In lieu of my being a wine conference based solely on the fact that I met some people via twitter, I think it's fitting that I write about a wine social network.
While nowhere near Twitter, Facebook and the like, Open Wine Consortium is a venue for wine bloggers to connect via a Facebook page-like format. Users are able to share information, design a page background, and basically have an online resume of sorts showcasing what they have contributed to the world of wine.
There are other social networks devoted specifically to wine, such as wine 2.0 and although the name is super catchy ;) it doesn't have that many active users. To be honest I set up a page to get some contact information, and to put a badge on my blog. Open Wine Consortium was smart in the way it just got a flood of people to join: via this Wine Blogger's Conference. The site offered $10.00 off of registration for everyone who joined the consortium prior to registering.
A fault of the site is that you don't have to have any content to be a member, however, you have to prove you are in the industry with a blog or a web site. My page currently has nothing other than a picture and a background. What I use the site for most is an interactive forum to chat with other bloggers and to make plans for meetings, conferences, and such.That is what is most prevalent on the site, forums.
The way Open Wine Consortium utilizes the four c's
Communication
This is the primary function of OWC, users connect via forums, connect to each other’s blogs, web sites, and various other social networking pages via email and the homepages.
Cooperation
Videos aren’t used as much on this site, but social bookmarking is. Users share articles and blogs on forums and postings to each other’s profiles.
Collaboration
Forums are used for everything from ride sharing to wordpress problems. While I'm sure these aren't the problems that Cook was referring to in his book, they are addressed here.
Connection
I I suppose this is the most prevalent of the four c's on this site. OWC is meant for those in the industry to collaborate and meet up. This is how I came to be a part of the WBC, I met many of the people I will be staying with via Twitter, and found my roommate and the person I'm sharing a taxi with via a forum on OWC.
Thats really cool that there are such specific pages for what you are doing! Do you ever send potential employers a link to this page in the hope they will see more than just your resume?
ReplyDeleteIt seems like a really awesome page for you! Thanks for sharing! :)
I think it's really interesting that such a niche hobby/job/interest like wine can be used and thought about within the context of web 2.0. I like the idea that this wine blog acts almost as it's own form of Linked-In for wine connoisseur and enthusiasts.
ReplyDeleteHow awesome that the conference you're currently attending is because of TWITTER, a Web 2.0 app.
ReplyDeleteI agree with mediaetcetera that it definitely is a cool niche that you seem to have tapped into in the Web 2.0 sphere. Seems like opportunities are endless with this!
It's very nice that you can meet with people who share the common interests online and offline, that helps you find roommates to share a hotel room when you are at a conferences, so you have less chance to meet a "weird" roommate.
ReplyDeleteThe only thing missing is a taste-testing app...
ReplyDeleteI think this is great, and like someone said has endless potential. While their are multiple sites for networking it is nice to have smaller niche sites for specific industries.
ReplyDelete