There are some great social media books out there right now that I wanted to let ya'll know about.

1. Clear Blogging
Bob Walsh contacted me a few months ago regarding community building and my blog. He is one of the moderator's for Joel of Software's business forum, of which I participated heavily in. Through that, he found me and asked that I do a guest post on his own blog. After that, I did a Q&A for his book - which can be found in the now published - Clear Blogging.

If you are looking at starting a blog and/or want to know some tricks and tips -to build your audience, this book is for you. A book no matter what stage in blogging you are at.

2. Unconference - The Book
Found this in David Crow's feed this morning (still catching up). It is a collaborative book that is build on those that have started and attended unconferences. Based on the great podcamp Toronto over the weekend - there are definitely a lot of you out there to contribute.

I had a few try-to's for 2007. It isn't going well.

Two of the social media ones are:
1) to blog at least everyday on this blog
2) to blog a restaurant review on blogTO at least three times a week

I am doing really, really badly on my personal blog. I have my good days and my bad days. This week was a bad week, only blogging on Monday on my personal blog and twice on blogTO.

There is just too much going on...

ya, ya, ya...I am complaining and I really shouldn't be.

But there is really just too much going on! Between work, yoga, friends, eating out, eating in, reading books, blogging, marketing events, catching up on feeds, volunteering, keeping the house semi-clean, the raptors, golf preparation, new music, concerts, podcasts, SL events, shopping...and did I mention work...there is too few minutes in the day.

It really boggles my mind on how some people do it. How do you keep up? How are you doing with your try-to's?

Podcamp Toronto took place this year at my alma mater - Ryerson University - over this past weekend.

Some 200+ registered attendees and 40+ presentations over 2 days...all for free! Thanks organizers of Podcamp Toronto!

I managed to attend 90% of day 1, and saw great case studies from Mark Blevis, Bob Goyetche, Sabita Singh, Hugh McGuire, Christopher Penn, Mitch Joel and John Wall...

I took away some great learning and some dirty ones too ;) ...can't wait to apply them (some I already did)...look out!

Wished I could have made it out to day 2 of Podcamp Toronto...but alas, a life without social media does exists...

PS. It was nice meeting so many of you in person (Bryper)...and catchin' up with those I have met through social media! (Andy - Wilco's Impossible Germany is amazing!!!)

Great article on blogTO this morning on Jeffree Star.

Check out the quick excerpt from the piece:

"It turns out there are some big plusses to signing onto Myspace, particularly if you were one of the first people to do so. 20 year old Jeffree Star is the self-proclaimed Queen Bitch of Myspace. With 16 million profile views and an even higher number of song plays, Star may very well be the most popular face on Myspace next to ubiquitous Tom...

It's fucking cold outside, and Jeffree Star is running late. It's Friday, February 16th and he's headlining Pixelrox at Fly Nightclub, billed as Toronto's first Myspace party and the starting point for his invasion of Canada..."

Add him to the list of social media stars...the list is growing quickly.

Some of you probably know that I volunteer for HRW Toronto Network - a group of young advocates here in the city who are committed to increasing awareness of human rights issues. My plug here is for the upcoming film festival next month. Our group is putting together ther closing night reception which is so far set to be a stellar event...check it out if you can...

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The Human Rights Watch Toronto Network presents

The Closing Night Reception of the Fourth Annual Human Rights Watch International Film Festival Co-presented with Cinematheque Ontario

Thursday, March 8, 2007 featuring JOHN & JANE Directed by ASHIM AHLUWALIA

John & Jane is an astonishing look at the souls of the outsourced. Shot on 35mm and composed with unsettling grace, this documentary finds an entirely original and fitting language to express the eerie dislocation of virtual work. The lives it depicts are real, but the film's approach gives those lives the scope of speculative fiction.

Human Rights Watch is pleased to host guest speakers:
Hannah Simone

Hannah is a MuchMusic VJ. Equally passionate about both world issues and pop culture, Hannah’s ready to offer a well-informed and well-spoken perspective on everything from global human rights to the latest music trends.

and

Raj Girn

Raj is the Publisher and Founder of Anokhi magazine, which uses media as a vehicle to celebrate humanity as a whole; to effect the emancipation of women and men, without gender, social, cultural, religious or political barriers.

Reception at 7.00 p.m.

Bau-Xi Gallery
340 Dundas Street West

Film Screening at 8.45p.m.
Art Gallery of Ontario
Jackman Hall (McCaul Entrance)
317 Dundas St. West

Tickets
$ 25 per person (includes film and reception)
Tickets are only sold online and there will be no refunds to purchase. Purchase tix here.

Please enter your e-mail address and password to receive confirmation of payment


For Information contact
hrwya@hotmail.com
Phone - 416-322-8448

Directions to Bau-Xi:

For information on the rest of the HRW Film festival http://www.cinemathequeontario.ca/
HRW Toronto webpage http://hrw.org/toronto/

Human Rights Watch is grateful for the support of the Samuel Group of Companies and Iceberg Vodka Bell is proud to be a Major Sponsor of Cinematheque Ontario. Cinematheque Ontario is generously supported by the Ontario Media Development Corporation and the Canada Council for the Arts.