Hey Strands, guess what!!! I’m going to Podcamp Pittsburgh!!!!! (www.podcamppittsburgh.com)

In case the exclamation points weren’t a tip off, I’ll let you in on a secret: I’m totally stoked! I can’t wait to spend a weekend with people who are just as excited about social media as I am and hear from people who have spent a lot more time than I have on the internet. (Wait—is there ANYONE who’s spent more time on the internet than I have?)

Briefly, Podcamp Pittsburgh (PCPGH) is an “unconference” for social media junkies happening this weekend at the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. There will be sessions on everything from how to blog to how to utilize social media in business to how to make social media your full time job. (You mean I could be getting paid for this?)

There are a lot of reasons I’m going, but here’s why this is more than just me wanting to hang out with my fellow geeks (not that there’s anything wrong with that!):

Over the past few months I’ve realized that I really really enjoy social media. I think it’s fascinating and it’s not going to go away any time soon. I’m pretty sure this internet thing is here to stay and it’s going to continue changing the way we interact and the way that we share information. I like social media so much, in fact, I’ve started thinking about ways I could potentially integrate it into my eventual career. I’m still in college, but I’m studying International Affairs and hoping to work in the global public health field one day. I know that doesn’t exactly scream “booming technology market,” but why shouldn’t it? We should be utilizing the best technology we have in medication as well as communication. There have to be an infinite number of ways that the social media tools I’m playing around with now could be harnessed to help people all over the world. You can read more of what I have to say about this here (http://kathleenld.wordpress.com/2008/08/22/social-media-rocks-now-what/), but my point is that there’s a lot of good that can be done with social media and the best way for me to be a part of it is to learn as much as I can!

Thinking a little shorter term, I’m hoping to learn some things at PCPGH about viral marketing. My friend Ben is in the process of creating a web series of short films. I have total confidence in his ability to create a phenomenal series, but I don’t think he knows how best to present his creative efforts in a way that will help lots of people find his videos. He knows that he doesn’t really know a ton about this and that I might know a little more, so he promoted me from Internet Junkie to Viral Marketing Expert! (see the first video and the whole story here: http://kathleenld.wordpress.com/2008/10/08/the-choices-of-ghosts/ ) Now I’m certainly not a viral marketing expert by any means, but there are going to be people at PCPGH who are! I really want Ben and his friends get some well deserved visibility for their web series so I’m hoping to learn as much as I can this weekend (and afterwards) that will help me help them. What better way to learn about this than at a conference full of people who are experts at utilizing the power of the web?

Anyway, I’ll be there Saturday and Sunday going to sessions and networking w/ my fellow geeks. I’ll also be using the time as a chance to let people know about Strands! Operation mainSTREAM is about taking social media to the non-geeks, but that doesn’t mean we can’t use our oOo skills with our geek friends as well! Strands is sending me a limited number of Strands shirts and a bunch of Strands stickers so if you’ll be at PCPGH find me (I have red hair and I respond to Kathleen, or Kath if you’re Walt Ribeiro) and I’ll hook you up! Also, chances are if you’re reading this you’re already using Strands, but in case you aren’t, you can use the invite code “pittsburgh” (w/out quotes) to signup!