13 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Next Hackathon
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Morgan Bickle provides 13 tips for getting the most out of a hackathon: 1) Learn the tools and APIs before attending. 2) Test the wifi connection right away. 3) Focus on building something rather than just ideating. 4) Reduce the scope of your demo to make it compelling.
13 Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Next Hackathon
- 1. 13 Tips for getting the most out of your next hackathon By: Morgan Bickle CTO of Kinvey
- 2. 1 - It starts before it starts Learn the API & toolset before showing up Do I have enough This Documentation time to get coffee? is really thorough!
- 3. 2 - Test wifi APIs often require strong wifi signal, check network strength right away
- 4. 3 - Creation trumps ideation No one has ever "thought" their way to hackathon success, it's all about execution Okay, I think we’ve finally got it. it’s one left, one right, start start DONE!! another left...
- 5. 4 - "Portion control" your demo GSD - Reducing scope is often key to a compelling demo uh oh...
- 6. 5 - Don't start from scratch If there's a base sample app, use it. then customize Ready- Made APP with s! Now ation Cust omiz
- 7. 6 - Solo Silo Turn to your peers for feedback & validation What's the best way to get Oauth to work?
- 8. 7 - Ignore the distractions When it's time to get hacking, focus is key. Tune out chatter, pitches HOS TING ! GET YOU R HOS TING HER E!
- 9. 8 - Don't go it alone Often 2 to 3 person teams produce the best results (& have more fun) wingman other wingman
- 10. 9 - Ask for help Most hackathons staff coaches and experts. Use them /v 1/.. CGRectMake(x, y, ... .ge t(" $ textView.setText(...)
- 11. 10 - Polish your presentation Presentation Demo I'd invest based on the deck alone! If the demo is half as good, I'm in
- 12. 11 - Don't take your pitch too seriously A little humor in your presentation goes a long way A developer, an engineer, and an Architect walk into a bar…
- 13. 12 - Hack first, learn second Don't try to learn a new language, instead, hack something together with what you already know Hacking Theory Lab Clackity Clack Clack!!!! Clack Clack Clackity!!!
- 14. 13 - Don't forget to network Hackathons are great places to find future employment, investment, friendship Funny, that’s my brother’s name too!