I have been getting a lot of calls and texts from my friends wondering where I have been, and all I was replying to them was SXSW. SXSW stands for South By South West, which completely takes over Austin, Texas. It starts from March 8th, and runs all the way through to March 17th. Since some of you guys have been asking me what SXSW is and what your experience is, I thought I would share! In short, 2 most important things to focus on, how do I look and what do I offer!

How do I look?

So, it is all about how you present yourself. If you can do that then consider it a big win. There are thousands of people attending, and from several industries, so you better look good. There are companies that look for partners, investors and ideas. That’s where the entrepreneurs are making cash. You see, if you have a really cool idea and you can showcase it in the perfect way, and some corporate head likes it, it might just turn out wonders for you.

From my experience, spending thousands in fancy booths and displays will not attract the right people. For example, if I see something shiny, I will definitely stop to have a look at it, and you know what, most of the time I am confused on what you have to offer. The same goes for other companies who just take a peek and move along. This is where you do a lot of harm to yourself. All that glitters is not gold, and the first impression is the last impression towards marketing yourself. So, instead of all the glittery stuff, focus on using simple banners that tell exactly who you are, what you do and what you offer. Keep it simple and unique. This is what is going to make me stop and talk to you.

This is what I offer

Think effectively. If you are selling your services, an investor or a potential customer will not have a serious attitude towards you if you hand them a pen or a sticker to look at. There are people here who absolutely love technology, education and innovation. One of the most effective displays that I encountered was this person who was giving demos on his technology. He had arranged seats for people, and his way of communicating was so interesting that there were actually people sitting and listening to him, even though his demo lasted only 7 minutes, and then he had a short break and continued with the next. He created interest in his technology by visually representing on a large screen with very precise usage of words – by that I mean simple steps in his presentation.

And the best part about it was that he had a couple of experts with him so everybody was going to get their questions answered. I am not going to be waiting in a long line if there is only 1 person who is taking the queries. That doesn’t work. Don't worry about the lunch breaks and sleep. There is plenty of time for that afterwards, but NOT another opportunity. So focus on SXSW.

Always look interested, as this will gain attention, and is also considered a positive approach towards marketing yourself. This is what you should not do – if you have a phone, stop playing games on it, or whatever you are doing. Instead, stand up and make eye contact with people. A smile can take you a long way ahead!

I will be writing some more tips on SXSW in my future articles – soon, very soon. What is your experience of SXSW? Let's talk!