Didn’t we always say we were part of the movement, not all of it? Of coarse we changed the world, but try and follow through, get off your gold disc and fly! – John Lennon to Paul and Linda McCartney (1969)
My name is Nat Finn. I have logged over 5 years worth of time in internet marketing, from search to blogging to project management, SEO, A/B testing and things in between. I am a Google Analytics Individual Qualification expert, and passed the original Inbound Marketing certification exam.
At the time of this writing, I author on SEOBoy.com, NWITweetup.com, and natfinn.com. When the time calls, I am a regional director for Blog Indiana. There’s even a rumor that I am the internet marketer for Golden Technologies of Northwest Indiana, Michiana, and Southwest Florida.
At this point in time, most people in Northwest Indiana online community are aware of my credentials, as are a good share of the community in Indianapolis. But I am only beginning to learn about the beautiful people in South Bend / Michiana.
So, “Hi, my name is Finn. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
Over the last few days, the issues surrounding Michiana Tweetups have become more evident. With the exception of a few unconscionably edited comments, our NWITweetup blog has become a good reference of the growing pains.
I’ve been louder than I’ve intended to be in social media circles regarding the controversy. I’m not one who usually gives into public ranting. But seeing the petty actions of some of our brethren across the time line, I really only want to say the following to the social media friends of Michiana:
Once y’all are done with your Tweetup on the 13th (6-8pm EST, 5-7pm CST), get over to NWITWeetup at Blue Chip Casino and enjoy the rest of the evening with us!
All of you! Open invitation to everyone!
Then y’all can go back into the grind tomorrow. It won’t be easy. There will still be fighting. There will still be things unaccounted for.
Because when you start social networking events, you’re not building networking events, you’re growing a community that is but part of a greater whole.
Me, Dalton, Daver, Sipple, Precourt, Barath and others have been asked how we’ve grown the NWITweetup over the last year and half. We’ve even been ask to help out with other tweetups around the state.
Just let it be known, it ain’t been easy. It’s been through persistence, communication, and risk-taking. We’ve fought, disagreed, stood up from the table disgusted, but we’ve persevered.
I talk to Daver everyday. I hear from the others multiple times a weak.
We’re just a part of the community. We take community feedback as much as they’re willing to give. And there are things they’ve asked for that me and the fellow organizers have yet to provide. But we keep at it.
If the issues in the social media community in Michiana persists, expect the Region and the rest of the state to get louder. Michiana, the home of Studebaker and Notre Dame, deserves a transparent conduit into New Media. This is y’alls chance to provide it: fair and untempered. Grab onto it with both hands.
Tonight, party. Tomorrow: get back to work.
And speaking of fair, the price for the evening’s NWITweetup: $0.00.
Cost to Blue Chip: a donated room, donated food, and a couple hours of service staff.
What Blue Chip gets in return: an army of bloggers who’ll enjoy a couple hours of gambling amd communing.
How the organizers get ‘paid:’. the same way everyone else in the community gets paid – friendship & networking.
This is a business model I recommend y’all study and emulate because if you don’t adopt it someone else will implement it.
Love to the community. May the evening be beneficial and blessed for us all.
Sincerely,
Finn
(photo credit: Tiger_Jack via Flickr)