm-granted-permission-to-110.html

#pcwm

You're invited to "PodCamp WesternMass #5"

		I'd like to share this event with you! PodCamp WesternMass #5 Saturday, March 30, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM (EDT) Holyoke Community College (HCC) 303 Homestead Ave Kittredge Center Holyoke, MA 01040 View Map   Attend       Want company? Share this event!

Note: I am helping to organize this event

Time to get your tickets!

Ticket sales for PodCamp WesternMass end on Monday, March 25th.

Why so early?
Since you as a ticket purchaser are helping to sponsor the event, we want to make it a good one for you. Good as in enough food, drink, snacks during the day. Enough t-shirts for attendees.
To that we need to know the all important planning number, how many are coming to PodCamp?

What will happen at PodCamp?
There will be learning and sharing and networking and all kinds of goodness! Learning about the new technologies mixed with the social part of social media in real life.

How much will it cost?
It is a great bargain. $30 for about 8 hours of learning, that is less than $4 per hour. Where would you pay so little for so much learning? Students get a ticket at half price ($15).

What is the schedule?
The schedule for the day is flexible. The photo here shows the session wall during the 2nd event at Westfield St College. Sessions can be added and changed to meet the needs and answer questions of the attendees. With the event scheduled to start at 9:00 AM, the Welcome desk will be open about 8:30 AM. Get your name tag, have some coffee, etc., propose a session or encourage some one to do a session.

#PCWM2 session wall

Should I go?
Yes, you should be there!

PodCamp WesternMassPodCamp is an un-conference about social media and online networking. It is an open and collaborative event with discussions and interaction from attendees. Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join. Some sessions will be planned ahead of the event, but plenty of spaces will be open for the topics YOU want to discuss and learn. Tickets are $30 ($15 for students), but all are expected to participate and/or present. You can participate by giving a presentation, demo, or joining into another cooperative event, being on a panel/roundtable, or in other ways helping out on event day.
Saturday, March 30 at Holyoke Community College

For registration and additional information visit http://pcwm5.eventbrite.com/
(Note I am helping to organize this event!)

The 5th PodCamp WesternMass

yes, five - as in fingers on one human hand. as in toes on one foot.

There will be learning and sharing and networking and all kinds of goodness! Learning about the new technologies mixed with the social part of social media in real life.

It is a great bargain. $30 for about 8 hours of learning, that is less than $4 per hour. Where would you pay so little for so much learning?

You should be there!



PodCamp WesternMass

PodCamp is an un-conference about social media and online networking. It is an open and collaborative event with discussions and interaction from attendees. Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join. Some sessions will be planned ahead of the event, but plenty of spaces will be open for the topics YOU want to discuss and learn. Tickets are $30 ($15 for students), but all are expected to participate and/or present. You can participate by giving a presentation, demo, or joining into another cooperative event, being on a panel/roundtable, or in other ways helping out on event day.

Saturday, March 30 at Holyoke Community College

For registration and additional information visit http://pcwm5.eventbrite.com/
(Note I am helping to organize this event!)

Learning events on the horizon

What is Tech Day Camp?
Full day of workshops from experts in their field, especially geared towards the small business owner, non-profit organizations and YOU!!

Saturday March 23 at Tri-Country RVT in Franklin, MA

For registration and additional information visit http://techdaycamp.com/



PodCamp WesternMass

PodCamp is an un-conference about social media and online networking. It is an open and collaborative event with discussions and interaction from attendees. Anyone with something to contribute or with the desire to learn is welcome and invited to join. Some sessions will be planned ahead of the event, but plenty of spaces will be open for the topics YOU want to discuss and learn. Tickets are $30 ($15 for students), but all are expected to participate and/or present. You can participate by giving a presentation, demo, or joining into another cooperative event, being on a panel/roundtable, or in other ways helping out on event day.

Saturday, March 30 at Holyoke Community College

For registration and additional information visit http://pcwm5.eventbrite.com/
(Note I am helping to organize this event!)


SOBCon 2013

What is SOBCon?

SOBCon is a 2-day interactive business “think tank” that moves ideas to action. Attendees increase their business IQ in an engaging and positive learning environment, take away actionable and measurable business plans, and create a network of connections to drive their companies forward. Want to know more about this "inspiration incubator", and why YOU should attend our next event? 

