Developing Mental Toughness: A Golfer's Guide to a Strong Mind

Golf is a game that demands not only physical skill but also a strong mental game. In fact, many golfers believe that the mental aspect of the sport is just as, if not more, important than the physical one. Developing a strong mind for golf can help you perform consistently at your best, overcome challenges, and enjoy the game more. In this blog post, we'll explore strategies and techniques to help you build mental toughness and improve your golf game.

1. Set Clear Goals

Start by setting clear and realistic goals for your golf game. Whether you're aiming to lower your handicap, improve your short game, or enhance your overall performance, having well-defined goals will give you a sense of purpose and motivation. Break these goals down into short-term and long-term objectives, and monitor your progress regularly.

2. Visualize Success

Visualization is a powerful technique used by many successful athletes. Spend time each day visualizing yourself on the golf course, making perfect shots, and achieving your goals. By mentally rehearsing your success, you can build confidence and reduce anxiety on the course.

3. Develop a Pre-Shot Routine

A consistent pre-shot routine can help you focus and maintain a calm, composed state of mind during your rounds. Develop a routine that includes aspects like visualizing the shot, taking deep breaths, and ensuring a consistent setup. This routine should become second nature, helping you stay in the zone and eliminate distractions.

4. Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and aware of your thoughts and emotions. Incorporating mindfulness into your golf game can help you stay calm under pressure and reduce negative self-talk. Try meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simply being aware of your surroundings during your rounds to enhance your mental clarity.

5. Stay Positive

Maintaining a positive attitude is crucial for a strong mental game. Golf is a challenging sport, and you will encounter setbacks and frustrations. Instead of dwelling on your mistakes, focus on the positive aspects of your game and use your errors as opportunities to learn and improve.

6. Manage Stress and Anxiety

Golf can be a nerve-wracking sport, and managing stress and anxiety is essential for success. Develop strategies to cope with pressure, such as progressive muscle relaxation, breathing techniques, or a simple phrase or mantra to calm your nerves. Remember that even professional golfers experience anxiety, and it's how you manage it that makes the difference.

7. Embrace Resilience

Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and maintain focus on your goals. Understand that every golfer faces challenges, including the pros. Instead of dwelling on a bad round or a poor shot, focus on what you can do differently next time. Learn from your experiences and build mental strength through adversity.

8. Build Mental Endurance

Golf rounds can be long and mentally taxing, especially in tournaments. To build mental endurance, practice extended concentration, and patience. Take one shot at a time, stay in the moment, and maintain your focus throughout your round.

9. Seek Professional Help

If you're struggling with your mental game, don't hesitate to seek help from a sports psychologist or mental coach. They can provide you with personalized strategies and techniques to strengthen your mental toughness and overcome specific challenges.

Conclusion

A strong mind is a golfer's most valuable asset. By setting clear goals, practicing visualization, maintaining a positive attitude, and using mindfulness techniques, you can enhance your mental game and ultimately improve your golf performance. Remember that building mental toughness is a journey, and with dedication and practice, you can become a mentally strong and successful golfer. So, hit the links, embrace the mental game, and enjoy your journey to becoming a better golfer.

Review of the SUNICE Allendale Pullover Jacket

As a professional golf instructor, I spend a lot of my time either outdoors on the golf course, at the driving range or on the practice green.  Crisp mornings and cool evenings often require more warmth, yet I always want to maintain my freedom of movement.  I recently received the Sunice Allendale Pullover jacket and I think I've found the perfect piece of clothing to fit my needs.

You've probably read in previous blog posts that I prefer to layer my clothing rather than wearing something big and bulky to protect me from the elements.  The Allendale pullover is thermal and constructed of super-lightweight stretch fabric to add additional comfort and performance.  When it gets chilly, I just throw on the pullover and it keeps me nice and warm while not confining me when I swing the golf club.

Not only does the Allendale pullover perform well, but it also looks sharp!  Sunice really knows how to put together a quality piece of clothing that you want to be seen wearing.  If you spend a lot of time outdoors and are looking for something lightweight and non-restrictive to keep you warm, I highly recommend the Allendale pullover by Sunice...you can't go wrong!

Review of the SUNICE Carleton Zephal Jacket

The Sunice Carleton Zephal jacket is part of the Sunice Typhoon Collection.  It's a waterproof jacket that's perfect for those that like to play golf in different weather conditions.  The jacket is well-designed, lightweight and comes with a three-year waterproof guarantee.

