32 Essential SXSW Tips The 2013 Edition

By @davedelaney

Photo by: Betsy Weber

1. Use Foursquare to find your friends and to let them know where you are.

Photo by: Laughing Squid

2. Arrive early for keynotes!

Photo by: C.C. Chapman

3. Wear comfortable shoes.Insoles are your friend.

Photo by: Pixel Wench

4. Choose presentations you know nothing about.

5. The hallway conversations and networking are priceless.

Photo by: C.C. Chapman

6. Stay hydrated. Drink water!Carry a re-fillable water bottle.

Photo by: Parl

7. Organize an impromptu tweet up.

8. Order Migas at Magnolia Cafe.

9. Use the Bump app to easily exchange your contact info.

10. Bring business cards!

Bonus points if you carry a pen and take notes on the cards. This helps you remember details about the person.

Photo by: Disaster Area

11. Wash your hands!Carry hand sanitizer and use it frequently. Photo by: Skypream

12. Find official parties and lounges at:

sxsw.com/interactive/parties/lounges

Photo by: m-c

But remember...

13. Everything in moderation.

What happens at SXSW stays on the Internet.

Photo by: milky world

14. Skip the parties and find your tribe. The smaller groups are always the best ones.

Don’t worry if you miss something. Everybody does.

15. Connect with people you wish to meet before you go: social.sxsw.com

You can find me: social.sxsw.com/users/3201

16. Share the juice!Power is your friend. Make new friends by sharing your power.

Grab one from: http://bit.ly/SXSWjuice

17. Plan adequate time to get around.

Use the free shuttles.

Photo by: bibi

18.Thank a volunteer.

19. Plan for all types of weather and bring a backpack. Dress casually and smart.

20. Plan the panels and speakers you want to see ahead of time at:

schedule.sxsw.com

21. Don’t worry if you miss something. Everybody does.Photo by: pin prick

22. Get rest. You will need it.

Photo by: merlijnhoek

23. Do not let your phone die!

Grab one from: http://bit.ly/SXSWpower

24.

Pack snacks like fruit, veggies and nuts.

Photo by: guillaumebrialon

25. Pack plenty of mints and gum, stinky.

Photo by: bunchofpants

26. Always talk to strangers.Photo by: nlscotland

27. do512.com has local listings for live music and events. Not everyone in Austin is there for SXSW! :)

28. Use Twitter’s Advanced Search to track the tweets from your fellow attendees.

29. Create a Twitter list of everyone you want to see during SXSW.

Photo by: laughing squid

Rent a bike from SXcycles at98 Red River (corner of Cesar Chavez & Red River St.)

30. Taxis can be hard to find.

31. Keep Austin Weird.

Photo by: powerhouse museum

32. Join Jessica Murray and me in our Core Conversation.

SNiRL: Social Networking in Real Life

Tuesday, March 12th 3:30PM - 4:30PM

Details: bitly.com/snirlsxsw

Did you enjoy my SXSW tips?If so, please share them with your friends and colleagues attending.

Be sure to connect with me on Twitter. I would love to hear from you and see you in Austin.

Thanks,

@davedelaney

Creative Commons Photos from Flickr

Slide 1: http://www.flickr.com/photos/betsyweber/5519113584/sizes/l/in/photostream/Slide 2: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/4440370896/Slide 3: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cc_chapman/2321197805/Slide 4: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pixelwench/234399581/sizes/z/in/photostream/Slide 6: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cc_chapman/4447538977/sizes/o/in/photostream/Slide 7: http://www.flickr.com/photos/parl/73299772/sizes/o/in/photostream/Slide 11: http://www.flickr.com/photos/disaster_area/3267935172/lightbox/Slide 12: http://www.flickr.com/photos/skypream/6972972224/sizes/h/in/photostream/Slide 13: http://www.flickr.com/photos/m-c/111553340/sizes/o/in/photostream/Slide 15: http://www.flickr.com/photos/milkyworld/3128291642/sizes/l/in/photostream/Slide 19: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bibi/6032896465/sizes/o/in/photostream/Slide 23: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pinprick/4342983114/sizes/l/in/photostream/Slide 24: http://www.flickr.com/photos/merlijnhoek/2797412164/sizes/o/in/photostream/Slide 26: http://www.flickr.com/photos/guillaumebrialon/3290749817/sizes/o/in/photostream/Slide 27: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bunchofpants/32685723/sizes/o/in/photostream/Slide 28: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nlscotland/4699938829/sizes/o/in/photostream/Slide 31: http://www.flickr.com/photos/laughingsquid/3186113657/sizes/o/in/photostream/Slide 33: http://www.flickr.com/photos/powerhouse_museum/2980051095/sizes/o/in/photostream/

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