I want to meet one new person everyday for a month. Again.
Here’s the deal - about a year ago, I decided I wanted to take the relationships I had begun to build online, specifically on Twitter, into the real world. I had attended a few Tweetups and other similar networking events, but wasn’t getting a chance to have the one-on-one conversations I craved amongst crowds of 50-200 people.
So one day, I put up a calendar on this site, with 14 empty spots, and called it “Fast 14.” I tweeted the URL a few times and implored my followers who had never met me, or had only briefly met me, to pick one of the open days and choose whether they wanted to grab a cup of coffee, lunch or a few drinks after work with me. And I just waited.
I had so many people respond in just a few short hours that I ended up meeting new people everyday for an entire month. So “Fast 14″ became “Fast Friends.”
I could talk about the tangible benefits I got from this - I met Angela Siefer, who took me to President Obama’s inaguration, and Ryan Squire, who gave us a video camera and the chance to create content for NBC4’s website. I met Michael Bowers, who has pushed to get me multiple speaking engagements. I met Doug Hazelman, who helped connect me with his company, Veeam, to produce my first “real” social media case study. I met Jeff Beeler, who created a job at his marketing agency, Sync Creative, when I needed one. Etc, etc.
The real value, though, wasn’t the “stuff” and opportunities that came as a direct result of these meetings. The value was in building relationships with 31 very different individuals. I now count several of these people among my closest friends, and many more as brilliant, invaluable resources. And my idea is spreading - a few of the folks I met did their OWN version of Fast Friends - Phyllis Nichols and Karin Oliver-Kreft. It was even covered in the Dispatch!
Fast Friends isn’t about selling anything or landing a job. It’s about putting the “social” back in “social media.” Building relationships, having conversation. I don’t care if you’re a high school student or a CEO. Whoever you are, I know you can teach me something, and I think I might have a thing or two I can teach you, too.
Whether you’ve never interacted with me online before or you’ve said hi to me at a few networking events but we’ve never really had a chance to chat, I want to meet you.
So… when can we meet? Leave a comment or ping me on Twitter with the day of your choice.
Let’s start with scheduling one month. October 22-November 22. GO!
Be sure to follow the fast friendin’ on Twitter at the hashtag #fastfriends
Much love to Dan Diemer for the awesome Fast Friends logo!
columbus imPRessions says:
Love the logo Cheryl! If I didn’t already know you, (and have already eaten many meals with you), I would quickly sign up. Have fun!
Oct 22, 2009, 5:54 pmMRMaguire says:
We’ve met but haven’t had lunch. I’m open to it if you’d like to meet somewhere. Fridays are best for me (although not tomorrow, we have an event). Email me and let me know. I’m almost tempted to do it but I don’t have as many followers as you..lol.
Excellent logo!
Mary Rose
Oct 22, 2009, 6:19 pm@rkovo715 says:
I’d like to claim Nov. 5 after work for drinks.
Oct 22, 2009, 8:11 pm@srdrennen says:
We met briefly, but it was a long time ago and we really didn’t get to talk. I would love to grab drinks with you on either Monday, Nov. 2nd or on Tueday, Nov. 3rd. Looking forward to it!
Shawnda :o)
Oct 22, 2009, 2:10 pmNate Riggs says:
One of the BEST networking concepts using social media…EVER. If you have any spaces left, we can pretend like we don’t know each other at all. While it might be a bit awkward, it’s a great excuse for a happy hour ;). Such a cool idea…
Oct 22, 2009, 6:21 pmGet Your Hustle On | NateRiggs.com says:
[...] If you want to see some Trust Agent-like application of social media tools, check out her Fast Friends networking concept. She launched it the first time during her senior year at Capital University [...]
Oct 22, 2009, 1:05 pm@openinggntdoors says:
I was thinking the same thing…how about lunch on either November 9th or 13th?
Oct 22, 2009, 2:42 pmHannah
Sean Malarkey says:
Cheryl, This is a great idea. Very Inspiring. I’d Love to be added to your calendar when you open it back up again. see you on Twitter - @SeanMalarkey
Oct 22, 2009, 3:24 pmDanielle says:
I think this is so great! It proves to social media critics that networking is a means of building relationships, rather than a barrier to building them. If I were in your area I’d love to meet up, but I’m in Austin. If you’re ever around, ping me on Twitter (@daniellek77). Thanks for your contribution to the widespread understanding of the benefits of social media, keep it up!
-Danielle
Oct 22, 2009, 10:27 pmJulie Castell says:
Sister, We have shared meals, beers & many laughs. If I were still in town I would be on that calendar just ‘cuz you bring the funny!
@jujuburd
Oct 22, 2009, 5:51 pmThe Truth About Networking Myths (for those of us between the Boomers & GenX) « Marketing, Manga, and Music says:
[...] at one on one situations. (Like me. That’s why I did the Fast Friends experiment this summer (idea borrowed from Cheryl Harrison), and will do it again – probably quite soon, too.) Figure out the way you connect best with [...]
Oct 22, 2009, 6:16 pm