The REBarCamp Truth

Written by Mike Mueller in REBarCamp on September 27, 2010

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Truth be told, I’m a Junkie.

No, not heroin or meth. My drug of choice is the REBarCamp movement. And like any long time user, I have a love/hate relationship with my juice (mostly love). To be perfectly honest I admit there are a few issues I’ve noticed and like the Junkie I am, I’ve rationalized them away.

There comes a time in every Junkie’s life when they have a brief moment of truth before returning back down to the world their habit has them believe. This is mine.

Recently there have been a few posts on the blog-o-sphere that have thrown stones at REBarCamps. Posts that have questioned the “why”. The writers and commenters are some of the brightest people I know.

Flash back 2 years ago (hey it’s a drug themed post) when I had a great conversation with “1000Watt Marc” at San Francisco’s Inman Connect. His contention at that time was that there was no vetting process for speakers and how did he know that the person up at the front actually knew what they were talking about. My response was well practiced and well rehearsed. “REBarCamp doesn’t have speakers or presentations – we have discussions!”. You may have heard that same line before, right?

The Truth

Sessions. More and more, when the schedule board is put together, I’ve seen people who I know are extremely qualified to lead a discussion on a particular topic passed up and replaced with others. Instead of their knowledge of the topic, the discussion leader was chosen for political, sponsorship, or some other reason(s) only the schedule organizer knows.

Speaking of discussions… Hardly. We’ve all attended discussions that were anything but. They were thinly veiled as “educational” but were really “Hey, I’m an expert. Listen to me go on for an hour about how much I know and what you should do” Presentations.

The Facts. I’ve attended discussions where incorrect, outdated or flat out wrong data, facts and information was dished out to the masses on a particular topic. I’ve watched in horror as the attendees frantically scribbled down the lie of the hour. But it’s a discussion you say, right? Where was the real expert? Why didn’t you speak up? There is no answer. Often times I’ve watched the real expert leave the room, head down and shrugging. Other time’s I’ve seen them try to correct the speaker, but unable to get a word in. As for me, I’m only a student. I know some things but I’m also there to learn. Besides, I’m under the REBarCamp influence.

The Rule of 2 Feet. The Rule of 2 Feet states that if you don’t like the topic, the conversation, the discourse – use your 2 feet and go somewhere else. Great in principal but for most it’s not going to happen. Most often these rooms are standing room only. If you are lucky enough to have a seat chances are it’s at the opposite end from the door. I’ll argue that for most people, proper up bringing and manners will win and your butt will stay in that seat till the sessions over.

The Attendees. I firmly believe the REBarCamp should be local. Local attendees and local knowledge. Should you travel cross county or cross country to attend one? I say no (yet I am guilty as sin) but it comes with an asterisk. Is there no REBarCamp near you? Is there a large conference the following day that you would have been at anyway? That makes sense, right? But what about the attendees themselves? Who should be there – the new beginner or the seasoned sage? I say both, and everyone in the middle but I would like to point out one other group that should be there – “The Oblivious”. Who is that? It’s the agent’s in your office who are not going to hear about it because they’re not on twitter, facebook, blogs and barely the internet. I joke, but I’d like to see the price of admission to a REBC in the future be that you had to bring someone (oblivious preferred).

Price of Admission. Free is great right? I say it sucks. It sucks because I watch organizers working their butts off to make the event happen only to have 1/2 the people actually show. think of the decisions they have to make based on your registering. How big of a location? Providing coffee or drinks? Bagels? Name Badges? Lunch? T-shirts? After party? The list goes on and on. Yet you signed up for the event, you said you would be there and then you didn’t show? Did something really big come up? I know it does and I know it can but for 1/2 the people who registered? Really? Instead I say charge $20, $50 or even $100. Have the surplus money go to a good charity. You can bet people are going to attend to get their $100 worth.

Sponsors. Sponsors are key to putting on a REBarCamp. They provide the dollars and/or stuff to make it all happen. Without sponsors there would be no REBarCamp – or would there? I’ve seen REBarCamp’s with elaborate sponsorship and large (really large) budgets. I’ve also seen REBarCamps with little sponsorships and no budget. Was the quality of the conversation better in the high budget events? Someday I’d like to see a REBarCamp pulled off with NO sponsorships. I think it was Lori Bee who wanted to throw a REBarnCamp. I’d go to that!

