Hello June & Welcome to Winter!!

Well Winter is finally here in Melbourne!! The days are getting shorter and the nights colder which offers a great opportunity to cosy up on the couch and really plan your business' Social Media Strategy for the next month!!

The following list should outline most of the key dates for businesses to consider when planning their social media content and strategy. Some dates are specific to Australia whilst other dates are International dates that should be considered as they can offer a fun element to your pages. Remember you can leverage off what is current and trending through using the right hashtags but also make it relevant to your own business wherever possible.

1 - 30 June - Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
1 - 30 June - National Burns Awareness Month - Kidsafe Australia
1 June - First Day of WINTER
1 June - Doughnut Day
1 June - Fish & Chip Day (First Friday in June)
1 June - Leave the Office Earlier Day
3 June - Mabo Day
4 June - Western Australia Day
5 June - World Environment Day
6 June - Queensland Day
8 June - World Oceans Day
8 June - World Best Friends Day
9 June - World Gin Day
11 June - Queen's Birthday Holiday
11 June - Gold Telethon - Sydney Children's Hospital
11 - 17 June - International Men's Health Week
12 June - World Day Against Child Labour
12 June - Superman Day
14 June - International Bath Day
14 June - Healthy Tuckshop Day
14 June - World Blood Donor Day
15 June - Global Wind Day
15 June - National Buddy Day
17 - 23 June - Refugee Week
18 June - International Picnic Day
18 - 24 June - Thinking of You Week
20 June - Red Apple Day (Bowel Cancer Australia)
20 June - World Refugee Day
21 June - June Solstice
21 June - International Day of Yoga
21 June - MND Global Day 0 Motor Neurone Disease
21 June - World Selfie Day
21 June - World Music Day
22 June - Chocolate Eclair Day
24 June - Fairy Day
26 June - Beautician's Day
27 June  - Pineapple Day
30 June - Social Media Day
30 June - Red Nose Day

If I have missed any dates then please let me know and I will update the list ASAP. Until next time, happy planning!!

Amanda x

Have an Egg-cellent April & a Happy Easter!

With Easter comes the school holidays in Victoria this year so egg-citing times in our house for the two weeks ahead. The Easter break is a great way to kick off the April and the school holidays so I hope each of you get some time to enjoy a little bit of down time and some time out from the daily hustle! If you work for yourself then I hope you can schedule in a break, at least over Easter, and recharge the batteries! Schedule posts where you can and plan your content ahead of time, as it will free you up to enjoy some down time.....it's been a busy start to the year!!

Following is the full list of significant dates for April. To cover a good range of topics, I have also attempted to include some International Dates that might align with businesses. Please use this list where you can to assist with SM content and utilise trending hashtags!


30 March - 2 April        Easter
31 March - 9 April        National Youth Week
1-10 April                    NSW Seniors Week
1-30 April                    Supermarket Free Month - SUPPORT LOCAL
1 April                         Daylight Savings Time ENDS - NSW, ACT, SA, VIC & Tasmania
1 April                         April Fools Day
1 April                         National Smile Day
2 April                         Easter Monday
2 April                         World Autism Awareness Day
2 April                         International Children’s Book Day
3 April                         Easter Tuesday (Tasmania)
4 - 15 April                  Commonwealth Games - Gold Coast, QLD
4 April                         World Stray Animals Day
7 April                         World Health Day
8 April                         Orthodox Easter
10 April                       World Homeopathy Day
10 April                       National Siblings Day
11 April                       World Parkinsons' Day
11 - 22 April                Nature Play Week
12 April                       International Day of Human Flight
14 April                       Garden Releaf Day
14 April                       Baisakhi-Sikh Festival
15 April                       MS Melbourne Cycle
15 April                       Youth Homelessness Matters Day
18 April                       World Heritage Day
22 April                       Earth Day
22 April - 28 April        World Allergy Week
23 April                       World Book Day
24 April - 30 April        World Immunisation Week
25 April                       ANZAC Day
25 April                       International Guide Dog Day
25 April                       World Penguin Day
28 April                       Pay It Forward Day
28 April                       World Day for Safety & Health at Work
29 April                       International Dance Day
30 April                       International Jazz Day

I hope everyone has an amazing month and that this list really encourages you to update your Social Media accounts daily or at the least every second day!  Regular posting is key to improving reach and growth, and don't forget that current and relevant posts are the perfect way to leverage and maximise hashtags and content.

If there are any dates that I have forgotten to include then please let me know in the comments below and I will update the list ASAP.