I had the privilege of testing out the black with collegiate blue version of the Zephal jacket and I was immediately impressed by the modern look and comfort of the jacket.  The soft and stretchy feel of the fabric allows me to swing the golf club and not feel restricted at all.  I don't like to wear bulky jackets and heavy clothing when I golf in the fall and winter even though it can be very cold and wet at times.  I like the fact that I can wear a couple of thin layers underneath the Zephal jacket (t-shirt and golf shirt) while still being able to stay warm and dry and not sacrificing performance.  

Not only have I taken the jacket out for test drives on the golf course, but I also wear it when I go to watch my daughter play indoor soccer where the temperature is freezing cold due to the fact that it's next to an ice arena.  Most parents are bundled up in their heavy winter coats while I'm just fine with a t-shirt, long sleeve top and my Zephal jacket.  It's quite amazing how Sunice has managed to develop such a thin jacket that can stand up to such cold temperatures.  Well done!

I highly recommend the Zephal jacket to anyone out there who golfs in the elements and wants a jacket that doesn't hinder performance while keeping you safe from the elements.  It's no surprise that Sunice continues to improve on quality and styling as well as providing different colour options to suit both bold and conservative tastes.

Technical Specs:

• Waterproof breathable material, Stretch across the shoulders
• Internal cuff, Pro cinching system from front pockets
• Ball cleaner shammy in right side pocket
• Patented V collar to give good protection
• WXTech 10,000 MM / 10,000 MVT - 3 Year Waterproof Warranty

Review of the Coolcore Hat by Imperial Headwear

When I sat down to write this post, my first thought was “how do I write an entire blog post about a hat?”.  Well, this hat is like no other.  Imperial Headwear has teamed up with Coolcore to provide a revolutionizing new product for golfers (and anyone else who likes to keep their head cool in the hot sun).

I first tried out the Coolcore hat on a summer day when the temperature was 33 degrees Celsius.  After 18 holes, my hat is usually soaked with sweat or there’s a sweat line along the brim of the hat.  I was pleasantly surprised that on this day, my hat wasn’t wet at all and there was no sign of any sweat lines at all.  Most performance fabrics focus on moving the moisture from point A (away from the body) to point B (to the top of the fabric) however it only focuses on where moisture is, so part of the fabric might be wicking moisture but the other parts of the material are not because underneath that specific spot is dry.   Coolcore fabrics allow for the entire hat to pull moisture no matter where underneath the hat the moisture is located, giving you a faster and more exact removal of the moisture.

Below is some information regarding Imperial Headwear and Coolcore along with the technology behind this revolutionary product.

Imperial Headwear

Founded in 1916, Imperial Headwear is the leading manufacturer and marketer of premium quality headwear for the golf market.  Imperial is committed to style, functionality and perfection in fit and comfort.  It is this commitment that has allowed the creation of a wide variety of headwear with quality that is second to none.  Renowned for its superior customer service and art customization capabilities, Imperial offers its products using the most innovative digital design, logo and embroidery technologies.  For further information please visit imperialsports.com or call 800-950-1916.

About Coolcore   

Coolcore, the global leader in chemical-free cooling fabrics, has partnerships to develop fabrics for consumer brands throughout the world.  The patented, chemical-free Coolcore materials deliver three distinct functions – wicking, moisture circulation and regulated evaporation – going far beyond traditional moisture-management textiles by reducing surface fabric temperature up to 30 percent.  Coolcore fabric formulations have earned the prestigious “Innovative Technology” recognition from the Hohenstein Institute, a first for a U.S. company, and the only company globally to be awarded this recognition for “Cooling Power”.

I would highly recommend that you pick up one of these hats and add it to your collection.  The Coolcore hat can be ordered online or you can probably find them at your local pro shop or golf retailer.  Grab one, try it and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!

8 Reasons to Take Up the Game of Golf

Golf is often perceived as an exclusive sport with its own culture and language, which can make it feel elitist or unwelcoming.  Yet, while the sport is deeply rooted in history and traditions, today's golf scene is getting with the times like never before.  In fact, golf will present you with such unbelievable and personal shared experiences that the only fear you'll have is the fear of missing out.

Here's 8 reasons why you should take up the game of golf:

It's All About Connections

• Golf is a relationship game.  Every angle of the sport is rooted in relationships, both personal and business.  Your time spent in and around the game allows you to make connections and foster relationships through shared experiences that you wouldn't otherwise make.

