I am SOOO there with you.

Natalias last blog post..Welcome

And I’m not even on Twitter. Just checked out your blog tonight to see why your duck was a whore ;)

But this is totally my experience of meatspace versus online interaction. And to those who think it’s some misperception about how to network, and they have some magic key that makes it better – some of us are just introverts who don’t like being in a room with a group of people, no matter what you call it.

Personally, I can even go to a party where I know every single person, and still find it awkward to make conversation if there are too many people there. I can fake being an extrovert pretty well – half those people would misidentify me as one – but it’s draining, and I’m prone to miscues. Actual networking events are just awful, and I’m totally with you about the recovery time.

PS: If you’re a misanthrope, I’m a walrus.

But the phrase “networking event” kind of makes my skin crawl. Literary festival (in Joely’s example), fine. Academic conference (which is where my people hang out), fine. Networking event, icky.

But your post has stuck some kind of thing in my head about rethinking who I need to network with. And Twitter might be ideal for that. Though the fear that it will be a huge timesuck and procrastination device of the kind I really don’t need right now is winning.

JoVEs last blog post..Book Review: The Smile

I’m with you, Havi, on the “networking” thing. Blech. It’s stress-inducing for me too.

I’d rather Twitter and blog from my dining room table any day!

Sue – @slots777 on Twitter

Sues last blog post..Inauguration Media Overload – Ain’t It Great?

Love you and love everything thing about twitter for all those reasons and more…

I don’t IM, mostly because I still have a job…so by the time I make it to my comfy place (where you live and I still yearn to live…all day)…I don’t really feel like connecting with people so much.

But with twitter, I can check in, say something stupid to my friends and get back to the comfy place…or even tweet FROM the comfy place…which happens to be my recliner.

Speaking of doing more fun things from my recliner…everyone needs an iPod Touch or other small wifi device…I can now update my netflix queue and tweet from my recliner…ahhh, that’s nice.

In fact, I have 2 Twitter accounts; my second one, @heidimoon is unprotected, and is my Official Real Person Talking About Marketing and Business Stuff account. I use it to connect with other marketing folks, follow news feeds, “network,” etc.

My protected account is my original, personal, fun, just for me thing. In Havi speak, it is a “safe space” :) I can say whatever I want and it’s not searchable. I follow people who are cool and funny and Not Official (most of the time). I actually accept most follow requests, but I have declined a few. I guess you could say it’s for my Right People?

So I’ll keep following you, and even if the conversation is only one-sided, it’s nice to know you’re there :)

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i’ll be at SXSW so i’ll be on the lookout for you and your duck.

Fortunately, I live half a world away from most of my “networking” opportunities so I get to do it on the computer. I love Twitter and Facebook and blogs for all the reasons you do, Havi, but I also love virtual networking because I never have to be in a group making sure that I’ve “done the rounds” and said hi to everyone.

Alex Fayle | Someday Syndromes last blog post..What’s the Big Picture? Don’t lose yourself in details