Don't forget to Be Social - Share, Support and Connect!!
Amanda x

HELLO AUTUMN

With the year now in full swing, March is often one of the busiest months for Community and Nationally Significant Events. To cover a good range of topics, I have also attempted to include some International Dates that might align with businesses. If there are any dates that I have missed that you would like to see added then please just let me know in the comments below and I will update the list.

1 - 31 March      National Epilepsy Awareness Month
1 - 31 March      The Water Challenge
1 - 31 March      Jump to Cure Diabetes
1 - 31 March      Bandaged Bear Appeal - The Royal Children's Hospital Westmead
1 - 31 March       March into Yellow - Endometriosis Awareness
1 March              World Book Day
2 March              Schools Clean Up Day - Clean Up Australia
3 March              World Wildlife Day
3 - 11 March      Parks Week
4 March             Clean Up Australia Day
5 March             Labour Day (WA)
5 - 11 March      Kidney Health Week
8 March             International Women's Day
10 March           World Kidney Day
11 - 18 March    Multiple Birth Awareness Week
12 March           Labour Day (Vic)
12 March           Eight Hours Day (TAS)
12 March           Canberra Day (ACT)
12 March           Adelaide Cup Day (SA)
12 March           Commonwealth Day
13 - 20 March    Coeliac Awareness Week
14 - 18 March   World's Greatest Shave
16 March           National Day of Action Against Bullying and Violence
16 March           Close the Gap Day (Oxfam)
16 March           World Sleep Day
17 March           St Patrick's Day
17 - 25 March    Cultural Diversity Week
18 March           Run for the Kids (Victoria)
19  -23 March   Walk For Water
19 - 29 March   A Taste of Harmony
20 March          International Day of Happiness
20 March          Iranian New Year
20 March          World Oral Health Day
21 March          World Down Syndrome Day
21 March          World Forestry Day
21 March          Harmony Day
21 March          World Poetry Day
21 March          International Day for the Elimination of Racial Descrimination
22 March          World Water Day
23 March          Ride 2 School Day
23 March          Royal Easter Show (NSW)
24 March          Earth Hour 8.30pm
25 March          Neighbour Day
26 March          Purple Day (Epilepsy Australia)
27 March          World Theatre Day
30 March          Good Friday Appeal (Victoria)
30 March          Good Friday
30 March - 7 April Passover

I hope everyone has an amazing month and that this list really encourages you to regularly update your Social Media accounts. Current and relevant posts are the perfect way to leverage and maximise hashtags and content.

Don't forget to Be Social!
Amanda x

And You Thought October Was Busy.......

October passed in blur for us so I must apologies first for missing this list of Special Dates and Events last month! I'm back on track again for the build up to the end of the year. With only 8 Fridays until Christmas, the weeks only seem to be getting busier with so many "International" and 'World" dates scheduled for the months ahead. The schedule is busy with several "Awareness" campaigns this month so if you align yourself with any of these then this month will be a great time to share their message.

As I always suggest, incorporating national dates and special events into your marketing activities and social media posts can be a great way to create engagement, further grow your followers, link in with trending hashtags and network with other like minded businesses.

I hope the following list will take all the hard work out of planning October for you and that it will assist you with preparing posts, content and your businesses marketing calendar. Please don't hesitate to comment below if I have missed something and I will update the list accordingly. 

1 - 30 November - Movember
1 - 30 November - Asbestos Awareness Month
1 - 30 November - World Vegan Month
1 - 30 November - E-Tea Month (Epilepsy Australia)
1 - 30 November - Learn on the Loo (WaterAid Australia)
1 - 30 November - Lung Health Awareness Month
1- 30 November - National Novel Writing Month
1 November - World Vegan Day
4 November - National Day of Unity
5 November - International Volunteer Managers Day
5 - 11 November - National Others Week
7 November - Melbourne Cup Day (Melbourne)
8 November - Thank U NICU Day
10 November - World Science Day for Peace and Development
11 November - Rememberance Day
11 - 18 November - Australian Food Safety Week
12 - 18 November - National Psychology Week 2017
12 - 18 November - Perinatal Depression and Anxiety Awareness Week
12 - 18 November - National Adoption Awareness Week
12 - 19 November - Alopecia Awareness Week
13 November - World Kindness Day
13 - 19 November - National Recycling Week
14 November - World Diabetes Day
15 November - World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
16 November - International Day for Tolerance
17 November - World Prematurity Day
18 - 25 November - Schoolies Week
19 November - Eureka Climb 2017
19 November - World Toilet Day
20 November - Universal Children's Day
21 November - World Hello Day
21 November - World Television Day
21 November - Human Walking Program (Lost Dogs Home)
23 November - Thanksgiving
25 November - World Orange Day (Against Violence against Women)
25 November - Don't Fry Day  (Sun Awareness)
25 November - White Ribbon Day
14 November - 31 December - Dinesmart

Enjoy your month and happy planning!
Amanda x

Hello Spring......

