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The Dual Mandate of PodCamp

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Christopher S Penn

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The Dual Mandate of PodCamp

PodCamp NYC was yet another fantastic success in the ever growing lineups of PodCamps around the world, and I’m very pleased to have been a part of it. I wanted to take a moment as co-founder and Executive Director of the PodCamp Foundation to very clearly lay out what the vision and mission of PodCamp is:

1. PodCamp has a mission to welcome new people into the new media space. There are a TON of great conferences for new media people in the new media space, such as Podcasters Across Borders, New Media Expo, Podcast Academy, and many more. These conferences are powerful, informative, and very much support the new media community. While PodCamp fulfills a great community role, it is more important to bring in new people, to welcome folks curious about new media into the community with open arms.

I like to think of PodCamp as a real-life welcome wagon for anyone who wants to get started in new media.

PodCamp accomplishes this by putting veterans and new people in the same room and letting the magic happen.

2. PodCamp has a mission to connect new media professionals with resources. Very often, I have found at PodCamps over the last year that there are LOTS of individuals and organizations who have access to tremendous resources and want to participate in new media, but would prefer to work with someone already established in the new media space, rather than reinvent the wheel. The second mission is to help folks who have resources but lack knowledge connect with new media pros who have knowledge but might lack resources.

PodCamp in this fulfills almost a role of matchmaker, and accomplishes this by putting smart and resourceful people in the same room and letting the magic happen.

Are there other aspects of PodCamp that are important? Absolutely. A community focal point, a way to focus on local community building, a social outlet, a chance to reconnect with friends – all are important, all are vital to the overall fabric of the new media community, but these two mandates to me are what distinguish PodCamp, what keeps PodCamp going and growing, what makes PodCamp worth YOUR time and energy as a participant, volunteer, or organizer.

What’s your take on the mission of PodCamp?

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Comments

29 responses to “The Dual Mandate of PodCamp”

  1. Whitney Avatar
    Whitney

    I agreed that Podcamp is a social media matchmaker, an in person, face to face connector of people from disparate backgrounds and interests- i always find amazing connections through podcamp that generates more new and exciting ideas than any other conference I’ve attended.

    That being said, I think we also need to find a way to get the people already involved in the community to become less complacent about what it means to be active in a community. ideally, one should give more than one takes, leading to net community growth.

    I worry from time to time, since a relatively small number of people make these great events happen, that we are fostering an environment where people expect there to be another podcamp waiting for them, like dinner on the table, whenever they want one, with no real requirement of contribution on their part. A taking from the pot, but not necessarily contributing anything in return model.

    While I certainly benefit being an organizer of Podcamp in terms of the people I get to meet and the reputation I am developing, I cannot carry the whole community by myself, with the help of a handful of committed others, like you, Chris. So what I’d love to explore further with the community is what can we do to make people care/engage/contribute to the larger community once you’ve “joined”, rather than using the community as simply a place from which to derive resources.

    Reply
  2. Jaan H Lutter Avatar
    Jaan H Lutter

    I used podcamp philly to meets folks and I learned a bunch so that was bonus!~focus on local community building, a social outlet, thanks Jaan the vedors are cool to see the tech that is out thier.

    Reply
  3. Maria Thurrell Avatar
    Maria Thurrell

    These two missions have been my exact experience of the two PodCamps (Boston2 and NYC2) that I’ve attended. The first, in Boston, was my introduction to new media. Other than the home court advantage of being a digital native, I was a complete newbie to new/social media. My first experience of PodCamp was the open-armed welcome that I received from veterans such as Chris Brogan, Laura “Pistachio” Fitton and Steve Garfield (just to name a few).

    I have since developped myself into a new media professional, and the PodCamp I just returned from today (NYC2) completely fulfilled the second mission: to connect me to resources.

    Chris Penn gave me the initial encouragement I needed to sign up to present (with him), thus connecting me to the PodCamp community in a whole new way.