Back to those evil sponsors… With their sponsorship dollars or supplied schwag, can also come strings (not always but sometimes)
“We want to hold a presentation on our product” – seen it.
“We want our guy to lead this presentation” – seen it.
“We’ll dictate who else can sponsor and who else can present” – seen it.

But then again…

I’ve attended expensive “high value” conferences where the Speaker up on the stage is really there not because they were properly vetted but more likely that they are part of the “in crowd” or that they filled out the Request to Speak form first.

It also doesn’t mean all sponsors are evil. Quite the opposite. There are plenty of national and local sponsors that get what the movement is all about and are happy to help make it happen.

I continue to believe in the purity of what REBarCamp is, and what it could be. Some of the greatest sessions I’ve seen were not actual sessions. They were impromptu discussions with groups of like minded people around a topic that we wanted to talk about. Think mini REBarCamp within a REBarCamp. Not happy with what was covered these break out sessions somewhat happened all by themselves. Isn’t that the purest form of REBarCamp juice you can get?

So in the end, there will be no 12 step program for me. Even if there was I’d make Brittany Spears and Lindsay Lohan look like amateurs. Instead, I’ll continue going from one REBarCamp to another, hoping to experience that perfect REBarCamp high.

Did You Know? I offer to anyone organizing a REBarCamp, a free facebook landing tab and a custom REBC themed wordpress blog. All you have to do is ask.

NOTE: This rant of clarity reflects my own opinion (as wrong as I may be) and speaks of presenters and REBarCamps in the most general sense. It does not reflect any single REBarCamp or any single person in particular. If swelling persists over 4 hours, see your Doctor.

Photo credits: Rubén Díaz Alonso, salty_soul, Preconscious Eye, Watchcaddy

A look behind the RSVP system of REBarCamp (areweconnected.com)
REBarCamp and Conference Stickers (areweconnected.com)
My REBarCamp Orlando Recap (activerain.com)

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Mike Mueller

Mike builds the custom Apps that create the Tabs that make Custom Facebook Pages special. He builds Discount WordPress Blogs and shoots commercial high def video. He's an avid hockey fan, rides a motorcycle (a really fast one), loves strong beer and good red wine.

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76 Comments - Leave a comment!

http://www.SanDiegoJeff.com/ jeffreydouglass

Mike,

This is an interesting post but I’m not sure of your message? Could you help me with a summary of what you want to say?

I have attended only 2 bar-camps, one in San Diego where I live, and another in Orange County. Most of the time my business keeps me from attending conferences, bar-camps, Inman, tweet-ups, and the hundreds of other functions going on all over the Country.

I have meet some really nice people, one of them was you, while at bar-camp. Meeting people in IRL (in real life) after following them on twitter or facebook, or a blog is really cool. With that said, in my limited experience with bar-camp it seems to be a pretty tight club of people or the insider club. Besides the networking opportunity, I’m not sure of the value it offers today.

Frankly I am not much of a person that thinks things should be for free or without strings. We all have our own agenda’s, yourself included, and trying to pretend that agenda’s don’t exist beneath the surface is pretty humorous.

There are volunteers trying to give back, and plenty that have a defined agenda. That is the nature of our world.

The last bar-camp that I attended there was someone that presented themselves as an expert is short sales. Had I not been stuck in a crowded room full of people I would have walked out as they were advocating charging a $300.00 program to the prospects to determine if they were qualified for HAFA. Additionally the presenter thought it was wonderful that she convinced some poor seller to take pictures of his home with his cell phone.

As Jeff Brown recently wrote, having such a loose agenda and no vetting process for the speakers, has me done with them.

One final point is that the bar-camp movement, while started by some really great folks, has become a venue for every social media expert, specialist, guru, and company to extract more money from poor agents seeking the magic pill. Just look at the treatment that Todd Carpenter received, who in my mind, had no agenda other than to provide an arena of learning.

