Today I attended Lunch 2.0 for the first time, and I don’t think I can remember a more valuable experience in all of my networking past. You see, being on Twitter, I have started to follow many local Portlanders that care about the same things I do—whether it be technology, food, or sustainability—and today I met a lot of them face to face.
First, I rode with @betsywhim, @RobotAdam, @JEliseM, and @akfarrell, who I all know in person well. For those not using Twitter, a) you should start now and b) these are how people are known in Twitterland, by username.
Secondly, I noticed that others were not filling out name tags with the requisite “Name” and “Company”, oh no, it was “Name” then “Twitter Name.” I promptly wadded up my first name tag and threw it in the trash, then created another one and acted like I knew that was the protocol.
The first person I ran into was @LizzyCaston. I have to admit, I have been wanting to meet her for a while because she WRITES about food and I READ about food. What a great fit, I think we will be lifelong friends. We decided to tweetup for a cupcake one day.
I then ran into @verso, who I met recently waiting in line for hours to buy an iPhone. I asked her how the 3G is treating her, and she was just as excited as me about our purchases.
Next I ran into @cookingupastory, who I met about a month or two ago, basically when I asked her if she’d like to meet for coffee via yes, Twitter.
She and I decided to sit down at a table where the Back Fence Babes were—where I met both @mediaChick and @thisKat (one of my first followers, by the way, and another person I’ve wanted to meet).
As a side note, I should add that while I was kneeling to talk to @thisKat, @turoczy proceeded to turn and knock me in the back of the head with his backpack. Being the Nice Guy that he is, he finished his conversation with who he was speaking with then got my attention to apologize. Then I got to meet him for the first time, too!
By this time my ride was ready to go. In all of about 45 minutes I was able to put faces with names of people I already knew, and connect with them face to face outside of the Internets. There is one thing to be said for just walking up and talking to strangers at a networking event, but when you already know what goes on in their daily lives, it’s so much better.
@LizzyCaston said it perfectly when I first walked in—”If you’re not networking online, you’re not networking.”
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Tricia, it was an absolute pleasure meeting you as well. Yes, cupcakes or lunch or both soon please! But not cupcakes for lunch because that would be bad nutrition.
Anyway, my line “if you aren’t networking online, then you aren’t networking” sounds like one of the horrible business books you see in airport bookstores in places like Houston, but it’s true, yes?
Anyway, let’s connect soon, ok?
Tricia, what\’s your twitter handle? @irene_s
Yessss…! You have been assimilated…!
That was my not-so-sly method of getting a chance to meet you. Twitter won’t let me follow more people, so I’ve resorted to assaulting them with my laptop bag.
It was lovely to finally meet you, too! I hope to see you at more tweetups!
@i.schwarting – Good point – should have included mine if publicizing others without their consent! It’s @tbutler.
@Lizzy Caston – Yes, absolutely!
I agree, there was lots-o-love in that room. And now that we’re tweeties I can stalk you proper! =)
Ah! You were there! I would have loved to have met you. I’m sure 45″ was hardly enough time – I barely had time in 120″
Glad you’re getting connected Tricia!
It was indeed a great time!
@Gary Walter – Next time, fo sho.
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