 No More "Grass Ceiling"

•  Tired of being excluded from the informal networks your colleagues are building on the course and then leveraging for career advancement?  Get in the game!  You'll break down those barriers and build a network for a lifetime.

Fitness

• If you watch modern golf, you'll notice that many of today's stars on tour are physically fit and in shape.  Golf is a great way to burn off extra calories and who wouldn't love to do that?  You'll burn approximately 2,000 calories during an 18 hole round of golf (while walking and carrying your clubs) or even 1,300 calories when riding in a golf cart while playing.

The Great Outdoors

• In this hi-tech generation of being chained to our mobile devices while doing more with less at the office, who couldn't use a little more time outside in the fresh air?  Spending more time outdoors can do wonders for your mind, body and spirit.

Fashion

• Forget about the starchy, boxy and tacky golf shirts of days gone by.  Cute, fashion-forward, sexy, professional, sporty; whatever look you're going for on the golf course, the fashion world is your oyster in golf.

Quality Time with Your Significant Other and Family

• Golf is such a special sport to share with a spouse, partner or family.  You'll leave the world behind and be together, uninterrupted in a beautiful setting where nothing else matters.  Fun and closeness are sure to result.  Don't fret if you currently don't have a significant other, many happy couples are known to have met on the golf course. ;)

Travel

• See the world!  Golf travel can take you to stunning locations all around our planet.

That 'One Shot'

• There's no way to do justice to describing the feeling of pure exhilaration you'll experience the first time you make flush contact with that little white ball.  There's really nothing like it.  You can do it...and you'll never forget it!  Believe me, it will keep you coming back to the game you love.

Are you ready to start?

www.rahimgulam.com

AUR Golf Spring 2015 Collection

AUR Golf, an active golfsport brand targeted towards the golfer who wants authentic golf apparel with a distinct look and feel, announces it Spring 2015 golf collections.

The design ethos at AUR Golf is one that emphasizes a refined modern aesthetic by utilizing technical fabrics in a more sophisticated form. Their authentic design is inspired by the active nature of the sport combined with awareness for the environment in which it is played. AUR Golf was created to celebrate the game of golf and provide all golfers with the confidence to perform and look their best.

"The AUR Golf brand continues to grow at a rapid pace," says Mark Fletcher, President - Fletcher Sport Brands. " From Canada to Germany, to the United States and Spain, golf professionals and consumers looking for authentic golfsport apparel with a distinct modern aesthetic are turning to AUR Golf as their golf apparel brand of choice."

The Spring 2015 Collection from AUR Golf features bold and dynamic color-blocking paired along side sophisticated and elegant geometric prints. Such dramatic colours as Sonic Green, Sunglo Yellow and Rowan Red highlight the season's color palette for men and Kiss Pink and Malibu Green for women. Additionally, this season sees the introduction of AUR Golf's Active-Dry™, Active-Stretch™, Active-Cool™ and Active-Warm™ fabric ranges.

Collection Highlights – Men’s:     

The Triumphant Collection, consisting of colors: Sunglo Yellow, Neptune Blue and White, launches the brand into the new season with a design and color palette that is fresh and stimulating. The feature style from this collection is the Sparwood Polo. Constructed from AUR's proprietary Active-Stretch™ fabric, this style features premium moisture wicking technology as well as 4-way stretch for enhanced freedom of movement and comfort.

The additional men's collections include: the Rapture Collection, consisting of colors: Rowan Red, Nightfall Navy and White and the Frequency Collection consisting of colors: Sonic Green, Black and White.
 
Collection Highlights - Women's:

The Luminance Collection, consisting of colors: Black and White, is a remarkably simple yet striking collection. The collection is elevated through the use of metallic silver and black enamel trims. The feature style from this collection is the Bentley Polo. This style features an athletic, yet sophisticated racer-back design, with contrast placket and The Luminance Collection's signature black enamel buttons. Constructed from AUR's proprietary Active-Cool™ fabric, this polo is lightweight, breathable and provides excellent UV-protection, making it the perfect polo for those hot and humid summer days.

The additional women's collections include: The Europhia Collection, consisting of colors: Kiss Pink, Nightfall Navy and White and the Bliss Collection, consisting of Malibu Green, Nightfall Navy, Shoreline Blue and White.

www.aurgolf.com

Review of the Upcoming Golf Movie "The Squeeze"

I've never done a movie review before, so here's my first crack at my role of being Gene Siskel.  I recently watched a new movie titled "The Squeeze" which was written, directed and produced by 7-time Emmy award winner Terry Jastrow.  The movie is based on a true story. It tells a story of a modest young man with exceptional golf skills who gets caught up in big time gambling matches in which the stakes get bigger and bigger until they become life or death.