Just my two cents worth.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Jeffrey- I remember meeting you at #REBCSD as well.
: )

In summary? REBarCamps are not the ultimate event you might have been led to believe BUT they are still worth attending – Like Todd said, it’s what you make of it.

Agenda? I have one. Be top of mind so when someone thinks Facebook or WordPress – they think of me. That and I really dig the potential discussions.

http://www.SanDiegoJeff.com/ jeffreydouglass

Mike, Thank you. I always feel if I can walk away with one good idea or meet on new person it is worthwhile. I agree with Todd, but I think the process could use a little refining at this point – too many false messages.

Your agenda has worked my friend!

http://twitter.com/lorennason Loren Nason

I think you are spot on with every mini-rant totaling up to the full rant.

I mostly think that most of the barcamps (i’ve only attended 5) are becoming slaughter houses and the agents are the cattle.

More and more gurus/experts/d-bags coming to a barcamp to make a sale even though technically it is a no-sell zone. Yes, I admit I am a vendor. But in the few sessions I have held I don’t mention it until unless someone asks.

I think some Barcamps are getting to big and miss out on the really good discussions. I don’t want to be talked to. I want to talk with (discuss) a bunch of people and have stimulating conversations (shameless KFI plug)

Either way your rant is spot on.
No I will not be at REBW
No, if there is a BarCamp at REBW i will not be there either.

Time to start holding mini-barcamps
and stop getting glitzy locations and then needing lots of money to pay
for building

ok… my rant is over for now

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

“gurus/experts/d-bags”?
What about the Ninjas? LOL

Hey, for the record – you and I met at a REBC ; )

Also for the record, I’m still a believer. As for the big vs little – the same discussions could happen at both right? Maybe my point is that the bigger isn’t necessary for a successful event.

REBW? I’ll be there but there’s no REBC. I’m there for the people!

Carole Sanek

We attended our first one in Orlando – met you there Mike – we learned things, we checked out some info once home, if it did not fit our business motto we discarded it. The best presentations for me are those who get participation from the attendee group. This should be about sharing and probably more about masterminding. Sharing what works and what doesn’t can enhance the presenter – I just started a 365 thing blog and FB page which is information I got at camp-but what I learned from you was the important thing, I made it a branded page – that was great info thanks. Getting back to my main point – I think we need more masterminding – less “I am and I do” by one person and while there is motivation to pound your chest at events like this maybe there should be some guidelines in place after all isn’t it always about that radio station WIFM? What’s In It For Me?

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Carole!
Thanks for the thoughts.
I’ve been to countless REBC’s and while I’m sure there was something crappy at each one – I can’t recall them specifically.
I can however, vividly remember each take away and rewarding conversation from every event I attended.
Selective memory?

http://www.facebook.com/lanethegarageguy Lane Bailey

You aren’t wrong… and as an “almost organizer” (can’t fully claim the title until Friday), have seen some of these issues and expect to see some more. It is a tough balancing act.

We have made a concerted effort to move away from presentations and keep things discussion based. Sometimes this has ticked off a potential sponsor that wanted a presentation spot… I’ve had to tell them that there weren’t presentations, just discussions. And that the spots would be decided by the attendees. I’m pretty sure I;ll be going nuts on Friday morning because of that.

And I know where you are with the charging… I thought long and hard about it. We’ll see how it goes… and that will play to next year’s event.
Cijones52

I’ve attended a couple of REBarCamps and talked to friends who have attended others. What I find interesting about them & other conferences is the “experts” who are leading the discussion. If it’s local and they profess their expertise for example with hyper-local blogging and yet when you check the MLS and see their sales record a question or two should arises.

Are they a local expert because of a solid business or are they local expert because they have managed to proclaim themselves as one? I think there is a huge difference. Many times the “experts” I see traveling around the REBarCamp and blog-o-sphere don’t have the sales to back up the hype. This isn’t the only business that happens but in most cases the business numbers are more evident to the public (and peers) than RE.

