NOTE:  This discussion can be seen live on blogindiana.tv

We’ll be starting shortly.

The panel is assembled.

• @davewoodon – #nwitweetup (and Finn’s livebloggiing!)
• @dukelong – #Lafayette
• @danamnelson – Evansvile – #smcevv
• @amystark – Indy – #indysmm – Inaugural Indiana Social Media summit organizer! (at Scotty’s Northside of Indy)
• @willhardison – Indy – #indysmhh (Social Media Happy Hour) (held at Scotty’s downtown – helped promote)
• @cherylwatterson - Michiana – #tweetupmichiana

Summary of Tweetups around the State

Daver starts off, introducing #nwitweetup. And has been talking about growing, that it started with Kathy Sipple and how #NWITweetup is in the process of becoming a 5013-C charity. And how we’ve attracted media:  news media

Cheryl is talking about how they invited Michiana two weeks in advance via the local paper.

Duke is talking about how Lafayette is becoming more of a genera social media event, business networking, beer (thank you Scotty’s Brewhouse). Help from NWITweetup and Scotty’s Brewhouse!

Dana Nelson – just started …just started and recent…because their southwest Indiana they use #sweetup

Amy – started in the original #indytweetups with the legendary Dr. Thomas Ho. Original sessions were philosophical, coffee house chats. Not as successful, but intimate and engaging.

Will – had a lot of help from Scotty’s Brewhouse and Blog Indiana’s Noah Coffey – who created EventBrite which tweets out people who’ve signed up for  Social Media Happy hour event via EventBrite

Cheryl – tweetupmichiana is scheduled for 6 months out (already in 2011). Events are split up part networking part informative. Even have a membership platform and a radio talk show “The Tweetup chicks.”

How Easy is it to get Venues

Cheryl – once you’re established and growing, you have leverage…especially on a Tuesday / Wednesday night (slower night).

Audience on Tweetups – how do the different tweetups work together?

Daver – Michiana / NWitweetup cross promote. Everyone went to the smackdown event

Amy – #northof30

Dana – meet with Lacy and took it offline – phone – to work on growing Evansville.

Daver – aftertweetup and afterafter

Will – also working with IndyHub

Audience – How do you Get people with different interests to enjoy the tweetup?

Finn – beer and appetizers

Dave – provide forum, let people engage

Audience – Are tweetups are just open social events…how do you avoid getting to cliquish?

Dana – bring in different speakers….variety of industry in Eville…try to keep it fresh, include everyone. And we have a board of 6 that monitors the stream and then use their personal platform to encourage people go to

Amy – decentralizing power for many groups.

Will – his events are for younger crowd (he’s 26) but the common theme of wanting to learn more and networking is a common theme

Dana – if it’s on Twitter, it’s a tweetup. You ask someone over Twitter, others can come along (brilliant!).

Comment – Dr. Thomas Ho, “I’m more willing to go to a Tweetup where I can take my 14-year-old daughter.” (thank you, Dr!)

12 media: and many of us have another job

Amy: don’t overthink tweetups

Cheryl – partner share responsibilities

Daver – it’s because we’re taking the online, offline! Like when I met Duke for the first time!

Duke Long: I started the pink shorts! Networking is great, relationships are the goal!

Will – keeping it up every month is TOUGH, especially when trying to run two startup companies.

Duke – and you build that community. Like my big brother back here (me)

Audience question:  do you do tickets?

Daver – not really.sign-in sheets. Hard to predict

Finn – we’ll use business cards and sign up sheets for free stuff

Will – we’ll use eventbrite just to track! and it’ll keep attendance record. “If it’s a free ticket,” we’ll get 50%. and if they grab one, they don’t know if they’ll show up but they’ll have a reminder.

Dana – he had a “hidden industry.” By reaching out to the girls, making them feel welcome, we were able to break it out.

Daver – you don’t have to show up, but you want to show up. And restaurants want to put forth their best step – like Blue Chip Casino

Online Statement – Dr. Thomas HO – Erik Decker’s mobile work day is coming!

Online Question – How do you handle conflicts people who don’t like each other or don’t handle each other?

Daver – who cares? You’ll work it out. If you can’t work together, the market will dictate it.

Amy – story:  1080 group. He tweeted about a Metallica concert. 4 fans started following. 2 became clients. – Common interests are helpful as well

They’re are geeks. They’re denying it

Daver:  I got into Twitter because it gave me a new voice

Duke: I got into it to learn more. There are some smart people. The stuff we can learn on it is amazing.

Amy:  I take “geek” as a term of endearment.