Well what a last three months it's been. I can honestly say I have never been so happy to see the end of Winter!! With so much illness in and around Melbourne over the last few months, with several heavy doses landing in our house, it's so good to feel the air warming up and see the cherry blossoms on the trees.

With the warmer months ahead and of course Christmas, things are definitely getting busier, our to-do lists are getting longer and special events and dates are multiplying. If you're looking for support with your social media during this time, please feel free to get in touch and find out how we can help.

In the meantime, we hope the following list of events and special dates helps you to plan your social media posts over the coming month and takes a little bit of pressure off you.

1-7 September: Spina Bifida Awareness Week
1-7 September: National Asthma Week
1-30 September: Starlight Movie Month
1-30 September: Save the Koala Month
1-30 September: Big Heart Appeal (Heart Foundation)
1-30 September: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month
1-30 September: Dementia Awareness Month
1-30 September: Social September
1-30 September: Foster Care Month
1 Sept - 31 Oct: 2017 Great Northern Clean Up (Clean Up Australia)
2 September: Footy Colours Day
3 September: Father's Day
3-9 September: National Child Protection Week
4-8 September: Kids Teaching Kids Week
4-8 September: Women's Health Week
4-10 September: National Literacy and Numeracy Week
4-10 September: National Stroke Week
4-10 September: National Superhero Week (Muscular Dystrophy Australia)
5 September: International Day of Charity
5-11 September: Spinal Injury Awareness Week
6 September: National Health & Physical Education Day
8 September: Tara Day (Buddhist)
8 September: White Balloon Day
8 September: Star Trek Day
10 September: World Suicide Prevention Day
13 September: National Skatepark Day
14 September: R U OK Day?
16 September: International Day for Preservation of the Ozone Layer
16-17 September: Clean Up the World Weekend
16-24 September: National Organic Week
17 September: Australian Citizenship Day
17-23 September: Herbal Medicine Week
18-24 September: Meat Free Week
21 September: World Alzheimer's Day
21 September: International Day of Peace
23 September: Bright Pink Lipstick Day
25 September: Save The Koala Day
27 September: World Tourism Day
27 September: World Rivers Day
29 September: National Police Rememberance Day
29 September: World Heart Day
29-30 September: Yom Kippur - Jewish
30 September: International Day of Non-Violence
30 September: International Day of Older Persons
30 September: International Coffee Day
30 September: World Vegetarian Day

Happy Planning and of course, happy posting!!
Amanda x

Just around the corner.....

Who can believe that August is just around the corner and Spring is quickly approaching?! Seriously, where did that time go. It must be time to start planning your marketing calendar for the month ahead again - a new collection of special events and occasions that you can utilise for the promotion and growth of your own business on social media.




It's often difficult to keep up to date with special days, international days of celebration, national events and awareness weeks but incorporating national dates and special events into your marketing activities and social media posts can be a great way to create engagement, further grow your followers, link in with trending hashtags and network with other like minded businesses.

I hope the following list will take all the hard work out of planning August for you and that it will assist you with preparing posts, content and your businesses marketing calendar. Please don't hesitate to comment below if I have missed something and I will update the list accordingly.

1 - 7 August:         National Breastfeeding Week
1 - 7 August:         Dental Health Week
1 - 7 August:         Homelessness Prevention Week
1 - 7 August:         Healthy Bones Action Week
1 - 7 August:         Donate Life Week
1 - 7 August:         OCD and Anxiety Disorders Week
1 - 8 August:         Meat Free Week
1 - 31 August:       Tradies National Health Month
1 - 31 August:       MS Readathon
4 August:               National Aboriginal and Islander Day
5 August:               Jeans for Genes Day
5 August:               Cafe Smart
6 - 12 August:        National Missing Persons Week
8 August:               World Cat Day
9 August:                International Day of the World's Indigenous People
12 August:             World Elephant Day
12 August:              International Youth Day
12 - 20 August:       National Science Week
13 August:               Left Handers Day
13 August:               City to Surf Fun Run
19 August:              World Humanitarian Day
19 August:               International Orangutan Day
19 - 25 August:        Book Week
19 - 27 August:        Queensland Seniors Week
20 - 26 August:        Hearing Awareness Week
20 - 26 August:        Speech Pathology Week
21 August:               Cupcake Day
21 - 27 August:        Keep Australia Beautiful Week
25 August:               Amnestea
25 August:               Daffodil Day
27 August - 2 Sept:  National Op Shop Week
27 August - 2 Sept:  Legacy Week
28 August - 3 Sept:  National Superhero Week (supporting Muscular Dystrophy)
31 August:                National Meals on Wheels Day

Happy planning!

