Social Media in a shirt
11 Feb 2009I’m off to Twestival tomorrow. There will be 700 of us in London, and thousands around the world, doing the same thing on the same day; networking, having fun, drinking wine, and raising money for Charity:Water
This post is not about that though. If you want to read about the great work being done by the Twestival organisers and the charity, click on the links above, and if you want to know why I helped to have the wine sponsored in London, read my post here.
This is about doing something a little different with my blog – getting out from behind the screen and meeting lots of interesting people who currently have no interest in reading my blogs, but who just might. Networking events like this, and those promoted on sites like Meetup.com are a great strategy for getting new ideas, new readers and new partnerships.
This is part of my approach:
Becoming known as a blogger takes effort, and not all of it needs to be online. Sometimes bloggers get so caught up in Search Engine Optimisation (SEO), Google Ranks, etc. that they forget that one of the most important things about writing a blog, and using twitter, is the possibility it offers to connect with REAL people.
Having a blog gives me a reason to network with other bloggers, and have something in common with them from the start. We can then explore whether there are any other ways we can cooperate – and maybe get them to read, interact and contribute to my blog, and vice versa.
Tomorrow night I’ll be doing just that, and I’m using the combined efforts of a shirt designer (Blaqua), a printer with great social equity (moo) and a little ingenuity.
I’ve had my friend add a small, unobtrusive pocket to this shirt so I can carry around my Mini Moo cards and always have them on hand to share with interesting contacts.
A bit of fun, and a bit of social media marketing in the offline world
[UPDATE 13/2/09: the event last night went extremely well, and the shirt went down a storm. I met SO many wonderful people and I'm glad to report at least some recognised me just form the shirt. Job done! Also, Moo.com liked the idea so much they'll be writing about it in their newsletter. If you've come from there, leave me a comment.
I'll be writing a follow up post with details of where & how you might get one of these limited edition shirts very soon, so subscribe to my feed and stay in touch]
Related articles by Zemanta
- Twestival (osocio.org)
- Donating To Twestival from Twitter (blogs.msdn.com)
- London Social Media Camp (open.ac.uk)
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Tags: blaqua, Blog, london, marketing, Online and offline, social media, Twestival, wine
February 11th, 2009 at 11:02 am
With that nice loud shirt I'm sure you'll stand out too! Now I'm wondering what I should wear to the Leeds event!!!!!!
February 11th, 2009 at 11:07 am
thanks – always good to make an impression
February 11th, 2009 at 1:20 pm
I want a shirt like that! Well, maybe not like “that”, but with a wee little moo pocket too. Do these shirts come in cow print
G
February 11th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
New sartorial innovation? A Moocket?
February 11th, 2009 at 5:41 pm
love the name – I think I'll appropriate it for my little invention
February 14th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
Rob, you are the syle icon of the blogging world! just one question, does Moo make bigger cards? I find those itty bitty ones soooo easy to lose!
February 15th, 2009 at 3:12 am
not sure anyone has ever uttered those words before
yes, moo make full size business cards but still have your photos on them (I have some of them too)
February 16th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Great idea for a shirt!
Maybe another pocket for some stickers?
(From the Moo newsletter)
February 16th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Love the shirt pocket as much as I love Moo mini-cards. I'll have to get sewing soon, but will make do with my mini-card holder for now
Congrats on a great idea!
February 16th, 2009 at 11:46 am
thank you
I couldn't possibly have done the hard work myself, better to get the professionals in
February 16th, 2009 at 11:48 am
Since I've come from the Moo's newsletter, I am saying hello!
From Lake Como (Italy) near Valtellina
February 16th, 2009 at 11:52 am
Brilliant idea, great shirt. Hide the red wine spills too
February 16th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
E ciao a te! Grazie per la visita
February 16th, 2009 at 12:01 pm
always a major consideration
February 16th, 2009 at 1:10 pm
Came from MOO. Cool idea! Took me a few moments to figure out where to enter a comment. I didn't see this box when I was at the top, and when I was at the bottom, I clicked on “leave a response” (which I had to look for), and wasn't brought here. I just found this by accident. Thought you'd like to know one person's experience, since you're trying to grow your blog.
February 16th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
I am a MOOer in Colorado who just may copy you. And I agreed, blogging is about connections. You just made one!
February 16th, 2009 at 1:18 pm
Cool I came from moo too! I used to be a McIntosh before I was married so I thought that was interesting as well. Hi from Cairns Australia.
February 16th, 2009 at 1:23 pm
and I'm very glad to be connected
February 16th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
I love the shirt and I love the moo pocket. Very clever. The poppy print is awesome, too.
Shannon
February 16th, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Glad to see us McIntosh sticking together – Clan Chattan rules!
February 16th, 2009 at 1:35 pm
well Blaqua are responsible for the shirt, but thanks for the nice comments
February 16th, 2009 at 2:06 pm
thats crazy cool!!! I cant even see the pocket at all…great way to advertise with out being “in your face”!
February 16th, 2009 at 4:20 pm
Great idea!
February 16th, 2009 at 4:27 pm
Arrived via Moo — splendid shirt, great pocket implementation! And hurrah for Twestivalling!
February 16th, 2009 at 6:13 pm
I'd love a Moo Card pocket added to a Ferran Adria Chef's jacket.
February 16th, 2009 at 6:40 pm
thank you everyone for such wonderful, supportive comments. It was done to have something fun to share with others, and it seems to have worked beyond my expectations. Welcome everyone!
February 16th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
Hi there!! I come from the Moo newsletter and I had to know more about the man behind this genius, cute and so efficient idea! You are like Ikea- fashionable and practical all in one!
Great to hear you had an awesome time at the Twestival…I just heard about it on CBC radion on the way home from work for the first time…and now this…we're all connected. It's insane.
xo!
Julia
February 16th, 2009 at 9:00 pm
Great shirt and brilliant idea! Just wanted to let you know that the Moo newsletter got you a comment from Woodstock, IL, USA
February 17th, 2009 at 4:43 am
That might be the ugliest shirt I've ever seen in my entire life, but the little pocket is pretty cool. I imagined it like a breast pocket actually. I think it would look cooler on a polo shirt. Just being honest.
February 17th, 2009 at 4:47 am
ha ha ha! love the honesty. I quite realise the shirt is not for everyone, that is why it stands out. Problem with polo shirt would be they stretch, but if you get round to trying it, send me the photo
February 18th, 2009 at 5:23 pm
Just came from the Moo Newsletter and love the idea of the small pocket…great idea and loved reading about your blog and getting new ideas…etc. Good Job!
February 19th, 2009 at 6:15 am
came from Mini Moo site. I love my Mini moo cards too!
February 27th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Found you on Moo.com. Love, love, love your shirt and Moo pocket! I wish American men would dress as well.
Hope you raised a lot for your water charity.
February 27th, 2009 at 6:26 pm
thank you very much – I think they did very well over all, but everything helps. Feel free to visit the charity site and donate a little more
February 27th, 2009 at 11:26 pm
thank you very much – I think they did very well over all, but everything helps. Feel free to visit the charity site and donate a little more
March 4th, 2009 at 9:52 pm
[...] have to ask him). I was simply a customer, until I used his bespoke tailoring skills to create my Moocket shirt. Now he too is excited about starting a bespoke tailoring conversation with customers and [...]
October 30th, 2009 at 11:03 am
[...] a look at Robert’s wine blog to see for yourself. Check out the tiny camouflaged pocket embedded in his designer shirt which [...]
January 20th, 2010 at 2:02 pm
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February 2nd, 2010 at 9:58 am
it Awsome !! Man.