Last week, Qype reached 1 million users across the world. That's amazing. I've been working for Qype (it's pronounced qwipe, not kipe) since 2008, three months after I went freelance. I don't play favourites with my clients, but you don't work for a client for that long unless you enjoy it.
I've written a staggering 734 reviews for Qype. (Do I get a Rolex when I reach 1000?) I've basically reviewed almost every single place I've ever been. Of note, anyway. There are some reviewers who write about public toilets. I don't do that. But these days I do have to go to new places each month. I have to find something exciting to write about. Working for Qype means that I've discovered more exciting places about where I live.
When Qype started running events two years ago, the website shifted for me (and the users). It's been a good shift, although it was difficult at first. Random free events for people online who don't know each other weren't something that happened very often. Explaining them to indy companies who maybe weren't online themselves wasn't easy. But then something clicked. And the events became one of the most exciting parts of my job.
Qype events are strange beasts. Get a group of relative strangers (with perhaps a handful who know one or two others), give them something to do, something to eat, a common ground to talk about and then watch what happens. They get excited. The talk. They laugh. They make friends and they stay out too late. And those friendships carry on online. And then in real life. The event I ran with Fernandez & Leluu is a good example of that.
It's about taking online communities offline, and having a beer. Making that community come full circle. Qype are a company who do that so well.
The guys who work in the UK Qype office are some of my very best friends and favourite people. We still miss the people who have left. The website is fun, and the community surrounding it friendly and interesting. There's a reason everyone involved with the company talks about it so fondly. It's not just because I get paid by them.
I'm thrilled that Qype have 1 million users, and I've loved watching the company and community grow. If you want to know what all the fuss is about, you should sign up. Write a review, come to an event and see what happens with they reach 2 million.
No Hype, just Qype
Posted by
Siany
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
7 comments:
You are awesome! <3
Sarah x
Nice post Sian! I really enjoyed my first Qype event the other week (can't believe it took me so bloomin' long to rsvp for one after joining!), and I'll definitely be putting my name in the ring for future ones.
You're spot-on about how well throwing together a bunch of (mostly) strangers works, too. From someone who used to go to internet meet-ups (and do online dating) long before it was cool (and considered "safe" -- I still remember my mum's fury when I met someone offline when I was 15), it was really encouraging to see everyone bond so well.
D'aww :-) How sweet x
Yes, I am lovely ;-)
Great piece Siany. I'm loving Qype the more I use it!
Totally agree with Kat - I remember my Mum hitting the roof when I ran away to London with a boy I'd met on the internet at aged fifteen! But thankfully Qype outings are just as much fun, and have been a wonderful way of meeting many fascinating folk!
I ran to Loughborough. Because of a boy I met on Spark - remember that? It was a whole mix of personality tests, essay notes and for some reason, cute boys. Like the Guardian Soulmates of the 90s.
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