Getting the Most out of the Dreamforce App

With Dreamforce around the corner, the "Dreamforce App" just received its annual refresh.  This article is for those who just registered, or have attended DF10 or DF11 and have not visited the org in a while.  If you haven't, it's worth the trip back.

I think there is something special about the Dreamforce App, and it makes Dreamforce special.  We are given a private, event-centric social network.  This is HUGE if you think about it.  You have become part of a massive conversation about Dreamforce, Salesforce, San Francisco, and many other fun and peripherally related topics.

The goal of this blog is to give you a few places to check out, things to do, and jump start, or rekindle your participation in the application.

Starters - Setup your profile!

Since the Dreamforce org is a social environment (like Facebook, but probably better), it's worth a few minutes to setup your profile so that other people know who you are.  Even if you're an old hat to Dreamforce, it's worth a few minutes to refresh things.  To modify your profile, click your name in the upper right hand and click "My Profile".  

From there, click the pencil icon to modify each section and mouse over the picture to upload a new headshot.

Once your profile is in order, it's time to move onto the next exciting part of getting into the Dreamforce App:

Following Stuff

Since the Dreamforce App is based on Chatter, all the same rules apply as normal Chatter settings.  There is a recommendation engine which shows on your homepage, it's worth giving that some attention and following some people.  Just pick a handful to start with, it'll grow organically later.

 Now that you've followed a few recommendations, the next thing to explore are groups.  Groups can be found by going to your Chatter page, and following down the left column, you will see the Groups icon.  Click that to go to the groups listing.

A few of my favorite groups:

"Awesome People" - Lightweight group that has general conversation and usually an "Awesome question of the day".  (Disclaimer - it's my group)

"Challenge Us" - Group for a bunch of Salesforce Ninjas to problem solve.  Great techs in there eager to help people out.  Highly recommended.

"Dreamforce App Feedback" - Got problems with the Dreamforce app?  Answers can be had there.  Salesforce is a social enterprise and I'd wager you'll get help there faster than any other channel.

Set your Preferences

There's a lot of notification options with Chatter and Direct Messages.  It's best to set your preferences early so you don't find yourself annoyed and turned off by too many emails.  To set your preferences, click your name, go to setup, click "My Chatter Settings", and click "Chatter Email Settings".  From there, you have a granular listing of each activity and group, and how you want them to email to you.  It's worth spending a few minutes on this, believe me.

Okay, so I did all of this, now what?

Now you actually need to go out and talk to people.  I would recommend a 5-10 minute workout each day.  Here's a few things you can do: 

• Go answer the latest question on the #Awesome People group
• Ask a technical question to the Challenge Us Group
• Update your status and declare your undying fandom of the Red Hot Chili Peppers (Did I mention they are playing at Dreamforce?)
• Search for people with similar interests to you and follow them
• Browse your feed which should have some conversations based on who you followed and respond to a few.
• Just go like some posts.
• Share a photo of something great you did last weekend.

The Dreamforce Application is only in its infancy now, over the next few months, we will see many updates and changes.  While I don't know the specifics, based on historical events, you can expect the following:

• Interactive Agenda Builder
• New Mobile version to build upon this version
• A crecendo of activity which will peak the week before dreamforce.  

What are you waiting for?

Join the conversation, be involved, make friends, and never be alone at Dreamforce.  We're all in this together, and if you spend a few minutes a day in the app socializing, you will have the most fun, most productive Dreamforce ever, and that's a promise.

If you have any other ideas or tips for Dreamforce app users, please comment below, I'd love to hear them!

-Garry

Comments

[Erica Kuhl]

What a fabulous post Garry. Super helpful and action oriented!