Twitter, Twestival and Tweetups!

I haven’t always been a big fan of Twitter, however recently I noticed that I spend more time using Twitter than any other social or professional networking site and am fast turning into a Twitterholic. So to people who have no idea what Twitter is about or think it is a load of nonsense they may be asking “why”?

Over the last few months Twitter has helped me forge new business contacts and connect with local users. Whilst meeting exhibitors at a local event last week, I realised that I had already met several of them in the virtual world as we were connected on Twitter. I also use Twitter to follow the updates of others who I am interested in, find out information and to help raise awareness of my own business Scarletta Media.

In addition to this I have been invited to attend a Twestival. I had no idea what this was, but have since found out that a Twestival is an annual global fundraising Twitter festival, organised via Twitter and this year will be held on 25th March 2010.

If you would like to find out about a Twestival near you and how you can join in visit their website for further information Twestival.

Wokingham Tweetup

Whilst researching I also came across several mentions of “Tweetups” and have since looked into this too. A Tweetup is a real world meeting between two or more people who know each other through the online Twitter service. I noticed that there didn’t seem to be one in Wokingham, the town where I am based, many local people and businesses are using Twitter, so why not organise our own. To gauge interest I posted a several tweets and have received positive feedback, so the aim is to hold the very first Wokingham Tweetup aka tweetupwoky in April.

The Wokingham Tweetup will be an informal and sociable event where local Twitter users will have the opportunity to meet people they follow on Twitter face-to-face and have conversations lasting more than 140 characters. If traditional networking doesn’t appeal to you, attending a Tweetup is a little different in that you already know a little or a lot about the other person, as you are following them and they may be following you.

If you are sociable, use Twitter and live in Wokingham, Bracknell or the surrounding areas why don’t you join us at the Wokingham Tweetup. Further details will of course be circulated via Twitter shortly, in the interim #tweetupwoky is the hash tag to talk about the Wokingham Tweetup, so feel free to use when talking online or spreading the word and if you haven’t already expressed your interest please send an e-mail to melaniemackie@scarlettamedia.com.

And for those who are still unsure about Twitter:

• It is a micro blog site that you can post out short messages “tweets”, which are no more than 140 characters.
• Can be used to communicate with people you know, find new people of interest and network.
• Is very addictive, especially if you have the ability to access via your mobile phone!

I hope to see you soon at the first tweetupwoky!