These are two of my favorite people. I see one or both of these faces almost every day, like this:
And only a few times a year can I see them like this:
Got it? OK. Here’s the longer explanation. I started writing it this morning, before seeing my friends.
(Go ahead and skip it if you want, you already get the point)
Why go to a conference? Especially a conference devoted to interactivity and social media? We’re all connected 24/7 anyway, and most of the good panels and presentations will show up eventually on the web. You might not be able to get all the content, or the exact answer to a question you always wanted to ask Chris Brogan. But most of the ideas presented will be out there somewhere and, after all, Brogan is a pretty accessible guy.
So where’s the value add? Some companies use conferences for launching new product or features. Here at SXSW, Chevy is showing off the Volt, Gowalla and Foursquare are doing new platform releases, and dozens of other companies are showing their wares.
That’s a good reason for them to be here, but why you? Why me?
Social media lets me spend more “head time” with far away friends. I can casually keep track with a buddy in Boston or London, joke with them, celebrate a victory, etc. from thousands of miles away.
But spending time with people just in your head, or on your screen, or in 140 characters just isn’t the same as spending even a few moments with the people behind the avatars.
Meeting people face-to-face still rules.
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Tags: community, conferences, social media
Exactly…it’s PRICELESS!
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