Surrounded by Awesome!

Have you ever had a day where you are surrounded by awesome people, doing awesome things and you are encouraged to go up to them, say hello, and chat for a bit? Like, if you don't do those things, you really should have stayed home? Yesterday was that day for me. Tweetstock-6, a day of peace, love and tweets, is in the books and for me, it was awesome!

I would say most, if not all, of the 200+ attendees were business people. I met home inspectors, designers, mompreneurs, video production folks, a mortgage broker, and a sign-language instructor. The speakers spoke mostly about how they use Twitter (and other social media platforms like Facebook, FourSquare, LinkedIn etc) in their work lives, as a connection tool, and for communicating with customers (good, bad and VERY ugly). We got a primer/revision of Search Engine Optimization from Julie Rosien (@julierosien on Twitter and yes I think you are pretty) and the power of video online via Jody Matheson (@jodster99).

The two speakers who really connected with me and my thoughts/feelings were Chris Young (@Chris_Eh_Young) and Erica Ehm (@yummymummyclub). Chris cut his presentation short because the event was a tad behind schedule. Nobody asked him to do this. He knew the situation and gave up some of his 20 minutes to help. That should tell you all you need to know about Chris. He was thinking of others and simply being a good guy. Beyond this, his message was also direct and to the point when it comes to Twitter... Simple, simple, simple. Keep what you a doing and trying to do, really basic. It doesn't need to be complicated. Man, the world needs more of Chris.

The final presentation was delivered by Erica Ehm. People my age in Canada probably recognize her name from the work she used to do on TV (some little thing called MuchMusic). Today, the Yummy Mummy Club has become a go-to online spot for everything "mom". This lady connects with people in a way I have not seen before. Her message...be real. Engage with people online, even if you do not know them (yet). Talk to them. Be a "person" online, not a company profile or a salesperson. We all have something to sell but that does NOT mean we should be selling all the time.

I guess that sums up my approach to Twitter. People know I make wooden bowls. I talk about cool pieces of wood that have found me and a bit about tools. I am often in my shop so I post pictures of things I am working on. This is not selling. This is what I am doing. I am sharing a bit of my world. I also talk a lot about my kids and my wife because they are kind of a big deal for me. Yes, I do post when I have new listings to share but I don't think I am over the top. I don't go yammering on about it because I can't stand people that do.

Craig Silva (@BigDaddyKreativ) tweeted, urging attendees to make it to the after-party of Tweetstock. I am sooooo glad I did. It was so much fun. Ya, it's a room in a nightclub with 200-ish people. People naturally gravitate into groups of folks they already know in real life (not just through social media). Well, I had never met any of these folks before this day so mine was a pretty small group. :) So, I took Erica's advice about Twitter and applied it to a real cocktail party...I went up and introduced myself.

I had a great time getting to know Craig, Stephen (@eudorafoods, "Keep calm. Curry on."), Greg McMillan (@the_green_hub), Lucas Duguid (@octopusred, Thanks for the info on the tubes!), Brenda Stonehouse(@BLStonehouse, I appreciate your opinion on branding for artists) and so many more I cannot remember.

For me, the two people I most wanted to meet in person were Heather Hamilton (@tjzmommy) and Erica (as mentioned, @yummymummyclub). Heather because this lady is so full of awesome and giving back under the most difficult of situations, that I cannot even begin to tell you. Heather, I love you and any time I can help with @zacksdream, please let me know. We will make Zacksdream a reality! Erica... C'mon, she's Erica-Freakin'-Ehm! I had to meet her and I feel blessed to have done so. Super lady and I really hope we can get to know each other better in the New Year. Perhaps we can help each other out somehow. Perhaps this is just the beginning of a good friendship. Love you and all you do!

So, here is my message to all of the woodturners reading this... You are already part of the social media world. You read and participate on the various forums and chartrooms. You read blogs like this and an insane number of you are active on Facebook. Now, get yourselves on Twitter. Engage with whoever your target market is. Find people with similar interests to you and meet them, virtually at first. Ultimately, attend events like Tweetstock and the 140 Conference. If you sell your work, be it functional like mine of some version of high-art, don't go connecting with other woodturners. Seriously. We are not your target market. People who will buy your work are your target market. Yes, you DO have time to get involved with social media. In the words of Scott Stratten (@unmarketing), you already open and read your mail and you answer the phone because it may be a customer. Why do you question the value of social media when that is where your customers are already?

Get out there, ENGAGE, meet people and have some fun.

Thank you Tweetstock. I had a lot of fun!

Thanks for stopping by.

P.S.  This is Heather and Erica posing with me because they were bribed with loads of free drinks.  :)

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad