vinoEZ.com

I attended a great event yesterday in Napa.  It was the Napa Valley Tweetup (#napavalleytweetup – for all you Twitter fiends).  I have never been to a Tweetup before, so, I had no idea what to expect.  In fact, I just started really getting into Twitter last year.  I put the vinoEZ brand out their (http://www.twitter.com/vinoEZ) to “dip my toes” in the river of information and noise, that is Twitter.  “Maybe this thing will help me build my brand as I start to build my business”, I thought to myself.  Well, it seems that with this Tweetup, I’m heading in that direction.

napavalleytweetup

Over the last month or so, I just started taking Twitter a little more seriously and started following a bunch of tweeps in the wine business to see what I would find.  For the most part, I was watching the water flow from the river bank and every once in awhile I’d throw a tweet out there to see what I could catch.  Sometimes I got a bite and there was a 280 character conversation and then silence.  Other times, the fish would just swim on by leaving my ancient 30 second-old tweet in the wake.

I stayed the course and kept following, then being followed, a tweet here… a tweet there.  It was fun and frustrating at the same time.  Then one day I threw a question out there and got a few answers.  I ended up landing a big fish.  It was very exciting…someone was actually interacting with me.  I didn’t feel so alienated.  Plus, they were giving me good information.  In fact, it was my connection with this fellow tweeter (or twitter-er…um, not sure yet on that one) that landed me at the #napavalleytweetup.  It was @hellovino that gave me the info on the Tweetup.

For months I’ve been seeing Twitter handles scroll down my screen.  Although you know there are real people behind the words and goofy avatar pics, the human in you doesn’t quite get it.  Now, with this Tweetup, I go from the virtual Twitter-verse that I’m familiar with to a room full of strangers that have their Twitter handles written on their name badges.  Because I’ve read their tweets and responded to a few, do I know these people?  Bizarre, but very interesting (just like Twitter first is).

Well getting over that strange reconciliation within, I sat down and listened.  The Tweetup ended up being very informative and a lot of fun.  The first part was a panel discussion facilitated by Gabriel Carrejo (@GabrielCarrejo) featuring:

• Michael Brito (@Britopian)- VP, Edelman Digial Media
• Jennifer Leggio (@mediaphyter) – Director, Strategic Comm. at Fortinet and Social Media Blogger at ZDNet.com
• Paul Mabray (@pmabray) – Chief Strategy Officer, Vintank

Now, in all honesty, I had to leave a little early to attend to some other personal obligations, so, I only saw the first hour of the panel discussion.  However, what I did see, helped me get my head around how social media can work and not work for any company in any industry not just the wine industry.  It validated some things I was mulling over prior to the Tweetup and opened my eyes to some other thought provoking stuff.  After I left the panel discussion at the Napa Valley Marriott (they have a Twitter handle too!…. @napamarriott) my mind was racing on new and fun ideas for vinoEZ.

After doing what I needed to do on the personal front, I came back and attended the evening event at the beautiful Robert Mondavi winery (you guessed it, they have a Twitter handle too: @RMondavi_Winery).  I’ve been in Napa for about 5 years now and I’ve never been there…ridiculous.  I was amazed by the setup they had.  I need to go back there during the day to really appreciate the art and architecture of that place.

Anyway, my main mission for the evening was to put a face to the @hellovino Twitter handle.  Secondarily, it was to try some great wine and food (wait, maybe I have that backwards….sorry @hellovino).  After grabbing a glass of the Fume Blanc and wandering around, I finally found Rick from @hellovino.  We had a great chat and he introduced me to his wife and some of his other friends, colleagues and fellow tweeters.  I also ran into an old colleague that I hadn’t seen for a couple years (what’s up @helenjane!).  We caught up on life and who’s doing what now in the biz.  It was great!  I think I even witnessed the Crazy Bear (@crazybearwine – frickin’ hilarious).

I really got a lot out of this Tweetup.  Made some great connections on a business level, but more importantly, on a personal level.  I would have never met these people or reconnected with others if I hadn’t thrown out that line.  Wow…am I glad I did.  If you haven’t tried Twitter yet, do so.  It’s easy to get on and it’s free.  Start following people and interacting.  You’ll be happy you did.  If you have any questions about it, let me know.  Either I can help or I can point you in the right direction.

Thanks again to @GabrielCarrejo, @Britopian, @mediaphyter, @pmabray, @RMondavi_Winery and @napamarriott.

Also, a shout out to: @hellovino, @helenjane, @joelhopland, @paraduxxwine, @BaldacciWinery and @crazybearwine.

Let’s make wine a little EZ’er!

Shawn (@vinoEZ)

shawn@vinoEZ.com