I was in Manhattan a few weeks ago, just finished with a speech and took a moment to check out what was going on with the people I follow on Twitter.

You should know that one of the “gods” of Twitter is Chris Brogan. (@ChrisBrogan in Twitter-speak) It seems like there is a three-step process to getting started on Twitter…1) sign up; and 2) & 3) follow Chris Brogan and Guy Kawasaki.

Because Chris had reviewed “Collapse of Distinction,” he and I have shared a dialogue. He’s interesting, smart, funny, and profound. In other words, an extraordinarily cool guy. I noticed that he was having a Tweet-up…an in-person “get-together” for people who follow one another on Twitter…for those who had been a part of a conference where Chris was speaking.

I sent him a Tweet, asking if it would be appropriate for me to come by, even though I was not attending the meeting he was addressing — as I had a speech of my own that same time. Being the nice guy he is, he immediately told me to come by, and he’d buy a drink.

Well…meeting Chris in person was incentive enough…but, throw in a vodka & tonic? I’m there!

(By the way…just ordered Chris’ new book, “Trust Agents.” I’ll give a review shortly, however, I have NO doubt that it will be one of the most important business books of the year!)

As I entered the bar, I had this overwhelming feeling that I was surrounded by friends I had yet to meet in person. I recognized at least twenty people there…folks that I followed, and followed me, and had Tweeted back and forth. The fact that we had not yet met in the flesh didn’t deter our friendship — to the contrary, Chris’ efforts gave us the luxury of having a face-to-face interaction that enhanced our social media one.

And, I also developed new friendships there that continue to evolve on social media. Meeting folks like @iJustine and @johnbasedow of fitness fame was really terrific! And, it convinced me that there is a primary importance in social media upon that great quality of authenticity. Justine and John are the same terrific people one-on-one that you would presume from reading their Tweets and watching on the Internet.

Fast forward now to the present…

I posted on Twitter early this morning that my Grandmother had just passed away…more as a way to let special friends know that I wouldn’t be Tweeting as frequently as I normally do…and I was subsequently simply overwhelmed with messages of true support and sympathy.

It took me by complete surprise! It’s hard to describe how absolutely wonderful the thoughts and messages were — and what a tremendous support they are to me during an emotional time in my life.

These kind people on Twitter…a vast majority of whom I have yet to meet in person…took the time to share a thought, story, idea, or concern.

If you’re still wondering why you should become involved in social media…perhaps these experiences provide a bit of insight. Through great people like Chris Brogan…and all of those terrific people who took the time to write me…you will be exposed to some of the best, most insightful folks you ever imagined.

You’ll be amazed and overwhelmed at all of the friends that you have yet to meet…