The Squeeze stars Jeremy Sumpter (Peter Pan and Friday Night Lights), Christopher McDonald (Happy Gilmore and Requiem for a Dream), Jillian Murray (Never Back Down and Cougar Hunting), Katherine LaNasa (The Campaign and Alfie) and Michael Nouri (Flashdance and The Proposal).  

The Story

When Augie Baccas (Jeremy Sumpter), a common man of uncommon skills, living in a small rural town, wins his one day City Golf Championship by 15 shots breaking his own course record, a dapper Southern gentleman gambler, Riverboat (Chris McDonald) and his over-the-top bejeweled wife, Jessie (Katherine LaNasa) who are driving cross country from Mississippi to Las Vegas hear of this uncommonly gifted young golfer on local radio. They turn off the highway and head for the local muni course to find young Augie and convince him to abandon his dreams of qualifying for the US Open and come play for Riverboat in high-stake gambling matches.

Angering his long time girlfriend Natalie (Jillian Murray) beyond words as she watches him abandon his dreams and compromise his integrity, Augie continues to use his uncommon talent to win higher and higher stakes matches until they’re finally run out of town and head for Las Vegas. Playing for even higher stakes, Augie finds himself pitted against notorious Vegas gambler Jimmy Diamonds (Michael Nouri) who has known connections to the mob. Augie continues to win every match until Jimmy Diamonds, fed up with the scam, breaks into Augie’s hotel room and informs him if he doesn’t lose the next day’s million dollar match he’ll end up at the bottom of a swimming pool wearing lead boots. Fearing for his life, Augie attempts to escape but is discovered by a very angry Riverboat who counters with a similar fate. Win or lose, he’s dead.

Thumbs Up or Down?

I've watched many golf movies before and I can honestly say that this has been the best one so far.  It's a fun movie that tells an interesting story and has you pushing for Augie the whole way through.  The actors in the movie can actually play golf...and play it well.  Since it's based on a true story, The Squeeze gives you a good insight into golf and big time gambling.  I give this movie two thumbs up and I highly recommend it for golf enthusiasts or for anyone who's looking for an entertaining and realistic movie. 

The Squeeze will be available on DVD and video on demand on June 9th.  I highly suggest you take some time to sit down and be entertained for 95 minutes (plus, Jillian Murray is easy on the eyes).

The Golf Etiquette Quick Reference Guide - Something Every Golfer Should Own

Have you ever played a round of golf with a "golf virgin" (someone who's never been out on a golf course before)?  Were you frustrated the entire day when he/she stepped in your line on the green, took forever to get set up for a shot, never stayed quiet when others were hitting, had no idea whatsoever about the rules of golf...and so on?  I'm sure it's happened to all of us at one time or another and it truly puts added stress on your own game (not that you don't have enough to worry about on the golf course already).

Wouldn't it be nice if there was some sort of a book or simple guide that people could read before heading out on the golf course for the first time?  Well, now there is!  It's called Golf Etiquette Quick Reference - A Golfer's Guide to Correct Conduct.

This book only costs $12.95 USD, but I consider it priceless!  The following excerpt is from the Introduction and explains exactly what this book is about:

Some people may be asking, "Why would I need a book about correct conduct?  I know how to behave myself."  Although integrity and fairness are an excellent basis, good manners alone are not enough in golf.  A certain amount of specific knowledge is essential, especially in the light of the dangers involved in this sport.  Furthermore, golf also involves social conventions that are not based directly on accepted behaviour patterns.  The etiquette is just as important as the rules of play and it ensures that all players can enjoy their game as much as possible.
This book does not claim to cover every single issue but it does contain everything you need to know in order to be welcomed at virtually every course in the world. 

The author of this book, Yves C. Ton-That, has really made this a user-friendly guide encompassing everything from how to prepare at home before the round in terms of clothing and equipment, when to show up to the golf course, how to warm up and how to greet fellow players.  Each section is tabbed so it's easy to flip to.  The guide takes you through every aspect of your golf round and even lets you know what to do after your round at the infamous 19th hole.  How perfect is that?!

