Is SXSW worth the hype?

SXSW will rock your world. But it will also wreck you if you're not careful.This was my second year going. And it was a completely different experience.

Last year, I showed up as a fan. I attended events, met people I admired from afar, and left feeling inspired.

This year, I was hosting, speaking, and partnering with brands and spent a FULL week in Austin. I barely had time to eat, let alone attend anyone else's events.

I'll share highlights, lowlights, and my honest advice for anyone thinking about going next year.

Let's go.

Highlights

1/ I went from fangirl to partner

Last year at SXSW, I met Chris Do (founder of The Futur). I was fangirling. Hard.

This year we co-hosted the Asian Creators Meetup together as friends and co-hosts, which honestly felt surreal.

40-50 people showed up. The vibe was so chill. Some came for coaching and advice from Chris. Others were earlier in their creator journey and came up to me asking questions.

Made me realize how far I've come in just one year, going from fan to friend to co-host. This is the power of showing up and making an impression. I wrote about this here.

2/ My creator house dinner was everything

I hosted a dinner at my Airbnb creator house in partnership with Flodesk. About 30 people came and 100% turnout!

A lot of these friends are people I personally hyped SXSW to. I told them, "You need to come." And they did.

And all of them said that I totally lived up to the hype! They're now planning to speak and host their own events next year. That's the kind of ripple effect I LIVE for.

3/ The LinkedIn Creators Meetup blew up

Last year, I attended this meetup hosted by Lorraine Lee and Grace Ling. This year, I hosted it.

The turnout was 3x bigger than expected. At least 50-60 people. Creators across platforms, plus a wave of "LinkedIn curious" people who wanted to learn what this whole creator thing is about.

There is something special about gathering a room full of people who are all figuring it out together.

4/ My favorite moments were the ones I created

When I asked attendees their favorite part of SXSW, they said the same thing I was thinking. The intimate meetups and dinners, not the massive keynotes at the conference.

My SXSW by the numbers:

• 1 paid speaking gig

• 1 volunteer speaking opportunity

• 2 meetups hosted (Asian Creators + LinkedIn Creators)

• 0 other people's events attended

Zero. Because I was too busy running my own. Crazy, but I wouldn't change my experience at all.

Lowlights

1/ Zero time for anything else

I had a whole list of sessions I wanted to check out. Went to none. Booked almost every hour of every day.

What I'd do differently: Pick ONE thing per day max. Leave the rest flexible.

2/ I barely saw my husband

I brought him to Austin and was barely with him. Most events were creator focused, and that's not his world. I felt guilty about that.

What I'd do differently: Build in at least 1-2 dinners that are just for us. Give myself permission to skip something so I can be present with the person I brought.

3/ FOMO will kill you silently

Something exciting is happening every single hour at SXSW. If you try to do it all, you will burn out. I almost did.

What I'd do differently: Remind myself that the best connections happen when I'm rested and present. Not when I'm running on 5 hours of sleep sprinting between venues.

So, is SXSW worth the hype?

100% yes.

But SXSW is exactly what you make it. If you want friends, business, or inspiration, it's all there. You just have to show up with intention and ask yourself: “What do I truly want to gain from this?”

Then you need to carve out time to make it happen.

Advice for friends going next year

1. Go. Especially if you're a creator. You can get a free media press badge, and it is worth it.

2. Pick and choose. Commit to 1-2 things per day. Leave the rest open.

3. Leave your schedule flexible. The best moments are unplanned. A random coffee chat, a last minute dinner, a conversation that turns into a collaboration. I honestly live for these moments (and so should you!)

4. Protect your energy. Don't fall into the FOMO trap. Your body and brain will thank you later.

5. Invest in relationships, not events. The real magic is in the dinners, the walks, the 1-on-1 conversations. That's what you will remember months and years after.

A year ago, I was the girl in the audience. This year, I was the one making things happen.

If that's not proof that putting yourself out there works, I don't know what is.

Have you been to SXSW? Thinking about going? Hit reply, I read every email.

If you want to join me as I build in public, follow along here.

And you can read all the previous newsletters here 🎉

Until next time,

Jean