Amanda

Planning for May.....

It's that time of the month again and what a busy month ahead.....who can believe May is already here?! A new month, a new list of special events and occasions that you can utilise for the promotion and growth of your own business on social media.

I hope the following list will take all the hard work out of planning May for you and will assist you with preparing posts, content and your businesses marketing calendar. Please don't hesitate to comment below if I have missed something and I will update the list accordingly. I hope you all find this useful!

May 1 - Kiss Goodbye to MS
May 1 - 7 - International Composting Awareness Week
May 1 - 7 - National Family Day Care Week
May 1 - 7 - Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week
May 1 - 31 - Australia's Biggest Morning Tea
May 1 - 31 - Miracle Month of May
May 1 - 31 - Domestic & Family Violence Prevention Month
May 1 - 31 - 65 Roses - For Cystic Fibrosis
May 1 - 31 - Mindful in May
May 1 - 31 - Dine with Heart Month - Supporting Sacred Heart Mission
May 2 - White Shirt Day - Supporting Ovarian Cancer
May 3 - World Asthma Day
May 4 - International Star Wars Day
May 4 - Play Outside Day
May 4 - 8 - Live Below the Line - Supporting Poverty in Australia
May 5 - Shine a Light on Road Safety
May 5 - Sports Without Boarders
May 5 - International Midwives Day
May 5 - 8 - Ride to Cure Diabetes
May 6 - Starlight Day - Supporting the Starlight Children's Foundation
May 6 - 13 - Heart Week
May 8 - World Red Cross Day
May 8 - 14 - National Volunteer Week
May 12 - International Nurses Day
May 13 - Fair Trade Day
May 14 - Mother's Day
May 14 - Mother's Day Classic
May 15 - International Day of Families
May 15 - 21 - National Family Week
May 17 - World Baking Day
May 19 - National Walk Safely to School Day
May 21 - RSPCA Million Paws Walk
May 21-27 - Food Allergy Week
May 25 - World MS Day
May 26 - National Sorry Day
May 27-28 - Red Shield Appeal - Supporting the Salvation Army
May 27 - 25 June - Ramadan
May 28 - Amnesty International
May 29 - Wear White at Work Day - Supporting Mental Illness
May 29 - Biscuit Day

Other Upcoming Australian Events can be found here. They might not be included on this calendar but provide a range of state specific events for the month.

Happy May!

Amanda

Planning for March

I'm still not sure how we got here to quickly.... March!!! Is it just me or did that come around super quickly? With the year whizzing by so fast, it's often difficult to keep up to date with special days, international days of celebration, national events and awareness weeks. In an effort to make this process easier for you and your business, particularly the smaller businesses whose owners are trying to stay across ALL aspects of their business, including their marketing and social media management, I have put together what I hope will be a valuable list for you to follow and use.

Incorporating national dates and special events into your marketing activities and social media posts can be a great way to create engagement, further grow your followers, link in with trending hashtags and network with other like minded businesses.

I hope the following list has taken the hard work out of planning March for you and will assist you with preparing posts, content and your businesses marketing calendar. Please don't hesitate to comment below if I have missed something and I will update the list accordingly. I hope you all find this useful!


March 1 - World Compliment Day
March 1 - 31 - Jump to Cure Diabetes
March 1 - 31 - National Epilepsy Awareness Month
March 2 - 12 - NSW Seniors Week
March 2 - "Old Stuff" Day
March 2 - Dr Seuss Day
March 2 - World Book Day
March 3 - World Wildlife Day
March 3 - Schools Clean Up Day
March 3 - Ride 2 School Day
March 3 - World Wildlife Day
March 4 - 12 - Parks Week
March 5 - MS Melbourne Cycle
March 5 - Clean Up Australia Day
March 6 - Labour Day
March 6 - National Dentist's Day
March 7 - Unique Names Day
March 8 - International Women's Day
March 9 - World Kidney Day
March 9 - World Barbie Day
March 11 - 18 - Cultural Diversity Week (VIC)
March 12 - 18 - Multiple Birth Awareness Week
March 13 - Canberra Day (ACT)
March 13 - Eight Hours Day (TAS)
March 13 - Labour Day (VIC)
March 16 - 19 - World's Greatest Shave
March 17 - St Patrick's Day
March 18 - National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence
March 20 - International Day of Happiness
March 21 - Harmony Day
March 22 - World Water Day
March 25 - Earth Hour 8.30pm
March 26 - Purple Day - Epilepsy Australia
March 31 - End Term One (QLD)  + (VIC)

