Singapore’s “First Ever” Tweetup (#sgtweetup): Shill Or Social?
May 15, 2009 – 1:05 am | by Daryl TayShill:
a person who publicizes or praises something or someone for reasons of self-interest, personal profit, or friendship or loyalty.
Singapore’s “first ever” Tweetup (#sgtweetup) happened tonight at Geek Terminal, and I say “first ever” because Claudia and Kelvin already had a Tweet Tuesday sometime back, and even though it wasn’t branded as a tweetup, make no mistake, it was.
Even before reaching the event, I got updates via Twitter about models appearing for some Supermodelme tv thing and alarm bells already went off: Is this a social media event or an event gathering social media people with a hidden agenda? Evidently, it was the second, and from the tweets, people didn’t like it.
Also, on the way there, I saw the following tweets with no relevance to the event (but using the #sgtweetup hashtag) from the event venue and one of the organisers. Hashtag hijack?
Hashtag Hijack
Within ten minutes of entering the premises, I had these “models” handing me their namecards, followed by the real world equivalent of “kthxbai” as they moved on in search of the next person to hand out their namecard to.
Let me borrow a picture from Ingrid’s post to illustrate what happened:
Model Namecards
And if you check out their profiles on Twitter, you’ll find that the models have no pictures, no tweets or one tweet, almost as if they were handed their Twitter accounts just prior to the event to capitalise on it.
Model Twitter
Model Twitter
Let me just say that such “shady” event organising really makes social media take a step backwards. In a world where we’re all asking for more transparency and more authenticity, there is no room for hidden agendas to “taint” the impression of such events. As I said on Twitter, it’s not about the models, it’s that having a hidden agenda of using a tweetup to push and broadcast a commercial entity is repulsive.
I’ve written about trust issues in the local blogosphere nine months ago, and it’s almost painful to see it come full circle.
Just as a closing point, I’ve been feeling for awhile that local social media events need to change. It’s all fine and good that anyone and everyone can organise a tweetup or impromptu meeting, but I think we need to focus on building up events with credibility, where people know what they’re getting into, and can make informed decisions. Events where you appear and have a curveball thrown at you…. not so much.
What do you think about the “first ever” tweetup? Is there a space for social media shilling at events? Are there too many events?
Edit: Because word is going around about the organiser @CarlGriffith not knowing about the models and that the event venue sprung it last minute, I don’t know what went on but 8 hours before the event, Andrew Peters, listed as an administrator for the event, posts the following on Facebook:
Surprise
Now maybe the models weren’t the surprise, or the admins didn’t communicate to each other, I don’t know. But it reads that way to me. I didn’t actually say Carl personally was at fault, the issue is that as a whole the shill leaves a bad impression.
[Full disclosure: I am on the team for Social Media Breakfast | Singapore and obviously being a local social media event organiser and social media enthusiast, I do have a vested interest in how the public perceives and reacts to social media events.]
Tags: #sgtweetup, personal profit, publicises, self-interest, shill, social, social media event, tweet tuesday, tweetup
19 Responses to “Singapore’s “First Ever” Tweetup (#sgtweetup): Shill Or Social?”
By Kelvin on May 15, 2009 | Reply
Just for the record (and in case I get into trouble if I don’t clarify) I don’t claim to have held the first tweetup in SG with Claudia, just that I think that the “first ever” tweetup in the publicity wasn’t accurate.
Agree with you on the need for credible social media events.
Interestingly, I was wondering – if the event had been publicised as the launch of SuperModelMe.tv event, it might have better reached its target audience. Maybe.
By FoOie on May 15, 2009 | Reply
To be honest, I didn’t quite mind the models all that much.
Maybe I was a guy. Or maybe I was too caught up in talking with and meeting other Twits. To me, the venue was free. The beer, the wine.. or even some of the food (I didn’t get any) was free. Nothing’s free in this world – and the models was a pretty low price to pay for it if you ask me.
And from what I’ve heard, the organizer @CarlGriffith didn’t initially plan to have this either. The hijack was from Geek Terminal, so I wouldn’t be so hasty in shooting blame all over.
