@ryantaylor Re: [link to post] u r right, I doubt ppl will learn much there… PLUS its way more fun learning from u guys! #NAPT

– Posted using Chat Catcher

The problem with learning about social media I’ve heard from many of my colleagues and fellow communications professionals is that they don’t have the time to look for that information online nor do they care to take time out of their days or evenings to attend the free networking events. They also don’t deem relatively low cost events as being credible, despite the fact that there are many, many excellent speakers at these events.

As a result, when I brought back information and handouts from an expensive social media conference (I received a free pass – the cost would have blown my training budget), I was perceived as having more expertise and knowledge after the conference. Although I had given several presentations about topics covered at the conference over the past 2 years and have set up free sessions within government with the same speakers, coming back with materials from a $3K conference made it all legitimate.

My thoughts are that with social media, the choice on how to learn about it is yours — you choose to consume as much information and attend as many events as you deem relevant. Making that choice is scary for most people so they would prefer participating in a more formal conference where there’s a preset agenda and topics. The expense validates their perception of the value of the experience as being worthwhile.

Thanks for the thoughts – and whilst on vacation too!

Interesting take on why someone would present. I guess it’s easy to forget that presenters are learning and building their careers too. We so often put these people on pedastals as experts; I don’t often think of it from their side – probably because I don’t get asked to speak at paid conferences

Now go play with your kids!

Thanks for the comments. Since you were kind enough to itemize them, I’ll respond in kind (that sounds sarcastic but I’m being sincere. I loves me an ordered list!)

1) Agreed but I’d also say there are more and more opportunities to meet and compare notes that come a lot cheaper. GCPedia, for example. Or any of Social Media Breakfast, Third Tuesday, ChangeCamp etc. Getting out of the office and diving into a topic is a good exercise, to be sure. I’m just not sure it has to cost $2,700.

2) Not sure I agree. There’s a small but passionate (and growing) community of public servants that are more and more engaged in social channels. If you’re talking decision makers, though, you might be right there. Not sure what the level breakdown is among those public servants. I won’t disagree with the value of the opportunity though. Any chance to share these ideas should be seized upon, even paid conferences.

3) No qualms with people getting paid. From what I hear, some conferences pay and some don’t.

4) No qualms with this one either, though if organizations aren’t willing to invest time in investigating tools for themselves I wonder about their appetite for long-term engagement in tools. Outsourcing some of the research and planning is fine; outsourcing the application of the tools probably isn’t, at least not in the long term. But I agree, having someone specialized (hate the term expert) distill the masses of information is useful. As with previous points, though, not sure you need to pay $2,700 to do it.

5) Not sure what you’re saying here, actually. Yes, the price is exclusionary when the information (and the opportunity to have it distilled for you) is available elsewhere for free.

6) My questions are more broad than just taxpayer dollars but since I raised the issue myself I suppose I can’t disagree with your assesment. And you’re right, the government doesn’t have a lot to lose by spending big on conferences. And as long as someone’s willing to pay, someone’s willing to collect. I just wonder why advocates of open and free sharing of information would perpetuate that.

Thanks again, always nice to see new commenters around here, especiallly commenters willing to take the time to post in a thoughtful manner.