This month at Social Media Club Phoenix, we want to pick your brain. The topic? How, when, where and what of managing social media. Some of you manage social professionally, while some of us simply dabble. What software or website do you use to manage Twitter? When do you find is the best time to post? How often should you change your Foursquare special? Let’s say I make an update to my Facebook page – what’s the best way to proofread it to make sure I didn’t goof something up?

We want your answers to these questions, and many more like them. Let’s get practical.

Join us on May 10th, 2012 at 6:30 PM at Gannett Local.

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As of March 30^th every business page on Facebook will have switched over to the new Timeline. While it’s a lot of work for marketers this switch up will change how you leverage the social networking giant’s platform. Why?  Because there is more to Facebook’s new look than its cover photo or new layout.

During our roundtable discussion we’ll dive into topics that include:

1. How to best use the milestones feature
2. Why completing your business’ profile is important
3. The changes in how the apps, tabs and welcomed page work
4. Whether Timeline will change Facebook marketing

Don’t miss out on your chance to learn more. Join us on Thursday, April 12^th from 6:30pm – 8:00pm at Gannett Local. Parking and attendance is FREE for all guests.

P.S. Send a little love to the people @gannettlocal  for donating their time and space to SMC Phoenix.

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This month the Social Media Club of Phoenix hosted its first Social Media Boot Camp of 2012. Hosted by Jerilyn Kruger and Daniel Moran the two-hour seminar focused on helping users understand essential elements for building their social strategies. The two presenters reviewed Facebook, Foursquare, LinkedIn and blogging platforms, tips for posting and must-include items in your campaigns.

If you were not able to attend the event, our experts were kind enough to post their presentations online via Slideshare. SMC Phoenix will host a quarterly Boot Camp with our next upcoming seminar to be held early summer 2012.

Don’t forget about our free monthly meetings that explore trending topics, new platforms and more. We meet the second Thursday of every month at 6:30pm.

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On Friday, March 9th from 2:00pm – 3:00pm the Social Media Club of Phoenix is bringing Valley social junkies together for a Twitter chat. We will discuss how to measure and determine the success of your social presence. So be prepared to share your secrets, tips and more.

We’ll be asking the group questions that include:

1. What tools do you use for measurement?
2. How do you determine the campaign goals?
3. How do you use analytics to refine your strategy?
4. How do analytics play a role other marketing activities?

EVENT DETAILS:
Date: Friday, March 9th
Time: 2:00pm – 3:00pm
Topic: How you measure the success of a social media campaign
Hashtag: #smphxchat
Hosted by: Daniel Moran

You can also RSVP on Facebook. Please share this event with anyone you think may be interested.

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Join us Monday, February 6th from 6:00pm – 7:00pm as we explore the latest weapons in social media, Pinterest and Instagram. The two platforms have found their way into the hearts of many, and are raising the eyebrows of brand strategists everywhere. Are you thinking about using them to build your personal brand or your clients?

During this month’s Twitter chat we’ll ask you:

1. What brands have you found to be successful on Pinterest or Instagram?
2. Are you thinking about using one of these sites?
3. Have you had any success?
4. What are some cool tricks you’ve found to work on Pinterest or Instagram?
5. Who should we be following?

Date: Monday, February 6th
Time: 6:00pm – 7:00pm
Topic: Exploring Pinterest & Instagram to build your brand
Hashtag: #smphxchat
Hosted by:Daniel Moran (@dmoranjr)

This month experts Clintus McGintus and Merlin U. Ward discussed the issue of leveraging video to drive traffic. Sharing their expertise they stressed that it’s essential for you to:

1. Explore ALL Channels: Learn where you audience is and post your videos on those platforms. There are more sites than just YouTube, so do your research.
2. Meta Tags: It’s important your Meta tags not only speak to the content of your videos, but how people will search search for your videos.
3. Content. Content. Content: Don’t expect to have millions of people view your channel, if you’re not consistently uploading new videos.

The Social Media Club of Phoenix would like to thank Clintus and Merlin for speaking to our group. If are looking to leverage video marketing and have questions send a Tweet to Clintus (@Clintus) or Merlin (@MerlinUWard).

Last night we picked the biggest moments in social media and here are our favorites.

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• Best Social Mishap: While Kenneth Cole’s infamous blunder that insulted the Egyptian people was pretty crazy, we thought Weinergate toped them all. Our group voted by a wide margin that Anthony Weiner’s failed DM was the biggest social mishap in 2011. After all, his Twitter picture bearing the family jewels managed to end his political career.

