How to Make a PodCamp

[Chris Brogan...]

I thought we should fill out this thread with all that we learned and all that others might want to know about making a PodCamp happen. This is just the starter post. I'll add more, and encourage you to do the same. The more we share, the better the events will get.

[Joel Mark Witt]

I like the idea of having decentralized podcamps with less people and more focus. After attending the podcamp in DC with an Education focus - I think there are two keys to doing this. I'm sure I'll think of more but these two I think are good for starters.

1. Strongly encourage everyone that attends to bring a friend new to the subject matter at hand. This will grow the community - introduce people to the podcamp model - and help the new people learn about social media.

2. Have several really strong moderator type personalities that can sense the group's interests, needs, and mood. These people need to be the discussion facilitators. People who are sure of themselves enough that they can take a back seat and let others talk. They help ask the dumb questions when everyone else is afraid to. They really push and inquire on behalf of the group. Plus they keep the conversation from going too geeky for the newbies - always helping to contextualize the geek-speak that occurs.

What are your thoughts PC people?

- Joel Mark Witt (FolkMedia.org)

[Fave]

I'm starting a PodCamp in Houston (date TBD) after attending a great BarCampHouston and getting some great ideas. I've organized the traditional conferences before, but I would like to gain more focused insight on the PodCamp phenomena through the people on this site.

[Connie Crosby]

I've had a question from a potential organizer as to attendance numbers that can be expected. Has anyone started to aggregate numbers from all the podcamps for comparison purposes? Anyone?
;-)

[Connie Crosby]

Come to think of it, this is a good place to discuss issues about running a podcamp, but perhaps it would be better to pull key things together on the main wiki? Or is it already there? That way someone doesn't have to read through a (non-existent) discussion...

Cheers,
Connie