Publicize PyCon
You are the key to getting the word out about PyCon. Here are some materials to help you do it.
Blog badges
If you blog, please let your readers know about PyCon. A blog badge is a nice way to enhance such a post.
Copy this HTML into your post to get a fully-functional badge:
<a href="http://us.pycon.org"><img src="http://us.pycon.org/common/2008/website/img/PyConChi.png" alt="PyCon 2008: Chicago"></a>
(Please don't just copy the image; the fully-functional badge is hyperlinked to the PyCon website.)
You can also stick a cute little badge into your blog's permanent sidebar, like this:
The tiny badge's code:
<a href="http://us.pycon.org"><img src="http://us.pycon.org/common/2008/website/img/tinybadge.png" alt="PyCon 2008: Chicago"></a>
Tell it on the mountain
If you participate in mailing lists where PyCon would be of interest (and who wouldn't be interested in PyCon?), let them know. Don't forget your local user groups, computer associations, etc. Here's a sample announcement.
PyCon 2008
Chicago, IL
March 14-16, 2008
PyCon 2008, the sixth annual community conference for the Python programming language, will take place March 14-16 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel.
A rich schedule is being planned, including presentations, keynotes, Lightning Talks, an exhibition hall, and the hands-on Python Lab. Plentiful Open Space has been set aside for Birds-of-a-Feather sessions and other unscheduled "unconference"-style activity.
Topics span the range of Python programming activity from introductory to advanced. Some topics are perennial; others focus on recent news, like Python 3000 and new developments in Python for the .NET and Java environments.
The conference will be preceded by a day of intensive tutorials (March 13). Afterward, four days of development sprints (March 17-20) will bring participants together for face-to-face cooperation to advance several Python open-source projects.
PyCon attendance grew 44% from 2006 to 2007, reflecting the rapidly growing popularity of the language. PyCon 2008 has already set records for number of talks, tutorials, and sprints planned.
Registration is open now. Early-bird registration rates ($400 corporate, $220 hobbyist, $125 student) are available through February 20.
PyCon: http://us.pycon.org
PyCon blog: http://pycon.blogspot.com/
Python language: http://python.org
PyCon also has some professionally-made press releases.Those are good to give to people who work in the news media. If you have any personal contacts in the media, please talk to them directly, and/or connect them with Catherine Devlin.
Finally, here's a variant on the above blurb, written to target educators.
PyCon 2008
Chicago, IL
March 14-16, 2008
PyCon 2008, the sixth annual community conference for the Python programming language, comes to Chicago this year. The conference takes place March 14-16 at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel.
A rich schedule is being planned, including presentations, keynotes, Lightning Talks, an exhibition hall, and the hands-on Python Lab. Plentiful Open Space has been set aside for Birds-of-a-Feather sessions and other unscheduled "unconference"-style activity. Several tutorials and talks are designed for new Python users and new programmers specifically.
The conference will be preceded by a day of intensive tutorials (March 13). Afterward, four days of development sprints (March 17-20) will bring participants together for face-to-face cooperation to advance several Python open-source projects.
PyCon attendance grew 44% from 2006 to 2007. PyCon 2008 has already set records for number of talks, tutorials, and sprints scheduled.
Registration is open now. Early-bird registration rates ($400 corporate, $220 hobbyist, $125 student) are available through February 20.
About Python:
Python is a dynamic, open-source programming language suited to many kinds of software development. TIOBE named Python the fastest-growing programming language of 2007. Python is particularly recognized as a valuable language for education. Its ease of use allows quick start-up and progress, yet it also encourages good long-term programming habits and style. Its clear, readable syntax makes cooperation between students and instructors easy. Thanks to its broad capabilities, rich libraries, and vigorous community, Python can continue to be a student's language of choice long after moving from beginner to expert. Python code can run on Java and .NET platforms through the Jython and IronPython implementations.
PyCon: http://us.pycon.org
PyCon blog: http://pycon.blogspot.com/
Python language: http://python.org
Speak
Are you a speaker at an upcoming event? Great! Here's a PyCon slide for your slide deck.
Poster/Flyer
This one-sheet announcement can be used as a poster or flyer. Hand copies around your user group meetings. Post it on campuses. Ask to post it at bookstores. Put it in a card to your Mom. (She always asks what you've been up to, after all.)
Other
Brainstorm. Come up with other publicity ideas, and suggest them. Let your creativity run wild.
Catherine Devlin is serving as this year's volunteer publicity coordinator. Please contact her with any questions, suggestions, or offers to help.
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