• Hottest Social Media Campaign: Online privacy is a hot topic and no other campaign showed us how vulnerable we are than Facebook Lollipop. Set to a creepy soundtrack that channels a Chainsaw Massacre flick, it’ll make you a little bit nervous the next time you log on. Check it out at www.takethislollipop.com.

Hidden Gems: What do you get when you cram a room full of social media junkies into a room? You’ll get some amazing recommendations for apps that’ll rock your world.

        Favorite Apps: Goodzer; Twitter for Debates; Square; Apple Check Out; Waze; and Kurrently.

        Favorite Sites: Turntablefm; Pinterest; Social Bro; Uncrate; and Procatinator.com.

Biggest Moment in 2012: It was when some crazy guy gave everyone access to his Starbucks card. And like all good things in life it came to an end after one bad apple ruined it for everyone. It’s why coffee lovers across the world LOVE Jonathan Stark and HATE Sam Qdio after he banked some Bengamins. Get the full scoop here: http://mashable.com/2011/08/12/jonathans-card-hacked-starbucks/

Social Hangover 2011: When this topic was brought up…everyone almost instantaneously yelled out Klout. The black sheep of the social media family has a long way to go before it wins the hearts of social junkies across the globe….or at least from the SMC Phoenix crew.

From everyone at SMC Phoenix HAPPY HOLIDAYS! We wish you the best of luck in 2012 and look forward to seeing you at next year’s meeting. Just because it’s 2012 doesn’t mean we’re changing our schedule. We’ll see you on January 12th at 6:30pm at Gannet Local.

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As 2011 comes to an end, Social Media Club of Phoenix wanted to hear from its members about what the biggest topics, trends, issues, etc. you’re expecting in 2012. Why? So that we cannot only start planning next year’s monthly meetings, but so everyone can better understand what obstacles and opportunities the future holds.

We’ll ask you to chirp about:

1. What will be the biggest focus in social media?
2. How will it change how you market a brand?
3. How will change how you market your personal brand?
4. What are you going to do differently in 2012?

Join us on Thursday, December 15th from 6:00pm – 7:00pm to discuss what the future holds. You can participate in our conversation with the hash tag #SMCPHXCHAT.

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Last month Social Media Club of Phoenix hosted its first Social Media Camp to help fellow social junkies get a firm grip on social media. During our two hour mini camp, our team members Jerilyn Kruger and Daniel Moran discussed the basics of how to get started on social media. The two tackled topics that included Facebook, Twitter and establishing your brand’s personality.

If you were not able to attend the event, our experts were kind enough to post their presentations online via Slidshare. We will be hosting a Social Media Camp in early 2012, so stay tuned for more information.

Can’t wait for our next Social Media Camp? You can attend our free monthly meetings where we discuss everything social. If there is a specific topic you want to explore, please post it on our future topics section of our website or let us know on Facebook.

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Facebook has evolved since its early days. During this month’s Twitter chat we took an in-depth look at the newest changes and the affect they have on users. We first discussed Timeline and found that SMC Phoenix members liked the new page features. @afmarcom shared how she thought the new changes would allow people to enhance their profile, “I’m sure other people will trick out their profile a lot more.”

The new cover photo allows people to brand themselves and give a better snapshot of their personality, interests, etc. A recent article on Mashable.com showed how people are having fun designing their Timeline cover photo. Ultimately by completing the information the way it’s designed, Facebook has created a virtual timeline of your life—allowing you to tell people exactly who you are.

Like with any new changes some are not so welcomed. Two of the biggest issues we discussed were centered around Facebook’s new apps policy and Ticker. The latest changes in its apps policy allows them to access your information and post updates without having to ask your permission. While privacy is a big concern it is also becoming an inconvenience as @phxgrl31 pointed out that Spotify is, “listing every song I listened to.”

While the information trickles into Facebook’s new Ticker it’s still viewed as spam by most users. @CherylMarquez added that you are able to adjust your privacy settings, so that your every move won’t be posted by apps on your newsfeed or ticker.

With the latest changes marketers are finding it harder to increase or maintain engagement because posts are being buried. @CherylMarquez said, “[It’s] so hard to drive engagement on FB [Facebook] too” in response to @afmarcom’s tweet referring to her lack of ability to see posts. @afmarcom continued to add, “All FB [Facebook] activity has been slow; the new algorithms are hurting conversations.”

What hiccups are you experiencing? Are you finding it hard to increase engagement or see your friend’s posts? Be sure to stay tuned for November’s Twitter chat. We will be announcing the day, time and topic soon.