I'm finally back home from SXSW - it was a great time. I met so many people that I had contact with on the Internet only - or knew of through reputation only. I wouldn't say a bad thing about a single one. I won't go into a massive name-dropping session here, but there were a lot.

I really don't think I can emphasize enough how important an event such as this is to go to for bloggers out there who are trying to make it on their own (which, as I noted in a previous post I no longer am, but still). Everywhere you go you'll make contacts that will be helpful to you in the future.

Making contacts was especially true at night. It was absolutely no exaggeration to say that SXSW is like the 'Spring Break for the Internet'. Albeit, a Spring Break where you work a ton during the day and then party/network at night (emphasis on party).

Having followed the coverage of the event last year on various blogs, I can tell you first hand that SXSW is really something that needs to be seen to be believed. Sure, some of the panels aren't great, some of the booths are boring, it can be annoying as hell using the WiFi that 15,000 other people are on -- all reasons perhaps some say to take in the "best-of" back at home following on the computer. But there is something about being there, about being a part of it.

Yes, it's pretty expensive to go - and securing a press pass can be hard without a big blog/site backing you, but believe you me, you'll meet so many people there who will be able to hook you up with various ways to get into functions, etc... It's worth it.

See you next year at SXSW 2009?