    So, what my long winded answer is trying to say is: RIGHT ON! IMHO PodCamp meets, fulfills and exceeds its mission.

    Reply
  4. Angelo Mandato Avatar
    Angelo Mandato

    I agree with everything you said. I wound like to expand on the importance that regional PodCamps have in their local communities. I am finding that just the process of planning PodCamp Ohio has brought a lot of bloggers and podcasters together virtually who would have otherwise never been connected. It’s very exciting!

    Here’s our Google Map of registered attendees, you can see that almost everyone is coming from in and around the State. http://tinyurl.com/2jvq98

    Reply
  5. kroosh Avatar
    kroosh

    I really just wanted to say that #1 is really very important – Working registration I can say that I was happy to see a number of people who had never been to a podcamp or any camp for that matter. Also – really liked having it at the school that we did, because we had a ton of students ask about what was going on, even signed a few up right on the spot. We were able to give them a breif intro to what it was all about. I really encourage future podcamps to really market to college students, as I know from experience being involved in community was really an influential part of the past 2 years. Cheers.

    Reply
  6. Ozzie Santana Avatar
    Ozzie Santana

    Ever since I was in college, I have always been fascinated with new media. I have written reports about it and even taken part in a new media college marketing campaign for NJ TRANSIT in my last year. Now that I’m in the real world, I had often dreamed about getting that great job in the city in New Media and meeting people who are just as passionate if not more.

    While I never really achieved that great job in New Media, I created one for myself; but I never really knew how to find others and to connect with them. Luckily, a couple months back, I was listening to Christopher Penn’s & John Wall’s Marketing Over Coffee podcast, where Podcamp NYC was mentioned. I looked into it and was excited to see that there was event that brought all these professionals in this field together.

    I’ve learned so much and met so many great people, and I have to say Thank You to all who made this event possible. I’m looking forward to attending next year and maybe even some other ones nationwide. Furthermore, I was amazed by this event; so much that I would love to take part in it next year! Any help that I can provide in future, please contact me and let me know.

    And Whitney, you mentioned community and the need to have those contribute back to this community. You mentioned the need to have others join and engage, and I would like to let you know that I want to do this! Although I’m new and don’t have much experience, I would like to contribute to the community!

    Reply
  7. Papa Baffour-Awuah Avatar
    Papa Baffour-Awuah

    Your description of podcamp as a social media matchmaker is dead-on, and that makes it worth attending. Besides that though, I feel that podcamp helps build the confidence of newcomers. When a person rubs elbows with some of the best brains in the new media world, and gets to exchange ideas in such a laid back environment, it really gives one that boost of confidence they need to go out there and take a chance at creating something.

    Reply
  8. Whitney Avatar
    Whitney

    I agreed that Podcamp is a social media matchmaker, an in person, face to face connector of people from disparate backgrounds and interests- i always find amazing connections through podcamp that generates more new and exciting ideas than any other conference I’ve attended.

    That being said, I think we also need to find a way to get the people already involved in the community to become less complacent about what it means to be active in a community. ideally, one should give more than one takes, leading to net community growth.

    I worry from time to time, since a relatively small number of people make these great events happen, that we are fostering an environment where people expect there to be another podcamp waiting for them, like dinner on the table, whenever they want one, with no real requirement of contribution on their part. A taking from the pot, but not necessarily contributing anything in return model.

    While I certainly benefit being an organizer of Podcamp in terms of the people I get to meet and the reputation I am developing, I cannot carry the whole community by myself, with the help of a handful of committed others, like you, Chris. So what I’d love to explore further with the community is what can we do to make people care/engage/contribute to the larger community once you’ve “joined”, rather than using the community as simply a place from which to derive resources.

    Reply
  9. Jaan H Lutter Avatar
    Jaan H Lutter

    I used podcamp philly to meets folks and I learned a bunch so that was bonus!~focus on local community building, a social outlet, thanks Jaan the vedors are cool to see the tech that is out thier.

