SxSW: Salesman or Tourist
March 14th, 2009 by Shannon Newton
As I make my return to the South by Southwest Interactive, Film and Music Festival this week (skipping the music as I reluctantly always do) I was reminded of my conflict when I am here.
The conflict is whether I am a Market7 salesperson or SxSW tourist. As a salesperson, my responsibilities include evangelizing the latest exciting features to attract new customers, partners and resellers. But it’s difficult not to be a SxSW tourist as well. Geeky social networks, interesting technology, and great films…what’s not to love.
(BTW, breakfast at the Omni - definitely a tourist)
It’s like being a kid, trying to sell school raffle tickets in an ice cream store. You know what you are there to do but the smell of the waffle cone and butter-pecan ice cream drags your focus away without a murmur of resistance. So what is the answer? A little of both…until I smell the butter-pecan.
