A great big thanks to all those who helped make the BCATW 2012 April Symposium come about at the Listel Hotel on April 28. We had three great speakers who gave incredibly practical tips. Everyone came away feeling it was an really valuable event. And, as always, the Listel impressed us with its excellent service and mouth-watering food.
Next on the agenda: some local Fam tours for members and planning our gala for the fall. Stay tuned.
– Baila Lazarus
Owen Clark, left, with participants (left to right) Karen Taipalus, Darlene Foster and Lenora Hayman Byzhub founder Owen Clark gave tips on how to keep people coming to your site (inbound marketing) rather than steering them away to other social media like LinkedIn or YouTube. He underlined the importance of having a strong website as a powerful centre of your online presence, before you start working on your blogs or Twitter; as well as the importance of having a very obvious “share” button so people can repost your blogs or retweet your messages.
Mari Kane, right, with workshop participants (Left to Right) Jason Cressey, Ruth Kozak, Jett Britnell and Richard Neal Mari Kane, who gave a session on WordPress, included how to upload a new post, change themes and use plug-ins and widgets. She also introduced attendees to the WordPress dashboard and demonstrated how easy it was to navigate and make changes to the look of your blog/website. Ruth Kozak suggests people connect with Mari for her small workshops she gives once a week at a coffee shop.
Julie Ferguson, right, with participants (left to right) Irene Butler, Karoline Cullen and Cherie Thiessen Julie Ferguson explained the best use of a business page on Facebook, how to use Google Reader to collect blogposts you want to read and how to increase your profile online by getting mentioned in someone else’s blog. Following someone’s blog and commenting on it is your best chance of getting known. Offer yourself as a guest expert, too. It’s a good way to find markets online, too. Check keywords in publications’ blogs, Facebook pages and tweets. See what editors like and what they don’t like so when you throw out a pitch, you’ll be more likely to be received positively.
Early bird draw Capilano Suspension Bridge Early Bird winner Chris Millikan
Van Dusen Gardens – Cherie Thiessen
Vancouver Aqarium passes – Barb Rees
Grouse Mountain Passes – Lenora Hayman
Tickets to Bard on the Beach – Jett Britnell
Grab bag from Tourism Vancouver – Karen Taipalus
A Dream of Giants: The Story of the Sunshine Coast Trail by Emma Levez Larocque – Darlene Foster
RV Canada with Boo – The Menapausal Van by Barb Rees – Rick Millikan
Set of chopsticks from Hong Kong tourism Mari Kane
One night at the Fairmone Empress Hotel, including afternoon tea Karoline Cullen
One night at the Delta Victoria Ocean Pointe Resort & Spa for Kathryn Britnell
One night at the Inn at Laurel Point, including breakfast for two to Richard Neal
One night at the Vancouver Marriott Inner Harbour, including buffet breakfast for two Kami Kanetsuka
One night at the Best Western Permier Prestige Oceanfront Resort in Sooke to Carol Ann Quibell
One night at the Oswego Hotel Victoria for Baila Lazarus
Raffle winner Mari Kane came away with THE FABULOUS GIFT BASKET created by Irene Butler
Hmm is anyone else having problems with the pictures on this blog loading?
I’m trying to determine if its a problem on my end or if it’s the blog.
Any feed-back would be greatly appreciated.
The pics loaded quick after I clicked the link in the comment alert.
How long is it taking for you and what computer/browser are you using?
Mari