For registration and additional information visit http://www.sobevent.com/
(Note - This is one event I will be at and one I would rather not miss again having missed the very first one.)

#PCWM5 - tickets on sale

Event management for PodCamp WesternMass #5 powered by Eventbrite

hold the date - Mar 30, 2013

Yes, mark you calendar for March 30, 2013. This will be the return of the now longest running podcamp held in New England: PodCamp WesternMass!

Additional information will be forthcoming as the event planning committee confirms all details.

It was unfortunate that I could not make the 2012 event due to a death in the family. I hope 2013 will be a much better year!

#pcwm

PodCamp Western Mass - recap

I spent the day at PodCamp WesternMA on Saturday. Allie and I headed out to Westfield, MA early Saturday morning to arrive in time to set up and greet folks at the Welcome/Registration Desk.

Over 100 folks checked in for a good time, learning and sharing information, the tips and tricks of social media tools.

3 of the 4 scholarships offered for job seekers to attend were utilized. The fourth went unused.

I created the Twitter listing for the group and shared my presentation about LinkedIn here already.

I'll come back with some more thoughts about the learnings of the day later.

I'm on LinkedIn - Now What?

The presentation document for "I'm on LinkedIn, Now What?" shared with the PodCamp WesternMA group can be viewed here:



If you have questions, please feel free to contact me.


Note: the major update for this presentation is that the RSS Feed for LinkedIn has been turned off in December 2013.

PodCamp Western Mass - Twitter list update

The listing of Twitter handles was put into a Google document. The document is public. If someone's handle is incorrect, please correct it. (Note, I do have a backup of the listing).

I intend to create a TweepML listing with this but the site/service is down for an upgrade and due back online soon.

#pcwm

Updated - the permissions were changed to allow editing.

Catch my disease - PCWM2 video

@writerjax put together her recap of PodCamp WesternMass 2 with this mix of video and photo slide show. Yes, I appear here a few times. Watch for the tri-corner hat!



It was a good time. Thanks @writerjax for sharing this.

For other recaps by PodCampers check out the PodCamp WesternMass website

Music by Ben Lee with "Catch my disease"

Note: email subscribers will need to click through to the website to view the video.

Blogging 100

Blogging 100 is the first of a series expanding logically upon notes I have used to present at prior unconferences, most recently at PodCamp WesternMass 2.

I adapt the delivery of this depending upon the audience needs and questions that they have as we begin the session together.

If you have questions on any of the details (or lack thereof, please let me know).

Step 1

Let's start with the first question you must answer before you begin to blog. That is: Why blog?

Think about how you would answer that. You don't have to have a complete answer immediately. Start writing your thoughts down.

Sometimes it helps to expand upon the question, a la "twenty questions" continually asking Why?

Sometime the question focus needs to change just a little bit.

What is your message?

What are you trying to say?

What is your goal?

What do you want to accomplish by blogging?

Who is your audience?

Who do you want to talk with?

Think about these questions before you create your blog

The answers could help set your direction on which way to proceed

Step 2

Assuming you do have some idea to answer these questions, then the next step would be to start building your network.

How would you do this? Find blogs that interest you

You can find blogs by searching for your key word or topic

Find one, and read. See what they have to say, how often they post, be very observant!

Set up an RSS Reader for yourself.

Subscribe to this blog via RSS

Follow links from the one blog to others

who do they link to, who do they reference

If you like what you see and read, subscribe to them also

Over time you want to take the next step and join the conversation by leaving a comment

If you are reluctant to start that way, begin with an email to the author

This begins the conversation

Summary

By now you should have a better idea on how to answer the question: Why blog?

You should have more exposure to blogs within your target area and some outside that area

You should be reading blogs or at least have read some blogs that interest you

You should have begun to comment on those blogs, or at least send an email to the blogger

This generates the conversation

Your observation should also have brought to light good and bad "blogger behavior" and possible led to your concept of "netiquette"

You can find many entries on this topic. Here is one -> http://www.albion.com/netiquette/

How long will this take?

How much time do you have to spend on it?

To begin, I would recommend setting aside at least an hour several days a week.

After a couple of weeks, you may feel ready. For some others, it may take longer.

At some point further research and analysis won't bring added value. You just need to do it.

It is time to get started.

You have completed Blogging 100, we'll pick up the next steps in Blogging 101

Additional resources for Blogging 100