SXSW PanelPicker Success: Slow Down!
The Forrest Four-Cast: June 26, 2017
The entry portal for the 2018 SXSW PanelPicker opens on Monday, June 26. If you have a great idea for a session for next March in Austin, then you will want to pay close attention to this process.
But just because the portal is open today, it doesn’t mean that you should enter your proposal today. In fact, you gain absolutely no advantage by entering before the Friday, July 21 deadline. Remember, once you hit “enter” on the PanelPicker entry interface, you are done and you can’t modify your proposal in any way. So we advise you to take as long as possible (up to the Friday, July 21 deadline) before you tick this all-important “enter” button. Proof and re-proof and re-re-proof your entry for typos and overall clarity. Have your friends and your colleagues read your entry to see if it makes sense to them — and to see if they are intrigued by your idea. Create two or three alternative proposals to see if these appeal more to the people in your network (and the one that generates the most interest is the one that you should enter).
Other points to remember for the 2018 PanelPicker entry process is to be focused on the future, to drill deep on your topic and to go for a solo presentation (as opposed to a panel). Gain even more tips for success by attending one of our Community Meet Ups in Brooklyn, Austin, Houston, San Antonio and Dallas over the next few weeks.
Click here to watch a 4-minute instructional video about the 2018 PanelPicker process.
Also beginning on Monday, June 26 are entries for the 2018 SXSW Film Festival as well as the 2018 SXSW Music Festival. Badge sales (and hotel reservations) for the 2018 event commence on Tuesday, August 1.
Hugh Forrest tries to write at least four paragraphs per day on Medium. These posts often (but not always) cover technology-related trends. When not attempting to wordsmith or meditating, he serves as Chief Programming Officer at SXSW in Austin