Other Upcoming Australian Events can be found here. They might not be included on this calendar but provide a range of state specific events for the month.

Happy March!

Amanda

Planning for August

Keeping up to date with special days, international days of celebration, national events and awareness weeks can be a challenge, particularly for small business owners who are trying to stay across ALL aspects of their business including their marketing and social media management.

Incorporating national dates and special events into your marketing activities and social media posts can be a great way to create engagement, further grow your followers, link in with trending hashtags and network with other like minded businesses.

I hope the following list has taken the hard work out of planning August for you and will assist you with preparing posts, content and your businesses marketing calendar. There are a number of other events that are specific to certain States in Australia but in an effort to make the list more general I have tried to focus on key dates. Please don't hesitate to comment below if I have missed something and I will update the list accordingly. I hope you all find this useful!

1 - 31 August - MS Readathon
1 - 31 August - Tradies National Health Month
1 - 7 August -  Healthy Bones Action Week
1 - 7 August -  Meat Free Week
1 - 7 August -  Dental Health Week
1 - 7 August - OCD and Anxiety Disorders Week
1 - 7 August - Homelessness Prevention Week
1 - 7 August - World Breastfeeding Week
2 August -  Ice Cream Sandwich Day
3 August - Watermelon Day
4 August - National Aboriginal & Islander Children's Day (NATICD)
5 August - Cafe Smart
5 August - Jeans for Genes Day
5 August - International Beer Day
5 - 21 August  Olympic Games (Rio)
7 August - Sisters' Day
7 August - Friendship Day
7- 13 August - Speech Pathology Week 
9 August -   International Day of the World's Indigenous People
12 August - International Youth Day
12 August - World Elephant Day
13 August - Left-Handers Day
13 - 21 August - National Science Week
15 August - Cupcake Day
15 August - Relaxation Day
15 August - Best Friends Day
19 August - World Humanitarian Day
19 August - International Orangutan Day
20 - 26 August - Book Week
21 - 27 August - National Op Shop Week
22 - 28 August - Keep Australia Beautiful Week
26 August - Daffodil Day 
26 August - Women's Equality Day
27 August - Amnestea 
27 August - Burger Day
28 August - 3 September - Legacy Week


Happy planning,
Amanda

Hello February

Well 2016 is off and racing for us! I thought we might be able to ease into the busyness of another year a little more slowly but that wasn't to be!!

We enjoyed a two week break away in early January and I had big plans for some planning, reading and goal setting during that time away but surprise, surprise, reading my stock pile of fiction novels won over each time! I also battled a poor Wifi connection for part of our holiday which slowed things down but that probably wasn't such a bad thing!

So February is a ahead of us now....we've hit the ground running with lots of equiries coming in and quotes being finalised. If you're looking for a lift with your social media or need to free up some much needed time spent at the computer screen then please contact us for some more information regarding our services and the support we can offer your business - we'd love to hear from you!

Using Photos in your Marketing

I posted to my Facebook page recently regarding the use of photos in the marketing of your business. You can find the relevant post here. With photo sharing and the use of images playing such an important role in social media, I am aware that people often search Google Images for photos that can be used on websites, Instagram, Facebook and even Twitter and Google+ as we all know that the reach of posts can be so much more successful when an image or images are added.

What some people don't realise is that many of the photos that are made public on Google Images are actually copy righted images that can't be used without a license or having been purchase to use to promote your own business activities. Getty Images own the rights to many of these and they will fine businesses for the incorrect use of these.

If you are searching for images the make sure you add the word "FREE" to your image search and confirm that the images your are downloading are Free for commercial use with No attribution required.

There are several sites that you can join that allow you to purchase images if yours is a businesses that needs a good range of images to use regularly but if you are just looking to use free images once every so often then there are some great free sites to use as well. I've added a few links to my Facebook post to get you started! I hope it helps.

Amanda