On January 10 at Los Angeles' historic TAIX restaurant at 1911 West Sunset Boulevard, Betsy Hall of Marketing Directions and Eddie North-Hager of Enhager Media put on a community presentation where they discussed Internet marketing in 2013.

With a slide projector and screen set up in the restaurant's round Wine Room with Greek- style pillars along the walls, the two discussed Twitter, Facebook, Linked-in, and the use of niche neighborhood websites that the audience of about 10 could use to promote themselves and their businesses.

Examples of these niche websites are Echo Park Online, Culver City Times, Leimert Park Beat, Rancho Park Online, and of course, The Silver Lake Star. And Betsy Hall explained why she and North-Hager decided to put this event together.

"I wanted to bring my local friends and clients (they're my friends, too) the expertise that Eddie has in social media, online communities and his vision online/offline communities, including our newest website, SilverLakeStar.com. I also wanted to share some of the tips I know about email marketing, printed materials pointing to web marketing and search engine placement and optimization. The information interchange between all the attendees was beautiful. We had a range of newbies to pros in Internet marketing. "

Eddie North-Hager also explained, "We wanted to leverage our knowledge of social media by helping others learn how to use it to their best advantage. One of the best ways to use social media is by collaborating with others. By combining our social capital with that of our friends and neighbors, we can do a lot more for our community and for ourselves."

Furthermore, he said, residents and business owners in the Echo Park and Silver Lake area are already dabbling in social media but there are so many different ways to be successful in this field. "By coming together, we shared best practices and got to know others who live nearby and who have similar goals. I think some friendships — online and off — will develop because of the gathering."

It was very fitting to hold this event at a landmark restaurant. In downtown Los Angeles in 1912, Marius Taix, Sr. built the hotel Champ d’Or. Within that hotel in 1927, he opened Taix French restaurant, which eventually opened at its present location in 1962. It has been a family-oriented business ever since, and many of the staff there, according to the restaurant's website, have served at least three generations of families among all the patrons.

It was an interesting contrast to have a presentation on Internet marketing at one of Los Angeles' oldest establishments.

Clint Lohr is a featured journalist for SilverLakeStar.com and EchoParkOnline.com. He enjoys art and architecture. Clint is a Realtor with Keller Williams who focuses on Glendale, Atwater Village, Los Feliz, Silverlake, Echo Park, Hollywood Hills and adjacent areas.