It’s mid February now, which means that folks are starting to get hyped up for SXSW. After all it’s only a month away!

Which means that if you haven’t done the following, to prep, then you should get on it now.

• Register for SXSW, and confirm travel & housing arrangements
• Have business cards or moo cards ordered and confirmed for delivery
• Plan a wardrobe of appropriate geeky/ironic/hipster teeshirts
• Broken in comfortable walking shoes
• Prep your liver

Pro points if you’ve done the following

• Downloaded the SXSW Music torrent to listen to to check out bands that might be around while you’re attending the conference
• Purchased, tested, and have ready supplemental power & storage
• Updated your profile for accuracy and current contact data at all pertinent social and professional online networks (ie if you’re looking for a job, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date)
• Started RSVPing for various SXSW panels, events, and parties
• Said you’re attending this year’s How To Rawk Out At SXSW Interactive session.

For the last few years I’ve had the honor and pleasure of helping curate and moderate this introductory panel for new attendees of the Interactive session of the SXSW.  It’s been a hoot and I’ve been fortunate enough to call all the folks who have participated as friends!

Unfortunately due to some very important things happening in my life at the moment, I won’t be able to attend this year.  It’s a huge bummer.

But my friend Kris Krug is in charge this year and will rock it out.

How to Rawk Out at SXSW! – Friday, 2pm  March 11th, 2011

This light-hearted and informative introduction to SXSW Interactive
will deliver a fun and informative first glimpse into what many call
“Spring Break” For Geeks or “Sleep Away Camp” for the tech set.
Seasoned conference veterans will provide pro tips on how to get the
most from sessions, networking, parties, and more. This session will
also highlight developments in the new conference campus and enjoying
and getting around Austin from SXSW planners and city locals.
Speakers: JBrotherlove, Kris Krug, Christine Auten, Mark Couvillion Gianfranco Chicco
and musical guest Neiliyo.  Moderated by MJ Kim.

While digging through my old laptop I managed to find my presentation that I did last year as part of SXSW 2010.

In summary, the points are these:

• Don’t forget to engage with folks IRL.  Which means, don’t hide behind your laptop, get engrossed in live-blogging or live-tweeting that you’re missing the conversations in front of you.  The person that you may have or need to have conversations with may be sitting right next to you.  So look up and around at the lovely people around you.  The most annoying thing to see would be a huddle of folks all checking their cell phones for twitter conversations while sitting at a table with the 12 other people that you’re twitter responding with.  Frankly, it makes you look like a douchebag.
• Don’t be a Wifi Pig.  In the past ACC has been notoriously bad about wifi though in 2010 it got noticeably better.  Still, even if you took 200 awesome pics the night before, don’t upload them while at the conference and clog up the network.  Same with hogging chairs and power plugs.  Better yet, if you have room in your backpack, bring a power adapter with you to share.  If you see someone who is standing and you have your bag on a seat, make room.  In other words, don’t be a dick.  Exercise manners.  You’re in the south. Exercise Southern Manners.  I would. And I’m from the South (Of Korea).
• Don’t be a lurker.  Everyone at SXSW is famous to maybe 15 other people. Unless you’re Zeldman or John or Heather something. But this is no time or place to act like some teeny bopper fan boy to stalk them.  Just go up and say  hi.  Have a brief conversation. Don’t be creepy for fuck sake.  I am, of course, guilty of having, while drunk, gone up to Heather and said, “OMG I’m a Huge Fan of Your Work Amanda Congdon!”   This made me an asshole.  A totally embarrassed asshole at that.  And I swear I’m not racist just because when I’m drunk I think all white women look the same. (I’m kidding I’m kidding!)
• Travel light.  As light as you can.  Make regular pitstops to drop off any extra items you don’t need to carry with you at all times.  The last thing you need is to carry 20lbs of tech gear around you for a 16 hour day of panels and parties and then to forget it somewhere or to knock over someone’s beer at a crowded venue.  Or worse yet, have shit poured on your backpack because you bumped into someone else.  Coming from the girl who crashed the MTV Fashion Awards party in Europe with a friend who lost his passport and laptop at the party, I’m just saying – travel light and not stupid.
• Don’t be just an ass in a chair – meaning, be engaged.  Lots of sessions can be really crowded.  If you’re actually not paying attention aound engaged, let someone else have the seat.  Also, we’re all assuming you’re an adult and if you don’t like the session you’re in, you can go to another one where it might be more interesting.  I highly recommend getting a session in that’s completely divorced from your line of work.  It’ll be refreshing for you and you may make more interesting connections than you’d expect from staying in a “track” that’s of your specific discipline.
• Don’t be cookie cutter.  Be unique – like everyone else.  Heh,, that’s up to you how you choose to be memorable and differentiate yourself at SXSW.  My medium in the past has been lipstick.
• Don’t be infectious!  There is a phenomenon known as SXSars.  Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough.  Don’t make out with folks with the plague.  You know. Usual kindergarten stuff that needs to be rehashed here.  In that spirit, take care of yourself physically with hydration, appropriate fiber, and vitamins.  You’ll thank me later for highlighting those three bodily needs.  I could say sleep too, but who are we kidding.  Sleep is for the week after SXSW.
• And yes, please sing.  Please sing Karaoke a lot.  Please sing Journey “Don’t Stop Believing”. I really really want you too sing that during SXSW.