Dana:  so many people get together to talk about hard topics…if you can put them differences aside, you can agree to disagree and still learn from each other

Audience Question:  can there too many people attending

Finn & Daver:  depends on the venue. Don’t get it too crowded.

Cheryl to Will – that’ s why having a partner can help. So you aren’t so overwhelmed

Duke – we’ve got others who plan. Right now it’s a lot who do breweries, and that’s cool

Online Question – Each of you – your next tweetup and how to attend

• Daver: – NWITweetup Aug 28 – tat’s place
• Duke:  – end of Sept at Scotty’s. Stay tunedd.
• Dana – smcevv – Third Monday of the month – Sept 20th
• Amy – social media smackdown / summit – December 30th.
• Will – smchh – this Monday (limited. sold out). Big one in Sept @ Ike & Jonz – watch on twitter.
• Cheryl – 14th sept at club lasalle, oct wine/cheese at indulgence -

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Steph’s talking about the history of her blog adventuresinbabywearing.com

For her, it was a journey. Starting in 2005 when she started her blog. She made a funny name and then realized she was going to have it forever.

One blog at a time.

Meeting them by leaving blog comments. It let her to a community.

“5 minutes for mom” – had an ultimate blog party in 2007. Her post on it got over 1,000 comments. And it took off. Google contacted her come speak on a mom blog panel. And she started to meet other mom bloggers.

They answered why mom’s wrote online (therapy…hobby)

How much they knew about her pregancy

She started writing about her pregnancy. Now that her daughter is two, it’s now been like “The Truman Show.’

Not that she’s an expert, she’s just experience.

Rule #1

Be yourself. Even if you don’t know who you are right now. That’s part of the journey.

It’s helped her. She even wrote about her mistakes. People have enjoyed reading them. It’s helped her find more friends and mommy bloggers.

They have other opinions, but she’s learned that’s what a community is about.

Degrees of Mommy Blogger

• Some just blog
• She’s more inspirational writing

Advice

• use photos – doesn’t have to be fancy (iPhone works)
• be open
• comment, comment, comment. Write on other blogs. Be friends! Make a friend. Make the time worthwhile!
• reply to comments
• giveaways work from time to time. She did it when she was a “baby blogger.” But don’t necessarily leave comments to what you have going on your blog on their posts. Let them find you. – Learned it from experience
• And when you make mistakes, ADMIT to them.
• Don’t know where to start? Google for a “blog  carnival.” It gives daily topics and themes you can participate in. “It’s how people find each other.” ex – I Should Be Folding Laundry gives weekly challenges. – “You can’t always wait to be followed.”

Question:  When to get out of blog carnival if you aren’t getting the results?
Answer:  Be true to yourself. If you really don’t feel like doing it. Don’t do it (there are other places)

Another option: Writing Prompt Carnivals:  for example - The bigger picture moment

Favorite example: Life Nut

How do you find the time to blog? (esp with 4 children)

• don’t sleep much
• late at night
• nap time
• commercial breaks
• in the car, on the back of an envelope
• notes on iphone
• sneak away when possible
• make time! (schedule if you’re that kind of person). Work on design. Make sure there’s social sharing…
• make sure to include engagement in the time
• make sure you take time offline…helps write about life. Or you run the risk of blogging about blogging – go to the source of the inspiration

Additional Advice

• Make sure your blog comments come to your email!
• Doesn’t like Disqus:  Can’t comment from iPhone
• Have blog cards (business cards)
• To find other similar niche blogs:  Blog URL on your email. (Google search. Engage from that) “birds of a feather.”
• Stay involved on your niche!

5 Minutes for Parenting

• Side project
• Always looking for guest bloggers (another way to get involved)
• Only Parent writers:  no reviews, no giveaways
• class invited to blog – NIC

Kirtsy – “Digg for Women.”

Privacy

• What are kids gonna find about later when kids get older?
• Sometimes, kids need their privacy!
• Make sure you know the privacy settings of the online tools you use (ESPECIALLY FACEBOOK!)
• Discern what is best for you family / friends
• Sometimes, it’s good to ask permission especially when others are involved
• How do you want people to find you? – make sure they know how to subscribe? If you don’t want them to find you? Take it privacy

Blog Conferences

• Get out among your fellow bloggers. Niche
• Basic courses offered.
• Conferences – BlogHer (national),  Blissdom (Nashville) , Mom 2.0 Summit (national – great for talking to brands and how to make money), Type-A Mom Conference (USA  – southern)

Blog “Techy Stuff”

• SEO-y stuff (Gag). She doesn’t pay attention to much. But she writes soooo much that she’s helped it with great content
• Google Alerts:  set keywords to know if someone is using your stuff, linking to you, writing about you
• Ads:  Get established first!  Track stats. – Get info and you can start estimating what to charge.
• Ad networks:  Blog Her Ads (watch their rules), Clever Girls Collective, Making it Lovely
• Rates:  1 dollar per 1,000 page view (could be superlow). Or a good way to start. No charging less that $25 or so a month
• Google Analytics (we’ll talk, Steph!).