    Reply
  10. Maria Thurrell Avatar
    Maria Thurrell

    These two missions have been my exact experience of the two PodCamps (Boston2 and NYC2) that I’ve attended. The first, in Boston, was my introduction to new media. Other than the home court advantage of being a digital native, I was a complete newbie to new/social media. My first experience of PodCamp was the open-armed welcome that I received from veterans such as Chris Brogan, Laura “Pistachio” Fitton and Steve Garfield (just to name a few).

    I have since developped myself into a new media professional, and the PodCamp I just returned from today (NYC2) completely fulfilled the second mission: to connect me to resources.

    Chris Penn gave me the initial encouragement I needed to sign up to present (with him), thus connecting me to the PodCamp community in a whole new way.

    So, what my long winded answer is trying to say is: RIGHT ON! IMHO PodCamp meets, fulfills and exceeds its mission.

    Reply
  11. Angelo Mandato Avatar
    Angelo Mandato

    I agree with everything you said. I wound like to expand on the importance that regional PodCamps have in their local communities. I am finding that just the process of planning PodCamp Ohio has brought a lot of bloggers and podcasters together virtually who would have otherwise never been connected. It’s very exciting!

    Here’s our Google Map of registered attendees, you can see that almost everyone is coming from in and around the State. http://tinyurl.com/2jvq98

    Reply
  12. kroosh Avatar
    kroosh

    I really just wanted to say that #1 is really very important – Working registration I can say that I was happy to see a number of people who had never been to a podcamp or any camp for that matter. Also – really liked having it at the school that we did, because we had a ton of students ask about what was going on, even signed a few up right on the spot. We were able to give them a breif intro to what it was all about. I really encourage future podcamps to really market to college students, as I know from experience being involved in community was really an influential part of the past 2 years. Cheers.

    Reply
  13. Ozzie Santana Avatar
    Ozzie Santana

    Ever since I was in college, I have always been fascinated with new media. I have written reports about it and even taken part in a new media college marketing campaign for NJ TRANSIT in my last year. Now that I’m in the real world, I had often dreamed about getting that great job in the city in New Media and meeting people who are just as passionate if not more.

    While I never really achieved that great job in New Media, I created one for myself; but I never really knew how to find others and to connect with them. Luckily, a couple months back, I was listening to Christopher Penn’s & John Wall’s Marketing Over Coffee podcast, where Podcamp NYC was mentioned. I looked into it and was excited to see that there was event that brought all these professionals in this field together.

    I’ve learned so much and met so many great people, and I have to say Thank You to all who made this event possible. I’m looking forward to attending next year and maybe even some other ones nationwide. Furthermore, I was amazed by this event; so much that I would love to take part in it next year! Any help that I can provide in future, please contact me and let me know.

    And Whitney, you mentioned community and the need to have those contribute back to this community. You mentioned the need to have others join and engage, and I would like to let you know that I want to do this! Although I’m new and don’t have much experience, I would like to contribute to the community!

    Reply
  14. Papa Baffour-Awuah Avatar
    Papa Baffour-Awuah

    Your description of podcamp as a social media matchmaker is dead-on, and that makes it worth attending. Besides that though, I feel that podcamp helps build the confidence of newcomers. When a person rubs elbows with some of the best brains in the new media world, and gets to exchange ideas in such a laid back environment, it really gives one that boost of confidence they need to go out there and take a chance at creating something.

    Reply
  15. Whitney Avatar
    Whitney

    Ozzie- That is awesome! Hearing how much Podcamp NYC meant to you this year makes all the time and energy that went into putting it on worth while. And of course, as we look towards what will happen next year, having enthusiastic people who want to put on a Podcamp is the ver first thing that is needed. After all, it was attending the first Podcamp in Boston, and the transformative effect it had on me, that turned me in to the person who has helped organize the most Podcamps to date, so far.

