Karen Strunks Professional Birmingham-based Freelance Photographer

The Birmingham Twitter Flash Mob

Today was the day of the Birmingham Twitter Flash Mob.

Announcements had been made, tweets had been tweeted and re-tweeted in the build up to the big day.

And then as the hour approached I thought…..

“What if nobody turns up?!!”

But there was no going back now.

The plans were to meet at St Phillip’s Cathedral in the city centre at 11.45.

I met my mum earlier in the morning and we got to St Phillips at around 11.30. No sign of anyone yet – but there was still time to go so no need to panic.

My mum and I took the opportunity to pop into the cathedral and light a candle. I lit two candles – one for me (haha) and that this crazy idea would work – and the other for all the twitterers I was praying would turn up! I am not a religious person and felt a little guilty for bothering God for a one-off request

We ventured tentatively back outside. Still no-one. As much as I love my mother – one mother does not a flash mob make.

So I felt much relief when a small gathering of tweeters began to…., um…..gather.

When I was sure no-one else was going to turn up, I told the flash mobbers the plan; to wander over to the floozy in the jacuzzi and upon my signal (3 blasts on my super shiny silver whistle) hold up their lovely signs for 2 or 3 minutes.

My mum with Brian

Friend of Kerrang Radio

Amy Jones from Kerrang

Alana Ellis from Kerrang chats with a passer by who enquired about the event.

My mum made a friend

Nicky Getgood

Micheal Grimes

left to right – Brian, my mum Margaret, Amy Jone, Alana Ellis, Nicky Getgood, Viki Green, Michael Grimes

Brian had the great idea of having everyone sign a Twitter Flash Mob poster.

There were also some peeps who lent their support, but were ‘behind the scenes’ so to speak. Mark Steadman from Bluemilkshake filmed the event, Andy from 383 Project, Mark Holloway my photography tutor and Mike Hughs, Executive Editor of the Birmingham Post who sent a photojournalist along to cover the event. Watch this blog post as it will be updated soon with a video of the event.  

A HUGE thank you to

My mum – Created In Eire – @createdineire

Mark Steadman – Bluemilkshake – @marksteadman

Viki Green – @tickvg & Nick Booth – @podnosh

Nicky Getgood – Digbeth Is Good – @getgood

Michael Grimes – Citizensheep – @citizensheep

Brian – @myjq

Mike Hughes – Birmingham Post – @mikehughes

Andrew Yates – 383project - @andy383

Alana Ellis & Amy Jones & friend from Kerrang Radio - @kerrangradio

Kerrang Radio really took to the idea of the twitter flash mob and interviewed me for their station. They also put a link to their website and tweeted about the event as well as making some cools signs and turning up at the flash mob.

Again, a BIG thank you to everyone above.

And a BIG thank you to all my twitter friends (twiends) for their support and for putting up with my endless tweets about the event and for spreading the word.

You all rock!

After a big build up and a few last minute nerves, I am really happy at how the flash mob went. The idea was born out of my love for twitter, and my explorations into social media. I wanted to use social media tools (twitter, my blog and youtube in this instance) to create a fun event where people online could connect in person. If you want to know more about where the idea came from, this post will give you some more insight.

This was my first time organising anything like this, and I’ve learnt a lot; about the generosity of people, how much preparation needs to happen, public speaking(!), liaising with the media, what to include and do next time.

Would I do it again? YES! Same time next year – see you there!

Happy Twittering!

Follow me on twitter – @karenstrunks

Can you squeeze this little fella in?

I’ve made a little logo for the Birmingham Twitter Flash Mob, and I’d like to ask you to help spread the word and put the logo on your website or blog.

He (I think the twitter bird is a he) won’t take up much space and will be no trouble at all. He is very low maintenance and you don’t even have to feed him! And after the 21st of Feb you can set him free and he can fly away back to twitterland.

Right click on the logo and click ’save as’.

Please link the logo to this url:

http://karenstrunksphotographer.blogspot.com/2009/01/birmingham-twitter-flash-mob-sat-21st.html

I promise to return the link love. Just drop me a comment here or let me know on twitter and I’ll add you to my link list on my blog.

I’ve set up a twitter account for the Birmingham Twitter Flash Mob. Please follow @flashtweet

And if you want to follow me, you can find me @karenstrunks

A HUGE thank you to everyone who is helping spread the word about the flash mob. You don’t know how much I appreciate it!

