Dreaming in Twitter Lingo and Creating Deep Connections
I was actually dreaming in Twitter lingo Sunday night. It was my first night home from SheStreams Ft. Lauderdale. Obviously visions of the connections I made and the information I absorbed were dancing through my thoughts as I fell asleep. And that influenced my dreams! Score…Score.
I am always exhilarated to reconnect with my peeps; however, the magic lies in the new connections I make at social media and blogging events. To quote Ted Rubin, “I am celebrating those fortuitous connections I make ’just because’.”
Ted at work
I am an observer basically. I enjoy taking the time to notice and discern and sometimes even perceive intuitively those people with whom I should connect. And then I step back and allow the universe to do its thing…and it does. I find myself in the elevator with the Keynote speaker or a very interesting person is beside me at the coffee bar or a joyful personality takes the seat right next to me. Coincidence…perhaps. Synchronicity…for sure!
My first such encounter was with Becky Woodworth of AT&T, whom I had the pleasure of sharing an elevator ride with on Thursday evening. She climbed in and commented on my brightly colored top. Intuition poked me and said to interact. I asked if she were here for SheStreams and she said, “Yes.” On Saturday, I found myself in her “Mastering Your Video Skills” workshop. Turns out she is THE Social Media Senior Strategy Manager at AT&T Mobility and one very witty and knowledgeable lady. After her session, presented with Molly Gold, of GO MOM! Inc. We connected once again and she remembered our elevator chat. She will be a future guest on my radio show.
vLogging Workshop with Becky Woodworth and Molly Gold
Next, I took afternoon tea with our own Courtney Velasquez and found myself beside a beautiful woman with amazing turquoise, heart-shaped earrings. I commented on how beautiful they were and we talked and laughed as we realized I had the matching pendant. Turns out she had just come to SheStreams and wanted to start a radio show. I told her about my radio show and we exchanged business cards. Pat Lloyd is an amazing and spiritual woman who exudes charm and grace. We attended two sessions together and have agreed to explore some opportunities in the future.
Rich McFadden, Director of Operations and Programming at Radio America Network, did a radio workshop
My final fortuitous encounter was, perhaps, the most fun…or at least the giggliest!! I arrived early for the Saturday morning session and claimed my seat in the second row and saved the seat beside me for Courtney by placing my traveling companion, ColBi (my sock monkey named for Collective Bias) in the seat. I went to find my morning coffee and muffin and came back to find the rest of the row full. The oh so effervescent personality in the seat beside ColBi was soon to be my new BFF!!!
Keynote by Elisa All, Founder, President & CEO of 30Second Mobile and 30Second Moms
The Keynote speaker, Elisa All is Founder, President & CEO of 30 Second Mobile and 30 Second Moms. Turns out my row companion, Joani Plenty was featured in the presentation sharing her hilarious 30 second tip about toothpaste for blemishes. In the Q&A session, I inquired if they needed a ‘30 second Grand Mom’ and the connection was made instantaneously. We laughed…we cried…we bonded. Yes, we connected.
ColBi at SheStreams
30 Second Moms in 2nd row, Joani is first on the right
These are only three of the memorable connections I made during the weekend. I share them to illustrate the impact of networking at these events. I could have easily not engaged with Becky in the elevator. I could have pursued my tea without commenting on Pat’s earrings. I could have kept my question unasked and never been embraced by Elisa and Joani and the 30 Second Moms.
Yesterday, I had several fun Twitter moments with each of these women and several others I met at SheStreams. I actually have 50 new followers from this weekend and the event only had about 115 attendees. That is an amazing stat by any measurement tool!
Rebecca at work
I am home sitting in my backyard writing for Collective Bias on my laptop. A baby cardinal just hopped onto a branch two feet from me and I am listening to the waves breaking in the Atlantic. You may think that I am one lucky woman…and I am. However, I know that I am able to do what I love as a direct result of the deep connections I have made through networking. And I am forever grateful and blessed.
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Rebecca, you are a true inspiration…. and yes, I’m a bit jealous that you can sit in your back yard and hear the waves of the Atlantic…. beautiful!
Oh Mel…you have an invitation to bring your laptop and sit in my back yard anytime!!!
Hearing the waves of the Atlantic would be a dream come true for me, I love sitting in the back listening to the birds whenever it suits me! Glad you had a great time at the conventions, love reading this!
April, you can come with Mel anytime. SheStreams was fun, I connected with so many beautiful people!
I love the small conferences too! The big ones are fun, but the long-lasting connections definitely come from the smaller ones for me, too!
Um, er, I pulled up both of your posts and went to comment, got derailed by Captcha, and left the wrong comment on this one – sorry! This sounds like a wonderful conference and I like your approach to networking
I have to admit that I do love seeing Ted in pink. It just warms my heart. I could not agree with you more Rebecca and I think many of us lose sight that our social media “plan” need’s to in fact include real life social activities, and interactions. I find that the quickest way to really enroll people in who you are and what you are all about is to actively engage with them and create those bonds that last well into the digital sunset. I also think we need to think ECO- System when we think of our social media strategy. Our online informs our off line and vice versa… a virtuous circle of content development, engagement and advocacy. LOVE this POST and enjoyed meeting you all so very much! xo
I know that captcha thing has gotten me a couple of time too Jen. I did so much enjoy the interaction at SheStreams.
I agree Monica, Ted should wear pink more often. I may have to send him that hat!!! It was awesome connecting with you and Tracy. Great moments are fab memories!!!
LOL about dreaming in twitter. I have to admit, I’ve dreamt in a similar fashion.
Another great post, love your personal style… and thanks for the great photo of me