Reviews:  How to Get the Free Stuff

Be establishedd

make sure content network is available

then start getting on review lists

Remember: 1) have to disclose 2) rules:  watch out for those “contact ups before you post a negative review” rules

General Rule

Don’t do it if you don’t love it

Love it; make it from the heart!

The End

Questions:

Design? – Many mom bloggers do their own designs. Steph has a great friend who designed it for her. If you get established, you might get volunteer. Pretty blogs work

Name evolution? Blogger to baby blogger to mommy blogger to mom blogger…will “mother blogger…”

Steph is a “mom blogger.”

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How to Let Us Know What Dish(es) You’re Bringing

To let us know, simply leave a comment in the post and tell us what you’re bringing – and whether or not you need ice/heat for the dish.

Thanks again, guys. Can’t wait to throw Daver in the pool & party till the sun goes down.

- Finn

PS – to remind you, here are the facts:

2010 August #NWITweetup Picnic Facts

Venue: #NWITweetup Summer Picnic – the Tatgenhorst Ranch!
Date: Saturday August 28th, 2010
Time: 3pm – sunRISE
Address: 758 Gadwell Ct. Valparaiso, IN. 46385
Fun Stuff: BBQ, Swimming pool, lounging deck, bonfire, free food and refreshments, Bags (cornhole) tournament,
Map to the Event:

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Yeah, K-Tat knows his parties.

Put this down in the history book:  It’s 25 days till the next #NWITweetup and I’m getting you the basic details….NOW!

Here are the essentials:

Venue: #NWITweetup Summer Picnic – the Tatgenhorst Ranch!
Date: Saturday August 28th, 2010
Time: 3pm – sunRISE
Address: 758 Gadwell Ct. Valparaiso, IN. 46385
Fun Stuff: BBQ, Swimming pool, lounging deck, bonfire, free food and refreshments, Bags (cornhole) tournament,
Map to the Event:

View Larger Map

Here’s what we need to know:

Are You Coming?
Can You Bring Anything to the event? (Food, ‘refreshments,’ cornhole set…)
What more would you like to see at the event? (Games, speaking, Wii tournament)

What we need:
Prizes

• Bags tournament
• water balloon toss
• door prizes

Water Balloons (for the water balloon toss)
Food Dishes
Drinks
& Your partying selves!

Leave a comment below or email us at one of the following:

finn@nwitweetup.com
dave@nwitweetup.com
eric@nwitweetup.com

and let us know your plans for the August #NWITweetup!

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July 2010 #NWITweetup was a moderate success. Our sponsors and hosts were brilliant.

• Eric Carter of Cartronix - you were absolutely brilliant. Your Sonos 5 system and additional gifts were otherworldly. And that fact you got the good stuff assembled based off a whim I had:  unreal.
• Jack of Billy Jack’s Cafe & Bar - wonderful. I hope Gumballhead gets cheaper for y’all.
• Rick Gosser of Gosser Sales – Your coupons were blessings. The sponsorship of the name badges:   perfect.
• Sarah Highlen and the Grossbauer Group – Way to step up for the name badges (and additional resources). It’s fitting someone from your clan wins something at every drawing.
• Christopher Hedges – even thought you couldn’t get out til late, thank you SO much for the sponsorship of the name badges.
• Christopher Mahlmann – Thank you for the T-Shirts. Always stepping up in the clutch!
• Rahsaan Taylor – those new name badges look great! Just wonderful!
• Atom Groom – thank you for covering us in a pinch and designing the Poker Run forms.
• Evelyn Bay Coffee Company, Phillip’s Ace Hardware and Majestic Jewelers – thank you for keeping the doors open as long as possible to accommodate our run.
• Karl Tatgehnorst – thanks for hanging out at Majestic Jewelers. Hope the Mrs. didn’t pressure you to purchase too much.
• Jason Adams – keep them banners comin’.
• Jon Costas – melodic set, Mr. Mayor. Had me jonesin’ for my Martin.
• and Daver – way to follow through on the forms and hosting when crunch time hit.

I’m sorry I didn’t hold up my end.

