Top 5 professionals who should attended a tweetup and why

As the twitter wave continues to ignite new users to sign-up, it’s becoming more important to build relationships and connect with your new online friends who are now following you. We’re seeing everyone from health care professionals, pastors, news anchors and teachers joining twitter to either promote their business or reach new customers. The challenge is with so many new people joining twitter and people deciding how to manage their twitter followers it’s becoming important to get to know your new twitter friends besides just their tweets.

A saying that my good friend @mistersuger said a few years ago that I’ll never forget is “that every online relationship should lead to an offline meeting to make that relationship stronger”. Therefore attending a tweetup in your community can be very valuable for any business professional looking to reach a new audience, build on existing online relationships and put a face with a twitter avatar. Here are my top 5 professionals who should attended a tweetup and why.

1. News Anchors/Reporters/Journalist: I’ve spoken about this a few times in early 2008 before @ricksanchezcnn of CNN even new what twitter was but it took people like him and @tvamy for main stream media to see the value of twitter. For this group of professionals your audience is on twitter, you want to reach them for interaction and information. Attending a tweetup would build your trust and relationship with your viewers/readers and allow them to see that you care about the community and not just try to push content in their twitter stream. See good examples @donaldjones @pcrawford @communitygirl

2. MLM – Multi Level Marketers: You know the kind, Pre-Paid Legal professionals. I’m not a fan of this type of business practice but they’re on twitter already. If you’re a MLM on twitter, attending a tweetup is a breading ground for meeting potential customers. But beware if you spam them, a public nasty tweet may follow very soon.

3. Startup Entrepreneurs: If you have a startup and are on twitter, I’m sure by now you’re using it to promote your new company. Attending a tweetup can even boost your companies’ exposure especially if you have an opportunity to pitch your company to attendees. Also if you’re target audience is local then it’s a must that you send someone from your company at the tweetup to network. See good examples @Unblab

4. Coffee shops owners: There seems to be relationship between people on twitter and coffee shops, we love them especially in the Triangle. For example just drop @cafehelios downtown Raleigh and I’m sure you’ll find a few tweeple their hanging out. Attending a tweetup is a great way for you to let people know the person behind the coffee shop and promote your business. Also let others know that you’re willing to host a tweetup at your location. See good examples @ChocolateBean

5. Photographers: It doesn’t matter if you’re an unknown photographer or experienced one, show up at a tweetup with you camera, take a few pictures, hand our your cards and you have a new a potential new client. One thing about tweeple we love pictures. See good examples @abbyladybug @dgtlpapercuts

Other type of professionals who should attend are: programmers, graphic designers, full time bloggers and people involved in retail.

If you’re attending the tweetup what industry do you work in ?