I’m joining thousands of others for a weekend of music, learning and fun.

Message to SXSW – Please be gentle – It’s my first time.

In addition to trying to figure out what to pack so I look cool but am not cold, I’m reading all the guides from those who have gone before me. The overriding theme, you will meet tons of neat people, enjoy it.

I’m also updating all the needed apps on my iPhone, charging the battery booster and linking my twitter account with cool services that will tell you if your friends are attending the same conferences. Social Media is perfect for SXSW, but SXSW was all about connections before the rise of Social Media.

If anything, SXSW proved as a guidepost for the requirements of being successful in Social Media, as outlined in Ian Schafer’s DigitalNext Blog “10 Ways to Not Be a Jerk at SXSW.” Marketers looking to succeed in social marketing need to follow many of the same rules.

Some examples:
“Don’t post every Foursquare/Gowalla/Hotpotato check-in/update to Facebook and/or Twitter.” – Marketers need to make sure that they aren’t over commenting to their ‘fans’ and followers, or risk losing them forever.

“You’re not a celebrity. You may be internet-famous, but the people at SXSW Film are famous-famous. When worlds collide, remember which one you are.” When you attempt to insert your brand into your consumer’s conversations, don’t act like they should automatically be listening to you. You need to earn their trust and loyalty over time, by showing them value, one tweet at a time.

and my favorite
“Do not bring up UT basketball while you’re down there this year.” Marketers need to listen first and tailor the conversations as a result. Pre-packaged rah rah advertising material will fall flat. People want to know you are listening.

Reading Ian’s post is good for all of us, whether we are going to SXSW or not. Now I’ve got to go unpack all of my shorts and cowboy boots