It’s the last day of 2011. What have you done with the other 364 days? Where have you gone? Where will you go in 2012? Who will you reach out to?

I found Google’s video of the most searched topics to be a terrific “the world’s” year in review. Take a look and let me know what you think.

I asked our Board if they had any new year’s resolutions for 2012. A couple members shared theirs:

I have a New Year’s resolution to help my parents get “social”. I appreciate Klout and Windows Phone 7 for having sent me a Windows phone as a perk and so I gifted it to my mom for her birthday. I noticed that she really hasn’t been taking advantage of many smartphone features and so my new year’s resolution is to get closer to my parents by teaching them that there’s more to the Internet than forwarding PowerPoint email chain-letters. In getting them up to speed, I hope to also revisit some of the basics myself. – Garick Chan

spend more time bring w people and less time tweeting – Natalie Petouhoff

I’ve got one, too, and it’s similar to Garick’s. (Right on about the email chain letters, Garick!) My goal is to understand why some of my friends and family are still using their work email addresses to send out personal emails, and to educate them on why it’s not a good idea. (Even after all these years… they are still using work email.)

On behalf of SMCLA, have a wonderful New Year’s Eve and we wish you a happy, productive and wired New Year!

Keep Calm and Tweet On

source: abc.go.com

From all of us at SMCLA, we wish you a terrific and warm holiday weekend!

This year, we started with a pretty new Board as well as a few returning members. We’ll be ramping up 2012 again, so please let us know if you’re interested in receiving updates from us and/or volunteering on the Board!

Email us at smclosangeles(at)gmail[dot]com or tweet us at @smc_LA!

My favorite holiday is Thanksgiving. For me, Thanksgiving kicks off 30+ days of reminding me how fortunate I am. Every day, there is something I can jot down on my list of thanks and appreciation.

In honor of Thanksgiving and keeping with a social media theme, I’m thankful for a website I use frequently – GoodReads – it keeps track of what I’m reading, what I want to read, what others are reading and links up with my social media channels. I’m also thankful for my Twitterfeed and Google Reader, which keeps me updated on news and current events. Regarding family, I’m thankful that almost everyone in my family and extended family knows how to use email.

Read on as a few of our Board members share what they are thankful for this year.

I’m thankful for my health, sanity and family & friends. – Kat Calbes

i [sic] am thankful for my nephews and nieces who remind me of what is important! people! – Natalie Petouhoff

Things I am thankful for – besides my family and friends, of course – my iPhone and… apps including Twitter, Facebook, Foursquare and Words With Friends!  – Laura Knapp

I am thankful for the hive-minded mentality found within the Social Media Club! – Serena Ehrlich

What are you thankful for?

For those of you who are attending BlogWorld today and/or Saturday, be sure to stop by our booth (#112) at the EXPO!

We are giving away social media books, SMC memberships AND a vacation getaway! Want to go to Cancun, Mexico? Stop by our booth. Want to join SMCLA? Stop by our booth. Want to enter to win books? Stop by our booth.

One 5-day, 4-night vacation is up for grabs at our booth – one winner will have a choice of picking either the Laguna Suites Spa or the Ocean Spa Hotel for their getaway. Stop by our booth and enter to win by dropping your business card in our fishbowl or filling out a contact card.

photo source: http://www.lagunasuites.com.mx/

photo source: http://www.oceanhotelcancun.com

I don’t know about you but I could use a warm, sandy beach right about now. It’s easy to enter. There is no purchase necessary. We’ll see you at our Booth – #112 today and tomorrow!

Disclosure: Vacation getaway sponsored by @markepoliti. For full rules and regulations, head to http://www.socialmediaclub.la/disclosure/bwela-in-booth-giveaway-rules/.

BlogWorld Expo 2011 - Los Angeles

As we get closer to BlogWorld LA, check our Twitterfeed at @smc_LA and our Facebook page for livetweets during the three-day conference. Meet our SMCLA Board members as well as SMC National’s Board members.

Don’t forget to use the code “SMC20” to take 20% off your conference day pass.

If you can only visit the EXPO, use the code “SMC50” and take 50% off your EXPO-only pass.

Stop by our Expo booth on Friday and/or Saturday, and meet us in person! We’re always looking a for a few good volunteers to help us with events, programs and guest posts.

Whether you’re heading to the LA Convention Center for the full three-day effect or spending a day at the Expo, don’t forget to bring your business cards. Sure, the nerdoratti may prefer to connect by Bumping, Flicking or scanning your QR code, but old school business cards still work. (I like to write notes on business cards: how I met you, where I met you, your interests, follow-up notes.)

You are invited and welcome to the BlogWorld LA networking parties with any BlogWorld pass. This includes the EXPO-only pass. Mark your social calendar this week with the following parties:

BlogWorld Networking Party and Mixer

Hosted by: BlogWorld & New Media Expo
Co-hosted by: Social Media Club
VIP Sponsors: .tv & Heineken
Associate Sponsors: INTENTclick & U4RIK Vodka

WHEN:
Thursday, November 3rd from 8:00pm-10:00pm

WHERE:
ICON LA Ultra Lounge
1248 Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 867-6000

BlogWorld Opening Night Party and Mixer

Hosted by: BlogWorld & New Media Expo
Co-hosted by: DigitalLA
Title Sponsor: The Safe Cig
VIP Sponsors: NewTek & Heineken
Associate Sponsor: textPlus & U4RIK Vodka

WHEN:
Friday, November 4th from 7:00pm-9:00pm

WHERE:
J Lounge
1119 South Olive Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 746-7746

BlogWorld Closing Night Party and Mixer

Hosted by: BlogWorld & New Media Expo
VIP Sponsors: Stickam & Heineken
Associate Sponsor: Dun & Bradstreet Credibility Corp

WHEN:
Saturday, November 5th from 7:30pm-9:30pm

WHERE:
The Belasco
1050 S. Hill St.
Los Angeles, CA 90015
(213) 746-5670

 Traveling to LA? Be sure to read BWE’s blog post on what to pack.

See you soon!

BlogWorld Expo Los Angeles

How to be viral without being a virus. Avoiding parenting blog design mistakes. The rules of netiquette. Finding sponsors for your podcast. When blogging gets too personal. How to work with virtual assistants. Your “about” page. Creating a media kit.

Ever wanted to know how to do all of these things? Me too. Well, maybe not the parent blog design, but I’m sure I could glean some nuggets from it!

Join me and the rest of the Board of Social Media Club LA as we table at BlogWorld Expo Los Angeles on November 3-5 at the LA Convention Center. We will be boothbabes with our friends and neighbor to the south, SMC San Diego, as well.

Speakers include: Peter Shankman (HARO), Michael Stelzner (Examiner), Guy Kawasaki (Alltop), Liz Strauss (SOBcon), Lisa Stone (BlogHer), Aliza Sherman (MediaEgg), Benjamin Lopez (Anime Genesis), Lou Mongello (WDWRadio), Ann Hadley (Marketing Profs), and so many more.

There are a ton of sessions to choose from, so start looking over that schedule and marking your choice sessions!

If you haven’t gotten your ticket, use the code: SMC20 and take 20% off registration.

Stay tuned and keep checking this blog, FB page and Twitter for more info on a tweet-up!