SXSW:  How to Network Like Crazy, Learn a Ton and Stay Organized & Energetic in the Process  

SXSW 2015 has come and gone, but if you had the privilege of attending anything related to the festival down in Austin a few weeks ago, you’re likely still reliving your experience.

Here’s what I took away from my first time at SXSW and my tips for sharp girls like you to tackle every aspect of the festival — from the sessions, to networking, to the parties, to reacclimatizing back at home.

The Sessions

If you planned ahead and looked through the jam-packed SXSW schedules before heading to Austin, you probably felt a little overwhelmed. Weeding through those daily schedules was enough to give even the most laid-back gal a minor panic attack.

Navigating SXSW Interactive sessions is a balancing act. You’re eager to learn new things, make the most of your badge investment, and you’re looking to seize opportunities to meet influential speakers firsthand. Yet the sheer size of the festival, coupled with the number and spread of daily sessions, makes getting to everything you circled on your print-out pretty near impossible.

But that’s okay. With great opportunities at your fingertips every which way you turn, there’s no need to over-stress about the sessions you choose. Here are three tips for keeping it simple:

Aim for two to three session per day
Like most, you’ll probably put five or six session on your schedule each day, with the best intentions to make them all. What you’ll soon realize, however, is that what happens in between the sessions can be just as important as what happens during them.

Don’t fret if you miss a session because you stay behind to pick the speaker’s brain or talk with some new friends — it’s may be more worth your time in the long run.

Explore sessions outside your job description
For instance, if you’re a copywriter, branch out from the typical sessions on content and media strategy. It’s often the sessions you originally had no intention of attending, or that seem unrelated to your day-to-day job, that end up being the most valuable.

For example, I made a last-minute decision to attend a session on serendipitous design, which ended up being a dynamic group discussion on product design and wearable technology. It’s these types of out-of-the-box sessions that allow you to make connections between your life and career in new, creative ways. 

Take notes if you want, but it’s not always necessary (or even beneficial)
It’s everyone’s gut reaction to pull out their tablets or laptops during sessions to take notes on what’s happening. Sometimes, this is very useful, especially when there are key, constructive takeaways.

However, there are certain sessions when note-taking can be distracting, and you’re better off just listening. Panels are a good example. Try live-tweeting instead and join in on the hashtag discussion — it’s a great way to archive the session in your feed, but also a great way to make new social connections.

The Networking

If you’re an extrovert like myself, SXSW is a dream come true. But if you’re more introverted, the crowds and never-ending networking at SXSW might be a little overwhelming.

No matter which camp you fall into, take the opportunity to meet at least one new person every day. You’ll be glad you did, and you’ll likely learn something new each time you introduce yourself. Here are my tips for fun, efficient networking:

Have your business cards handy, but don’t be pushy
Everyone is eager to hand out business cards at SXSW, but in my opinion, adopting a “quality over quantity” approach is usually a better method.

You’re going to have lots of conversations at SXSW, but it doesn’t mean you have to grab a business card from all of them. Trust your instincts — when you know you’re making a valuable, meaningful connection, exchange cards.

Introduce yourself to your neighbor
The easiest way to meet people at SXSW, in my experience, is simply to introduce yourself to the people next to you. At the bar, at sessions, standing in line, sitting down — there are people everywhere eager to talk and share the story.

Be confident!
Don’t be shy! Use SXSW as an excuse to get outside your comfort zone and put yourself out there. If you do this with confidence, you will always be rewarded. 

The Parties

The parties of SXSW are where the real magic happens. It’s during these events, when people loosen up and are even more eager to meet new folks, when you often end up making meaningful long-term connections. Here are a few SXSW party-going tips:

Pace yourself
There are going to be parties and open bars every which way you turn, all hours of the day. Resist the urge to go out 110% your very first day. Why? Because there are more days and nights like it for the rest of the week.

Don’t get hung up on the long lines — there’s something just as fun around the corner
There will be huge, massive, hyped-up parties that everyone will be talking about at SXSW. By all means, RSVP for them, and stand in line if you must. But if standing in long lines isn’t your thing, don’t feel like you’re missing out. There’s always something else going on down the block with less of a line (or no line at all) that is just as fun, and may be just as great (or even better).

Even if you don’t feel like going out — just go!
After a few days of attending sessions, going to parties, and networking like crazy, you’re going to be tired. Take care of yourself and get enough rest, but push yourself to attend that cocktail hour you’ve had on your list since you were planning this trip. It could be crucial – or if, If it doesn’t turn out to be as stellar as you had thought, at least you won’t have the worrisome “what if’s” months later in the back of your mind.

The Aftermath

Digesting all of your experiences and learnings after big events like SXSW is important. Here are my tips for regrouping after an epic SXSW week:

Take some time to reflect
Whether it’s putting together a presentation for work, writing a blog post, or just talking about your week with friends, make sure you set aside some time to really reflect on your experience. In doing so, you’ll probably realize you learned and brought back even more than you thought you did.

Touch base with your new contacts
Remember all those business cards? Now it’s time to follow up! Connect on social media, send a quick email hello, or follow-through on that phone call you promised you’d set up. Reaching out once you’re back home will help solidify the connections you really want to keep.

Plan for next year!
Because after you get your first taste of SXSW, you’ll want to come back every year! Start planning now, and I’ll see you there in 2016.

Written by: Ally Denton, Content Production Specialist, One Click Ventures (@AllyDenton)