There have been a lot of posts recently on how to survive SXSW this year, and many of them are quite good (Jake McKee has a great Survival’s Guide). But as someone who has had a platinum badge for the past two years (Music, Film, and Interactive baby), I thought I’d put in my two cents on how to survive AND thrive during the fest.

1. Plan ahead with schedules… daily. Everyone knows to plan ahead and be prepared (you don’t have to be a boyscout), but you should plan ahead and re-plan each day. By that, I mean you can print out your schedules and plan which panels you are going to attend down to a T before you even get to Austin, but panels change, rooms change, panels get overcrowded (even though fire code goes out the window at SXSW), and other panels get more interesting as other events happen (the gossip panel last year was not top on many people’s list… until the Zuckerberg incident). So plan, but be flexible day to day. What may have been set in stone one day may be the worst south-by plan the next.

2. Leave your laptop at the hotel. Yeah, I said it. Get a mobile web device people! Most schedules and posts try to be platform neutral, so don’t worry about missing some flashy site on the go. Take notes the old fashion way (pen and paper… remember that from your school years?) during panels. There is nothing more annoying than leaving a panel and having to crawl over people with their laptops open (more on leaving in a bit). Plus, sometimes you will be traveling from one side of the building to another between panels (literally, a block, trying to walk upstream like a hungover salmon between all the other over-partied fish in the overcrowded convention center). You need all the time you can get (plus, wouldn’t you rather be networking with other people than keeping your nose in your netbook?).

   If you haven’t upgraded to a mobile web device, there are usually lounges where you can check your email and schedules on community computers (last year, Microsoft had one, and since they are a sponsor this year, it will likely be the same). Unless you have the new Linux 15 hour battery, 2 pound netbook, you are better off leaving the laptop at home (your shoulders will thank you later).

3. Leave your goodie bag at the hotel, as soon as you get it. If you can, get to registration early, then bolt to get your bag so you can stash it in your car for later. 9 times out of 10, there is not anything in the bag you need immediately (the trade show doesn’t even open until Saturday, so promo stuff can wait). When you get back to the hotel at 10… or 12… or 2… you can dump the bag and sift through the necessary. But, if you didn’t stash your bag in your car/hotel as soon as you got it, you’d be carrying around a 10 pound bag full of Austin Chronicles (or, if you are a platinum badge owner, 2-10 pound bags and 1-20 pound Music bag full of indie magazines and CDs).

4. Bring food. This tip is on many, MANY sites, but let me tell you first hand, as a panel junkie, I have spent many a south-by on the Starbucks diet… and not much else. The convention center, year after year, has failed to allow outside vendors, so unless you can catch the Adobe cafe hours and their non-recession friendly prices, you’re stuck going elsewhere. When you panel hop like I do (see below), there isn’t time to go elsewhere. I always try to pack a couple of protein bars in my purse just in case. There is only so much sustenance a venti soy latte can give before you are blacking out at the mic when you are asking your game changing question (hypothetically, of course). Just plan on not knowing when your next meal is going to be.

   

   Bonus tip: If you are checking out a film at the Paramount, Chipotle at 8th and Congress is open late during SXSW, and the lines for movies fill early (big theater, though, so not too much problem getting in). So grab a burrito and take in the sites and sounds of Austin while you wait to see the latest Paul Rudd flick.

5. Wear sneakers. This is not just a tip for the ladies to avoid their Manolo’s, but for everyone to avoid flip-flops as well. There is a lot of walking to do and not much space. You will get stepped on at least once, whether it is as someone is rushing to a panel or as someone is trying to get to the open bar. Plus, since you are walking all over town, it’s wise to wear a supportive shoe (athletic shoes seem to work best). If you choose not to follow this advice, I know a great podiatrist if you want a referral.

6. Visit the lounges. The lounges are where you meet people, get free drinks, learn about more parties, get free drinks… all in a less intimidating, more conversation friendly environment. It’s not rocket science.

7. Don’t be afraid to panel hop. It doesn’t matter if you have a platinum badge or just the basic one, you paid a lot to be at SXSW. Get your money’s worth. Don’t worry about hurting the panelists feelings if you want to leave for something better, or just different (you won’t be the only one leaving, trust me). There is a lot to take in, so if there are two or more panels of interest at the same time, soak up as much as you can and do both! And if the panel simply sucks, definitely leave. I got stuck in a panel once about knitting and crafting blogs led by feminist 30 somethings because I felt bad leaving (no offense if that was you). If you want to have the option to leave, never sit on the front row. Well, just never sit on the front row period… nerd…

   One exception to the rule: if there is a panelist you want to talk to after the panel, particularly for a job, sit through a panel, no matter how bad. One hour of boring discussion is better than 6 months of unemployment (again, hypothetically).

8. Bring a mini sharpie. In years’ past, there has been one in the bag, but just in case, invest the $2 in one. They clip well to your badge, so you always have a “pen” handy to mark schedules, business cards, tag your neighbor, mark your drink, AND mark your directory. This is key, and could be a rule in and of itself. When you get your grab bag (I know, I said ditch the bag), there is a guide in there (thick book) with a directory of almost all registrants and companies in the back. Take this with you! When you meet someone, whether at a panel or after receiving a stack of business cards at a party, mark them in the book with your sharpie. Cards get lost, so it is good to have a “backup.” Plus, it’s handy if you meet an employee at a company to then get the contact info for their superior(s). Example, you meet me, Social Media Marketing Director at OneSpot, and you find me in the book next to Matt Cohen, CEO at OneSpot. You could email Matt instead, mentioning you met me at SXSW (kind of liked Linked-In in book form). You can also pre-mark the book with your sharpie with companies and people you want to meet, making it your networking game-plan. Just bring a sharpie. They really are a handy tool.

9. Don’t worry about free drinks. I know. Seems counter-intuitive. While I’m not your AA sponsor, I’m telling you free drinks are not the most important thing when you enter a party… it’s meeting and mingling. So after waiting in line to get into a party (pick a bigger venue, Google), immediately start networking. There will be time for drinks later (bring your new connection to the drink line). If you go straight for the drinks, you will be stuck in a mass huddle of people just focused on getting a free drink, not meeting people (you’ve been there: your eyes locked on the bartender like a hawk… don’t skip me! I’m next! Who cares about the schmucks beside me!). One of the great things about SXSW too are the lounges, where you have very little wait for free drinks and a less chaotic atmosphere to meet people (see #6). So booze up there and stay dry to meet people at the bigger parties.

   Bonus tip: Wicked Volume put together a “Controlling your alcohol intake at SXSW” guide that is a must read for anyone partaking of the alcohol.



10. Follow us. We’ll be posting to our blog and our twitter @OneSpot during the fest. We also have a SXSW interactive widget with all the latest and greatest in SXSWi news on panels, parties, and more, with music coming soon (sorry film kids… I’m a filmmaker turned techie, so leave me a note below if you demand a “how to survive SXSW film”). Click here to grab the widget.

    Oh, and if you are a music buff, I’ll leave you to the expert: Do512.com. They have a great band widget and more than their share of music gurus. Follow @Do512_Kristin.

I hope you all have a great SXSW experience. I’d love to meet you, so DM me @OneSpot twitter. See you in Austin!

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