By Daphne Maia on May 15, 2009 | Reply
so in the end it was just a publicity ploy by a commercial entity? then i’m glad i spent quality time with friends over a quiet dinner instead, this evening!
i am quite sick of companies making use of bloggers to get just a little mention in the local blogs. it reeks desperation.
if it was a sponsored event, say so. and tell attendees that it is, and tell us the evening’s programmes or at least, give us an idea of what’s gonna happen on the day of the event.
doing this is just plain sneaky.
By Jonathan Wong on May 15, 2009 | Reply
Wow… Both you and Ingrid are fast. Already a 500 word essay tonight? With artwork some more? I guess some people just have the blogging gene in them.
Anyway, I agree with @FoOie. I didn’t mind the models that much. Although they went around talking to people, it really was still one’s choice whether to entertain them or to ignore them. And frankly speaking, most of them were quite open and friendly to talk to. And although they may not be Tweeps before today, some of them really are trying – if you look at some of the profiles, most of them have already uploaded photos and “attempted” to tweet some tonight.
For me, the TweetUp served one objectives: to meet new people on Twitter in Singapore and to hang out and have fun in a relaxing atmosphere.
Models or not, I think the event certainly met the objective, at least for me.
@Kelvin – The actual SuperModelMe.tv launch was this afternoon at the Red Dot Museum. I think the models came straight after that launch event.
By Daryl Tay on May 15, 2009 | Reply
@Kelvin: Yes I hope I wasn’t speaking on your behalf on that point. Just that to me I feel a gathering of people on Twitter is a “tweetup”, Tweet Tuesday was a gathering of people on Twitter and hence a “tweetup”, even if it wasn’t marketed that way or the “first ever”. And you know what, I think it would have served them better. Men will still come at the word “models” and the bad PR would have been minimised.
@Foodie: There’s nothing wrong with sponsored events. I like free food and beer too! There’s a problem when it’s not told up front that it’s a sponsored event, and instead branded as a “grassroots” kind of tweetup. If you come for Social Media Breakfast it’s the same thing. Food and drinks are free, but it’s written down on the agenda that the venue sponsor has 10 or 15 minutes to tell the audience about themselves. The difference is that it’s up front and not suddenly sprung on the attendees. If a 15 minute speech from a venue sponsor is too much of a turn off, people can opt not to come, but the difference is they knew that prior to the event.
@Daphne Maia: Echoed my thoughts exactly. Not sure whether they thought it was a “clever” way to gain publicity, but surely it shows a lack of understanding of the social media space and transparency
By Daryl Tay on May 15, 2009 | Reply
@Jonathan Wong: Right I think to be fair, that objective was met. I had a good time meeting new people too. I will say that it’s unfortunate that the models were the most “visible” form of the shill and thus had to take most of the flak (and I am guilty of that too), but I guess it does go to show that some things don’t go well with some people!
By FoOie on May 15, 2009 | Reply
Regarding the 8th hour post by Andrew Peters, I’m sure it was a last minute inclusion that turned out to have more of a detrimental effect rather than a ‘pleasant surprise’.. Carl probably didn’t plan for this when he started out..
Either way, I don’t think it was something that could have been avoided without scrapping the whole venue, although I agree having transparency would have been better. (Transparency wouldn’t have mattered to me much either since I made the decision to attend at the last minute and didn’t even RSVP on the FB group)
I guess it all boils down to the individual attending. It’s only annoying if you let it get to you. I still enjoyed the event and didn’t regret attending at all.
By Andrew Peters on May 15, 2009 | Reply
what a shame – In inviting the models to the event I had hoped to add something unique to a singapore social event however to some (and not all) it appears that this was seen as a commercial event – let me tell you clearly… the GEEK TERMINAL gave freely of the venue and food items as I personally suggested that this would be a good SOCIAL MEDIA event for Singaporeans… yes there would be some exposure for the models but this was not mention any anty of the lead up material to the tweetup –
The event from where i stood was very well attended – had many NEW faces – i wonder…
By Daryl Tay on May 15, 2009 | Reply
@Andrew Peters: No doubt it was well attended, and for that I have to say awesome job. But as you said, the “commercial” aspect certainly wasn’t wholeheartedly welcome by some (definitely not all), but it could have been avoided by saying that there were going to be models from smmtv in the first place, and in fact, that might have even increased attendance, not to mention increased *relevant* attendance.