Not only is this guide great for newbies, but I think anyone who plays golf at all (even seasoned veterans) should take the time to read through the book.  The guide is small enough that you can tuck it into your golf bag and have access to it anytime (so you can show it to a newbie out on the course).  It contains invaluable information in terms of safety and first aid procedures as well as how to formulate an acceptance speech after winning a golf tournament.  Wouldn't we all like to be as eloquent as Jordan Spieth when thanking everyone after winning the Masters?

If you know of someone who's thinking about taking up golf, purchase a copy of this book as a gift and I'm sure they'll appreciate it (and so will everyone they end up playing with).

Review of the SUNICE Halifax Pullover Jacket

A little while back I received a package from SUNICE containing their Halifax Flexvent^TM Full Stretch 1/2 Zip Waterproof Pullover.  The jacket comes in three colour schemes and I was sent the midnight blue / charcoal / pure white version of the product to test out.  This pullover is part of the SUNICE Tornado Collection and, at first glance, it's a great looking jacket which I couldn't wait to put to use.


I've owned several pullovers from other manufacturers, but when I put the Halifax on for the first time, it definitely felt different.  What I mean is that I didn't feel restricted in my movement yet the jacket didn't feel like it was moving around much when I raised my arms or attempted a golf swing.  Living in Vancouver, BC, Canada allows me to play golf pretty much all year round (if time permits), but it also means that it can be cold and wet at times.  I've never been a big fan of wearing a jacket when I golf as they always seem somewhat restrictive or the sleeves move up and down whenever I make a swing.  Instead, I layer my clothes and wear an outer shell (like a pullover) to keep me dry.  This can be a bit of a hassle sometimes when it gets warm during a round and I have to peel off layers in order to stay cool.  Also, depending on how cold it is, the increased number of layers can be a bit restrictive on the golf swing.  To date, I haven't been able to find a jacket with the perfect balance between comfort, warmth and 'playability'.

So it's 6 degrees Celsius outside on a cloudy day and I'm at home getting ready for my round of golf that morning.  I decide to put the SUNICE Halifax pullover to the test and I put on a long sleeve t-shirt, a golf shirt and my new midnight blue pullover, courtesy of the folks at SUNICE.  I'm hoping that this will keep me warm enough through my round as it's only supposed to get up to a high of 8 degrees throughout the day.  I head to the driving range at the Riverway Golf Course in order to warm up for my round.  Immediately, I notice some of the great features of this pullover such as the Pro Trim™ Waist Cinching System (which allows the jacket to hug your waist) and the adjustable velcro self fabric cuff tabs (which prevent the sleeves from moving up and down your arm when you swing).  I can tell the designers of this product over at SUNICE have done their best to pay extra attention to detail with the golfer in mind.  After my warm-up session at the driving range and practice green, I head over to the first tee, eager to get my round started.  When I put my hand in the right pocket of my pullover to put some tees in, I notice something in the pocket.  It's a ball cleaner shammy...what a great idea!  Now I don't have to use my pant leg to wipe any dirt off my ball when putting.

For the next 4 1/2 hours, I plugged my way through 18 holes and never once did I feel uncomfortable, restricted, too hot or too cold.  The temperature that day got to a whopping 8 degrees Celsius, but I never had to peel off any layers even though it can get warm (even on a cold day) since I always walk the course and carry my golf bag.  Another big plus...my pants didn't have any dirt or grass stains from cleaning my golf ball since I had that handy little shammy tucked away in my jacket pocket!

The Halifax passed the test on a cold day, but how would it perform on  a warmer day when it's windy outside, but not quite warm enough to just wear a golf shirt with no jacket?  Well, I had to find out so I waited until a nice spring day when it was sunny and the temperature was 12 degrees Celsius.  I was simply wearing a short-sleeve golf shirt and my SUNICE Halifax pullover that day as it was a bit windy and I would've been too cold just wearing a golf shirt.  As usual, I walked the course and carried my bag, but never had to peel off the jacket even though the temperature got up to 15 degrees Celsius during my round.  The wind blew pretty hard at times, but I wasn't affected by flapping sleeves or the bottom of the jacket feeling like it's blowing back and forth while I'm standing over the ball getting ready to take a shot.  You know how annoying that can be as you get in your stance as it adds another thing to throw off your concentration when making a swing.  This jacket really hugs your body well and is quite breathable so you don't get overheated.

