It occurred to me that the connotation of the “learning guys” could mean “being a newbies.” Well, it happens that describes us too!
There are a lot of things that we’re trying for the first time. But that’s OK…in life you have to take some chances and try new things. Through this blog, you can see how different things have worked out for us. If we screw up, you’ll benefit from what we learned in the process as well.
So stay tuned…
This took a little while to put up as I’m a bit behind…
Last weekend, The Learning Guys went to PodCamp Toronto 2007 at the Ryerson Communications Centre. The event was billed as unconference– “a 100% free, volunteer, sponsor-supported event. It is born out of the desire to share information and learn more about audio and video podcasting and related subjects.”
The venue was great with plenty of web access through wifi access points. The people was an eclectic mix of hardcore podcasters and newbies; twenty-somethings, and…um…the rest of us.
Some very impressive speakers attended and shared their expertise. I especially appreciated the talks given by:
- Mitch Joel, a new media visionary that is very good at communicating with his audience. I’ve read in Marketing Magazine that he’s “Canada’s Rock Star of Digital Marketing.” Wow! We really have to spend some time trying to get press like that! 
Very nice guy to boot…
- Chris Penn, the host of the FinancialAid Podcast, and CTO of he Student Loan Network. One of the founders of Pod Camp and super smart.
- Chris Brogan, a self professed lapdog for Jeff Pulver but in reality, a founders of PodCamp, and is passionate about New Media and Social Media. His blog is definitely worth a read.
- Mark Blevis, of Just One More Book — a podcast that he and his wife Andrea Ross does to review children’s books. I love this site! From the conference, I liked his take on podcasting and blogging…and not having a need to “monetize” it. The podcast is something that he likes to do, and if he gets some side benefit from it in terms of consulting contracts etc., that’s great…but contrary to what some of the other presenters were spewing…it isn’t all about making money off advertising!
It was also a great networking event, I met some very interesting people that are passionate about their work as well as people that I now consider my friends.
If you get a chance to attend one of these “unconferences”, give it a whirl. As it is all volunteer and participant driven, you’ll get out of it as much as you put in. You’ll have a blast!
Now, if you are really into it…you can try and do one yourself. Check out this post by Chris Brogan