I’d like to see more vetting of who is leading the discussions but until that happens everyone has to decided if the information being shared works for them.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

C-
Very true. Then again the way a BarCamp is supposed to work in it’s raw form is just that. Show up and lead a discussion or show up and let us know what you’d like to see discussed.
Vetting and setting up discussions and topics might make for a better conference but at the sacrifice of the spirit of barcamp? Then again, is there even a spirit of barcamp?

http://twitter.com/Micropterus Rich Bailey

Mike,

I’ve been to 4 bar camps; two were piggy-backing on Inman RE Connect, two were independent. All were a little different. When the organizer or the one at Inman New York wanted to schedule speakers, BarCamp purists said it violated the spirit of BarCamp. In the end, it churned up some of the most compelling dialogue of any bar camp (at least in the afternoon; I missed the am sessions). The reason? The speakers didn’t speak, as much as they facilitated dialogue. It got heated in a few rooms. And a few attendees are always going to dominate the discussion. That is a function of their individual personalities, not the event itself, and it will happen no matter what you do.

I think it’s OK to schedule speakers, especially if the topic is rather vague, unknown or needs to be discussed at a 101 level. But I’d rather call them “discussion Leaders”; the organizers need to make them understand that if the audience is involved and wants to hear more, it’s ok to keep talking. If the discussion starts, let if flow. Now your job is to keep it on topic, unless the tangent is more interesting. Go with the flow.

When I was a Social Studies teacher, too many of my colleagues were obsessed with staying on topic and curriculum. For me, it was hard to end a compelling discussion engaging 30 teenagers to cover what the state mandated. Or if you prefer a hockey metaphor, players are told that sometimes you have to play the game that’s on the ice. If the other team wants to check, you may have to drop the finesse and hit back. Seize the opportunities you are given; having a gameplan is good, but you have to be able to change the plan if the play dictates it. I think BarCamp is much the same. It’s ok to have designated discussion leaders, so long as they understand why they are there, and what the organizers want the attendees to take from it. Be a discussion leader. Be flexible, and play the game that’s on the field. Go with the mood of the audience.

Of course, the selling deal is a different matter. Sometimes the organizers were not explicit in their intent, other times speakers will sell no matter what you tell them. Those who make a habit of it make a name for themselves pretty fast, and likely will not be invited to speak again…unless the audience liked it.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Rich –
I remember NY and the discussion well.
On the selling – I remember at REBarCamp #1 there was a video session. The discussion leaders were also sponsors. The discussion wasn’t a discussion it was a sales presentation. In all fairness, this was the very first REBC and they just didn’t get the memo. In there shoes it must have been very weird to have people interrupting their sales presentation and lead the discussion down a different path – which is exactly what some of us did.

Thanks for working Hockey into your comment – double kudos for you!
; )

And before I forget – YES we’ll get you scheduled on the M files just as soon as I get a free Monday!

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

This from Morriss Partee – (Disqus ate his comment twice)
_____________________________________________________

Hey Mike! Great post! I guess disqus ate my first comment here, so I’ll try to replicate.

I love the idea about price of admission be bringing a Camp virgin. That would be great except that Camps are better the FEWER people who attend.

I have a bit of experience with Camps of a variety of types, (BarCampBank, PodCamp, RE BarCamp, and FacebookDev Camp) having attended 13 and organized 3 myself.

What is interesting to me, is that despite the fact that Camps/unconferences have no profit motive (any extra funds left over are usually given to charity), it is so ingrained in us for MORE MORE MORE BIGGER BIGGER BIGGER, that so many folks want to try to have as many people show up for an RE BarCamp as possible. What’s the point of that? Discussions are MUCH BETTER with fewer people. When there are fewer people, each participant feels more involved, has a greater sense of belonging, of being important, of mattering, of making a difference. It’s the QUALITY of people who show up that make the difference, NOT THE QUANTITY.

