What I Want to See at REBarCamp Seattle
Now before anyone goes off and says “I thought you weren’t attending Real Estate conferences this year…” let me remind you that REBarCamp’s are not conferences. They are un-conferences.
Right. Call it whatever the hell you want. I had a great time at REBCSEA last year and I decided that I would go again this year. I know most the organizers, and trust they will do an awesome job at planning and structuring the day just as they did last year.
But even though I had a great time last year, I still felt like there was something missing. At the time, I couldn’t quite put a finger on what it was, but over the last few months, and in reaching my decision to stop attending Real Estate industry conferences, I think I have it figured out.
So, here’s my wish list for REBCSEA 2011:
I want some advanced topics. Lets take some deep dives into SEO, WordPress design, UI, Facebook Ad Targeting, conversion rates, etc. These are the things I spend a good portion of my time on lately. These are the things that excite me. Think they’re not related to Real Estate? Think again…
I think we’re beyond the whole “you should be on Facebook/Twitter” phase. If people haven’t figured that stuff out by now, they probably don’t belong on those platforms anyway, and there’s no point in twisting their arms. Let them whither away.
I want the no bullshit rule in effect. The last couple conferences I attended had speakers that should never have been speaking on the topics they were speaking on. They were spewing some pretty ridiculous stuff, and nobody called them out on it. I expect more from our NW crew (attendees and organizers both).
That pretty much covers my wish list. I’m really looking forward to seeing what the REBCSEA crew has in store for us this year and hanging out with friends during my stay in Seattle.
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Planning one in Chicago for June. I had the same suggestions.
We are having a Bar Camp in Chicago in June. I said pretty much the same thing. I think our world should be beyond the point of “you need to be on Facebook and Twitter”. Most of us who are attending these events want to know how we can move forward. We are already there.
How do we move keep moving to the next levels is where these events should now be.
Hey Jeff, I’m 100% with you on the “no BS” rule… because this is not an “invite only” event, we will have some BS and I do hope that peeps either totally call them out or, if needed, walk out of the session. I just wrote a post about this on Seattle’s reBarCamp site actually…the whole point (or at least a main one) of these “un-conferences” is that people need to participate–if you don’t agree with someone or if someone is hawking their wares, they need to be addressed; and not just by the volunteers/planners. There are plenty of peeps attending who have been to a few barcamps and know when something doesn’t pass the sniff test. With all that being said, I don’t believe this situation happens often but it will and does happen on occasion and should be dealt with.
In my opinion, if someone is wrong, in our opinions, a debate can be very educational for those who are in the session…but to sit back and let someone ramble something we don’t agree with or feel is complete BS is allowing it to happen.
This is the fourth REBC in Seattle (not counting the miniBC in Bellevue)… and I am really looking forward to it. It’s going to be interesting to see how it evolves.
There will be sessions for “newbies”… possible a track dedicated to them because we’ll always have that… AND I hope that you (and everyone) will suggest more advance topics for the day… there’s a huge demand and even if the sessions are smaller -so what, I actually prefer the smaller sessions to a hu-mungo crowd.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Jeff Bernheisel, Seattle Real Estate. Seattle Real Estate said: RT @JBern My wish list for #REBCSEA: http://bit.ly/ezC8oR Should be an awesome event regardless of my wishes! [PLS bring your list of topics [...]
Hey Jeff,
Thanks for the post and as one of the organizers I don’t think you will be disappointed.
I agree with you 100%, so many folks are just learning how to get online and network/attract business and need the Rookie/Review track that we are cooking up.
There are many advanced users that already have the tools figured out but now need to know how to actually use what they the tools in a practical application and apply it to their own business to increase their database and convert business.
Here are a few of the topics requested from attendees:
Lead Generation, SEO, Blogging, Video, Marketing,WordPress and Using Social Media strategically are the most requested.
You were awesome in your participation last year and I am hoping you will be willing to lead off some of the discussions you mentioned in your post.
We hope you will enjoy the day just as much as you did last year.
LA
Jeff: I would really enjoy and appreciate a more advanced track on WP and SEO. If you lead/facilitate, I will join you!
Deal!