(visit the DigiSo.org information page)

As part of my involvement with DigiSo – West Virginia’s first co-working digital space, I’m holding a workshop tomorrow.

“How to Cover an Event Online, and Why You Should”

Being good at this can help you get a job in new media journalism.

I’m from Toronto, Canada, my country’s largest tech and new media city, and I’d argue, one of the most social media savvy cities in North America.  Like I said during my Ignite presentation here a few months back, “I’m not trying to be a jerk, but I’m a few years ahead you of guys”.

It’s all trickling down to you here, the new online way, and I’d like to show you how to turn that into a paying job.  It can be done, it takes time and hard work, and it’s ridiculously fun.

We’re going to cover Hack3rCon, the state’s premiere online security conference.  But really, you can use the skills you’ll learn at any event.  I’ll show you how to cover an event, from start to finish, share my tricks, and mistakes.

I’ve set up a press room for us. When you arrive at the Ramada Inn in downtown Charleston, find the Clendenin Room.

Itinerary

11am – 12pm – Meet in press room, establish your plan of attack

12pm – 2pm – Field work – out to the conference floor, documenting, interivewing, gathering content for your story. Also, you’ll be live covering the event via Twitter / Foursquare / Viddy / etc.

2pm – 3pm – Return to press room, publish your story, and market your work

What You’ll Need to Bring

– laptop

– camera

– phone

– pen & paper

– your blog (if you have one)

– if you don’t yet have a Twitter account, set one up

– familiarize yourself with the event – here’s the website, the Twitter account @Hack3rCon, and the hashtag – #Hack3rCon

Why Am I Doing This?

There’s 3 answers:

1 – Many, many people over the years have taken the time to answer my questions, over coffee or the phone, and helped me navigate and get to where I am today.  There’s no way I’d be where I am today without them.  Now it’s my turn.

2 – This is fun for me.  I saved these tweets from May:

Back home, it’s different than it used to be.  It’s not as new and shiny, it lost some luster, that’s the way things go, right?  But you guys are just gearing up and taking off, so I get to re-live it all once again!

3 – I like you West Virginians.  You remind me of my country’s Newfoundlanders.  That’s maybe the biggest compliment a Canadian could give you ;)

Any question, send me an email, and looking forward to meeting you guys tomorrow.

Keri