... Now that just sounds dirty. "Tweeting" is probably better but I can't edit my title now.
I'm seeing a shift in the community here that I really love. People that used to have negative opinions of each other on the board are spending time together in real life, and finding that they get along well. More providers (including me!) are actually wanting to go to the GC events. I'm finding providers and hobbyists that I really enjoy spending time with both BCD and in a local bar. Our sense of charity has skyrocketed, and people really seem to be having fun again. In the midst of all that, the information exchange hasn't suffered - if anything, people seem to be more open with each other. This is all such good stuff. I want more!
In San Diego, my provider Twitter was an excellent source of hobby information. Providers shared funny stories and alerts, posted real-time updates about impromptu social events and hangouts, notified clients of last-minute openings, and offered Twitter-only specials.
Hobbyists posted ISOs, requested providers contact them for doubles ("i.e., I'm looking for a lady to join me and @NatalieReign for a double next week), and let everyone know when they were just looking for someone to have lunch or a drink with.
Since I set updates from certain people to come to my phone, it was like an instant 140-character mass-text. Much better than someone posting a thread here every time we want people to hang out.
I really loved it.
I have separate accounts for my personal and hobby life... How many of you have used Twitter in the hobby, or would be willing to try it?
We all have our little circle of friends that we feel comfortable with, but it can never hurt to branch out. I've recently met friends on both sides of the hobby that I absolutely adore. The next time I'm grabbing drinks with the ladies and we'd like to have some friends join us, I'll update my Twitter feed.
I don't think it's a good avenue for providers to gain new clients, but more of a way to stay connected with people you're already familiar with. I'm just curious and I think I'm going to spend more time on my Twitter in the new year. Either that, or twittering myself. Or both.
My handle is
www.twitter.com/nataliereign. Share yours if you'd like.
Twittering in the Hobby