    Sometimes, when a lot of people sign up and then don’t show up to the event, as an organizer, it’s tempting to feel a little bitter about all the time and effort that went into the event. Why do people sign up and then never actually bother to attend? Why would speakers sign up and never show up? But then hearing about how much it meant to you, it lets all of us who spent so much time and effort on the event feel that we created something magical regardless of the “metrics”.
    I am really proud of how Podcamp went this year, and the quality of the sessions I attended- I know the only “losers” were the people who missed this special experience.

    Reply
  16. Whitney Avatar
    Whitney

    Ozzie- That is awesome! Hearing how much Podcamp NYC meant to you this year makes all the time and energy that went into putting it on worth while. And of course, as we look towards what will happen next year, having enthusiastic people who want to put on a Podcamp is the ver first thing that is needed. After all, it was attending the first Podcamp in Boston, and the transformative effect it had on me, that turned me in to the person who has helped organize the most Podcamps to date, so far.

    Sometimes, when a lot of people sign up and then don’t show up to the event, as an organizer, it’s tempting to feel a little bitter about all the time and effort that went into the event. Why do people sign up and then never actually bother to attend? Why would speakers sign up and never show up? But then hearing about how much it meant to you, it lets all of us who spent so much time and effort on the event feel that we created something magical regardless of the “metrics”.
    I am really proud of how Podcamp went this year, and the quality of the sessions I attended- I know the only “losers” were the people who missed this special experience.

    Reply
  17. Robin Browne Avatar
    Robin Browne

    You are right on the money Chris about Podcamp being about introducing new people to new media. And one of most important things that makes podcamp uniquely able to do this is that they’re FREE (or very cheap)! People who are curious about new media will come to something that’s free or almost so but most wouldn’t drop the big bucks on other conferences just “to check it out”.
    ps. The struggle you went through deciding to charge for Podcamp Boston speaks volumes about your commitment to this principle. Thanks!

    Reply
  18. Robin Browne Avatar
    Robin Browne

    You are right on the money Chris about Podcamp being about introducing new people to new media. And one of most important things that makes podcamp uniquely able to do this is that they’re FREE (or very cheap)! People who are curious about new media will come to something that’s free or almost so but most wouldn’t drop the big bucks on other conferences just “to check it out”.
    ps. The struggle you went through deciding to charge for Podcamp Boston speaks volumes about your commitment to this principle. Thanks!

    Reply
  19. Chel Wolverton Avatar
    Chel Wolverton

    I think a big issue is that those of us who DO know about new and social media are making these connections for the second and third time.

    Podcamp to me is becoming an event that I help organize, not one that I attend. Organizers are essential to the event, but if you want to help out and volunteer please be clear what is involved. Make that commitment knowing what goes into the event and being willing to make the effort.

    That said, we need to have content for the veterans and people who are willing to teach those who are new. I’m hoping we can make some headway with that at Podcamp Boston 3 in July.

    Reply
  20. Michelle/chelpixie Avatar
    Michelle/chelpixie

    I think a big issue is that those of us who DO know about new and social media are making these connections for the second and third time.

    Podcamp to me is becoming an event that I help organize, not one that I attend. Organizers are essential to the event, but if you want to help out and volunteer please be clear what is involved. Make that commitment knowing what goes into the event and being willing to make the effort.

    That said, we need to have content for the veterans and people who are willing to teach those who are new. I’m hoping we can make some headway with that at Podcamp Boston 3 in July.

    Reply
  21. Chris Brogan... Avatar
    Chris Brogan…

    I’m less interested in the actual tools personally. I’ve left that to people who are still deeply entrenched with making great audio (Matthew Ebel’s session comes to mind), and with using the right kind of lighting to get good video (David Tames comes to mind), and even with the basic elements of building community (because we seem to attract community builders by the ton).

    Where *I’m* focused now in the PodCamp space probably falls into three areas:

    1.) Connecting great established people with interested new people (new to us, but not the world).

    2.) Facilitating new ways of learning and conveying the information.

    3.) Facilitating even more human networking at these events, so that no one leaves feeling like they don’t know someone new.