The only drawback I found with the Halifax pullover was with the main zipper.  For some reason, I can't get the zipper to sit properly as the handle has a tendency to not stay down all the time.  I find this a bit frustrating as I have to keep pushing the handle down and it can be a bit annoying at times.  Not a big deal, as I'm guessing this isn't always the case and not a dealbreaker for me.  All in all, I think that this is a great product and I would highly recommend this jacket to anyone who wants a high quality product which keeps you protected from the elements and still allows you to perform at your best.

The suggested retail price for the SUNICE Halifax pullover is $209.95 USD and can be found on Amazon.com. 
           
Here's the details of the SUNICE Halifax pullover from the manufacturer's website:

HALIFAX

Tornado collection

SKU: S21000 - Color Code: 318504

• HIGH PERFORMANCE

• ULTRA-BREATHABLE LAMINATE ULTRA QUIET AND SOFT HAND FEEL

• FULL STRETCH PULLOVER

• STRETCH TRICOT LINING

• PRO TRIM™ WAIST CINCHING SYSTEM

• BALL CLEANER SHAMMY IN RIGHT SIDE POCKET

• CLOSE-TO-THE-BODY FIT

• EXPOSED WATERPROOF YKK VISLON ZIPPER WITH LOCK DOWN PULLER

• SIDE ENTRY ZIPPER

• LYCRA ACTION CUFF TABS

• ADJUSTABLE VELCRO SELF FABRIC CUFF TABS

• ADJUSTABLE BUNGEE AT HEM

• CONTOURED TOP COLLAR FOR ULTIMATE COMFORT AND PROTECTION

• SUNICE DOUBLE BAR PATENTED V COLLAR WITH NEOPRENE FINISH

• SUPER WXTECHTM COATING

• 20,000MM / 20,000MVT

• 4  YEAR WATERPROOF WARRANTY

Social Media Mastery Conference - Tips and Tricks Revealed by the Experts

A week and a half ago, I had the privilege of attending the Social Media Mastery Conference which was put on by Ricky Shetty, the founder of Daddyblogger.com.  How does this relate to golf, you ask?  Well, as an entrepreneur and golf instructor, I'm always looking for new ways to grow my businesses and expand my knowledge base.  What better way then attending an event specifically designed to help me do that using the power of social media.  Rather than posting golf tips, today's blog post is about tips to help you expand your business and network using the information I learned from the conference.

Going into the conference, I had no idea what to expect in terms of what sort of information I'd be receiving and what I'd actually get out of the event.  I've attended events in the past put on by social media platforms where they try and sell you on paid advertising etc. and, to be honest, I was a little hesitant going into this conference as I didn't want to be bombarded with sales pitches and useless information all day long.  It was a beautiful, sunny Saturday in Vancouver and as I made my way to the Diamond Ballroom early in the morning, I kept thinking to myself that I should be out on the golf course rather than being cooped up at a conference all day.

Well, I can honestly say that I'm glad I attended #SMMastery as it provided me with a wealth of information and opened my eyes up to a whole new world of social media.  I spent the entire day in a room of 200+ entrepreneurs who were eager to learn and soak up all the tools and tips that were shared by the experts.  Not only did I learn a lot, but I also had the pleasure of meeting many new people and making some great connections.

Here's a summary of the speakers and what they had to share:

Ricky Shetty
www.daddyblogger.com
As organizer and host of the conference, Ricky started the day off with a very inspirational story of his background and his journey through life  Ricky and I actually attended the same high school and lost touch with each other for many years.  We reconnected through a group that he put together called the YVR Bloggers and I've come to realize how passionate he is about family and fatherhood as well as his goal of helping others and making the world a better place through #OneSimpleAction which he launched at the conference.  What a great start to the day and you could feel the buzz in the room as we prepared to hear from the first speaker.

Matt Astifan
www.webfriendly.ca
Matt is a Facebook expert and shared his insight on how to use your personal Facebook profile for business.  Not once did Matt plug Facebook ads, instead he spoke about how to use Facebook to expand your reach and grow your network by completing your entire personal profile and using the power of Facebook to create relationships by finding things you have in common with other people.  He stressed the importance of getting a professional head shot done to use as your profile pic as well taking the time to fill in everything in your personal profile so that you get the most reach.  I found Matt to be very insightful and his presentation was well done even though he had to work his way through a few technical difficulties, which he handled like a pro.