By the(new)mediaslut on May 15, 2009 | Reply
Why can’t female models be social too?
Daryl, this would have been the best time to teach models how to use Twitter!
You be the man Daryl, Tweeter tutor to the models..
By Roderick on May 17, 2009 | Reply
Well, I have not attended this event but I felt that we have way too many ’social media’ related events popping up recently. I wonder if we are trying to hype up the ’social media’ scene or are we just trying to make some fast bucks in the name of ’social media’.
Also, these events tend to short-change the attendees due to lack of content. I don’t think there is an individual providing free tutorial on how twitter can be better use?
In the business point of view, this event is good becoz now Geek Terminal get to create exposure without much advertising. But for attendees, its just ‘another’ social media meet up.
I hope to see better, more organized and authentic Social Media event. Not one that is created for the sake of creating it. Cheers!
By Walter on May 17, 2009 | Reply
Models, tweeter, free wine, beer and food plus wifi. Sounds like a great gig but its good to always have a follow up or a way to extend the relationship beyond just a one-night party. Perhaps Geek Terminal is already doing that I hope. If time permits, I’ll certainly wish to check up on Modelme.tv although
One thing I learnt though is that having too many freebies sometimes spoils the whole game, with people expecting social media events to always be free with food, wine, beer etc. It will be a challenge to get people to pay to attend unless there is something of real value to customers beyond hearing about yet more reasons to tweet/blog/facebook/plurk or Whatever 2.0-ish.
By Daryl Tay on May 17, 2009 | Reply
@Roderick: Sorry Roderick but I have to disagree with you completely on a few counts.
1) I’m not sure why you feel people are trying to make some fast bucks, because most (if not all) of the social media events are free (Social media breakfast, tweet tuesday, tweetup).
2) I’m not sure how the attendees can be “short-changed” when they weren’t paying for something. I don’t think these events have ever been for the purpose of providing free tutorials on how twitter is being used, or how any social media tool is being used. It’s not like people paid money to attend a “Twitter 101″ class.
Would be interested to hear more from you.
@Walter: Well you know, the issue wasn’t about having models there, but rather not saying that there would be models there, and that it would be used as a platform for publicity. And from what I’ve heard, beer and wine weren’t actually free. On the topic of paying, I think the recent BlogOut! sessions proves that people don’t expect social media events to be free, as long as there’s enough content to justify that.
By claudia on May 18, 2009 | Reply
Perhaps people are just confused with different platforms and SM gatherings popping up. IMO, those organising such sessions should have their purpose and objectives drawn out right from the start, things wouldn’t have gone complex and everyone will be clearer of what to expect prior to attending.
As mentioned in my post for sgtweetup, every SM sessions so far have their own purpose and most of them have clear directions. Now its just the need to educate the mindset of individuals who would like to be part of this fast growing community.
E.g. Tweetup should be simply just a tweetup, a gathering of people and an opportunity for one another to meet. No need for speakers, any form of sharing or whatsoever. Keep those for SMB or other form of gigs.
@Roderick, perhaps u might want to join in one of these days to find out exactly what is each of these SM events like. Understand you do conduct free seminars and workshops doing training for SM, but those are really of different agenda as the rest we’re talking about here.
Agree with @Walter, too many free SM sessions made the paying ones harder to sell. And with the increase of quality sharing at such free sessions, the paying ones has to really ensure even better value for someone to fork out thousands for a 2-day conference hovering around the same topics.
By ssumin on May 18, 2009 | Reply
Turns out I had a good time catching up with people that night, which as what I attended the event for. Just disappointed that the launch agenda was not stated upfront. And grew on the point that the evnt could have drawn a more relevant audience – I certainly wasn’t one of them and probably wouldn’t have attended. That I enjoyed the event was serendipitous cos so many others were misled (hope this isn’t too strong a word) in attending. Does the ends jusify the means?
There are indeed a lot of SM events currently. I feel that none has really created a differentiating factor that makes it stand out. But that’s fine by me as long as each session remains meaningful – like-minded people attending, thought-provoking discussions – with no unexpected pretexts.
By Jacelyn on May 20, 2009 | Reply
Seems like the actual agenda is so blurry. I think it sickened me to know companies are using bloggers in such a way :/