Social media can be leveraged to build deep connections with existing and potential customers. When people think of social media, they think of sites such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. However, social media extends beyond these popular social networks with millions of active members across the globe. Tweetups, in-person, impromptu meeting organized by Twitter users across different geographic locations, can be just as important in helping business owners connect with their potential consumers.

Extending conversations initiated in social networks such as Facebook and Twitter to offline can strengthen these relationships and convert fans and followers into brand advocates. Tweetups are especially beneficial to local businesses or national businesses that wish to advertise in specific region. For example. NASA is hosting a special Tweetup in May, where they will randomly select 150 of their Twitter followers to view a shuttle launch in person at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. At Kennedy, NASA Twitter followers will take a tour of the center, view the shuttle launch and speak with shuttle technicians, managers, engineers, and astronauts. Another great use of Tweetups is by the Grammy Award-winning British singer, Imogen Heap, who leveraged Tweetups in New York and Los Angeles to turn online interactions into real-life connections, providing her Twitter followers with exclusive first listen of her album, “Ellipse.” In addition, one of the most-popular Tweetup events is the National Hockey League’s (NHL) first Tweetup (now taking place in over 20 cities across the U.S.) kicking off the Stanley Cup Playoffs in the league’s NYC store back in April 2009.

How can Tweetups help your business?

1. Meet with existing or potential customers. Invite people who are interested in what your business has to offer. For example, Tommy Hilfiger and Lucky Magazine are hosting a Tweetup today, April 24, in NYC to draw customers into the Fifth Avenue store to shop their Spring collection.
2. Connect you with people in your local community who are passionate about your industry. By bringing people together around a common interest, you help them to get to know each other better.
3. Activate offline and inspire online actions. Another benefit to these Twitter-based gatherings is the amount of messages your attendees will spread before, during and after the event. Twitter users will tweet their experiences, photos and possibly blog about the event.
4. Introduce and help fuel demand for new products or services. Invite an expert to speak about the products and issues that the brand and customers both care about in order to establish or increase your business’ credibility.
5. Build your content inventory that can be repurposed across the interwebs. If you are struggling for content on your Facebook, YouTube or Twitter page(s), hosting events and capturing content at those events, including videos of experts, how-tos, photos of guests or captured by guests can all make engaging, diverse UGC posts across these platforms.

Hosting a tweetup is simple. All you need to do is suggest a date, location, and time on Twitter. Your followers chime in if they want to join you, and you instantly have a gathering!

Visit twivite.com for a list of all upcoming Tweetups in your area!