Going To A Tweetup? Five Tweetup Tips To Remember!
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Going to a Tweetup soon? Curious what a Tweetup is?
A Tweetup is a meeting between people who are connected on Twitter. It can be a few people, or quite a few people. Usually one or more people get together to organize the Tweetup, securing the venue, any special items, maybe music (live or DJ) and help get the ball rolling on spreading the word. Once the Tweetup has been finalized as for date and time, it’s up to you to show up, be prepared to meet people, network offline and have fun. The following five tips are things I learned from going to my first Tweetup on Saturday, April 25 in Denver Colorado in support of the 12for12k and Mom It Forward initiatives this month supporting Yehu.org
1. Business Cards
I cannot stress these enough. Even if you were like I was at my first Tweetup - just starting a new job wherein I have not yet received my business cards, you need to print some, buy some or use a service such as Vista Print to get your name remembered. Even if you simply just put your name, website or blog URL and Twitter @username, they can be very invaluable. I was lucky in that many of the people that showed up to the Tweetup, I had already connected to them; however there were a few I had not, and I had no way of giving them my details to connect later.
You can definitely get creative with your business card - be funny, funky or just different to stand out. Especially if it is simply for networking use only at Tweetups - make it VERY memorable.
2. Don’t Be Shy
Unfortunately I am rather shy in person, and that did have some impact as to my interaction. Even though I had interacted with nearly everyone there to some degree on Twitter previously, I still kind of held back. People want to meet you, they want to talk to you, find out who you are, what you do etc. so don’t keep it held in as it only hurts you. Now, you don’t have to go giving details and your life story, but enough to be interesting and keep interest alive.
3. Listen to Others
I did this very well, as I listen more than I talk at first. Unfortunately, at the same time, once I am comfortable I can get to the point of talking more than I listen. Always make sure to listen to those you interact with, as it will make a world of difference.
4. Engage With Different People
While it is nice to connect with a person, do not forget to engage with other people at the event. There may be only a few people, or there may be hundreds. They key here is, you do not want to engage with a small few, or worse only one or two people. Spread out, and connect.
5. Remember the Purpose
Some Tweetups have a specific purpose. The one I attended was to raise money for charity, so everyone paid an entry fee, and most of us purchased extra tickets that not only entered us into a raffle, but also sent proceeds to the charities. Some times the Tweetup may be politically or religiously oriented - so just bear in mind what the over all purpose is, and remember to discuss that and help promote it as best you can, while still getting to know people, interacting and sharing stories about who everyone is, what they do and so on.
I personally use and recommend the Hashtag #TweetMeetUp put together by some folks in Sweden as a Twitter Resource for Announcing TweetMeetUps and RSVPing.
Mike Cunningham
Watch for My New Internet Presence for 2009.
See my page for it now!
2009 The Biggest and Best Ever!
http://twitter.com/mike1mb
Also follow me, I'll follow you back.
___________________________
Going to a Tweetup soon? Curious what a Tweetup is?
A Tweetup is a meeting between people who are connected on Twitter. It can be a few people, or quite a few people. Usually one or more people get together to organize the Tweetup, securing the venue, any special items, maybe music (live or DJ) and help get the ball rolling on spreading the word. Once the Tweetup has been finalized as for date and time, it’s up to you to show up, be prepared to meet people, network offline and have fun. The following five tips are things I learned from going to my first Tweetup on Saturday, April 25 in Denver Colorado in support of the 12for12k and Mom It Forward initiatives this month supporting Yehu.org
1. Business Cards
I cannot stress these enough. Even if you were like I was at my first Tweetup - just starting a new job wherein I have not yet received my business cards, you need to print some, buy some or use a service such as Vista Print to get your name remembered. Even if you simply just put your name, website or blog URL and Twitter @username, they can be very invaluable. I was lucky in that many of the people that showed up to the Tweetup, I had already connected to them; however there were a few I had not, and I had no way of giving them my details to connect later.
You can definitely get creative with your business card - be funny, funky or just different to stand out. Especially if it is simply for networking use only at Tweetups - make it VERY memorable.
2. Don’t Be Shy
Unfortunately I am rather shy in person, and that did have some impact as to my interaction. Even though I had interacted with nearly everyone there to some degree on Twitter previously, I still kind of held back. People want to meet you, they want to talk to you, find out who you are, what you do etc. so don’t keep it held in as it only hurts you. Now, you don’t have to go giving details and your life story, but enough to be interesting and keep interest alive.
