Today was the photo shoot for my space at Designer Spaces & Market Places in Hartford, the interior design event which opens Thursday evening. There's an interesting social media back story to how I ended up spending the day with a fabulous photographer I had never met.
Way back in June, the savvy Suzi Craig over at Fathom had a, not really a come-to-Jesus talk, rather a come-to-the-new-gods-of-social-media talk with me. She stressed the importance of connecting to people in the online world, and I insisted that Twitter was simply not a place for me. It seemed ridiculous to think the Twitter experience could apply to me and my business. I have neither time nor interest in the meals and minutiae of strangers - and that was my perception of Twitter.
If you know Suzi, you know how persuasive she can be, and before I knew it, I had a Twitter handle (@exuberanthome) and was dipping my toes into the twirling maelstrom that is Twitter. In short order, I was following and had acquired followers. To my surprise the vast majority of these people are interesting. And informative. And connected to others like themselves. Suddenly I'm actually IN a world-wide web of fun, creative people.
Apologies for the long-winded tale, but here's another interconnected aside. Last Thursday, I attended an AIGA Breakfast Epiphany, hosted by the same Suzi Craig, where I met some seriously cool people. The discussion of social media touched an interesting question: is your online voice your authentic self, or do you portray someone else? As a person who barely has time to have one online voice, I can't imagine having the energy to think up and consistently apply some other persona to my online interactions. WYSIWYG with me. But the question of authenticity struck a chord.
Of the people I have "met" on Twitter, some really resonate with me, I think, mostly because I believe their voice is authentic. I read their tweets and their blog posts and their nature shines through. It feels uncontrived. And so I tweeted in August asking "do you know a good, local interiors photographer?" I received a reply from someone whose online voice is so genuine — Amy Dragoo at ABCD Designs. Because I believe in her authenticity, I believed her recommendation would be worthwhile. Does that make me naïve or overly trusting, or simply fulfill the adage that nice people have nice friends?
I have never met Amy, but she referred me to Michael Partenio, someone she has never met, because she is connected to Stacy Kunstel who is connected to Michael. So if you're still with me — the intersection of four people who have never met in the real world resulted in me having a photo shoot with a terrific photographer — taking pictures of a space titled "Wall Posts". A space designed around the concept of communication and the noise which surrounds us all from places like Twitter and Facebook.
The moral of this circular Twitter tale: despite the noise, there are real, meaningful connections to be made via social media. When you get there — look me up @exuberanthome.
you really didn't think I'd reveal it before the show opens, did you?
Oh Cynthia!
First of all, I am so glad I could help make the connection for you. Secondly, I can not WAIT to see the photos. Thirdly, thank you *so* much for your sweetness! Your kind words about my presence in your Twitterstream really makes me happy.
In my opinion, there is no point in putting on a 'persona' for twitter. No one can keep a farce up for that long. Twitter is all about making a real, authentic connection and if you're anything other than that, the experience there will be less than optimal.
I actually have a little footnote for your story: Stacy and I bonded on Twitter, and as you know she is a photo stylist here on the east coast. I recently purchased a house up in NW CT, and she happened to be scouting at a lake near my little town. I learned about Michael when she and I met for coffee in the backyard of my new house. So, we have met before. We call that a Tweet-up! You can read the story of our morning coffee here: http://www.abcddesign.com/archives/2010/08/13/do-you-know-dunes-and-duchess/
As you know, this week there have been a lot of 'tweet-ups' in NYC around the Rue Magazine Launch, the Nate Berkus Design Audience, and of course, What's New? What's Next @ 200 Lex. There have been many people from Twitter that I have been able to meet with in real life. It has been quite spectacular.
I have been on Twitter since the Summer of 2008 and have seen many relationships form, collaborations happen, and don't even get me started on the opportunities that have landed in my DM box=amazing. It blows my mind that people are proposing jobs, project collaborations, and giving advice in 140 characters or less!
Meeting Twitter 'friends' in real life is what it's about. Twitter simply opens doors of opportunity that you may have never thought were possible to open before.
Thanks again for linking to ABCD and for the compliment in this post-it warms my heart to know that I could help you find the interiors photographer for this VIP (very important project!)
xoxoABCD
I couldn't have expressed everything you said any better.
Amy is a friend of mine on twitter too an now in real life. She and several other "new" friends from twitter have instantly found a solid place in my heart since we finally all came together in NYC. In a world filled with artificial things these new friends of mine are nothing but genuine and supportive. Thank you twitter and thank you Cynthia.
Amy, thank you for your kind and thoughtful comments. I misspoke (mis-wrote?) — I knew you and Stacy had met in the real world; my apologies! You are right, the Twitterverse has been a much more interesting place than I ever imagined it could be. Thanks for all your help and I look forward to a Tweet-Up in the future!
Jonathan, yours is one of the authentic voices I "hear" in my Twitterverse. I always look forward to what you have to share. So glad you all were able to meet in New York and solidify your relationships. Sorry I missed it! Thanks too for your kind words, and safe trip home!
Wow what an amazing post and comments. I'm from an old school publishing world in the UK and people still think I'm crazy being on Twitter. They believe it's only about what people have for lunch… I have found it to be so resourceful and as you say filled with so many creative like minded people. I love how at different times of the day/night I can see what creatively is happening around the globe. Thank you so much for sharing and I can't wait to see the pics.
Cynthia,
Yes, twitter is amazing. Amy, I have the pleasure of getting to know face to face and she has introduced via twitter to the most amazing people.
Thanks Amanda — I know, even my husband thinks I'm crazy to be on Twitter, but where else can you "meet" so many lovely, diverse people in one place?!
Susan, thanks for your comments. I read Amy's post on your shop (and if I'm not mistaken, Eddie Ross had one as well) and look forward to visiting. I'm not far away in central CT.
Hello Cynthia.
I just wanted to stop in again to say thank you. I linked to this post in a late edition post today on ABCD Design. http://www.abcddesign.com/archives/2010/09/23/life-its-good-news-all-around/
I really appreciate you telling this story Cynthia! It's fine (real life meeting or not) how you told the story ~ it is the heart of it that matters. I am bowled over again and again at how remarkable Twitter is at connecting people.
Jonathan, Susan = big kisses to you both. Thank you for your sweet comments. I feel really lucky that I have been able to meet you both in real life. Cynthia, you're next!
@WelcomeHome I am going to go sign into Twitter and see if I can find you.
Take care you guys.
xoABCD
Cynthia,
This is such a beautiful story! I love Twitter so much for the connections and interactions with people I have that I never would have met or had access to. It is a genuine goldmine of advice and support and activity! I am so glad you interacted with @abcddesigns who tweeted with me who tweets and knows @mpproductions and now you have beautiful photos of your space. All of those interactions were based on personal connections through Twitter. I hope there's some business school studying this so they can see the true value of social media. For me, I find it a wonderful resource and an incredibly supportive atmosphere both professionally and personally. I can't wait to meet you! I suggest you come to the @nehomemagazine party on Oct. 14 @irwinfeld in Stamford!
Amy, I really appreciate your willingness to share your expertise and thank you for including me in your "late edition" (which is fab, by the way!) You make the Twitterverse special. And now, enough gushing and off to work! Thnx!!
Stacy — I am amazed at the connectivity of Twitter. Three months ago I would never have believed it. I agree with you, the support is beyond measure. I will definitely attend the party in Stamford @irwinfeld. I look forward to meeting you!