What is a Tweetup?
That's a frequently asked question amongst my non-geek friends and if you are here, you are probably asking the same question ... or, you Googled it. Either way, willkommen! (That's welcome in German.) I love social media and even more, I love spreading the word about cool Web-based technologies. Now, Twitter certainly isn't new, at least not in terms of the Web - in which something "new" today can be a fleeting memory in two months. Twitter has been around for a little more than two years and has gained quite a bit of traction. It's everywhere. Every major news network has one, "A" List celebrities, star athletes, politicians and of course the average joes like me.
The first question I get about Twitter from those that "don't get it," is, "What's the point?" They don't mean it in a condescending way, they just want someone to explain the value of using Twitter. My response is that you get out of Twitter what you put in. If you Tweet (or post) pointless babble or mundane daily activities, you'll get nothing out of it. However, if you seek to gain or share knowledge, the possibilities are endless.
For example: I work for the largest public university in Virginia and I am a jack-of-all trades for a communications department. My diverse background in radio, television and print journalism coupled with my Web and social media skills allow me to perform a wide variety of tasks. However, because I do so much, I sometimes don't have all the answers ... shocking news, I know. However, that's where Twitter has really proved helpful. If I have a question, I turn to Twitter and nine out of 10 times, someone will answer my question. Like I said, you get what you give, so if you don't participate and help others that are searching for help or suggestions, you are only taking and the Twitter community (shoot, any community for that matter) typically does not appreciate those type of users.
One of the many great thing about Twitter is that you get to communicate with people that if not for Twitter, you might never have had the chance to connect. A friend and colleauge @handshake20, whom I met through Twitter, wrote a great blog post on this very topic called A Tweet from India in which she talks about a connection that would never have happened if not for Twitter. In the post @handshake20 talks about meeting a Twitter friend in person for the first time at Tweetup. Ah! There's that word again! What is a Tweetup? I know. I know. You probably thought that I forgot about the point of this post, but I appreciate your patience - I had to set the scene.
A Tweetup, as you may have guessed by now, is a physical gathering of Twitter users to meet and connect in person. It began by meeting a single person I communicated with on Twitter - @NRVLiving. He works in real estate and through some mutual friends, we started "following" each other's updates on Twitter. He learned that I do Web site and blog implementations and contacted me about doing some work for him. So, we met in person. My first Tweetup. Then, I thought, well, why not meet more people. I had been invited to Tweetups in Roanoke, but that was a bit too far for me to drive, so I organized a Blacksburg Tweetup and invited my Twitter friends that live in the area.
Word began to spread and more people started coming. I've organized four Tweetups in the last few months and attendance has ranged from four to 12. And each time someone new comes and I get to learn a bit more about someone whom I've never met. This in turn broadens my horizons and expands my world. I walk away from each Tweetup with a smile because I've laughed out loud and shared a new experience with new people.
To quote President Barack Obama, "Now, let me be clear..." a Tweetup isn't just for people you don't know. That would be hard to do every time. You can invite anyone! Even non-Twitter users. Bringing a friend a tremendous comfort to have, especially if you aren't necessary an extrovert. Some people like to call Tweetups a gathering of Web nerds or geeks. Perhaps. It just depends on your experiences. Me ... I think of Tweetups as a chance to open doors, learn new things and meeting new people.
I know what you're thinking, "Wow! Tweetups are all the rage! I want to go to one, but how?" Okay, calm down Skippy - we appreciate the enthusiasm, but it's really simple. First, you need a Twitter account. Then, you need to start following local Twitter users. Then you suggest a Tweetup and use a hash tag to create a stream of any Tweets that are related. For example, we use #blacksburgtweetup for our Blacksburg Tweetup-related Tweets.
I shouldn't have to point this out, but I will any way: use your brain and be smart. Don't show up to a Tweetup in a place you don't know at night with people you've never met. The Tweetups I organize are usually during lunch breaks at fairly busy and well-trafficked areas and I usually know - personally - at least a couple of people. Take a friend with you if it you are going to your first Tweetup.
That's it. That's all I have. If you have specific questions, please feel free to e-mail me.