Comments on: Should The Word “Bar” be Removed From “REBarCamp”?

By: Kristal Kraft

Kristal Kraft — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 04:10:13 +0000

Great idea for controversy but I feel we have made significant headway in establishing REBarcamp as an event not to miss. If we were to drop the BAR, we’d have to start all over on the branding. Call me old fashioned, but I like it.

By: David Gibbons

David Gibbons — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 22:27:59 +0000

What an awesome discussion. I HEAR YOU guys and I learned a lot from this exercise … just posted my thoughts in this video: http://tinyurl.com/kjw7nx

Benn – you seem to get where I’m coming from. Marketing this event takes work — suggestions for great taglines and other standard “marketing kit” items would be very useful for future events.

By: Benn Rosales

Benn Rosales — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 13:19:37 +0000

There are many problems anything will have when it comes to adoption, but somethings to consider may be:

Add a tagline to the logo that defines the concept that folks can use to better explain it.

Write content around the rebarcamp name that can be downloaded and printed, posted on BBs etc (take the guess work out of the pitch for those who may need it).

Rather than tell the world that rebarcamp is requiring something, enforce the philosophy of sponsoring your own seat (max $250).

If some basic marketing is generic, it can be given to each rebarcamp as a marketing kit that they can add their local branding to.

Ask for donations from attendees post attendance even if it’s just $1, these donations could help pay for general marketing and outreach.

Rather than shut out ideas, maybe we listen to the crux of the issue and find ways of answering to the problems because what David is talking about is reaching deeper, and I think that’s David being David, not David saying this is wrong.

Last but not least, if you think there is a better way of doing rebc and want something different, then start something- no one owns barcamp, or your desire to raise ‘the bar.” This is actually happening all over the country every day, they’re just not called rebarcamps.

By: Brandie Young

Brandie Young — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 06:22:09 +0000

Someone probably told Google and Yahoo their silly names would hold them back as well.

It’s not the name, it’s what you make the “thing” become.

By: ARDELL

ARDELL — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:55:07 +0000

I’m with brad coy on this. barcamp should have no CAPS, so RE barcamp says it best.

By: Greg Afarian

Greg Afarian — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 04:12:40 +0000

I totally understand what David is talking about. However, there will always be that group of Realtor’s that just don’t get it. I don’t think it should be changed and it would take away from the core of where it was derived from.

With that said, what I would be more concerned about after hosting a RE Bar Camp in Boston is the 300 people to sign up to attend and 1/3 don’t show up. I think the real question should be is if the event remains “FREE” do we charge a small fee and if they show up they could get the money back or perhaps have the option to put the money to go to a charity designated for that Bar Camp? Realtor’s giving back! Thus giving no shows an even greater incentive to show up?

Changing the name for some is a NO for me…. I think maybe those same Realtor’s that don’t want to go to a RE Bar Camp because of the name might also be the same people that don’t want their listings syndicated as well?

By: Ines Hegedus-Garcia

Ines Hegedus-Garcia — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 02:58:11 +0000

If a name is isolating people from participating, then those people have a problem. See for me I think REBAR (as in reinforcing bar, (for reinforced concrete) : ) but I do have a problem with CAMP (not fun memories of my childhood) j/k

Come on David – people give you the same look when you say Inman Connect or mention any other social media conference. I’m with Andy about purism and although the venues are growing and changing, the concept is not. Disagree with you on this one and looking forward to seeing you at REBARcamp SF and REBARcamp Miami