Midlands Literary Festival

Welcome To Another Entry Dear Reader.

This week I am looking at the Midlands Literary Festival.

From Friday 26th August 3pm - Sunday 27th August the Midlands will be alive with the sound
of ..... typewriters.  That's right readers, writers and book lovers will be descending on the
Midlands Meander to visit the Writing Festival with a wonderul line up of speakers.
There will also be a fantastic art exhibit.

The event will be hosted at Yellowwood 1 Shafton Road off Karkloof Rd, Howick.
For details contact Sandra Murphy on sandra@yelowwood.co.za

For those of you with Twitter you can also keep in touch with Nikki Tilley
on @MidlandsMeander for details.

The Midlands Meander also has a Facebook page and you can keep updated there.

The line up of speakers looks mouth watering.
Here are some worth going to.
Bruce Fordyce
Dr Ian Player
Sifiso Mzobe
Dan Retief
Judge Chris Nicholson
Mandy Wiener of Killing Kebble fame (Twitter @MandyWiener)
Scott Couper
Shaida Kazie-Ali
and many more I am sure.

I will be at the Festival and will be keeping you all updated via Twitter and look out for a future blog
on my experiences.

It all promises to be a wonderful Literary Event For The Midlands and for KZN.

If you love books, writers and art then this is the event for the weekend.


Fly high, Fly Free

Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
The Digital Media Agency
'Social Media Is Our Biz'
Speaker - Social Media Consultant
email: falconscove@gmail.com
twitter: @fredfelton

Email or Tweet Me to book me for a talk, workshop or seminar on Social Media

10 Tips On Social Media Marketing For An Event

Hi Readers

This week was an interesting one in my life and I shall remember it for a very long time to come.
My Company was asked to help the Durban Chamber Of Commerce with Social Media Marketing
For Their Event At The Elangeni Hotel.  It felt a bit like it must have felt for the people who invented the wheel.     There I was sitting with @NazareenE and @immedia tweeting away and sending off status updates for the event featuring Alec Hogg.  Questions were even asked from Cape Town and the event created much interest in the Durban Chamber.  I think the CEO has to be thanked for embracing social media into the Chamber.  A truly wonderful initiative for them.  While I was there I came up with some tips that anybody
or any company can use to market a event using Social Media.  So here are 10 tips
courtesy of Falcon's Cove:

1.  Setup a invite or event on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitvite


A good way to start is to make an event on Facebook, Linkedin and Twitvite and many other social media sites.  The aim is to create awareness for your event or brand launch.

2. Check in using FourSquare


A great tool to use is FourSquare and you can check in at the event to create awareness of where you are, if you are a whole bunch of people encourage all of them to check in at the event.

3.  Use a # hashtag


A good tip is to also use a hashtag to create awareness of the event the one we used was #alechoggDC
you can use one for your brand or event as well so whenever you tweet include that hashtag.

4.  Twitpic or Locerz 


Use some sort of photo uploading site like twitpic or Lockerz to upload pics from the event to make
it a interactive, visual event.  People love seeing what is happening at a event.

5. Tweet valuable insights 


If you are at a talk Tweet some valuable tips that the speaker says and don't forget to credit them or
use the hashtag.   Add your own comment as well.

6.  Meet people at the event


Go around the room and interact with people and introduce yourself and Tweet about who you meet and where they are from.

7.  Connect Linkedin


Connect your Linkedin account to your Twtter account so your tweets can be seen on Linkedin also.

8.  Connect Facebook


Connect your Tweets to Facebook using a mobile tool like UberSocial.   Therefore your Facebook
Fans can also see what is happening.

9.  Use Twitvid and YouTube


You can also use your mobiles camera to take videos and upload to Twitvid and YouTube to create
further awareness.

10.  Write a blog about it 


To create event further awareness you can even write a blog entry about it using Blogger or Posterous or Wordpress and just email your blog entry as you write at the event.

Fly high, Fly free


Fred Felton
Speaker - Social Media Consultant
Falcon's Cove Consulting - The Digital Media Agency
'Social Media Is Our Biz'
email: falconscove@gmail.com
cell: 076-977-5788

call or email to book Fred for a talk, workshop or seminar on Social Media

The Good side of Social Media

Greetings Readers this week I have an interesting blog entry on Social Media.
Enjoy.

