Participating in hackathons on different online hackathon platforms can be very exciting and rewarding.
Engaging in hackathons has never been more accessible, thanks to online hackathon platforms. Here are tips that ensure you will be successful at any hackathon you attend, whether you are a professional coder or just starting out.
1. How to Prepare for Online Hackathons
Look out for the hackathon that will suit your skills before getting into any competition. You can find upcoming hackathons on websites like Fablecon or other platforms for upcoming events.
Check out much-awaited hackathon events in 2024.
In order to find a suitable hackathon, explore available hackathon platforms and choose one. Online hackathon platforms avail software and tools that may make project management easier. Look for a platform that offer online hackathon management tools to make participation easy.
Hackathons are a breeze for beginners—online hackathons are perfect for first-timers. Such hackathons will give an ideal introduction into the world of competitive coding, which is meant to be rather friendly and learning-oriented.
Check out some hackathons for beginners
If you are a student and not sure if you should participate in hackathons; you should read our latest article: Beyond Coding, Why Every Student Should Participate in Hackathons?
2. Mastering the Tools of a Hackathon
Practice using the best competitive coding websites before the event to get experience and build up your skills. You can start on any of the online coding contest platforms or, in general, competitive coding platforms. Most of these websites also include problems related to programming, which you will usually face in hackathons, so you can have an edge.
While working on your project at a hackathon, proper tools could be of huge help. Online hackathon tools and management software will help you in organizing the team, planning the project, and tracking it. Before the hackathon actually starts, make sure everything is running as per requirement—configure your project management software and coding tools.
3. Perfecting Your Hackathon Presentation
After you have finished your project, it is paramount that you present it well. Many hackathons require you to present your project online, so be familiar with online hackathon tools that can help you put together a polished presentation.
Online hackathon management platforms quite often provide video demo and slideshow tools to create presentations that highlight only the most critical points of your project. As you work on the presentation, keep in mind:
- Set the scene quick and easy: State the problem you are solving or the status quo you are improving. Be sure that your audience knows what your problem is—instantly and easil.
- Demo Your Working Project: Show your project in action. Highlight the key technologies used and the impressive technical challenges you overcame. You can spare the audience the mundane details and just focus on showing off the basic functionality.
- Sell the Dream: Show promise in what the project can do and express goals and aspiration. Help your audience see the benefits for a long time to come.
4. Keeping Up with Hackathon Resources
Finally, before jumping into your presentation plan, refresh your memory on what’s available in terms of resources for working on your project. You can find information and tools that will help you work on online hackathon organizers, hackathon platforms for business, and sites listing hackathons.
Below is a compilation of some of the best competitive coding and hackathon online practice sites for brushing up on one’s skills. Also, the online platforms for coding competition and their challenges are the best ways to test your skills and prepare to hack.
11 Best Code Practice Websites To Enhance Your Tech Skills (courtesy of Geekster)
But then, hackathons are pretty common!
Participate in an online hackathon and move out of your comfort zone, develop new skills, and showcase your skill set. Equipped with the best online hackathon software, competitive coding sites, and all-inclusive hackathon platforms, you shall be able to win any competition.
Many online hackathon companies and services are designed to help you succeed. Keep honing your craft, be updated about upcoming hackathons, and make use of the resources given to you. No matter how seasoned a developer you might be, hackathons have always got something new to teach or achieve. Here’s to your good luck; happy hacking!