I saw a comment recently on an announcement I made about SQL Saturday events that asked when we were coming to the North East US and holding an event.
It made me realize that the marketing isn't quite there and while it's becoming a well known franchise, people aren't seeing it that way. I think they have the impression that it's Andy, Brian, and I setting up these events and traveling all around the country.
That would be nice, but we're not quite that good at fundraising.
SQL Saturday is a franchise, but it's really a framework. We've set up a template that allows you to easily run your own event. Our support is in terms of the knowledge, and the bits on the website that help you deal with registration, signage, charging for lunch, etc. We've given you the things most people have to learn on their own, each time they do an event. However there's one thing we don't provide.
Work.
It's up to the individuals at the local event to decide to have one and then market it, do the actual labor, find speakers, raise money, etc. We make it easier, but it's a local event, and the people running the events, like Andy in Orlando, Patrick in Baton Rouge, Karla in Pensacola, along with their friends and volunteers, that deserve the credit.
So if you want an event in your area, make it happen. Motivate some people to help you and then make it happen. It's your event, and you deserve the credit when it does happen.
And in line with credit, when I say "we", I really mean Andy. This is his baby, and while Brian and I help and support him, it's really his vision that's built this.
2 comments:
I can't take all that much credit either - it does go back to work. All the people that decided to take the risk and make the investment of time, and then share back lessons learned, that's powerful, and we're still learning. I still have dreams of 100+ events a year in the US alone, but you're right, we need to work on the message more.
I have now planned and pulled off two successful SQL Saturday events. I would have to say Andy has been instrumental in making both these event extremely successful. If it wasn't for his guidance I'm sure the events I planned would have been considerably less successful, or flat out would not have happened.
It’s been great fun planning these events and provided rewards I never expected. Keep up the good work Andy!!!!
Gregory A. Larsen
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