Hello,
I would like to create a Bitcoin Users Group in the Greater Cincinnati Area which servers to expand the local use of bitcoin. Presently, I am not aware of any such group, or any entity that accepts bitcoins in exchange for goods or services locally. I want this group to be a group in real life where people meet and get to know each other face to face, like in the old days, not some online virtual community where no one really knows anyone anymore. I don't use social networking websites, and don't plan to any time soon. One of the strengths of bitcoin is that it allows for private, free trade, between two parties, without middlemen, like in the old days. I'd like this community to sustain itself without being reliant on some centralized social networking website as an intermediary, manipulating the group and monitoring its every activity.
Maybe this group will develop a website similar to craigslist, focused on local bitcoin classified advertisements. Maybe this group will frequently have informational booths at local business and/or political events or local festivals, promoting the currency and educating the community. Maybe this group will approach local businesses one at a time, encouraging them to accept bitcoin at their retail locations, and providing an immediate and repeat customer base once a business does accept bitcoins, recognizing their support of the currency through increased business. Maybe this group will provide a local directory of businesses that accept or pay bitcoin in exchange for goods or services.
Maybe this group will serve as a person to person trade network. What goods or services do you have to trade? What goods or services are you willing trade bitcoin for? Do you want to babysit for bitcoins? Want to pay your babysitter with bitcoin? Do you mow lawns? Are you a painter? Are you a lawyer? Are you a farmer and willing to sell some of your fresh fruits and vegetables for bitcoin? How about automobile repair? Do you have a car you would like to sell? Do you repair or alter clothes? Do own a business and and want to accept bitcoins for all or some of your products or services. Do you have any junk lying around your home, farm or business that you would like to trade in exchange for bitcoin? Do you have property you would like to rent in exchange for bitcoin? Are you a baker, a butcher, or a candlestick maker? Are you an artisan? Are you a carpenter? Are you a musician?
Maybe this group will do all of the above.
If you are interested in developing such a group, please contact me, or you can post your response here on this forum. You can contact me via the e-mail address is
[email protected]. I can provide a PGP public key if desired. I'm curious to know how many people in the Greater Cincinnati area have an interest in growing the bitcoin currency, and what ideas you have to do so beyond what I have suggested above. Should there be regular meetings of this group to grow the community, and if so, are there any proposed venues for initial meetings and what would be an appropriate frequency?
Thank you for your interest.
