Promote yourself through Facebook: Free Social Media Forum this Wednesday

I remember a conversation with a colleague when I signed up for my personal Facebook account back in 2007. It went something along the lines of “Facebook will just be used to communicate with friends, post photos and stay in touch”.

Now, only three years later, Facebook has changed the way everyone communicates. And, by everyone, I mean – everyone! Even my Mum is on Facebook, and she is one of the most technologically-illiterate people I know (sorry Mum!) as her Mum was on email before she was!

My point though is that individuals, media personalities, companies and iconic brands use Facebook on a daily basis. While the purpose may be different, one can’t ignore the power of this social media network.

Especially for those wanting to profile, promote or “sell” themselves, a product, service or even a story, Facebook is an important tool.

In answering the question “why is this so”, I always respond with the following:


People check their Facebook page every day. Whereas they won’t check your individual website, drive past your shop or see your advertisement in the newspaper on a daily basis, you have the ability to be on their Facebook “news feed” and present yourself to your audience.

And that’s just with Facebook. I haven’t even begun to discuss Twitter, Blogging, YouTube, Four Square, LinkedIn etc ...

On the last Wednesday of every month, Gihan Perera facilitates a “social media forum” webinar. Gihan is at the forefront of creating internet strategies for business, and in my experience there is no better expert in Australia.

Gihan’s next forum is this Wednesday 25 August from 11.30am – 12.30pm AEST. This webinar is free and available to anyone to ask and/or answer questions about the way social media can be used in business. I was an active contributor last month and helped participants with questions about Facebook Fan Pages, the integration of your personal Facebook page with your “professional” one, and also various queries relating to Twitter.

The recording of last month’s webinar is below, which can also be downloaded in MP3 format. If you too had similar queries, I would definitely suggest listening to the recording.

MP3 File

If you’re thinking about how to set up a Facebook page, not sure what the best way to use Twitter is, or want to know more about Blogging, YouTube, or LinkedIn, I really recommend this free webinar. It will be the best hour you have spent learning about social media all month!

You can sign up for the webinar here, I'll be on the line again on Wednesday and look forward to answering some of your questions!

[Media Release] - Australian Junior Champion added to Elite Team at Perth City to Surf 12km

Kevin Batt in action in the 2010 World Junior Cross Country Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland

Just a day after releasing the Elite Athlete team for the 2010 Perth City to Surf, Australian Junior Champion Kevin Batt becomes the team’s latest recruit to the 12km distance.

Batt, an Australian representative at both the 2010 World Junior Cross Country Championships and the 2010 World Junior Athletics Championships, is leading the charge of emerging distance runners in this country.

In March, Batt won the Australian under 20 years 5000m championship at Homebush Bay, where be beat home fellow Australian representatives Josh Tedesco and Ethan Heywood. All three athletes will line up on the 12km start line next week as members of the Sports Fever Racing Team.

A big factor in Batt's recent success has been the 19-year-old's move from Gosford to Illawarra, where he now lives and trains with Australian 1500m record holder and 2010 National Champion, Ryan Gregson and his family.

Under the eye of Athletics Australia junior coach of the year Ian Hatfield, Batt will this weekend run in the National Cross Country Championships in Brisbane, before making his first trip to Perth.

Click here for the full media release

[Media Release] - Elite Australians named in Perth City to Surf 12km Team

Some of Australia’s best distance runners were this morning confirmed as participating for the same Elite Athlete Team as part of the 2010 Perth City to Surf.

Sponsored by Sports Fever, the team is comprised of current Australian representatives, World Junior representatives and the best distance runners Western Australia has to offer.

This is the first time a team of this size and quality has been comprised for the Perth event.

The team will be captained by Australia’s number one marathon runner, Lisa Weightman. Weightman is coming off a successful 2010 that has seen her win her first international marathon in Nagano, Japan, and also break the coveted Gold Coast Half Marathon record.

Joining the 2008 Beijing Olympian on the start line of the 12km event will be her husband and training partner, Lachlan McArthur; Alan Cragie, who ran 6th in the 2010 Sydney City to Surf; WA marathon champion, Roberto Busi; as well as Australian World Junior Cross Country representatives Ethan Heywood and Josh Tedesco.

Click here for the full Media Release and the details of all 12km Athletes.

Join Australia's #1 Marathon Runner for Breakfast

After battling 7 stress fractures through her twenties and being told that she wasn’t good enough to make it at the highest level, Lisa Weightman is proof that "impossible is nothing".

Lisa’s first marathon in 2008 was the equal-quickest debut marathon of any Australian in history.

Lisa has since gone on to represent Australia at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the World Championships, the World Cross Country Championships, and won her first international marathon in Nagano, Japan, this year. All while working full time as a consultant at IBM in Melbourne.

Last month Lisa broke the coveted Gold Coast Half Marathon record, with a winning time of 69:00 minutes the fastest half marathon ever run by a female on Australian soil.


As reported in last week’s West Australian, Weightman is coming to Perth next week to run the Perth City to Surf 12km event as part of her lead-up to the Commonwealth Games Marathon in October. She will Captain an Elite Athlete team comprising of international athletes, Australian Representatives, Australian World Junior Representatives and the best distance runners in Western Australia.

Join Lisa and some of her team for breakfast on Friday 27 August to hear how she overcame her hurdles, how she balances training with a full time job at IBM Australia, and how Australia’s best distance runner approaches a race.

Where:
Miss Maud Restaurant
97 Murray Street, Perth

When:
Friday 27 August
7.15am – 8.45am
Both the venue and Lisa are available until 10am for those wanting to stay

Tickets:
$60 single / $55 group of 4-9 / $50 group of $10+
Available at www.sportsevents.eventbrite.com
All attendees receive a FREE $50 Sports Fever Shoe Voucher

Click here for the full invite.

Please direct all queries to Sam Maxwell Sports Management

Lisa Weightman to race Perth City to Surf

Lisa Weightman training with husband Lachlan McArthur ahead of the Perth City to Surf

In a little over two weeks, Australia's best marathon runner, Lisa Weightman will compete in her first Perth to Surf. Weightman will use the 12km event as a lead-in to the Commonwealth Games in October.

Joining her on the start line as part of an Elite Athlete Team put together by Sam Maxwell Sports Management will be husband, Lachlan McArthur as well as some of the leading athletes in Australia. Watch this space for the announcement of the whole team!

Read Lisa's thoughts about her race in Perth here.

Matt Ebden: What's in my room

Prior to his departure for the US Open Series, Australian Davis Cup squad member Matt Ebden caught up with Michael Washbourne to show off his ten "favourite things".

Click on the image below to read about his collection items from all his tournaments, his obsession for hats and his insight about how he nearly played golf professionally instead of tennis!

Ben Offereins to leave for Cologne

Australian 400m Champion Ben Offereins will fly out of Perth later today for Cologne, Germany, where he will base himself until the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in September.

Prior to his departure, Offereins was interviewed by ABC Grandstand's Clint Wheeldon about the races he will run prior to the Games, his Commonwealth Games expectations, his rivals, as well as the topic of the 400m Australian record and a typical “working day” in the life of Ben Offereins.

Listen to the interview here