As for the Free/Paid issue, this is where RE people would be well served to step out of the box and look at where RE BarCamp comes from, namely the original BarCamp in SF that used Open Space technology, and equally importantly the PodCamp movement that started in Boston. PodCamp was based on BarCamp, but adapted to its own unique needs. One of the earliest changes to the original BarCamp precepts was to REMOVE THE FREE-ATTENDANCE requirement for camps. At PodCamp Boston 2, where attendance was still free, word had spread so far and wide how amazing this event was that One Thousand Two Hundred (1200) people registered. The only bummer is that only 600 people showed up. So they changed the rules way back in 2007, and now PodCamps charge between $20-$50. If the RE folks had been participating/watching the wider unconference/social media scene, y’all would have dropped the free thing long ago, and started charging. That nominal cost is still a fraction of the value you receive at a good Camp, but it brings the registration/actually-showing-up ratio into far better alignment, which is A Good Thing.

Mike, it was a true pleasure meeting you at RE BarCamp ORL, and I’d love to share more of my experience with attending and organizing Camps so that you can continue to share the RE BarCamp love that you do so well.

(BTW, there is no cure for the unconference addiction… good luck finding treatment.

PPS- these unconferences should simply be called RECamps. The “bar” in the name implies a programming bent, which there has never been. I recognize it’s too late to change now, but at least now you know. Notice it’s PodCamp, not PodBarCamp, StartUpCamp, not StartUpBarCamp, etc.
——————–

http://everythingcu.wordpress.com Morriss Partee

Thanks for posting this for me Mike. I think disqus is trying to tell me “go post this dissertation on your own damn blog.”

http://www.facebook.com/scottschang Scott Schang

So many great points Mike! It’s an interesting evolution that happens when a “movement” becomes popular. There are definitely vultures that circle the unsuspecting crowd, waiting for one of them to ask a “buying question” and I think it’s the responsibility of the Purists (I see you as being one) to keep the spirit of discussion alive.

There also lies a great responsibility on the shoulders of the attendee to break out of what they “know” and really get in there and take full advantage of the discussions (by participating and not feeling stupid for asking a question) and the relationships that can be built.

I can see the age of the organized RECamp coming to an end in the near future and being replaced by local Meetups that get together on a regular basis to discuss hot topics like actual real life strategy and conversion.

I belong to several of these local groups and as the groups grow, relationships are built and standards of communication are set. It’s difficult to invade a “group” with a sales pitch…they pretty much never come back

All in all, as a fellow Junkie – You’re addressing very real issues about the evolution of the barcamp.

As always, it’s great talking to ya!

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Scott –
Your comment to BawldGuys post is what finally spurred me to pull this post out of draft mode (it was over a year old). I see a smattering of truth in every one of the “Why BarCamps” posts. Some blogs I just won’t leave a comment on for reasons unrelated to the post itself but I want to stand up and say – Hey you have a very valid point there!

I don’t see an end to the REBC movement. a refinement? perhaps.
I’d love to get a local club like Bob has going on up here. Attempted to start one here in the bay area and rotate it around the bay. Couldn’t get the traction. : (

And yes, I am a REBC purist (to a fault). It sits up on a pedestal glistening in the bright sunshine. My vision might be unrealistic – but I’m sticking to it.

Junkie’s Unite!

http://twitter.com/MichelleDe MichelleDeRepentigny

I saw you on the list for #rebcATL – are you really going to be there? Will I finally get to meet you IRL?

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

M-
Sadly no. I built the RSVP site and use myself as a crash test dummy.
It’s very fickle and breaks easily.
I wish I could make it to every REBC.
: )

http://210consulting.com/ Jeremy Blanton

Someone pass me the needle, I am missing out on #ATL this week.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Jeremy – I have a case of Needles!
I prefer the .3 ml with 1/2 inch how about you?
(sorry – diabetic humor)

http://twitter.com/SedonaKathy kathy howe

From one “junkie” to another! I’m off to Anaheim…sorry you won’t be there as it’s always a pleasure to be with someone who does not “sell” – put themselves out as an expert – have a prepared script and ppt. presentation… #imjustsayin Many of the REBarCamps have turned into a classroom rather than a learning/discussion experience. I have offered to help with one in Anaheim but would only do so if it were unstructured and a discussion…

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Kathy – wish I could be there as well.
Thanks for the kind words.

