BlogWorld LA Expo Discounts via SMCLA

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I just got the news that BlogWorld LA offering more discounts for registration!

Now, if you can’t afford that, but you want to check out the Expo (where I’ll be tabling), get 50% off your EXPO registration! Use the code: SMC50

The Expo pass includes:

  • Access to exhibits during open hours
  • Access to main event Keynote sessions (not Track Keynotes, those require a conference pass)
  • Access to Saturday Networking Reception on Exhibit Floor
  • Access to Official Evening Networking Parties & Mixers too!
  • Includes PodCamp

You know about the 20% off CONFERENCE registration. Use the code: SMC20. The full conference pass includes:

  • Access to all conference sessions on Thursday, Friday & Saturday
  • Access to exclusive Social Media Business Summit 3-day conference track
  • Access to ALL Keynote sessions
  • Access to exhibits during open hours on Friday & Saturday
  • Includes access to all Official Evening Parties & Mixers and Saturday Networking Reception on Exhibit Floor
  • Includes FULL ACCESS BREAK AREA (includes lunch and snacks on all three days)
  • Includes PodCamp

Follow #BWELA on tweetchat.com on November 3-5 to keep up with the conversation online.

See you at Blogworld LA!

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BlogworldLA

As you know, I’m a Board member of SMCLA. Board members will be on-hand to take your social media questions at our expo booth at Blogworld LA on November 4-5. I’ve written a short post about #BWELA on the SMCLA site.

Granted, it’s a little pricey for the average Joe. But if you use the code SMC20, you can knock off 20% of the registration cost.

Here are some of the sessions being offered:

  • Google+ for Businesses
  • SEO Simplified
  • How to Teach and Grow your Audience through Webinars
  • Content Curation
  • Stop Being Afraid of HIPAA
  • The Rise of Social Video
  • Exposed: When Blogging gets too Personal
  • Breaking into Parent Vlogging
  • Typography and Web Design
  • Stop Complaining, Start Pitching
  • Social Photography
  • Writer’s Group: Taking Feedback

And there are so many more sessions!

I’ll be manning the SMC expo booth with fellow Board member Laura Knapp on Friday morning. That’s right, we’re your booth nerds babes on Friday! Stop by and say hi! We’ll be live-tweeting as well as FB-ing as much as we can.

Have questions on blogging or social media? Ask us. Have questions about SMC in general? Ask us. Have a question on how to join SMCLA? Ask us!

More details soon. In the meantime, register with that 20% discount code!

SM: How Do I Start?

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Recently, I spent a couple of phonecalls with prospective clients, getting the DL on their product or service, and figuring out where I could fit in as a consultant. It occurred to me that all of my prospective clients asked the same question, “How do I start?” (Second often asked question – “Where do I start?”)

Some of the questions I ask back are….

  1. First things first – Where’s your plan? What are your goals? List them out. It makes planning your tactics so much easier.
    1. Visibility, awareness?
    2. Increase in website traffic?
    3. Build your base?
    4. Increase sales?*
  2. What are you using now? Do you have a website, blog, email?
    1. Use what you have.
  3. Do a landgrab! Check your preferred username/URL on namechk.com.
    1. Be sure you have a back-up list of usernames if yours is already taken.
    2. Branding is just as important in SM as it is in “traditional marketing.”

namechk.com

Now that these three questions are answered, we get to move on to the next set of questions.

For the newbies, these are pretty basic questions you should have on your radar, especially if you’ve already in the process of writing a business plan or marketing plan.

* Note that while increasing sales is generally the name of the business game, the main role of social media is community. Call it what you want – but social media is part marketing, part customer service and 100% community.

What are your Strengths?

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Back in the summer, the firm sent out the Strengthsfinder test to everyone to take. I had taken this test when I was in b-school, and boy, four years has made a difference in answers and strengths!

Four years ago, my strengths were: Communication, Activator, Includer, Empathy and Developer.

Four years later, things have changed a bit. My comments in red:

Positivity
People who are especially talented in the Positivity theme have an enthusiasm that is contagious. They are upbeat and can get others excited about what they are going to do.

This is an interesting revelation as my #1 strength 3 years ago was Communication. My lovely coworker Clare sees my positivity. I questioned this strength as my #1 because sometimes I don’t think I am. Clare disagrees, and if there’s anyone who will be honest, it’s a Boston broad. I’m positive.

Significance
People who are especially talented in the Significance theme want to be very important in the eyes of others. They are independent and want to be recognized.

Totally agree. After years of trudging behind the scenes, my experiences in life and school have taught me that you have to take credit for your work and not allow others to step over and call your work theirs. This is something I’ve tried to instill in my former interns – be proud of your work and claim it. At the same time, I will give you credit where credit is due. Your brilliant idea should be acknowledged and celebrated!

Input
People who are especially talented in the Input theme have a craving to know more. Often they like to collect and archive all kinds of information.

Absolutely. I am interested in many things! Aren’t you? Does the thought of learning how to cut a sewing pattern, the politics of foie gras, searching for Greek myths and comparing them to present-day movies and reading about successful social media campaigns apply to you? Me too. I enjoy being a human encyclopedia.

Relator
People who are especially talented in the Relator theme enjoy close relationships with others. They find deep satisfaction in working hard with friends to achieve a goal.

Again, agree.

Activator
People who are especially talented in the Activator theme can make things happen by turning thoughts into action. They are often impatient.

I am impatient with troublemakers. I am impatient with arrogant professionals and colleagues. I am impatient with friends who say, “I wish I could have…” You still can. So do it. You are not dying, right? You made a choice. Make a detour off the path you don’t like and start driving on the “right” path to make that wish happen.

Now that you know what my strengths are, what are yours?

E-cycling in Los Angeles

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iPhone 4s - source: mashable.com

We’ve all heard the news of the new iPhone 4s yesterday morning. No, early adopters, there will not be an iPhone 5 just yet. However, EAs, we know you will be in line for the new 4s. That said, you might be in need of an e-cycling center or a place to donate your old smartphones.

One of the more useful ways to recycle your phone is to contact your local, favorite non-profit and ask if they take donated cellphones. Unfortunately, domestic violence is still happening, and women’s shelters can always use the donated phones for their clients or collect the proceeds from sold phones. [Note: October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Click on any of those links for more info.]

Another way is to drop your old cellphone (wiped, of course!) at your local service provider’s retail store. All the major phone service providers also offer ways to recycle your phone:

  • Sprint Project Connect – you can either bring your phone and accessories to a Sprint store directly or print out a pre-paid envelope
  • AT&T Cellphones for Soldiers – the longstanding program provides prepaid phonecards to active military by using funds via recycled phones
  • T-Mobile – I couldn’t find a ‘donation’ page on their website, but I’m sure they also take donated phones from their customers
  • Verizon HopeLine – a longstanding program to help domestic violence survivors by providing cellphones

LA County has a website that can help you find the closest recycling location that accepts electronics. There are two directories for you to search from. One is the mega list of all collectors and recyclers. The other is an approved list of collectors and recyclers that adhere to SB20/SB50.

If you’re looking to recycle batteries, I’ve seen bins at my local Best Buy, Whole Foods, Radio Shack and Office Depot.

While not a .org, Recycling for Charities also accepts electronics for reuse.

If you haven’t recycled that old CRT from 1995, what are you waiting for?