For community managers, a guide to live events
Whether it’s powering up your mobile devices or your networking acumen, here are five great tips for staying on top of your game at the next big do.
Prevention and planning are key. As many of us community managers head to South By Southwest (SXSW) and other large-scale events in the coming months, it’s imperative that we keep the following tips and lessons in mind:
1. Consider logistics.
Make sure your mobile devices are juiced up and backed up; far worse than a low battery is no battery. Bring a charger, and consider investing in an additional power source, such as a backup battery or a battery-extending phone case. Look into wireless alternatives, and anticipate cell service interruptions. The more alternatives you have readily available, the better.
2. Survey the layout.
Whether you’re planning to snap some photos or get great video content or you just need a good seat to catch some quotes, doing your research can help in cases when arriving early cannot. Knowing the seating arrangements, the size of the stage, or where the podium will be located can help. Get in touch with the event organizers; they can provide details you’d never dream of. Oh, and seek out the AV director—you can thank me later.
3. Make friends.
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