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

Pin of the Week....

Writing the PERFECT Instagram Caption is something we all try to do on a daily basis isn't it? Too long, too short, not engaging enough, does it need tweaking, and at the best, is it share worthy?! We all want to write a great Instagram post so when I came across this article on Pinterest from the Team at Who What Wear that I thought was worth saving. It's a great read with several good tips that are worth trying in an effort to mix up your posts and start to build your engagement and following.

Not surprisingly, "How to Write the Perfect Instagram Caption", was the most PINNED post on the Little Bird Social Media "Instagram" Board last week. It's well worth the read and if you have any great tips that you'd like to share on writing the perfect caption then please feel free to share in the comments below - we'd love to know!

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

How Often Should you Post?

This is a question I am asked regularly and put simply, there is no right answer! There is huge merit in taking time to get to know your "likers" and "followers" so that you will get a gauge for the content that they like to see, comment on and like. There is no point in posting for the sake of posting. If you don't have relevant content to share on a certain day then I suggest leaving it until you do.

The following Infographic gives a considered outline as to how often you should consider posting on the various social media platforms that you use. Not all platforms are right for every business. Some businesses may find real benefit in using just one platform whilst others may find real benefit in using more. Take time to research which customer groups are using which platforms and decide which ones are the best for your business to have an active presence on. 

The key to success on any social media platform is consistency. Post regularly, respond to questions and comments regularly and answer messages regularly and you should see real benefits to your business.

Happy April everyone!
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