I just returned from the Los Angeles #140Conf meetup and afterparty and was struck, once again, by how important it is to carry online relationships offline, too. This was the thought that gave genesis to the first KidlitCon as well as countless other conferences and meetups, I realize, but it remains true.
I’m certainly not saying that online friendships lack depth or aren’t as “real” as offline ones, but for me, at least, that meeting in person helps build relationship even stronger relationships.
Do you agree? Do you make the effort, as possible, to connect with online connections, or have you had particularly good, bad, or funny encounters? I love stories… so I hope you’ll share.
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Well, I am a member of an in person crit group and an online group…two separate groups. I feel close to both groups as I’ve been with them for over 3 years. However, one of my crit partners is in both groups. She and I are especially close. We call and chat about things other than just writing. We are also on the conference team for Write2Ignite (write2ignite.wordpress.com). I also met ANOTHER of my crit buddies in another online group, but now she is in my in person group. So…I guess I don’t do too bad with mixing the two!
It often seems to me that I live on the other side of the world to Everywhere Else. On the rare occasions I have met online friends in real life, I am thrilled as it definitely adds another dimension to the relationship. However, during my current online course in Web 2.0 tools, I have met participants via TokBox. Video and audio was almost as good as real life, and probably as close as I will get.
Absolutely agree. I had heard the name “Greg Pincus” but until we met at KidLitConf, it was a nice name. Now I read your blog, still don’t tweet much (you can convince me at next conference!), and have recommended you as speaker/consultant to to a number of folks. Having met f2f, I connected w/ you even tho’ we live on different coasts and that wouldn’t have happened without a f2f meeting along the way.
Absolutely! And what’s so nice is often-times when you meet an online friend in person – it feels immediately comfortable. Like seeing an old friend after many years apart. (Like when you and I met in L.A.)
It’s too bad we can’t all spend all our time going to conferences and meetups, isn’t it? Sometimes online connections are all we get, and it’s plenty. It’s true that I have great friends who I’ve never met, but like Mary noted (and thanks!), there can definitely be that extra kiiiick from a f2f meeting. I think we have the best of both worlds, to some extent. And yes, Elizabeth… it’s constantly amazing to me how comfortable it is meeting online peeps in person!