“Don’t post anything online that you wouldn’t put on the front page of the newspaper,” was a key point Ruth Carter, Phoenix attorney, made in her talk, “Social Media Law.” Carter, who spoke about copyright issues and social media, was one of five speakers at the Arizona Press Women’s State Conference held on May 4 in Scottsdale. The theme for the day’s sessions was “Social Media for Writers and Journalists: What Works and Why.”

After giving us many points of advice on what was protected online and what we could or should use, she left us with this thought: “Assume every post will be seen by your best friend, your worst enemy, your boss, and your mother.” Things you write online will be there for years to come.

After a welcome by President, Brenda Warneka, our first speaker of the morning was New York City journalist-marketing expert, Pamela Bayless. Her topic was “Fast-Forward Your Career with 21st Century Tools.”  Bayless described how her career has changed over the years. Proficiency in writing for the web and use of social media is a necessity. She favors LinkedIn as a social media tool for writers who want to develop their business. (Above photo: Ruth Carter (L), Pamela Bayless (R).)

Ruth Carter followed her and then, while we ate lunch, best-selling urban fantasy author Kevin Hearne (son of APW member Gail Hearne) spoke on “Social Media for Authors.” Kevin has been able to quit his day job as a high school teacher to focus on his writing. With his sixth book due out in June, Kevin shared how he has used social media to boost sales and expand his reader base.

Always willing to share his expertise with APW, Dave Barnhart of Business Blogging Pros, spoke on “Random Acts of Social Media.” Social media is a two-way conversation with the goal of building relationships, Barnhart stressed. He talked about strategy for using blogs, websites and social media as a cost-effective way to gain a digital presence that boosts credibility and revenue and offered tips for using Twitter Facebook, LinkedIn and other networking groups more efficiently.

Our final speaker, John Southard, an Arizona historian, spoke on “The Dollars and Sense of Facebook: Social Media as a Personal Branding Tools.” He uses social media to help nonprofits establish a social media presence.

Kevin Hearne, Dave Barnhart, John Southard

Right after lunch, APW winners in the 2013 NFPW at-large communications contest were recognized. See separate page with photos. The annual APW high school journalism scholarships were awarded also. Kelcie Anne Johson was the winner of the Betty Latty Hurlburt Scholarship and Rebecca Brisley won the June Payne Scholarship.

Kelcie Anne Johnson, winner of the Betty Latty Hurlburt Scholarship and Rebecca Brisley, winner of the June Payne Scholarship

After the workshop was finished, a short business meeting was conducted followed by the installation of officers. Patricia Myers conducted the traditional installation ceremony.  Pictured, Pam Stevenson, president; Katherine Atwell Herbert, secretary; Beverly Raphael Konic, Treasurer; Barbara Lacy, Central District director; Carol Osman Brown, Rim Country District director. Not present were: Jane Eppinga, Southern District director; and Joan Westlake, second vice president/communications and scholarship chair.

Patricia Myers conducting the installation of officers ceremony.