3. Listen to Others
I did this very well, as I listen more than I talk at first. Unfortunately, at the same time, once I am comfortable I can get to the point of talking more than I listen. Always make sure to listen to those you interact with, as it will make a world of difference.
4. Engage With Different People
While it is nice to connect with a person, do not forget to engage with other people at the event. There may be only a few people, or there may be hundreds. They key here is, you do not want to engage with a small few, or worse only one or two people. Spread out, and connect.
5. Remember the Purpose
Some Tweetups have a specific purpose. The one I attended was to raise money for charity, so everyone paid an entry fee, and most of us purchased extra tickets that not only entered us into a raffle, but also sent proceeds to the charities. Some times the Tweetup may be politically or religiously oriented - so just bear in mind what the over all purpose is, and remember to discuss that and help promote it as best you can, while still getting to know people, interacting and sharing stories about who everyone is, what they do and so on.
I personally use and recommend the Hashtag #TweetMeetUp put together by some folks in Sweden as a Twitter Resource for Announcing TweetMeetUps and RSVPing.
Mike Cunningham
Watch for My New Internet Presence for 2009.
See my page for it now!
2009 The Biggest and Best Ever!
http://twitter.com/mike1mb
Also follow me, I'll follow you back.
___________________________
Tags: retweet, tweetmeetup, tweetup, twitter
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Hilary Johnson on -
Nice post, Mike! I haven't been to any tweet-ups here in the Dallas area, but if I ever see one and can put it on my schedule, I'll definitely go.
I hear you on the shyness factor ... I think most of us feel the same way. Getting oneself out there when we are shy is like exercise. You just have to DO it, and once you get going, it gets easier. And one needs to develop the art of shutting a conversation down when it goes in a direction that makes one feel uncomfortable, or if one is a conversation hog. I always try to keep the focus on them at first. If they are good networkers, they'll be sure to direct the conversation back my way to learn about me. If they don't, I'll find a way to gently get away.
Hilary
http://twitter.com/HilaryJ
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Permalink Reply by Mike Cunningham on -
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Hillary, that was the original Post Author being Shy. (by Billy Nab) Not My Style I'm the one organized the first USA #TweeMeetUp on http://www.tweetmeetup.com/
But thanks for compliment!
Want to get over the shyness, organize your own TweetMeetUp! Maybe use your membership in the Lone Star State Group as a starting point.
#TweetMeetUp hints
1. Emailing people is better than Tweeting
-----You can tell them more, add more links
2. People get annoyed with Repeated Tweets not @ed to someone, just plugging TMU
3. Win-Win! try posting the Plug to some one directly, then you get your followers to see it and theirs
4. Do sign up with TweetMeetUp (TMU)
5. Read this
-----HOW TO: Organize a Successful Tweetup
6. Post your TweetUp to TweetUp on Twitter and use their hashtag #tweetup
7. I think it helpful to be sure actual venue has free WiFi (I printed a sign with Tweety Bird, Title like Winchester TweetMeetUp or whatever, and MY Twitter ID and Email.) Own your Event!
8. Speakers are great and I'm sure you can find some in Dallas, but Giveaways are nice too.
-----Make your own CD of Twitter eBooks, tips etc. (having your own is cool!)
-----Get local ISPs or Comp Stores to donate something.
9. Be sure you have arranged with the venue, for Time and Space, more business is good but not on their Busiest Nite.
10. I guess this one has to be said, Don't turn an event into a "Pitch Fest!" use your Twitter ID (TID) w everyone, use Business Cards (w TID), Label Giveaways as from you.
I ended up turning this into something that should be its own discussion, I have too many already so let's see who finds it.
My Giveaway:
How do you use Twitter?Could you be doing more?Twitter Report No Co$t-
http://www.webhometown.net/Twitter-eBook.htm +5 Twitter eBook Bonuses
Retweet Please
Mike Cunningham
Watch for My New Internet Presence for 2009.
See my page for it now!
2009 The Biggest and Best Ever!
http://twitter.com/mike1mb
Also follow me, I'll follow you back.
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Permalink Reply by Profound Merchandise on -
A group I am involved with have been having monthly networking events. I like your idea of having a twitter meetup will mention this to my partners. Thanks
http://twitter.com/lydialbrown
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