Today I met for lunch with a half dozen people I had not met before to “network” and discuss social media. We met at a restaurant that I adore and was convenient for us all.
We were former journalists, marketing professionals, freelancers and staff members- all interested in learning more about the moving target we call marketing.
We shared useful tips, great food, and confessed our trepidations and successes with the ever changing landscape of new media.
I have many ways to communicate with people. I email voraciously. I have over 300 friends on Facebook (the majority of whom I actually know personally), and am on LinkedIn.
I attend industry functions and group meetings- which are crucial for those of us with home offices. I recently started tweeting. I use all these tools to stay connected and build relationships. And as my office partner will attest to – I talk on the phone.
That said- nothing matches the power of meeting the old fashioned way- face to face. Aside from the newest gizmos – I think it is four square-which I was really good at when I was 8- I like to meet people in real time.
By 1PM we had finished a fantastic lunch, (Kudos to expert staff at City Kitchen in Grosse Pointe www.city-kitchen.com who dealt with a power outage while we were there) shared tips I have already put into practice, laughed, exchanged ideas and made new friends. I left feeling recharged and grateful that people will still meet to break bread.
