PodCamp 2010 = Very Cool

I just got back from PodCamp Toronto 2010; made a ton of new contacts, met some old friends and generally had a good time.

Some cool, smart people of note whose presentations I watched, or just hung out with in the halls:

Donna Marie Antoniadis, Karim Kanji, Treena Grevatt, Evelyn Hannon, Jodi Echakowitz.

And, on the Greenscroll front, reconnected with Zell Artan, a very connected lady that we'll be partnering with on an exciting project. More to come on that soon ...

Freelance PR -- It's Not For Everyone

I've worked with Jodi Echakowitz on some stuff earlier this year, and she's a very smart and capable lady. Her virtual agency is doing well too.

I liked her blog post today highlighting what you are letting yourself in for if you decide to go the freelance PR route. You can read the whole list at her blog, but here's a few of my own I'd like to add ...

It can get very lonely! Sure, it's great to pick the hours you work, and there's no boss looking into your cubicle, and a wireless laptop is a godsend on a sunny day ... but there's also no colleagues to bump into in the office kitchen, or by the proverbial watercooler. Most interaction and brainstorming is turned into virtual, online collaboration. Webcams are fine, but it's not the same as a physical face-to-face chat.

It's up and down for the most part. You have to grab the "up" with both hands, work your arse off and bank some of that coin because there might just be a "down" around the corner.

It's exciting! You never know what is going to pop into your inbox or Twitter account any time of day, or day of the week -- including weekends of course. Being your own boss means always keeping a handle on things, but you have to take the time to switch everything off sometimes (including your brain) and enjoying some R&R. Come back refreshed and your clients will thank you for it.

Is There An Echo In Here?

So, as much as I enjoyed working at UCC, and will always help those guys out, the latest two-month gig ended last Friday, and now I am in a new role as social media / PR consultant for Echo Communications. Just launched our new blog here.

I had a coffee with proprietor Jodi Echakowitz a few weeks ago, liked her plans and ideas, we're on the same page regarding social media -- and this all stemmed from a LinkedIn connection.

There you go, the work IS out there, you just have to go out and find it. Don't let the media's doom and gloom scenarios get you down.