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/2009/website/img/PyConChi.png" alt="PyCon 2009: 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/2009/website/img/tinybadge.png" alt="PyCon 2009: 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 2009
Chicago, IL
March 27-29, 2009
PyCon 2009, the seventh annual community conference for the Python programming language, will take place March 27-29 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Hotel in Chicago, IL.
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 3.0 and new developments in Python for the .NET and Java environments.
For 2009, the pre-conference tutorials have been expanded from one day to two (March 25 - 26) due to their great popularity. After the conference, four days of development sprints (March 30 to April 2) will bring participants together for face-to-face cooperation to advance several Python open-source projects.
As Python usage has grown rapidly, PyCon has grown as well. PyCon 2008's attendance topped 1000, up from 410 just two years ago.
PyCon: http://us.pycon.org/2009
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 2009
Chicago, IL
March 27-29, 2009
PyCon 2009, the seventh annual community conference for the Python programming language, will take place March 27-29 at the Hyatt Regency O'Hare Hotel in Chicago, IL.
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 3.0 and new developments in Python for the .NET and Java environments.
For 2009, the pre-conference tutorials have been expanded from one day to two (March 25 - 26) due to their great popularity. After the conference, four days of development sprints (March 30 to April 2) will bring participants together for face-to-face cooperation to advance several Python open-source projects.
As Python usage has grown rapidly, PyCon has grown as well. PyCon 2008's attendance topped 1000, up from 410 just two years ago.
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/2009
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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