In my attempts to not step on others toes when helping others organize events, I wasn’t a sufficient resource. The event should have run much smoother.

• Posts should have been written quicker.
• Press releases should have been distributed sooner.
• Event details should have been continually explained.
• Prize winners’ names should have been written down (holding onto cards weren’t enough)

It’s a mistake I won’t make twice.

Since the event we’ve met, had several conversations, developed redundancies, and structured the way in which the events will be organized behind the scenes. In fact, once I’ve finished proofreading the list, I’ll publish it for the community to read. We are all in this together.

And, hopefully, if you’ll stick with Dave and I a little longer, we’ll make the events even more worth your while.

August 2010 NWITweetup information will be released shortly. Thank you for sticking with us a little longer

- Finn

Did you win something in the July 2010 #NWItweetup drawings?

One more thing:  if you were a winner in the 2010 #NWITweetup drawings, please let me know so I can fill in the gaps below.

Gosser Sales $50 coupons

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Valpolife T-Shirts

- Rick Gosser
- Nichole Baiel
- David Lindgren
- Joseph Grossbauer

Cartronix Bluethooth Headsets

- Jason Adams
- Sarah Highlen
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Cartronix Sonos System

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So, people have been wanting to know how this July 2010 #NWITweetup work. Here’s the story from A to Z

From 6pm-8pm, the poker run will be open. You can complete the run at any point during the time frame

1) To participate in the poker run, head over to Evelyn Bay Coffee Company. You will get a sheet of paper where you can keep track of your poker hand. Once there, you will have the chance to pick a card (card face-down. No cheating). Once you pick the card, an NWITweetup volunteer will write it down on your sheet and put their initials on it. From there you will go to Phillips Ace Hardware (2 block south down Calumet. East side of the road). FOURSQUARE USERS:  Remember to check in!

2) At Phillips Ace Hardware, you will head to the back of the store – towards the Service Dept. (Make sure your poker sheet is with you). Once at the service desk, you will pick a card again and go through the steps. After you get a card you will get a free gift. Then you head on to Cartronix (1/2 block down the road. HINT:  Park at Cartronix BEFORE you go to Ace Hardware and you can walk to each of the remaining locations.). And if you have FOURSQUARE…check in

3) At Cartronix, you will get your third card and be eligible for free gifts. Do the steps, get the card, check in with FourSquare, and then head on down to Majestic Jewelers (a couple storefronts south).

4) Majestic Jewelers:  Once you get your card from Majestic, you will get a complimentary bottle of Nail Polish Remover you’re welcome, Daver,
and a 20% off coupon! Then it’s time to, “hail, hail. the gang’s all here,” at Billy Jacks Cafe & Bar! (just a couple of stores away).

5) Billy Jacks Cafe & Bar:  Get your last card, and see your friends and colleagues. Stay, hang, be one with.

Once you have all 5 cards:  take it to either Daver or Finn so they can use them for the drawings.

At 8pm, we’ll do announcements, talk a little about updates, and then drawings will begin!

Note: You have to have a full poker hand to be eligible for the drawings!

• Valpo Life Gear
• Free Car Washes (pending)

And the grand finale:  The Sonos Wireless Multi-Room Music System

Then after the drawings are done, the mixer can continue,

• drink specials
• including specials on GUMBALLHEAD
• and the soothing acoustical sounds of none-other than Valparaiso city mayor, Jon Costas!

And, Mr. Mayor, I hope we get to hear your rendition of “Fire and Rain!”

If you have any questions, please email either:

• finn@nwitweetup.com (Nat Finn)
• dave@nwitweetup.com (Dave Woodson)
• eric@nwitweetup.com (Eric Carter)

and hope to see you there.

and, now, you don’t have to do the Run and can just go hang out, but what fun is that?

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What Is Social Media Day?

Social Media Day is an event concocted by online magazine Mashable as a way to celebrate the revolutionary media and its growing presence in the world. No more; no less.

For more lack of details regarding how the even came about, please visit the Mashable site.

How #NWITWeetup will Celebrate Social Media Day

Here at #NWITweetup, not only did we want to celebrate the day, but to use the day as a time of reflection; to consider how the medium has trickled its way in to each and every one of our lives and how it will continue to impact us as we go further.

With that in mind, #NWITweetup is taking the time, while get the community is in the same room, to discuss the future of #NWITweetup. And, “no,” this will not be a one-shot deal, but a chance to get the dialogue started. It is our hope that the event will spur serious discussion. So if you can’t make it to the event, it’s okay. Please continue to send us tweets, comment on our posts, leave comments on this post, and…most importantly…BE HEARD!