As for the classroom debate – I’m still a huge fan of the REBC and even if it’s the worst REBC ever, I’ll bet I would walk away with some nugget of value.

http://www.facebook.com/WestportMoves Marilyn Katz

Mike-

I’ve attended 3 REBarCamps, the first two in NYC and the most recent, in Rye. At the 1st NYC BarCamp, we met in one room and and broke into discussion groups. There truly were some great, moderated discussions that day. The discussion leader did not have to be an “expert” or “vetted” for the session to be a success. In fact, in one group, the leader merely threw out a controversial comment and a lively exchange of ideas ensued.

Each subsequent barcamp has gotten more structured. While there are still worthwhile presentations, they have become just that, presentations, resulting in the event feeling more like a RE Conference than a barcamp. I realize it makes it easier (on the nerves) to organize a barcamp knowing you have a set group of speakers to lead the sessions, rather than having to hope people will step forward, that morning. I guess the best you can do is reiterate that they are meant to be leading the discussion, not teaching the topic.

That said, I look forward to the next NYC REBarCamp, in Jan. Hope to see you there.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

M-
So Structure and the addition of more structure has resulted in less value?
Is that like the tighter you try to hold something the easier it is to slip thru your fingers?

Yes, I believe you might be seeing me in NY – If Inman wants me, I’ll be there.

http://twitter.com/jglynn jglynn

I share a lot of your views, Mike. Thanks for posting.

I’ve had a wide range of experience at the handful of these I have attended. I’ve had some truly eye-opening and stimulating ideas/conversations, some great contacts and introductions. And on the other hand, some anxious boredom, sense of missing the target, etc. They’ve definitely been worthwhile events in the balance.

My biggest issue is the tendency for “conversation” to morph into a one-to-many, expert-to-mildly clueless talk-at-you session. I think it’s on the leaders and the attendees equally to try and make it a conversation.

This is where the free form is a blessing and a curse, since there’s no way to offer a ‘one size fits all’ experience. You have to show up with the intent to take in what you can, realize some of it might go over your head, some of it might be old news. Just try to go with the flow, don’t slow down the pace for others, and try to elevate the moment if you think it’s moving too slow.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Excellent thoughts John!
“You have to show up with the intent to take in what you can, realize some of it might go over your head, some of it might be old news.”

And I’d add “intent to Share what you can” as well.

Chris

Lawdy, I hope you’re not talking about me …

I might be peddling Ginsu knives at REBCNO. Can I count you in for a set or would you settle for another free “blog like a rock star” class from yours truly?

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

LOL!
I’ll take the knife set but only if you throw in the 32 piece ShamWow!

I wish I could be at #REBCNO but it will be a case of REBarCamp NO for me.

BTW: Loved the LiveWriter session. Been using it for years and learned a few things!
It was all ‘Zilla goodness!

http://wolkia.com tinainvirginia

Mike, as I sat here tonight completely stressing about getting everything together for REBCVA on Thursday, I totally needed this post. I met you for the very first time during a “conversation” at REBCSF in 2008. Your post has made me reflect on that first, genuine and raw REBC and I have now crossed off 75% of my “to-do’s” because they are not needed. REBCVA will be great b/c it won’t be organized and planned and have an agenda. It will be a great group of discussions – no canned presentations – no infomercials. I can’t thank you enough for the timing of this post and being my drug dealer!

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Wowsers!
Tina – that’s great but not at all why it was written. But I’m glad it helped.

Would love to hear how it all goes for you.
BTW: if anyone gives you any flack at all for any reason (where’s my t-shirt?”) I’ll fly out there and kick their butt!

: )

http://www.dougfrancis.com Doug Francis

I commented the other day on bloodhoundblog (a 8/21 post by Teri Lussier) that Tina’s REBarCamp at a BBQ joint in Virginia Beach was a great experience and well worth the drive.

Tina, it still remains a high point!

Although meeting Mike at Lynchburg last year is high on the list too…

http://www.dougfrancis.com Doug

hold on, it wasn’t her post at all. Sorry. Dag-nab-it…

Okay, I found it on BHB but a post dated the other day by Jeff Brown (9/25)

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Yup! BalwldGuy’s post was just the latest recent post that I read (didn’t comment on) and if anything was the catalyst for getting this post out of the draft folder.

