Network with other Social Media enthusiasts, share stories and gather knowledge at this months event at Alto Cucina, in Broadbeach on the 12th of October 2011 from 6:15pm.

This must-do event will be hosted by the executive committee for Social Media Club Gold Coast, and is a great way for local marketing and communications professionals, business owners and those just simply interested in the social media space to network with like-minded people.

Facebook has become one of the fastest growing modes of communciation in the world. Approximately 1 in every 13 people are using the online site which is ever changing and growing; especially recently as a reaction to the newly public Google+ social network.

• What do you think about Facebook?
• How have you been using Facebook to promote and engage with others?
• Have you found or seen interesting ways of connecting with people?
• Do you think Facebook is better than other social networks?
• What are you interested in finding out?

Share knowledge, insights and make new connections at this relaxed social event – spaces limited so get in quick.

There is no charge to attend, but you will need to cover the cost of your meal and any beverages, we ask that only serious attendees register as places are limited.

Slides from my presentation on Google Plus at the SMCGC meeting are now available. I think of it more as a conversation starter than a presentation, as I was keen to learn from the group how they use Google Plus and what their favourite features are.

We set up a huddle using the G+ smartphone apps that day and set up a hangout at the end of the discussion for some interactive fun and learning.

What are your thoughts on this latest offering from Google?

Sarah Stewart

July’s meeting features Sarah Stewart, a health professional (nurse and midwife) with nearly 30 years of clinical and education experience now working as a facilitator, researcher, educator, project manager and consultant specializing in eLearning, social media, networked learning, professional development and mentoring. Since 2009 Sarah has managed and facilitated the Virtual International Day of the Midwife, a free online professional development series of seminars making extensive use of social media.

Sarah  enjoys sharing her knowledge and SMCGC is very pleased that she has agreed to join us and share her experiences during a short visit to the region. Joins us on Wednesday 13th July 2011 (5:15 for a 5:30pm start) to learn how to use social media to connect with people for learning and other opportunities.

SMCGC events provide an incomparable opportunity for local people who want to know more about social media to get together with some of the local social media practitioners and in this case an international visitor, to ask questions and exchange ideas.

Twitter hashtag for this event #smcgc0711

Broadbeach’s own social media maven extraordinaire Stacey Prieur will be

Stacey Prieur

providing an entertaining and highly informative overview of the practicalities of social media for business, including knowing all the different types of people with social media profiles, how to engage with them, how to build a network, and some basic rubber-hits-the-road business stuff around social media. And as well as being a local, Stacey has the international big picture.
If you’ve met Stacey you know it will be dynamic and have you buzzing with ideas. If you haven’t met her you would be mad to miss the opportunity.
This will be a breakfast meetup at Sage Cafe Restaurant, Broadbeach, Wednesday 23rd February, 7 am to 8.45 am.
Can’t attend? Check out the coverage here. Tweets of #smcgc will be gathered here.

And of course check out the 1two3 app to connect with Stacey’s business

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, blogging, YouTube, Google Docs, … Businesses on the Gold Coast, as elsewhere, are being told that if they are not already on at least several of these social media or social networking platforms they should take steps to get there now.

But for many business owners this is unfamiliar territory. Some see social media as providing an opportunity to give their business a boost, maybe connect better with their customer base, but don’t know quite where to start. Others are concerned about possible risks and how to handle them.

In short, how is the Gold Coast business owner to know whether this will help their business or just make it more complicated?

These are the sorts of questions addressed at the recent meeting of Social Media Club Gold Coast (SMCGC). The focus was on business and provided a great opportunity for local business people and others to get together with some of our local social media specialists and have some practical, business-focused conversation.

The evening kicked off with speed-networking – very short introductions.
The first presentation was by Tweed Heads-based Des Walsh, social media strategist and business mentor coach, on “Social Media: Engaging with Your Customers”. Then, Associate Professor Michael Rees from Bond University spoke on how to get your basic social media toolkit together for use within your business and with customers. Q&A and with live demonstrations of online tools followed up.

Social Media: Engaging with Your Customers: Des Walsh

Your Practical Social Media Toolkit: Michael Rees Slides

Michael Rees talks about social media use in education at the March 2009 meeting of the Social Media Club Gold Coast.