Besides, we’ll be running the discussion live on UStream!

It is our hope that if the level of debate is raised on Wednesday, that by August 2010 we’ll have a direction to take us for next year. And if this goes well, we’ll have a tradition and we’ll do it all again next year.

List of Events (in No Particular Order) for #NWITweetup’s Social Media Day 2010.

11:30am – Gather, gaggle, and grub at Pepe’s in Valparaiso, IN.
12:00pm – Speaker: Steve Dalton. Topic: A mysterious secret.
12:10pm – Speaker: Dave Woodson. Topic: A secretive mystery.
12:20pm – Speaker: Nat Finn. Topic: “State of the #NWITweetup”
12:30pm – Discussion: “#NWITweetup 2010-11″
12:55pm – Giveaways: – Cartronix and Valpo Life (so FAR!!)

Topics for State of the #NWITweetup Discussion

Where would you like to see events hosted?
Who would like to host volutneer?
How much should #NWITWeetups cost? (Just kidding)
What days work best?
How many #NWITweetups a month?
Would you like to see workshops?
Should #NWITweetup try to gain interest from traditional businesses, or should those be seperate events?
Community Chest

Giveaways

Cartronix - free bluetooth headsets
Valpolife – clothes & gear

Other notes:

• Please comment here, tell us on twitter, or email us on nwitweetup@gmail.com your interest in attending so we don’t bomb Pepe’s unintentionally.
• The “State of the #NWITweetup” event will aire LIVE on UStream so if you can’t see it, you can catch it on your computer during your lunch break
• Cartonix’s Eric Carter will be on hand to partake in the discussion and to hand out free giveaways
• Valpolife founder Chris Mahlmann will be there to not only attend, partake in the discussion, and hand out free stuff but to also take video, pictures, and conduct interviews.
• Remember your business cards!

#NWITweetup’s 2010 Social Media Day Quick Facts

Time: 11:30am-1:00pm
Place: Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant, Valparaiso (on Rt. 2, just south of US 30)
Speakers: Daver, Dalton, Finn – and the #NWITweetup community
Free Stuff: Cartronix & Valpo Life & Portage Life
Free Food: Chips and Salsa. Pepe’s has lunch specials every day at great rates. I know. I’ve been eating lunch there once a week since January 2008.

Map to Pepe’s Mexican Restaurant in Valparaiso, IN.

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(photo credit: Mashable via Flickr)

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We are really doing this last minute – I know

Here is the line up so far:

• June 30, 2010
• 11:30 to 1pm Pepe’s in Valparaiso, IN
• several local Social Media Leaders will speak
• We will discuss the #nwitweetup to help it grow to foster more community and business involvement

We want anyone and everyone there that can come.  It will be a great time of community, networking and business.

In the coming days and weeks, we will be looking for more involvement and direction on which way you want to take the monthly Tweetups.  Please do not be bashful, this is Social Media, where we take the online offline.

We, also, hope to be able livestream the even on ustream, we will post the link as we get closer.

Dave

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So stay tuned for more details and there is going to be one great low-lite reel on this very special episode of #NWiTweetup Video Recap

Social Media Day June 30th, Pepe’s In Valparaiso, Social Media Luncheon more details coming soon

and for the record, I know the sound is off on this I am working on it.

Stay tuned

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Daver and I just stopped by Gauchos on the eve of the June 2010 NWITweetup and, well, we couldn’t resist.

The Gauchos Cigar bar looks immaculate after their recent remodeling:  wood floors, gold window treatments, flat panel TVs, and an aquarium (no, Daver didn’t ash his cigar in it).

The bar manager, Amanda, makes great mix drinks, is down to earth, and doesn’t charge for the smiles. Samantha, Jerry, and the rest of the gang…it should be enough to bring a few of the stalwarts out of their spring slumber.

June 2010 NWITweetup Quick Facts

Date: June 15, 2010

Time: 7pm CST

• PreTweetup:  6:3o pm
• DaverTweetup:  Since 9pm June 14th
• AfterTweetup:  There is no aftertweetup (Remember Rule #1 of #AfterTweetup)

Special Guest: Amy Stark, founder, Indiana Social Media awards.

Specials: Appetizer Specials

SWAG: Bring your business cards!

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Any questions, just let us know
you can find us Twitter @natfinn @davewoodson @nwitweetup

D

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Gaucho’s Brazilian Steakhouse (red light/green light), Martini bar and lounge. Are you ready to get your steak on?

June 15th, from 7 to 9pm(official) and we all know that there will be a pretweetup and an aftertweetup

See you then

D

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