Birmingham Twitter Flash Mob – Sat 21st Feb

UPDATE: Flash tweeters! Pre flash mob meet will be near entrance to St Phillips Cathedral in ‘pigeon park’ 11.45. For map click HERE . If you don’t know who you are looking for, I shall either be wearing a red coat and/or red shoes lol. See you later! Don’t forget your twitter signs!
 
Please follow @karenstrunks or @flashtweet The meeting place will be announced early on Saturday morning on Twitter

This idea was created out of a recent conversation I had with Pete Ashton about social media and photography. As with my B4AM project, I wanted something that could involve other people, and thus Birmingham Twitter Flash Mob was born!

Where: Birmingham City Centre – exact location will be advised nearer the time

When: Saturday 21st February 2009

Time: 11.45 meet for midday Flash Mob

Who: Twitterers!

What: Simply a flash mob of Twitterers in Birmingham City Centre. At midday, the mob will stand still for two or three minutes, and produce signs saying “I’m a twitterer”, “Twitter rocks”, “tweet tweet”, you get the idea.

Why: For fun! Well, let me expand on that a bit more……

I love Twitter. And most people I know that use Twitter love it too.

I consider myself very new to this thing called Social Media. My interpretation of social media may not be the same as other peoples, but for me it’s something online (such as twitter, myspace, facebook, flickr, youtube etc) where you can interact with people. Connect. Swap ideas. Make comments. Debate.

I’ve been trying to use social media more in my photography, to generate interest and interaction with others by asking people to vote on where I will go for my next B4AM (Birmingham at 4am) outing. I’m just guessing at things as I go along. “Will this new website be just what I’m looking for? I’ll give this a go! I wonder what will happen if I try out this idea? Now, if I mix this and this together, what will the result be?” It’s all a bit of trial and error, but it’s a good way of learning what works and what doesn’t.

But, of all the social media tools that I use, Twitter is my NO.1! It’s opened up a whole new world to me. I am connecting with people (online and in person) that without Twitter, I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t meet, or if I did, it would take a very long time; like minded people, and people that share my interests, even some that don’t but they are interesting people.

Twitter is fast, it’s instant. Follow people, make friends, connect, throw out ideas, ask questions, invite people to events, share your events with other people, play games, tell people what you had for lunch, tell them about your favourite film…….. I could go on!

Twitter asks a simple question: What are you doing? What ARE you doing? Tweet it! Share.

Haven’t got a Twitter account yet? Sign up for a free account HERE. And start tweeting. If you don’t know anyone to follow yet, you can follow me. THIS is a useful tool you can use to find people living near you, and people with whom you share interests.

 

So to answer the WHY: To celebrate Twitter, and spread the word!

What I would like you to do now: A few things. Let me know if you are interested in joining in. Leave a comment on this blog, or send me a message on twitter. It would be good to have a rough idea of how many people are likely to turn up. If you have any questions, you may leave them in a comment or tweet me.

Make a sign! Use some of the suggestions above, or make up your own. Get creative! You will need this sign to ‘flash’ on the day. I have no budget for this I’m afraid, so cannot produce any fancy signage, but we are all individuals, so our signs can reflect that. Make them a decent size, I suggest approx A3, but also something that can be folded into a bag and whipped out at the right moment. I think it would be a nice touch to add ‘twitter.com’ to the bottom of the sign.

I will photograph the event, and maybe other people will too. I’d also like to make a video, so you must be comfortable with being photographed and being captured on film, as I will put the pics and tell the Birmingham Twitter Flash Mob Story on my blog/flickr/youtube etc, and the pics and film may get picked up by other websites. Just so you are aware.

Talking of filming. I’d like a couple of volunteers to film the event as I would like to make a short video. If you have a video cam, and feel like getting involved in this way, please get in touch!

I’d say allow about an hour of your time for the event. The actual ‘flash mob’ bit will last about two or three minutes, and you will be required to stand still and hold up your lovely sign. I will be encouraging everyone to head to the pub for a celebratory drink afterwards! (sorry, no budget for that either!). The exact location in Birmingham City Centre for the flash mob will be revealed nearer the date.

What to do in the meantime: Put the date in your diary. Spread the word! Tell your friends. Tweet it. I’d love for the Birmingham twitter community to get involved, as they are the reason why I love twitter so much.

I really hope you will join me. From my experience on Twitter so far, if anybody can make something happen, Twitterers can!