This week has been an interesting one in the World.  In particular England.
We have seen how some people have managed to get together using social media sites
and messaging apps for the intention of causing a riot.

Not a very good use of social media.

However social media is just a implement and you can use it for good or for bad.
On the other side of the coin you have some wonderful Tweeps who have setup a twitter
account called @riotcleanup

This resulted in many people getting together to clean up the mess caused by the riots.

So do yourself a favour and use social media for good.  These people did.

Fly high, Fly free

Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
'Social Media Is Our Business'
Speaker - Social Media Marketing & Training
email: falconscove@gmail.com
cell: 076-977-5788

Call or email to book Fred for a talk or social media seminar

Book Review Coffee at Little Angels

Welcome Dear Reader

I have been asked to review a new book 'Coffee at Little Angels.'

So sit back and enjoy this review and a little info on the Author Nadine Rose Larter.

Coffee at Little Angels has possibly one of the best opening lines I have read in a long time.  Straight away it sets you up for an enjoyable read.  It is written in a fresh style and is such a wonderful book.  It's wonderful to see a new South African Writer on the scene.  Watch out for this one She is going places.

Coffee at Little Angels is set in a placeless setting so that it is suitable for any location in the world.
You are introduced to Phillip, Sarah, Kaitlyn, Caleb, Maxine, Grant, Melanie and Josh who were all school mates.  A tragedy reunites them together and they return to meet each other again.   The author examines how  they deal with death and their own ignored demons.   These friends try to rekindle their friendship and have a reunion of sorts.

Everyone has had a band of school friends so everyone will relate to this book.

Wonderfully written with a surprise around every corner.  The perfect book for any season. I can see many people curled up by the fireside reading it or sitting in a corner of the balcony enjoying a summer day.
You can be sure there will be many people taking this book with them on holiday.  The perfect beach read and the perfect holiday book.

And just what does Little Angels stand for?  Ah to find that out, you will have to read the book.

A very impressive read.

Now let's learn a bit more about the Author shall we.

Nadine Rose Larter was born in a small South African town called Molteno in the heart of the Karoo.
After High School she moved to Port Elizabeth where she stays with her son, fiance and two step children.
She describes herself as a free-spirit, she spends most of her days writing or thinking about writing.

She has always been writing from poems and short stories when she was young to diaries later on in her life.
She chose to self-publish this book simply because she felt like taking control of her own future.
Nadine wrote Coffee at Little Angels after a high school friend of her's died in a car accident.

She wrote the book with no proper nouns or full names or town names so that anybody who picks it up
can identify with it.

Nadine writes regularly on these websites:

Passing the Open Windows
http://www.passingtheopenwindows.co.za

The Katalina Playroom
http://katalina.co.za

The Poetry Project
http://www.thepoetryproject.co.za

The Writers Club
http://www.thewritersclub.co.za

Details of the book and where you can get it:

Title: Coffee at Little Angels
Author:  Nadine Rose Larter

Official launch date: Late August 2011 for print copy

Ebook copy available on The Katalina Playroom Website: http://katalina.co.za/?p=387

Ebook will also be available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBookstore and Sony Readerstore

Contact details for Nadine Rose Larter

Twitter:   @nayes1982

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/nayes


Well I hope you enjoyed that book review and a brief insight into Nadine Rose Larter.
Buy her book Coffee at Little Angels why don't you ;)


Fly high, Fly Free


Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
email: falconscove@gmail.com

Speaker - Social Media Consultant - Biz Analyst

Email if you would like to book Fred for one of his Social Media Talks or Training Sessions

One Of The Most Inspiring Videos I have seen

Hello Dear Friends

Today I was at the Hirsch Networking Breakfast and my good friend Warren put up this video which he described as the most motivational video he had seen.  I have to agree.  I'm going to just put it up here
and let you watch it.  Some inspiring stuff.

Fly high, Fly free

Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Speaker - Social Media Consultant - Business Analyst
email: falconscove@gmail.com

call or email to book Fred for one of his Social Media Talks Countrywide.

