SXSW Interactive: A guide for getting sh*t done while you're OOO

A Guide for Getting Sh*t Done While You’re OOO

INTERACTIVE

SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

SOUTH BY SOUTHWEST

IS MADNESS!

SXSW Interactive alone is 4 straight days and nights of sessions, networking events and parties.

So how do you actually get any work done?

There are lots of survival guides out there.

They all say pretty much the same thing:

h2o h2oh2o

TUMS

Party, but not like you did in college .

Wear comfortable shoes.

Drink lots of water.

Eat well. Or bring Tums.

Assume everything will take longer than you think.

They all say pretty much the same thing:

Great advice. Now let’s get down to business.

The goal is to return to work after SXSW feeling inspired by innovative ideas.

And some people do.

But the rest of us are exhausted.

1% inspired

99% tired

Our inboxes are overflowing.

Our projects are overdue.

Our coworkers are annoyed.

!#*!&!

So for those of you who want to attend SXSW and stillget sh*t done...

This guide is for you.

Here are 5 ways to find time to be productive while you’re out of the office.

Tighten up your session game. 1

Make a list of must-attend sessions and stick to it.

@sxswinteractive DIY old timey cat photography? I’ll pass. #NoFOMO

Pick consecutive sessions that you can walk between.

SESSION#2

SESSION#1

SESSION#3

SXSW cabs might as well be unicorns.

SESSION#2

SESSION#1

SESSION#3

Keep early mornings light so you can check email (and extend your recovery time).

Finish anything that’s due the week you come back.2

zz

zz

zz

z z

z

z zz

Come on. We both know you’re not going to finish those TPS reports on the flight home.

Ace conference calendar etiquette.3

Reschedule your weekly recurring meetings.

M T W T FM T W T F M T W T F

Set a reminder for an early daily check-in with coworkers back at the office.

That’ll help eliminate surprises later in the day.

Pack gear that keeps you connected during downtime.4

Mophie® iPhone Battery Case By day your smartphone will act as a notepad, camera, map and concierge. By night, you’ll need to follow up on emails and connect with friends and coworkers. Be prepared with an extra battery.

Powerstrip Don’t want to spring for a Mophie? Keep in mind outlets are scarce. Best to be prepared, and make a few friends while you charge.

Wi-Fi HotspotThough Wi-Fi is abundant, it can also be fickle. Bring along a hotspot to avert any crisis.

Go mobile. 5

These apps will buy you extra time and help you multi-task.

SXSW GOCheck your schedule, find your session, take notes, and email them to friends or coworkers, all in one app. Nice!

These apps will buy you extra time and help you multi-task.

EventbriteDon’t stumble through email confirmations or conference directories. Having all your event tickets in one place will save you time and headaches.

These apps will buy you extra time and help you multi-task.

TaskRabitYou forgot your business cards at your Airbnb rental that’s 10 miles away? A TaskRabbit can have them in your hand before the end of Elon Musk’s keynote.

These apps will buy you extra time and help you multi-task.

QuipNeed to quickly provide feedback on a coworkers’ project? Quip is document sharing built for mobile, so you can collaborate in real time while you’re OOO.

These apps will buy you extra time and help you multi-task.

Oh, there’s one other app you should check out.

It’s ours.

Cotap makes mobile messaging with coworkers fast and easy, and it’s awesome for coordinating at conferences because there’s no need to swap phone numbers.

If you’re headed to SXSW, we’d love to give you a t-shirt. Download Cotap and message erin@cotap.com for details.

Thanks for reading! See you at SXSW.

Cotap.com/download