SteemCampUK2: The Aftermath

Source Photo credit @dronegraphica SteemCampers left to right: @ashtv, @redrica, @starkerz, @slobberchops, @goblinknackers, @dronegraphica, @rod.crisafulli, @teodora, @steevc, @gillianpearce, @revisesociology, @shanibeer and @lloyddavis. We were also joined by newbie, @knightswood.

It was a fabulous day, full of joy, energy and happiness. Everyone was pleased to see each other, some good talking was done, @ashtv and @rod.crisafulli documented the day, and some of our number discovered the many great things about Leicester, including food, art and:

Source Picture credit @teodora. Bitcoin and Litecoin accepted here!

Although I've called this the Aftermath, really it's the Prequel, as I wanted to talk a little about some of the work that went on before the event, and some of the things I learned while I was talking to non-Steemians about SteemCampUK2.

Source We know that there's about 100 active Steem accounts spread across the UK and just over 10% of them got together in Leicester. We're truly in the innovator stage for Steem adoption.

Although there are some applications - @actifit, @steemmonsters - that might have mass appeal, the major lesson for me from promoting SteemCampUK is just how wide and deep The Chasm is.

I had put together a list of potential smart investors, innovators and early adopters, to promote SteemCamp to and this is how I got on:

Lead	Interaction (meetings/emails etc)	Outcome
Positive responses
Lead 1	10 interactions with three people over nine weeks.	Bingo! A participant at SteemCampUK.
Leads 2-5	6-10 interactions with 10 people over 4 months.	Unable to attend due to change of date. Want to keep talking; looking for tailored responses eg @oracle-d presentation.
Lead 6	7 interactions over 5 months.	offered to host national audience webinar/roundtable.
Fell by the wayside
Leads 7-8	2-5 interactions with 4 people over 5 months.	Can pick up with a more focused, tailored approach eg @steemhunt presentation.
Leads 9-11	1-3 interactions with 5 people over 5 months.	More generic, lower-commitment entry point eg regular informal meet-up/drop-in.
No headway
Lead 12	3 interactions over five months with named contacts/track record	Lead 1 might help!
Lead 13	2 interactions over five months with no-named contacts.	Laters! There may be another way in.

Roughly, 46% positive responses. There was a little bit of attrition because we moved the date. Changing the date is always a difficult decision, but with hindsight, I think this was the right decision because we needed the power surge of active Steemians.

The major learning points were:

• we had most success where there was a previous relationship and track record and I was quickly able to demonstrate how Steem might meet known needs.
• most leads needed a tailored approach - I've suggested a couple in the table.
• there's a need for low-commitment, informal meet ups where people feel comfortable about dropping in.

In the post SteemCamp discussion in the pub, @redrica suggested promoting a more generic theme of cryptocurrency, but then using Steem as the main content and discussion at the event. I think this is a great idea.

This approach does involve a lot of work - I spent the equivalent of about half a day a week for most weeks from mid-January until the event in early May (including blogging).

For me, though, it is really worthwhile meeting other Steemians face-to-face, and I really appreciate the long journeys so many participants undertook to get to SteemCampUk. There is a real surge of energy, fun, learning and coming together which is beyond the internet and digital communication.

I wonder if we are subject to the markets or if, really, what will make Steem successful is the energy, creativity and goodwill of all of us.

Source Photo credit @dronegraphica: Good bye SteemCampers, until next time!