10 Tips To Get You Started With Google Plus

Welcome Readers

In this article we shall have a look at the new social networking tool Google Plus.

Many of my clients are asking me about it and what is it and how do you use it.

So here are 10 Tips to help you get started with Google Plus.

1.  Keep it simple


When you start using it keep what you post simple.  Start to see what people are posting and start using that
+1 button to like people's status updates or pics or videos.

2. You can adjust your home screen


On your home screen you can adjust the news stream you get so you can either see everyones stream or just your friends or just your family or just your workers.  So you can use it for what you want.  If you just want it to chat to family then adjust, if you want it as a business tool adjust, the choice is yours.

3. Those Circles


Now I get plenty of clients asking me about those Circles, what are they?  Are they crop circles?  What is going on.  Here is a simple definition for you.  With the Circles Google has allowed you to move people you add into various circles.  Those being Friends, Family, Acquaintances, Following.  However here is a nice option you can also add your own circles.  So some you could add if you are a businessperson or salesperson you could add a circle for leads.   You could add a circle for inspirational people, the list is endless.
What kind of circle could you create for yourself?  Think it through and add it.  Play around with it.

4. Status Updates


Google has a somewhat different status update section to Twitter or Facebook.  On the Google one you have a stream, you can update with text, photo's, videos, links, locations and you can also direct those updates or streams to everyone or just to friends or to a select circle.  The choice is yours.   Do you see the opportunity for a project management here, think tank work amongst work colleagues, friends etc etc.

5. That Google Plus Toolbar


For those of you who use Gmail you will find that your name with a + appears on the top left and as you open emails or surf Google sites or within Gmail you can also share status updates.  So maybe you see something in an email or see something in a group or get a brainstorm you can share it immediately and target it at who you want to share it with.

6.  On The Right


On the right at the top you will see notifications in red which signify you have notices or messages and it will have a number the more numbers the more messages.  You will also see a little cogwheel and from there you can send feedback and look at your history.

Google will also show you suggestions of people to add once again it is up to you who you want to add.

Hangouts are little fun things where you can start a hangout with your live webcam think of it as a meeting of your friends or business colleagues online.  No need to meet anymore.  Depends how valuable your time is. Would you rather go out and see people or just start a hangout online.

There is also a mobile version for Google + and you can also invite more people.

7. Sparks


Sparks lets you search for things that might interest you on the net, the idea being you can save them or share them with friends, work colleagues etc.

8. Play around with your Profile


What are you going to use Google +  for?  Think it through and then adjust your profile.   What does your profile pic say about you?  What does your about page say about you?
Here you can show any email or websites you want to share and any other contact info you care to share.

9. Your +1 History


In your profile section you will also see a section that says +1.  Every time you share something with
that +1 button it will reflect here.  It's always great to look at it now and again and see what you are sharing.
Relevant info that you share is always appreciated.

10. A valuable networking tool


Google + is a valuable networking tool for friends, business people and families.  The choice is yours.
As with all social networking tools, it's a tool, it's up to you how you want to use it and what you want to use it for.

Enjoy it.

If you want an invite to Google Plus let me know.

What do you think of Google Plus?  Like it?  Hate it?  Love to hear your comments.


Fly high, Fly free


Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Social Media Consultant - Biz Analyst - Keynote Speaker
email: falconscove@gmail.com

email to book Fred for a talk or seminar countrywide

Interview with Durban Entrepreneur Fiona Wainwright Publisher of Coffee News Bluff & Surrounds

Greetings Bloggers & Readers

Today we are starting a new section where we will be interviewing famous Business Personalities 

from all over.  Look out for some more in the next few months.

For our first one we will be interviewing Fiona Wainwright.

She is a Entrepreneur and Publisher of the Coffee News Bluff & Surrounds Publication.

We asked her 10 questions, let's see what she has to say.  

1.  Where were you born?

 I was born in Sunnyside, Pretoria and lived there for almost 8yrs before moving to sunny Durban and have been here ever since.

2.  What encouraged you to become an entrepreneur?

I was looking for a business that I would be good at, could work from home, set my own hours and still be able to go out and meet new people.  Networking is a big part of a successful business and working for myself allows me the freedom to do a lot of networking and enable me to grow my business successfully.