I really liked Lynchburg as well – best session there? We had a great discussion on advanced WP Plugins. I think we had 10 people in that room. Someone caught a picture of me laying on the floor (that’s REBC Comfortable, eh?)

* And yes! Meeting you was also a HUGE highlight!

http://PhoenixRealEstateGuy.com Jay Thompson

I’m going to say this on the World Wide Web and I don’t care who sees it…

Mike Mueller, I love you.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Damn! I forgot to install the “Bromance” filter in Disqus.
Now the whole world knows!
; )

Anonymous

Dead on Mike.

I just experienced most of your comments recently. I love the BC ideals, and appreciate what organizers do to pull off the events, but it is difficult to package spontaneity and make the magic every time. So many participants don’t know what to expect, so that when they get what amounts to vendor-led, low-grade, 90-minute training session in 45 minutes, they may be satisfied — never knowing that they missed a great opportunity to learn from peers.

Only other point I would make would be a suggestion for organizers to attempt to assign a level to the sessions. “Basics of SEO” and “Mastering SEO after Google Caffeine” should not appear to be the same session. Titles like “SEO for your website” tells participants nothing about level for the session.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

John-
I’ve seen REBC’s that did that (rank the level) and I think it does help.

I’m also a proponent of having a beginner’s track. One room where it’s start to finish n00b stuff. Intro to SM, Beginning Facebook, Twitter for Dummies, SEO 101 and so on.

In the end it’s up to each organizer as to what and how they want their event to go.
That’s part of the REBC thing – do whatever you want to do.

http://www.athomeinscottsdale.com drubloomfield

I do think there was a spirit of REBarCamp. The first one in San Francisco rocked my world.

Evolution happens whether we want it or not. Right after the first REBCPHX, I had a conversation with someone, where we were hypothesizing what REBC’s would turn into, how we could change to tap into the organic nature of the early camps, while growing to accommodate the growing interest and attendance. We really came to no conclusions, other than to agree that it would be interesting to see what REBC would evolve to, a giant relatively unstructured meet-up, or a full-fledged conference. There’s got to be room for both, probably right along the lines of your idea of a camp within a camp.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Dru-REBC1 was indeed special. I go back from time to time and revisit the video I shot there.It’s a time capsule of what was…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0XPV3_pz1M
http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Dru-REBC1 was indeed special. I go back from time to time and revisit the video I shot there.It’s a time capsule of what was…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0XPV3_pz1M

http://www.facebook.com/petethepro Peter Brewer

Great post Mike. I mean REALLY great post!… I really want to run these in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. Is there a really good resource kit available?.. I hope to say Hi in New Orleans!

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Peter-
There isn’t. A REBarCamp is what you make it. If you are looking for help (and a voice of experience) there’s plenty of people that have put one on and can tell you their thoughts. I’d be happy to connect you!
: )

Bob Wilson

The plague that is REBC is the single biggest source of bad information.

Agents and brokers should encourage all of their competitors to attend as many as possible.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Bob – that’s pretty harsh, eh?
It might have been to the REBC(s) you went to but overall I disagree.

While there may be a certain amount of bad info being passed out there’s also some really great ideas being shared and created as well.

But let me ask you this. If you were to put one on yourself – what steps would you take to avoid this? how would you do it differently?

Bob Wilson

The real estate adaptation has failed. The original bar camps were never corrupted by vendors and “experts” because most of the attendees were experts who shared and collaborated with each other. It was peer to peer, with, for example, coders showing each other tricks and short cuts. Rarely was there one person in the room who knew that much more than the others to even attempt to “lead”.

The whiteboard discussions were more often than not a sharing of something they had developed, or created a workaround for, or something similar. It was not something you went to in order to learn the basics, which is what REBCs have become.

I have watched some of the “respected” gurus who make the REBC circuit put out obsolete info,or worse, repeat what they have heard with no understanding of the whys behind it.

