Through blogging, Twitter and Facebook I have connected with hundreds of women over the past couple years. The greatest advantage I found is that online engagement connects me to like-minded moms. Their thinking, life experiences, faith, ideas on parenting, activities for their kids, family struggles, successes and energy give me encouragement as a mother, wife and friend.
Over the last two days I have been able to connect and me numerous of my online friends offline.
As in we aren’t commenting on one another’s blogs, tweeting or sending Facebook messages.
We are sitting down for dinner or at least a cup of coffee and visiting face to face.
These are women who like me have a vested interest in farming and ranching and a stake in where and how your food is raised. They are moms. They are bloggers. They are farmers. But most importantly, they are my friends.
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| Emily of Zweber Farms, mom of two and one on the way |
Interested in connecting with a busy mom who also just happens to be an organic dairy farmer? That would be Emily.
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| Leah of Beyer Beware, mom of two and otherwise known as my Indiana sister |
It’s Monday so you need to connect with Leah to learn and see her Hunk of Meat Mondays.
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| Val of WagFarms, mom of four, fellow North Dakota prairie dweller but we had to travel to Atlanta to see one another |
Then there is Val, who I met via social media yet she lives within an hour’s drive of me. That is practically a neighbor on the prairie. She is a leader, a mom and a friend who blogs at WagFarms.
It is key I believe to take online relationships offline. It enhances your friendship with that person and builds a stronger sense of trust. If you are authentic to your core values and transparent to who you are as a person in social media, there will be no surprises when you meet in person.
Have you met social media friends offline?
What is the greatest value or learning it has brought you?
I completely agree that taking some of our online relationship offline is critical. On another note, I’m so jealous you got to spend some time with some of my favorites this week. Wish I could be there with all of you. Safe travels heading home.
So great that you were able to meet your online friends. I haven’t been able to yet, but look forward to trying.
What a fantastic experience to meet many of your online friends ‘offline’ all in one spot! I’ve been enjoying all of your updates via twitter during the convention:)
Loving every minute. Wish it happened more often!
I’m sure I am not the only farm wife who sometimes feels a bit isolated out here in the “boonies.” I try to explain that to Tall Guy when he thinks I am spending too much time on here. People call him but Facebook or e-mail or blog me. I so look forward to giving and receiving comments because it’s as close as I get to adult conversation some days!
So glad you all met. I know and have met face to face with Leah and Heather. I would love to sit down with Miss Farmchick and learn from her how to take awesome pictures.
We do a great thing by telling anyone who will listen to us about our farm and lives, but I also think the friendship might be an even better thing!
I’m a new follower!
I met three of my favorite bloggers, Annie from PhD in Parenting and Gina, the Feminist Breeder, and Amy, the Crunchy Domestic Goddess, at BlogHer ’10 and it was amazing to spend a few hours with them. I also “met” the Pioneer Woman but only got a picture with Ree.
http://dagmarbleasdale.com/2010/09/dagmars-blogher-2010-recap/
I have become close friends with Kristi from Live And Love Out Loud in the last year and we are planning to meet at BlogHer ’11. Can’t wait! She just feature me on her blog, which is so lovely. Now we just both have to find a sponsor 🙂
Dagmar
Dagmar’s momsense