3.  Tell us about Coffee News?

Wow...... Coffee News has an amazing concept.  It is a free, weekly paper and is a franchise which started in Canada in 1988.  It very quickly spread to all over the world with it being published in 50 countries and in 7 different languages.  We distribute from restaurants, coffee shops, take aways and waiting areas of businesses.  It is the worlds largest restaurant publication.

 

It is printed on an A3 creamy yellow paper, is printed double sided in black only.  Coffee News is entertaining, with amazing facts, interesting trivia, comical stories, horoscopes, competitions and a special "What's Happening" column for local events..... something for everyone.

 

We also advertise solely one business per business category which means that competitors are locked out.

 

4.  Your advice to other entrepreneurs and salespeople in the world

It takes a lot of hard work to start your own business.  The trick is to persevere and stick with it, market yourself properly and widely.  Do not give up because at the end of the day you will reap the benefits of your hard work and make it all worthwhile.  

5.  What do you do for fun and to relax?

It's quite simple actually.  To relax I love going to the beach and watching the sea.  I like taking time out to go for a weekend away to a beach resort or somewhere close to the sea.  The sea is so mesmerizing and washes all ones troubles away.

 

For fun, I love to dance.  It helps to motivate the body and mind to carry on and it's good exercise to.

6. What happens in the day in the life of a publisher of Coffee News 

Each day is different but in a week, I go from putting an edition together, to meeting with prospective advertisers, to networking and compiling adverts, which plays a huge role in a successful Coffee News, as they have to be structured correctly for each business.  Delivering Coffee News to all the distribution outlets is a big part of the week too.  It is great to catch up with all the restaurant and coffee shop owners.  It is very important to have a good relationship with them.  You never know when they will through some business your way.  

7.  Are you a member of any networking groups?  If so which one's?

Yes, I belong to two different networking groups.  On a Tuesday I meet up with the members of our BNI Chapter (Business Networking International) for a breakfast networking meeting.  BNI is an international networking business which helps people grow their businesses through referrals.

I belong to another networking group which is called BBA ( Bluff Business Alliance).  There we also network and pass referrals.  We are also aimed at improving the Bluff, making our status known and helping out the charities on the Bluff.  At the same time we help each other grow their businesses.  With both groups, it is like having breakfast with your friends at the same time as giving each other business or referrals.

8. What makes a good advert?

A good advert is one that stands out and attracts the readers attention.  We do that by using eye catching graphics, a good catch phrase, a solution to their needs and if possible we offer a discount too.

9.  Do you also design adverts and business cards and if so what does that entail?

Yes, I design the adverts myself.  This is where my creative side comes into effect.  I just love being creative and in today's age of technology, it seems this is the way to do it.  It is the same for the business cards that I design as well.  It just gets the creative juices flowing.  The business cards are a side line that I provide which includes designing the business cards and having them printed all at one cost.  Of course, I put together a few drafts of both adverts and the business cards for the client to choose from and once I get the go ahead then I can proceed to complete the job.  It is all very exciting and rewarding.

10.  A little birdie told me you also do photography tell us about your love for photography, what pictures do you take?

Hahaha...... I wonder who told you that? Yes, I love photography.  It is absolutely exhilarating to see what you can capture in a single photo.  I have loved photography since my school days but never followed dream as the equipment at that time was too expensive and you needed your own to take courses in photography.  I have since been able to set myself up with a very good SLR digital camera.

My favorite topics to photograph are wildlife and still photographs.  I love the concepts you can come up with and the amazing colours one can achieve too.  I also enjoy photographing people as there are so many different expressions one can pick up and also so many different angles one can capture too.

Well that was a very interesting interview Readers.  What an inspiring lady.

Well if you need any advertising or business cards you sure know who to call.

Coffee News is also on Facebook so why not visit their Fan Page and Like It 

Just click on the link here -   Coffee News Bluff & Surrounds

Fly high, Fly free

Fred Felton

Falcon's Cove Consulting 

Keynote Speaker - IT Consultant - Biz Analyst

email: falconscove@gmail.com

cell: 076-977-5788

twitter: @fredfelton

email him for one of his Social Networking Seminars or Talks which he does countrywide