Wendy McClelland
http://www.WendyMcClelland.com
Wendy is a LinkedIn expert and her recommendations were similar to Matt's in that she stressed the importance of completing your full profile and having a professional head shot done to use as your profile pic.  She also taught us the best way to make connections with others, how to develop and nurture those relationships and build your network to help your business grow.  Again, a great presentation with lots of great information to take away.

Michelle Castillo
http://castillomediagroup.com
Michelle is a Google Plus "expert" although she herself admitted that it's hard to call someone an expert when referring to this social media platform.  To be honest, I didn't get a whole lot out of this presentation other than it's important for your business to have a presence on Google Plus for SEO.

Steve Dotto
www.dottotech.com
Steve is a YouTube expert and a very entertaining speaker.  He's extremely energetic and his presentation shared with us how he's used YouTube to build a business by becoming an expert at what he does and doing it regularly.  Steve showed us things we need to do in order to make the most of this platform and how to gain the most exposure.  Currently, I don't use YouTube, but it's something I'm planning to use in the near future as I'd like to share my knowledge of golf through video lessons.  Again, lots of great information to take with me and put to use.

Cadi Jordan
http://www.cadijordan.com
Cadi is an Instagram expert and her presentation focused on how you can use this platform to help grow your business.  Just like some of the previous speakers, she stressed the importance of completing your Instagram profile as well as putting in keywords that pertain to your business.  Providing relevant content is key and researching hashtags helps you to see who else is using those hashtags in addition to using hashtags to grow your following.  I'm relatively new to Instagram and Cadi's presentation was great in terms of what to focus on and how to use this platform to my advantage (especially with my jewellery company).   

Vincent Ng
www.mcngmarketing.com
Vincent labels himself as a Pinterest geek and I found his presentation to be the most insightful and engaging of all the speakers.  He's a very dynamic presenter and he opened my eyes up to the power of Pinterest.  Before this conference, I was vaguely aware of this platform, but now I've come to realize how great Pinterest is and what a great fit it is for K.I.G. Fine Jewellery & Custom Design.  Vincent showed us how visual social media is the way of the future and how Pinterest is both a social network and a search engine.  I never knew that this platform is second to Facebook in terms of driving traffic to websites.  I learned exactly what pins are, the best way to create pins and how to use them in order to direct traffic back to my websites.  What a powerful tool and I can't thank Vincent enough for his amazing presentation!

Katt Stearns
www.kattstearns.com
Katt is a Twitter expert and, again, she stressed the importance of completing your full Twitter profile.  Your bio should be a story of what you do, how you can help others and what you're passionate about.  Her presentation was very engaging as she worked her way through the audience and captured everyone's attention the entire time.  I found the information she provided very useful and she's given me some great ideas on how I can use Twitter properly to grow my network and gain more exposure.

Jonathan Christian
www.wemakestuffhappen.com
Jonathan is a Snapchat expert and I found his presentation to be OK.  Before the conference, I had little knowledge of Snapchat and he provided some useful information although I don't think I see much benefit (at least at this point) of spending my time on this platform.  He spoke about how this could be the future of social media and how it's becoming more popular, but I'm not totally sold on it yet.

Kemp Edmonds
www.hootsuite.com
Kemp is an employee of Hootsuite and he spoke about how it's a software for social media management and how it helps create more efficiency by allowing you to manage all of your social media platforms in one place.  I'm somewhat familiar with Hootsuite and it definitely helps with time management which is something that everyone can benefit from.

In summary, there was a lot of information provided by the experts at the conference and I found most of it to be very relevant and helpful to me.  As you can see, there are many social media platforms out there and each has its own purpose.  One thing I definitely learned is to pick and choose what works best for you and then focus on using those platforms to the best of your ability.  This way you can focus and use your time wisely rather than just doing a little bit here and there.

A few suggestions I have for future conferences that are similar is to extend it over two days so that each speaker has enough time to answer questions immediately after his/her presentation when the information is fresh in our minds.  Since this was a one-day event and there were so many speakers, it felt a bit rushed at times (plus, we started a bit late and didn't manage to catch up and get back on time).  Also, the wifi was an issue throughout the day and I know that Ricky and his team did their best to make it work.  I'm sure that they learned from this event and those wifi issues won't come up in the future.

Kudos to Ricky and his entire team for putting on a spectacular conference and I look forward to attending more of his events in the future!

Sandra Garcia, the winner of a free golf lesson with me!

Thanks to The Shiatsushaman for my free massage that I won!

  

Our panel of social media experts