Last night I threw together an informal meeting of friends I’ve met via Twitter, blogging, & local tech events. We held our “Tweetup” at a great pizza place in the far west suburbs of Chicago.
I could go on and on about how important (and fun!) it is to take online relationships offline, but suffice it to say I attribute a big part of my success to getting out and meeting people in person.
It’s also incredibly important to get out of the house when you work at home – it sounds counterintuitive, but it’s so true. I’ve been reading more and more lately about entrepreneurs who worked at home and gave it up because they missed interacting with a team – they got lonely. Personally, I can’t afford to let myself get to that point anymore – I mean, how exactly could I run a blog network for people who work at home from an outside office? Not exactly congruent.
Anyway, it’s easy to pull events like this together – especially if you do them in non-busy hours when restaurants or other meeting locations are eager to bend over backwards to get your business. I’m no event planner either – here’s my brain-dead list of what I did to pull our Tweetup together:
- Emailed everyone I knew in the area and figured out a date that would work for our core group
- Found a restaurant. Sanfratello’s (who didn’t do anything for this plug and have my most favorite pizza on the planet) were awesome, they didn’t require a deposit, didn’t care that I didn’t know how many people would show up, and gave us our own room as well as group pricing. I didn’t even know I booked a place that had free WIFI and half-price wine on Thursdays – how lucky could I get?!
- Spread the word on Twitter, asked friends to retweet and spread the word
- Hunted down some people on TwitterLocal.net and sent them tweets to invite them
- Jim added the event to Upcoming
- Showed up
- Hung out with Brad, Jim, Kim, Jeff, Barbara, Derek, Carolyn, Jerome, and Karen
- I warned you this was brain-dead simple, right?!
By the way, if you’re in the Chicago area and missed our meeting, we’ll be doing them quarterly. Colonel Tribune from the Chicago Tribune is also having one next week in Chicago.
Our Tweetup was a BLAST. I highly recommend it. Someone asked me in an interview recently why I thought it was important to go hang out with people offline like this. I told them that adult conversation is way cheaper than therapy.
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Jim Pearson has spent more than 25 years helping small and mid-size businesses find solutions to their business problems. He specializes in sales, marketing and rapid revenue growth and has helped hundreds of companies make more money.
Gene Culver has more than 15 years of diverse business experience across the music industry, telecom network marketing and business coaching. His specialty is helping individuals with marketing, their internet presence and lead generation.

Fun! I’m jealous.
Elizabeths last blog post..How Americans spend time on work and family
Wendy, I had a blast meeting you and everyone else last night. Thanks for putting it together. I am definitely excited for the next #tweetchi Tweet-Up. I’m definitely looking forward to getting to know each of you all better.
Kim Fenolios last blog post..To Plurk or Not to Plurk?
Hi Wendy!
Your post title caught my eye. I work from home as a real estate agent and use my blog to generate business. I have met up with many of the people I have met on-line in different social networks on the web, and I agree… it’s definitely cheaper than therapy and a lot more fun too!
I live in Plainfield, IL. I should check out your next Tweet-up. I’ll stay tuned to your blog! ~Julie
ChicagoRealEstateGirls last blog post..Plainfield Real Estate | Ashford Place
I’d like to second the thanks for coordinating everything, as it was great to get out and meet some new people. It will be fun to be a part of #tweetchi as it continues to grow.
I agree, that us digital workers need to crawl out of our caves and interact with real people. Our sanity demands. I’m an avid squash player, so I get to socialize and exercise all at the same time.
Top Rateds last blog post..The Very Best Digital SLR Cameras
Where do I start, Wendy?
. . .
Maybe with thank you!
It’s intimate gatherings like these that are definitely worth making time for.
Barbara Rozgonyis last blog post..Social-izing PR: 33 ways to promote You AND Your Network
Ah, that sounded like a lot of fun. Would’ve come if I was in the area.
Wine and pizza??????
Kelvin Kaos last blog post..Episode 15 – Godfather Nightmares
Adult conversations…hey, I remember that!
Sounds like a lot of fun and a great idea! Might you bring Chicago over to NJ next? I could even bring my TwitterBudgies….
Barbara
Barbara Lings last blog post..Give yourself permission to succeed TODAY!!!!
it sounds like it was just wonderful, I am so sorry I wasn’t able to make it
Wow, I´m so jealous! Unfortunately, it´s not that simple for me, since I live in Guatemala. Though I do have a few contacts that are heading down this way through my expat blog.
Genesiss last blog post..Working in the Midst of Chaos
Can’t wait for our next Tweetup! The pizza was great and the conversation even better!
Brad Shorrs last blog post..Words for Nerds – Vexillology
Ohh how cool..very clever! I should try that in the Denver area!
Jolly Green Dads last blog post..Thought for the Weekend
Darn I visit Chicago regularly. I was just there two weeks ago…and will be back soon. I’ll try to get in contact with you so we can please meet.
Your right you always need real people with real issues to look into the eyes of…
It’s just like therapy knowing your not alone..
Dorothy from grammology
remember to call gram
http://www.grammology.com
Dorothy Stahlneckers last blog post..Memories make them today….
I love “How To Guides…” and may I suggest a reunion when and if you come to BlogHer in San Francisco ( July ).
Sounds like so much fun – now I wish I lived in Chicago!
Chief Family Officers last blog post..Surprising things that sell on eBay
Oh that sounds like so much fun…I think most of my online associates live quite far though haha
Marissas last blog post..Summer Blockbusters
I had a great time. Thank you for putting it all together.