Sorry Mike, but my disdain for many of those who are regulars at REBCs knows no bounds. Since I have a difficult time not standing up and pointing out that the emperor has no clothes, I have two choices – avoid them like the plague they are, or call out those who repeatedly get it wrong, but still use it as a platform to brand themselves in order to make the sale later.

Unfortunately, real estate just happens to be the perfect industry for these charlatans to exploit.

Would I do it differently? You mean like what AR and Inman are both doing? Or the way some in the RE space now have regular WordCamps so they can make a few hundred extra bucks a month from the sponsors?

You cant do BarCamps differently now. The plague has mutated and developed a resistance to any anti viral. Best to kill it off and start over.

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Bob- Love the discussion.

That’s a good point – original BarCamps were all just a bunch of geeks operating on the same level.

On the AR and Inman camps – they are ALL presentation. I’ve been to both. There’s an advantage to a presentation in that the speakers could be vetted, could be providing valuable content and so on. Then again, if I pay good money to go and it isn’t so – I’m out the time and $. I’m at the mercy of the event.

At a REBC, if it’s not what I need or wanted I can (in theory) make it what I want. I can create a discussion on the fly, pull in the people I want, and like the original BarCamp’s geek out with people of like mind. No loss of time or $.

Bob Wilson

There is nothing I need at a REBC, but that is not the issue. The problem is how many people get wrong info and dont know it. That is then a waste of time and money.

Unfortunately you have agents who are famous for being famous doing this stuff and they have instant credibility, although they are pretty far off the mark, but dont know it.

The problem with AR and Inman is that they are still pulling in the same self proclaimed gurus who are just vendors in disguise – vetted or not. NAR does it as well.

Real estate is the only industry that is this inbred in their online training and coaching. If it were me, the experts would be real experts who have marketing experience outside of the RE space. But there is no need to reinvent the wheel – that venue already exists – Its called PubCon. There is also SMX.

REBC is a joke when compared to similar events that are not real estate specific because the perspective (and experience) is so myopic.

http://twitter.com/acummings Ann Cummings

Mike – you have some great points in this post, and many of them are things I”ve thought myself. I’ve attended several REBarCamps, some small, a couple large ones and some in between. My all-time favorite was the smallest one I’ve attended and it was the first one I attended. It was REBCVA in Fredricksburg. I think there were about 75 people who attended, and it was small enough that we all got to meet each other and have actual conversations with each other. Great friendships came from that first REBC, and some great learning and networking. Everyone was welcomed and made to feel so welcome. Some I’ve been to were way to cliquey.

I would agree with you about some great people who were passed over would have been better at leading sessions than those ‘chosen’. I saw that happen first-hand at one of the larger REBarCamps I went to, and it was a shame because the ‘in’ people chosen waster everyone’s time in those sessions.

We’ve got a REBC coming up in NH on Oct 20th, and we’re using the things we’ve seen that we liked at others to make this one the best we can. It will be on the small side, we’ve got about 100 registered so far, and the majority of those registered are coming from NH and surrounding states, which we’re thrilled with. We still have space for you, if you should change your mind!

http://AreWeConnected.com mikemueller

Ann – Good luck on #REBCNH!
I wish I could make it – really.

I like both the large and the small REBCs. Each can have it’s own flavor.
One thing that I didn’t clarify is that this isn’t always the event planners fault. Sometimes there’s a nothing they can do about it.
If a session is a success or failure often times it had nothing to do with the planners (and then sometimes it has everything to do with them)

Web design London

I love the BC ideals, and appreciate what organizers do to pull off the events, but it is difficult to package spontaneity and make the magic every time.
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I would agree with you about some great people who were passed over would have been better at leading sessions than those ‘chosen’.

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I can’t thank you enough for the timing of this post and being my drug dealer!
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Real estate is the only industry that is this inbred in their online training and coaching. If it were me, the experts would be real experts who have marketing experience outside of the RE space.
http://www.mactonweb.com Web design sydney

I love the BC ideals, and appreciate what organizers do to pull off the events, but it is difficult to package spontaneity and make the magic every time…

The REBarCamp Truth

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Mike Mueller