It’s September, which means that the twice yearly migration of digital marketing types to Brighton will soon begin. \u00a0We’ve put together our teams tips for surviving and getting the most out of the UK’s biggest free digital marketing event. \u00a0Our unofficial survival guide will equip first timers and regulars alike with tips and suggestions to get more from their day.<\/p>\n
Calling all Brighton SEO veterans!\u00a0<\/strong> Do you have a great survival tip that I missed?\u00a0 Share it with me in the comments and I\u2019ll update the survival guide before each event, giving credit for any tips used (We all know that SEOs love a credit!).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The free tickets to Brighton SEO disappear quicker than a bag of chips\u00a0being attacked by Brighton seagulls.\u00a0 If you are reading this wondering whether you might want to go to the conference it is probably too late.\u00a0 \u201cFriends\u201d tickets are paid tickets that come with some extra benefits and are available for longer, but still sell out. There is a waiting list, but it’s l-o-n-g. \u00a0If you haven’t got tickets and were hoping to be at the September event you are doing to be disappointed. \u00a0Get yourself on the mailing list and up your game for April.<\/p>\n Life happens and sometimes people can\u2019t make it on the day.\u00a0 If you have tickets and won\u2019t be going let the event team know.\u00a0 It\u2019s been known for there to be 1,500 people on the waiting list for free tickets, so give someone else the chance.<\/p>\n The day before the main conference is given over the full-day workshops delivered by expert practitioners.\u00a0 The workshops give the opportunity to get in depth into specialist areas as part of a small group. Workshop details can be found here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Pro tip<\/strong>: Workshops also give you other benefits including the option to queue jump over subscribed conference sessions, access to the VIP WiFi and a perfect excuse to be in Brighton a day early and enjoy the pre-event socialising. They\u2019re also a good way to get yourself a conference ticket once the free ones have been taken.<\/p>\n All Brighton SEO speakers are announced well in advance.\u00a0 Most are pretty easy to find and many are frequent social media users.\u00a0 Check them all out in advance and get a feel for what they will be talking about so that you can plan the sessions that you want to attend. \u00a0You can see the list of speakers on the Brighton SEO website<\/a>.<\/p>\n Brighton SEO is multi-tracked.\u00a0 There are four main rooms plus deep dive sessions and clinics.\u00a0 Talks happen in each area simultaneously so you cannot see every session.<\/p>\n The sessions can be seen in advance on the BrightonSEO Sched<\/a> .\u00a0 Plan your strategy in advance to maximise your chances of catching the sessions of most interest to you.<\/p>\n The day is organised into sessions punctuated by breaks.\u00a0 The only practical time to move from one room to another is usually in the break, so plan your sessions accordingly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I don\u2019t think that I have ever made it back from Brighton SEO with charge left on my phone, and that includes the year that I took a spare battery.\u00a0 Pack a charger or booster to avoid that \u201c10% battery panic\u201d mid afternoon.\u00a0 If you have a charger be prepared for a queue to form wherever you use it.<\/p>\n If you need to travel to Brighton, leave the car at home.\u00a0 Parking near the Dome is expensive, the station is nearby and you will probably regret not being able to drink on the day.<\/p>\n People travel from all over the world to attend Brighton SEO. However it is attendees from London, more used to having events on their doorstep who seem to suffer greatest shock from the early start. Pro tip: The latest train from London Victoria that you can catch and be at the dome when the doors open leaves London at 07:36<\/p>\n Many Brighton SEO attendees stay over the night before and avoid the early start completely.\u00a0 Be warned though, these are often the delegates who look most tired on conference day thanks to the \u201cinformal pre-party\u201d that has been known to go on quite late for some. Pro tip: The #brightonseo twitter hashtag kicks off well before the event and is the most efficient way to track down other delegates.<\/p>\n Brighton SEO is a first rate event with excellent speakers, yet is also free.\u00a0 This combination is dynamite for the education seeking, bargain loving digital marketing industry and results in a massive migration to the South coast twice a year.\u00a0 This almost always results in a queue.\u00a0 Empty your bladder and grab a coffee on your walk down to the dome, put your phone away and embrace the opportunity to meet some of your fellow attendees.<\/p>\n Pro tip<\/strong>: Try Small batch<\/a> or Taylor St <\/a>\u00a0for coffee on the walk down from the Station. \u00a0If you are travelling the day before you might even be able to pick up your badge and register then.<\/p>\n Monster queue! SEO fun #brightonseo<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/U46tF1MaoX<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Wardworth Ltd (@Wardworth) April 10, 2015<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n Brighton dome WiFi is designed to cope with stand-up comedy audiences tweeting an occasional borrowed punchline.\u00a0 It is probably very capable under these circumstances, but copes less well under the stress of 1,500 digital marketing types doing what we do.\u00a0 Up your data allowance for the month, engage 4G and enjoy.<\/p>\n The Brighton SEO WiFi password is traditionally something that seems easy to remember, but is surprisingly illusive.\u00a0 You\u2019ll find it on one of the slides in the main hall, where it will flash past slightly more quickly than you are able to reach for your phone to photograph it. Pro tip: Check the twitter streams of @kelvinnewman and @brightonseo .\u00a0 Both will spend the first half hour of the conference answering the question \u201cWho knows the #brightonseo wifi password?\u201d<\/p>\n Event sponsors can be found in the exhibition space in the Corn Exchange and also in the Foyer.\u00a0 As well as kindly supporting the event many sponsors bring freebies in order to entice us all close to their stands.\u00a0 Do not expect those freebies to still be there by the first break.\u00a0 T-shirts particularly seem to be hot items, so get in quick.<\/p>\n Seriously \u2013 check before you pee guys.\u00a0 At some point there will be a tweet about someone peeing in the sink.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n At some point in proceedings, Kelvin Newman will invite a volunteer up on stage.\u00a0 Consider carefully whether this is a risk you are willing to take.\u00a0 Whilst you might be rewarded handsomely for your efforts, there is also a chance that you might be left wondering how you are going to carry a full sized arcade game cabinet home on the train.<\/p>\n Area 51 arcade machine has just been rolled out here at #brightonseo<\/a>: pic.twitter.com\/URqAd6hk<\/a><\/p>\nBefore the event<\/h2>\n
Act swiftly<\/h2>\n
If you can\u2019t make it<\/h2>\n
Get your boss to spring for a workshop<\/h2>\n
Check out the speakers<\/h2>\n
Pick your sessions in advance<\/h2>\n
Forget switching rooms mid-session<\/h2>\n
Travel and logistics<\/h2>\n
Pack a phone charger<\/h2>\n
Leave the car at home<\/h2>\n
London folk: You are going to need to get up early<\/h2>\n
\u2026 or come down the night before<\/h2>\n
Be prepared for a queue<\/h2>\n
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Inside the Dome<\/h2>\n
Do not rely on the Wifi<\/h2>\n
\u2026 and if you must use WiFi, you\u2019ll need the password<\/h2>\n
Get in quick if you want freebies<\/h2>\n
That isn’t a urinal<\/h2>\n
\u00a0During sessions<\/h2>\n
Consider whether you really want to get up on stage<\/h2>\n