I am delighted to have an interview for you today with Dan Martin, editor of BusinessZone.co.uk and organiser of the Bristol Twestival.
TheSourceress: When/how did you first hear of Twestival?
Dan: I first heard about it via a tweet by entrepreneur Amanda Rose (@amanda) in early January. She organised the two original Twestivals in London last year. Both were hugely successful and after hearing stories of similar Twitter-driven fundraising events taking place around the world, Amanda decided to gauge the level of interest in taking Twestival global.
TheSourceress: What made you decide to organise a Twestival for Bristol?
Dan: I’ve been using Twitter for about a year and during that time I’ve discovered its benefits.
On the work front, it has been a very useful way of engaging with the target audience of BusinessZone.co.uk and UK Business Forums, the two websites I look after and we’ve definitely seen an increase in traffic since I started tweeting
More importantly however, I’m convinced that Twitter is a powerful tool for social change and what better way to demonstrate that than global communities coming together to raise money for the same cause. I’ve been involved in charity fundraising before and unfortunately so much of it has been plagued by red tape and bureaucracy. Twestival proves that needn’t be the case and I want to part of it!
TheSourceress: Are you surprised by how big and how fast Twestival has grown?
Dan: I have to admit that I am surprised at how many cities have come on board in such a short space of time. Like many people, I believed that such events could only take place in major cities like London and New York but seeing communities of all shapes and sizes getting involved has been amazing.
In Bristol, I have been overwhelmed by the support we’ve received from the local community. From the funding provided by our lead sponsor Sift to the small treats given to us to put in our goodie bags, so many people have been willing to help out. In total, over 30 different organisations have contributed in some way to the event.
TheSourceress: What are you most looking forward to on the night of Bristol Twestival?
Dan: There’s so much I’m looking forward to! Organising the Bristol Twestival has pretty much taken over my life during the past four weeks so seeing all the planning come together will be fantastic. It’s a real honour to be part of what has become a global movement and we are delighted that we have been able to ensure that the Twitter community of Bristol and its surrounding areas get to play a part in it.
If I had to pick one thing though, the raffle will be a real highlight. With prizes of the likes of a bottle of whisky signed by Gordon Brown, Aardman goodies signed by Nick Park and a week’s stay in a French villa, I’m expecting lots of interest!
TheSourceress: Will you be up for organising another Bristol Twestival in the future?
Dan: I would definitely be interested in organising another Bristol Twestival. The movement doesn’t end when all the parties are over on 12 February; it’s just the beginning. I’ve met some amazing people over the past months so my aim is to turn the Bristol Twestival into a community initiative which can partner with other groups to make a real difference locally, nationally and globally.
You can follow @Dan_Martin and @businesszone on Twitter.
There is EVERYTHING you need to know over on the Bristol Twestival blog. If you haven’t got your ticket yet for Bristol Twestival - you don’t have long left so don’t wait another minute.
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