NW Indiana On Twitter, How To Get Involved
Have you thought about “getting on Twitter” yet? Do you even know what Twitter is and how to use it? Are you one of those skeptics who says:
“I don’t have time for Twitter”
“I don’t want people to know ‘what I am doing every minute of the day’.”
“I think Twitter is just useless and foolish”
Here’s the deal guys: whether you are a Twitter expert, or a staunch skeptic, you really need to take some time and read this article all the way through. Trust me, there is something here for everyone! (or you can just skim the bold titles like most people 
)
What Is Twitter?
In short, Twitter is a free micro communication and social interaction tool broken into communities that serve to connect people and businesses alike… (I made that definition up all on my own! 
)… but what does that really mean to you? The definition sounds corny right?… well, look at some of the cool skizz that’s going on around Crown Point, Lake County, and all of NW Indiana – and how Twitter is connecting it all.
Twitter Connecting NW Indiana Businesses
If you own a business in NWI or makes sales and earn a living through networking, then Twitter is definitely something you need to dip into. Right now, The NW Indiana Twitter community is made up of about 80% business people. My friend Steve who is a NWI homebuilder calls us all “early adopters” and I think that sums it up well.
The networking happens directly on Twitter, but spills onto each company’s website or blog. Golden Technologies has a very active blog that gets good traffic spillover from Twitter. NatFinn and KristyPage are two employees at G Tech who really “get it” when it comes to business and social interaction. I have had a good time following their actions online.
There is more than just that, however: face-to-face networking is where it’s at, and that happens during what are known as NWI Tweetups. The NWI Tweetup (or Meet Up) is run by local media consultant, Dave Woodson. There is some debate in my mind as to how and when the NWI Tweetups began, but that doesn’t matter really — what matters is that more and more people get involved! We have a very strong community here, and Tweetups serve to galvanize the connections made online. (what a sweet adjective eh? ‘galvanize’ )
A typical Tweetup involves business, of course, but also some food and drinks as well as a special speaker or two. From what I hear, there is always some Tomfoolery going on in the background! I attended my first Tweetup just recently and was quite impressed with the folks there. We really do have some sharp business folks in da region!
Dave Woodson speaks at the June Tweetup. I have no idea why he is holding up that empty beer pitcher. LOL
Twitter Connecting Regular Folks Together For Fun
There is a spinoff from the NWI Tweetup called the “NWI DrinkUP!” The DrinkUP!, started by the coolest dude in the universe, is all about meeting new people and sharing a few beers. There is no business hawking going on or anyone getting worked over. It’s just good convo and good beer. The most recent DrinkUP! was convened at Old Chicago in Merrillville where new friends introduced one another to their fave brews. I found out that Adam Groom likes Wheat beers, whereas Joe Porter is more of a hop-head like me. (Joe owes me a bomber of DarkLord too BTW – once he delivers I will let him borrow my propane powered weed-whacker – huh??? yeah, drinkUPs are fun! LOL )
It was a relaxing evening with good people… totally awesome!
NWI DrinkUP! gathering at Old Chicago, Merrillville
Twitter Connecting Regular Folks To Businesses
It’s pretty obvious that when you need something done, you ask a friend for a referral dontcha? You call up your buddy and say “yo, Johnny, I need a new flux capacitor for my wireless eartooth handset smart phone, you know where I can get the model G14897YYT in blue-gray metallic polka dots?”
Well, if Johnny doesn’t know, what are you gonna do? If you were on Twitter, you’d know that you can fully trust Eric from Cartronix. How do you know you can trust him… well, because you “talked” to him on Twitter, met him at a Tweetup or Drinkup or both and found him to be a good dude who really knows his stuff! BTW– he owns the shop(s) too, so you can get direct access to the owner via Twitter – think about that for a minute!
Plus, wouldn’t you rather work with local, small business owners and keep your dollars in our community? I know I would!
Twitter Connecting Everyone To Their Own Community
Really, my favorite part of Twitter is keeping active in my community. There are several actual community websites (referred to as ‘hyperlocal blogs’ or ‘citizens journals’) dedicated to good will in their respective areas. This site, Around Crown Point is all about local “positive stuff” in Crown Point and beyond. I tell people that “we blog NW Indiana” – we are new, but we are growing. Follow Around Crown Point on Twitter here.
There are also community websites that are very well established serving Valparaiso (ValpoLife Twitter), Portage (PortageLife Twitter) and the Indiana Dunes Area (DuneLand Twitter). These sites are not run by large newspaper corporations, rather, local folks like you! Their homegrown take on things is refreshing.
Valpo Life is a community blog serving Porter County and the editor and publisher, Chris Mahlmann is very active on Twitter.
So there you go guys, there HAS to be a reason here for you to at least get involved on Twitter to a small degree. If anything, go in and get an account and reserve your own name! You never know when you will need it in the near future. Your comments and questions are always welcome below!
(DISCLAIMER: to my friends and colleagues on Twitter – I mentioned some names above and gave out some links. If I left you out and didn’t mention you, it is because I don’t like you! Ha! just kidding… there is always risk of offending in laundry lists like this… but keep in mind, this article is designed to help my readers first and foremost. Maybe I will get you next time, LOL You are, however, welcome to leave a comment below with your twitter link introducing yourself – Let’s make this a resource article for our NWI community!)
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
- NW Indiana Tweetup At Crown Brewing | Around Crown Point - [...] wrote an article not long ago explaining just what a Tweetup is and I hope you will check it ...
- SmashMouth Burgers And Pizza, Schererville – Behind The Scenes | Around Crown Point - [...] being a local blogger is meeting NW Indiana business owners and entrepreneurs. Recently I went to a Tweetup at ...
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Nicely done Allyn! It was great event at the NWIDrinkup. I was able to meet in depth some great people including yourself! Don’t forget you can get some really great lawn and gardening tips from you the master :^D
PS. You deliver the propane weed whacker I’ll deliver the goods ! Haha
Thanks Joe, it really is cool getting out and meeting everyone. I will be hitting you up for that DarkLord this upcoming week!
Now I gotta go take some pictures of my lawn and pet my grass, LOL
Great explanation of Twitter.
I didn’t get it at first, but now I find it’s in many ways more powerful than just purely blogging (which I need to start doing more again). Twitter is a great way to connect with people from the area, as well as from all around the nation and world. I’ve found that Twitter folks are great people.
I agree Chris, it is a tight nit place considering the way it is put together. I look forward to seeing how it morphs over the next several years.
@Allyn, you are finally a twitter addict. Good to see
It is called the “statue of liberty” play. I hold it up to alert those in the know that I need a refill. It is easily seen across the room, and well it is pretty darn effective.
see, Twitter even has its own hidden etiquette! love that Dave!
Thank you, Allyn. It always feels good to get high praise from a legend
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You comin’ out to the picnic this weekend? After that, the tweetups start getting more thought-leadershippy