Each year WordCamp Seattle draws more and more first time campers. We know attending an event for the first time can be daunting or even a bit overwhelming. Since the benefits of attending a WordCamp extend well beyond the event itself, we wanted to compile a list of the best tips we could find to make your experience amazing.
Before you head out the door…
Stay close to the venue if you can. This means less ‘commuting’ time to WordCamp itself. This can be especially helpful with our weather.
…there are a few tips to consider.
Pack light (thank you WordCamp Jacksonville) but remember to bring the essentials:
- Pack layers. It’s Seattle. It can be unseasonably warm, cold, windy, rainy – or any combination over the 2 days!
- Bring your phone and computers – and don’t forget the chargers!! Nile Flores had a great tip to have a notepad and pen too. Sometimes ‘old school’ is best.
- Bring your list of questions (and business cards) – Great advice from Sheila Hoffman, a former WordCamp Seattle organizer.
Maybe the best piece of advice we’ve heard when it comes to being prepared comes from Bridget Willard: Wear comfortable shoes!!
When you get to Seattle
We recommend you take some time to see the sights. Seattle is an amazing city with a culture all its own from the people who live here to the places they frequent.
When it comes to WordCamp…
We compiled some great tips from sponsors, speakers, and attendees from years past.
We love this piece of advice from Mike Lyons :
“Go in with an open mind. Don’t feel like you’re too new or don’t know enough to attend a particular session. If it interests you, there will inevitably be something you can take from it.”
That sentiment was echoed by Kimberly Morris Gauthier:
“If you’re a blogger, don’t allow the designer/developer content keep you away. As a professional blogger, I’ve learned the most in sessions that I originally thought weren’t for me. Try and attend as many sessions as possible because you never know when you’ll come across a gem that is just the information you need to take your blog to the next level.”
The big theme we found was summed up perfectly by PressCaptain:
Talk to people!
- Use this experience to meet as many new people as you can, especially if it’s your first time. `~GiveWP
- Talk with the sponsors. Even if you don’t need what they provide, this is an often overlooked networking opportunity and those at the booth are always willing to provide advice. ~ Robert Nissenbaum
- Enjoy the talks but also enjoy the hallway track where you can sit down and mingle. ~ Jocelyn Mozak
- Leave time for networking and be open to attending a talk that expands your knowledge base. ~ Mitch Britt
Have a tough time meeting and talking to new people? Try these tips:
- To break the ice and meet someone new, I just say “Hi I’m {name}, what do you do with WordPress?” with everyone I sit next to, or bump into in the hallway. Everyone I’ve met has been happy to share. ~ C Michael Nelson
- If you’re an introvert scout out a recharge spot before you need one. I always look for one place I can hide out and just breathe ~ Chris Ford
Take breaks. Recharge yourself.
“Don’t feel like you have to attend a talk in every single time slot. It’s good to take a break if you feel overwhelmed, and sometimes it’s a great opportunity for a chat or “hallway track” ~ Rachelle Wise
Personally we think WooCommerce nailed it with this advice:
“☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕ and then ☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕☕”
Maybe the best unifying thought we received when we asked for this tips:
“Just keep this in mind. We are all being brought together through the shared experience of using #WordPress. Yet, no one utilizes the software the same. Learn from others and teach them what you know.”
Adam Warner
A final tip before we go:
(and you get your tickets if you haven’t already)
Don’t just attend WordCamp! Attend a Meet Up prior to meet others in your community first. My experience attending WordCamp was enhanced when I became more involved in the greater WP community. ~ Cami MacNamara
And from Rob Taylor:
I always recommend that attendees review who’s speaking and get familiar with the websites/businesses of those whose presentations they are attending. It really helps to give context to a lot of examples and scenarios speakers may include in their talks.
Also, be ready with to LOOK FOR SOMETHING ACTIONABLE with each session you attend. And if it’s nearing the end of a talk and you haven’t found at least one actionable thing ASK FOR ONE.