I have also learned that showing any cracks in the armor, or showing any weakness whatever, is not a great idea within a business tweet. This is where most experts and I part ways. I am not a soulless robot, and I have to believe that to know me is to love me. (or at least choose to do business with me) This is not a universal opinion. There are some in my Twitter stream that are just freakin experts at blowing rainbows out of their butts at all times. The sad part is, I read them on a daily basis, but I don't KNOW them. If I don't know them, then you can bet that I won't be doing business with them, or recommending them to my clients.
So, as I was saying, I'm thinking about Twitter. To me, my Twitter stream is a lot like my lunch court experience in High School. Some days you walk out and all your friends are there, and happy to see you. Maybe someone saved you a good seat where you have a great view of where the Cheerleaders sit. Other days, you walk out and you are just another part of the gang. Not dissed, but just not all that special. Yet there are those out there that light me up every time I see them in my stream. They never forget to save me a seat.
There may be no one better at this than Naomi Goodman (@naomivgoodman). Founder and driving force behind the #TWIPS movement and owner of Enchanted Dream Weddings and Affairs.
MrF: Tell me about how you ended up in the Wedding business?
NVG: My entry to the wedding industry was quite the “ah ha” moment for me. After my husband and I were married we knew that we would be leaving the east coast for Southern California. I knew that once we were married I did not have to work anymore but being the person that I am, I had to find something to do... not just something to do. Something that I loved and was passionate about. Since I planned events my entire corporate life, and loved helping friends plan their weddings and special events it was a natural transition. I think the deal was sealed when I planned my own overseas wedding in less than 6 months with no help. I am very blessed that I don’t have to work a 9-5 so that I can concentrate on building my little empire...as I always say, “one brick at a time.” I love what I do so much so that if I ever decide to stop planning weddings, and do something else it would have to be in the wedding community. Hmmm I wonder what that would be?
MrF: I’ve been told that quite a few Wedding Planners and Bloggers caught the bug planning their own wedding. It seems that planning corporate events is also fertile ground for growing Event Professionals. Clear something up for me, if you would. Wedding Planner, Event Planner, Wedding Coordinator, Event Designer, Eventologist, Dark Lord of the Timeline. Is there a difference? What is it, and who’s the most sensitive if called by the wrong description?
NVG: Great question! I personally think there are too many titles out there. Some are legit while others are just trying to say the same thing in a more chic way. A wedding planner and a coordinator are the same. A Wedding Coordinator/Planner plans and coordinates the logistics and details of a wedding. She is the person that will map out the plan to get all the logistics coordinated so that your wedding day runs smoothly. She will often refer vendors, help with the design concept, coordinate the delivery, set up, and break down of your wedding. Her role is key because she has the know how, the contacts, the experience to trouble shoot, and connections with the vendors to get you the best bang for your dollar all while she keeps your vision and budget in mind.
An Event Designer, is not necessarily a coordinator and vice versa. The ED creates the look of the event and ensures it’s visual appeal. You are hiring an ED no to coordinate or plan your wedding. You are hiring them to turn in a blank canvas into a stunning work of art. An ED will work with linen companies, florists, lighting pros, and many more vendors to create the overall affect. You hire an ED for what I call the “Wow!” affect. I do not believe that there is any difference between an “Eventologist” or an Event Designer...I bet many of the EDs would consider themselves an “Eventologist”. Bottom line is this; if you already have the idea of what you want your wedding to look and feel like, a wedding planner is the way to go. If you want your wedding to be designed as well...find a coordinator who also has experience as an Event Designer. Many have the know how to coordinate, organize, and run your wedding day. Not every Coordinator/Planner can come up with a design concept that will give you that, “Wow!” affect you may want for your wedding.
MrF: Twitter can be such a natural, low pressure and wonderful place to support each other. But, it doesn’t always feel that way to the newbies. They wonder how they will ever fit in when everybody seems to know each other. Too bad there isn’t a group of people, banded together for the expressed goal of supporting each other. Ever think about starting something like that?
NVG: Gosh, now that’s a novel idea? Do you think it might even work? Twitter is a beast isn’t it? You are quite funny. You must be referring {not so subtlety} about TWIPS. So what do you want to know?
MrF: There have been quite a few populist organizations that have started with the best intentions. The National Organization of Women, Noh8, The Columbia Record Club, for example. Tell me about your motivation to start TWIPS, and how it all started. AND, more importantly how many followers do I get for a penny?
NVG: You’re hilarious! You are dating yourself! TWIPS started as an idea, more like a way for a few of my fellow blogger friends to communicate with one another. Kate of Ruby and Willow was trying to figure out a way to speak to all of us gals at one time... misunderstanding what she was meaning, I took it a bit further. I thought, “Why not create a group for wedding vendors that would support each other like we do, except bigger?” By the end of that day we had quite a few tweets from other tweeters in the wedding industry asking, “Where can we sign up?” That was the beginnings of TWIPS. A talented group of gal pals who consistently supported each other’s blogs, accomplishments, accolades, and work. Guess what? We still do. I have to say I totally remember The Columbia Record Club. I remember my dad’s Nova had an 8 track deck in it. Now I am not giving away my age...it could have been a collectors Nova.
MrF: TWIPS is one of my favorite things going on at Twitter right now. I’ll admit, I’m not very good at it. Partially because I’m not sure who is, or isn’t a member. Have you thought about adding a ribbon, or badge of some sort that can be added to our profile pic, so people can identify us just by looking at our stream?
NVG: I think with the new stricter criteria, knowing who the members are will be easier. Not only that, we suggest that members create a column for #TWIPS . I use Hootsuite & Tweetdeck to keep up with what’s going in the community. We also made it mandatory as a member to have a badge on your blog. If we make it too easy no one would visit each others blogs. TWIPS is not only based on support it is also based on the art of discovery.
MrF: (oops I hope you don’t discover that I haven’t placed my badge yet) I see. It would be much simpler to add a column to our twitter program than to put a simple badge on our profile pics. (Wedding Planners. Everything has to be soooo complicated) I like what you said about visiting, and hopefully commenting, on each others blogs. I also think that's really important. How many TWIPS members are there now, and how much bigger would you like to see TWIPS get?
NVG: Ummm you better get that badge on there all blogs are being reviewed!
There are about 200 members and that number continues to grow. I’d like to triple that by years end. I might be reaching but why not aim big? I’d like to see more vendors from different areas within the wedding industry join. However, I want quality over quantity. That’s what the new criteria will do. It will ensure current members that actually get it that new members will actually know and understand what TWIPS is about. We are more than just a hash tag and more than just a badge on a blog. Want to know what the TWIPS slogan is?
MrF: Can I guess? “ TWIPS, the tway to tweat Tweeters”?
NVG : No silly! “Connecting the wedding industry 140 characters at a time” Pretty shnazzy! I came up with that one day in the shower.
MrF: I love it! Beautiful! It’s also safe to say that I love you too, and all you bring to our industry. Thank you for taking the time to chat with me.
NVG: Anytime! It was my pleasure...you have been a great supporter and I love your energy and your sense of humor that gives away my age constantly! xo
