Why local tweetups? – Wise Thoughts From Our Speakers Dec 7th

So why local tweetups? What are they? Should I come? Who should attend? Are they scary? Is it for business only? Only tech? For geeks? Engineers? For everybody? What’s the value?

We asked a few questions to our guest speakers for the local Lafayette Tweetup #3 on Monday, December 7th. We hope you will follow their advices and that you will join the 2-panels/7-speakers event at the Courtyard Marriott. RSVP.

» Why should local businesses, startups and individuals attend local tweetup events?

Douglas Karr (@douglaskarr)
President and CEO at DK New Media, Indianapolis
The impact that new social mediums is having on business is substantial. In a down economy, these types of events can arm you with some incredible samples of how businesses are incorporating social media into their acquisition, retention and customer service strategies. As well, there are often a few folks in attendance that can help you and your business out!
(Doug will join the Blogging and SEO panel, Dec 7th)

Michael Reynolds (@michaelreynolds)
President and CEO at SpinWeb, Indianapolis
Because it is a great place to engage in informal discussion about how to use modern communication tools to grow your business.
(Michael will join the Blogging and SEO panel, Dec 7th)

Günes Yilmaztuerk (@gunesy)
Founder and CMO of Sollé Coaching, Lafayette
Social media platforms empower us to network without the boundaries of time and geography. Local tweetups help strengthen these relationships with face-to-face meetings. They also provide the opportunity to meet other professionals and business owners while learning from industry experts.
(Günes will join the Blogging and SEO panel, Dec 7th)

Ed Finkler (@funkatron)
Creator of Spaz, a Lafayette-based open source Microblogging client for desktop and mobile
I think it offers a great insight into the folks behind the Twitter accounts you read. Get to know them, understand their motivations, and build relationships – both business and personal.
(Ed will join the Social Media Tools and Apps panel, Dec 7th)

Andrew Gouty (@agouty)
Sales Manager at Deep Ripples, Indianapolis
In a word, opportunity. Networking in the kind of low-risk environment that tweetups provide serves to connect in a community that can be otherwise rare. Business, non-profits, and individuals have a lot to gain, and really not much to lose.
(Andrew will join the Blogging and SEO panel, Dec 7th)

Vince Koser (@vkoser)
Creator of CeTwit, a Lafayette-based full featured windows mobile Twitter client
I think there are nearly limitless ways to interact with social media and discussing those methods in person with a group can lead to new insight into ways to leverage existing tools or come up with ideas for new ones. Discussing ideas and other peoples perceptions of those ideas is a good way to gauge popularity of potential ideas and means of interacting prior to undertaking those ideas.
(Vince will join the Social Media Tools and Apps panel, Dec 7th)

Nelu Lazar (@nelulazar)
Electrical Project Engineer, and Founder of Tweetvisor, a Lafayette-based multi-account Twitter interface for businesses
I feel that connecting online will continue to be the aggressively ascendant trend in the next years, for individuals, businesses and other entities. Start by meeting local people you’ve met online, learn more about people in your network and open your way to connecting and getting introduced to more people who could help you achieve your personal or professional goals.
(Nelu will join the Social Media Tools and Apps panel, Dec 7th)

» Should a local tweetup event be scary because I will face people I’ve met online or even people I don’t know?

Douglas Karr (@douglaskarr):
The value of online networking is in the off-line exchange. Pressing the flesh is the ultimate goal of networking online. This is where the action happens and business cards fly!

Michael Reynolds (@michaelreynolds):
No.

Günes Yilmaztuerk (@gunesy):
After you’ve already “met” people online and exchanged emails, meeting them in person is absolutely great because you already know them, you know their company, you know their values and their work ethics. This is the chance to get to know each other better, to exchange business cards, to talk about possible collaborations.

Ed Finkler (@funkatron):
I’ve always found them a little scary at first, but once you dive in it’s a lot of fun. Everyone feels the same way you do, so there’s no reason to be intimidated.

Andrew Gouty (@agouty):
Yes, people fear what they don’t know. In a nutshell, fear of meeting new people is a great thing because it signifies personal growth.

Nelu Lazar (@nelulazar):
It’s either face them and learn new things or stay in the shadow and misteriously tweet about them. Tweetups usually gather people sharing the same thoughts, so there’s nothing to be ashamed, scared or suspicious about. All of the people joining tweetups are mind-opened, fun and willing to connect, help and get helped.

» Can I still attend a local tweetup even if my business is not a tech one or not online-related?

Douglas Karr (@douglaskarr):
Absolutely! Don’t be intimidated by us geeks… we’re a helpful bunch and these are the best events to squeeze us for some free consulting and advice!

Michael Reynolds (@michaelreynolds):
Yes.

Günes Yilmaztuerk (@gunesy):
Can you say free consulting? Can you say free knowledge exchange? Can you say potential clients? And, believe me, by the time you’ve asked your questions, seen what online marketing can do for you, and have gotten an idea of how to get started – really, by the time we’re done with you, you won’t be able to wait to get home and get online!

Ed Finkler (@funkatron):
Of course! Twitter offers a way to make a more personal connection with your customers, no matter what business you’re in.

Andrew Gouty (@agouty):
Of course! Diversity in these groups only serves everyone by offering different points of view. Non-tech and non-online business attendance enriches the experience and makes it more holistic.

Nelu Lazar (@nelulazar):
So far I tried to keep these tweetup events opened for any kind of local businesses and individuals that would like to use Internet as a communication environment, for various reasons and goals. Yes, please join our series of events no matter what you currently do, as soon as you are planning to use online tools to achieve your goals.

» What’s the best thing that can come out of these local tweetup events?

Douglas Karr (@douglaskarr):
Online -> Off-line -> Business Card -> Business -> Invoice -> $

Michael Reynolds (@michaelreynolds):
Networking and education.

Günes Yilmaztuerk (@gunesy):
Learning. Relationships. Strategic partners. After all this – can there be a reason NOT to attend?

Ed Finkler (@funkatron):
You make new friends, learn new skills, and have a good time.

Andrew Gouty (@agouty):
A stronger, more connected local economy, and all the positives that come with it (there are lots).

Nelu Lazar (@nelulazar):
I have new friends from Lafayette, West Lafayette, Purdue, Indianapolis etc. already due to the first two tweetup events I have organized so far. Many people learned new things about online environment and they enjoy this knowledge every day now. I really hope this tweetup series will grow as I expect, and that together we will keep the local online environment something we should all be proud of.

This article is subject to future updates.