    I know that we see eye to eye on those points, and that you’re every bit as passionate about those points.

    Someone asked me if we’re going to change our event’s name. Though I’m not opposed to it, I like that in a very short time, the people we’ve chosen to surround ourselves with are great examples of the SPIRIT of what we’re calling PodCamp.

    Reply
  22. Chris Brogan... Avatar
    Chris Brogan…

    I’m less interested in the actual tools personally. I’ve left that to people who are still deeply entrenched with making great audio (Matthew Ebel’s session comes to mind), and with using the right kind of lighting to get good video (David Tames comes to mind), and even with the basic elements of building community (because we seem to attract community builders by the ton).

    Where *I’m* focused now in the PodCamp space probably falls into three areas:

    1.) Connecting great established people with interested new people (new to us, but not the world).

    2.) Facilitating new ways of learning and conveying the information.

    3.) Facilitating even more human networking at these events, so that no one leaves feeling like they don’t know someone new.

    I know that we see eye to eye on those points, and that you’re every bit as passionate about those points.

    Someone asked me if we’re going to change our event’s name. Though I’m not opposed to it, I like that in a very short time, the people we’ve chosen to surround ourselves with are great examples of the SPIRIT of what we’re calling PodCamp.

    Reply
  23. Rob Blatt Avatar
    Rob Blatt

    As someone who is experienced with the tools but new to the conference, I managed to get a lot out of it by finding people and making connections in and out of the sessions. The sessions were fun to attend and speak at. I think that it’s important to have sessions, but somewhere really should be set up as a lounge type area for those people who just want to mingle. It was a little difficult this time around with all the hallways in the RH/JAB buildings, but the hallway by the auditorium was great but slightly cramped.

    Reply
  24. Rob Blatt Avatar
    Rob Blatt

    As someone who is experienced with the tools but new to the conference, I managed to get a lot out of it by finding people and making connections in and out of the sessions. The sessions were fun to attend and speak at. I think that it’s important to have sessions, but somewhere really should be set up as a lounge type area for those people who just want to mingle. It was a little difficult this time around with all the hallways in the RH/JAB buildings, but the hallway by the auditorium was great but slightly cramped.

    Reply
  25. Travell Perkins Avatar
    Travell Perkins

    This was my third PodCamp and the first one where I presented. It was great feeling to finally share my experiences and view of social media in a real world setting without a ton of friction. It might sound stupid, but I think the next time I present I’m going to take the time to ask everyone’s name and why they are at Podcamp. I think it’s something that should happen in every session.

    Reply
  26. Travell Perkins Avatar
    Travell Perkins

    This was my third PodCamp and the first one where I presented. It was great feeling to finally share my experiences and view of social media in a real world setting without a ton of friction. It might sound stupid, but I think the next time I present I’m going to take the time to ask everyone’s name and why they are at Podcamp. I think it’s something that should happen in every session.

    Reply
  27. Michelle Samplin-Salgado Avatar
    Michelle Samplin-Salgado

    This was my second podcamp (the first was Boston 2) and it was just as great as the first one. That said, I agree with Rob that it would be nice to have a mingle/lounge area and some sort of affinity group/meet up. I work in public health and was hoping to meet more people working in that space, but wasn’t really sure how to connect to them. Were you there? If so, drop me a line!

    Reply
  28. Michelle Samplin-Salgado Avatar
    Michelle Samplin-Salgado

    This was my second podcamp (the first was Boston 2) and it was just as great as the first one. That said, I agree with Rob that it would be nice to have a mingle/lounge area and some sort of affinity group/meet up. I work in public health and was hoping to meet more people working in that space, but wasn’t really sure how to connect to them. Were you there? If so, drop me a line!

    Reply
  29. Thin Air Summit » Blog Archive » Thin Air Summit – See you at the Summit

    […] events that have enabled people involved with new media to put together an event local to them to welcome newcomers and connect everyone with good resources.  This is where we started as well.  However, as our event was evolving we realized that we […]

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