Lunaticks Take On Tourism

The topic this month for The Lunaticks Society event was Role and Impact of Technology in Tourism and Hospitality. This gave us a panel representing Newcastle Events, Hunter Wine Country and the developer of the Newcastle App, Andy Howard. 


Lots of figures produced on visitors (most are repeat visitors, so domestic travelers) and perhaps surprisingly that day trippers spend the most money on their visits. Or not such a surprise if they are leaving with a car full of great Hunter wines! 


In 2011, a total of 7.8 million visitors came to the Hunter and around 60 per cent of travelers now want to book online.  As was made clear by the panel, visitors expect to be able to book online immediately and this is no longer an optional service for business to provide, it is just part of the cost of doing business.

In this way we see that local tourist and businesses offering hospitality are being driven by the marketplace to adapt. Unfortunately for many small operators this is still not so well understood and the technological literacy in small business is lacking.

As is often the case with panel discussions like this there is a focus on statutory bodies, government grants and other political issues that relate to funding constraints and reference back to old thinking and how we've done things in the past but with a new website function or a bit of technology thrown in.  And still the distinction between Newcastle, other council areas and other established tourist areas keeps us from understanding this great place where we live, whether we are in the suburbs of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and the wine areas, is one region. That parochial thinking prevents us consolidating efforts to attract more visitors for longer stays into the whole region.

 This is unfortunate as while it may be the reality of funding and scope of interest that these bodies deal with, it ignores the massive opportunity that we have to create engagements in new markets in new ways using personal networks and the potential for the whole community to be actively engaged and encouraged to be  promoting the area. Hey. This is Our Region.

What's clear is that small business operators need to lift not just their literacy with the new technologies, they need to be competent with them. Websites need to be made useful, (most that I see are not). Content in the form of articles, blogs, images and resources to download, needs to be created for every single business. This acts to improve visitors to a site and social media allows for social sharing of this material. This is the new marketplace and these are the tools that need to be understood and well-utilized. Multiplied across the region and we have a huge net to catch tourists with money to spend.

Local areas need to have access to good broadband and we need to work together to help businesses and the communities share ideas, opportunities and open the door to more collaborative open culture. Perhaps it is also time to wake up to our position in the world. For someone in Europe, or China or the US the Hunter region is the backyard of Sydney.  We should want people to know we are here, instead of them flying into Sydney and then out to Queensland and other well established destinations that are known by name to those overseas.  And to educate our local market to the full range of options that are available across the region. Together we have some critical mass. There is potential to make this region the best resourced, most effective and digitally savvy area in the country. Someone will do it first. It can be us.

For small operators who are not up to speed with the digital world there is help but those of us who can help cannot do so without knowing who needs it and who wants it and who is prepared to invest in their own business to bring them up to minimum standard at least. 

There is a lot of work to do.

 You can find Andy Howard's blog on the discussion last night here

Related:
Tourism Trends We Need To Be Up On In The Hunter

Now And Then Exhibition Opens Sydney

Now and Then exhibition at the Museum of Sydney from ABC Open Hunter on Vimeo.
More on this over on the ABC Newcastle site

Newcastle Now + Then

The ABC Open photography challenge is to take photos from the past and merge them with the same view now. Check out the Newcastle entries for Series 2.

Photo by @drdrdr09

Photo by @drdrdr09

Photo by @drdrdr09

See the full collection on ABC Open

Local Vintner Honoured as OAM - Wendy Lawson

Kudos to Wendy Lawson from Catherine Vale Wines at Broke NSW on her OAM on the Queen's Birthday long weekend. Full story here

Recipes on Pinterest

Looking for food ideas or recipes? Check out my Pinterest board for some inspiration. Lots of main courses, appetizers, canapes, and desserts. Also vegetarian and vegan recipes... and some great cocktails


When you're looking at a pin with a recipe, just click on the image to go through to the full instructions on how to make that dish. Click to go to my Foodie board

I've added a Recipes tab at the top of the page for easy access.
While you are there check out my other  Pinterest boards. Great for a rainy day too.  Something for everyone!
If you have any questions about Pinterest contact me and I'll be happy to help you find your way around.

Hello Google+ Local Goodbye Google Places

If you have been paying attention to what you see on search when you're looking for things on Google you will remember seeing the first section with the maps and coloured markers that show the local businesses first by location. This was a feature of Google Places and a business service that was free and available to help local businesses get found online. Well this is ending and from now on businesses will need to join Google+ Local which means you need to get that Google+ account and get cracking on building your social network.

Google Plus is free and as Google changes the way they filter results for search will become more and more vital to your business and to establish your bona fides online. Behind the scenes, there are ways that you can verify your content on your website and make it more valuable as a verified authorship of content that goes up on the web in your name. This is part of Google's ongoing war to get rid of spammy, low-value sites showing in results and encourage good quality information by genuine businesses and real people. That's good news ... and it will take some work.

Take a look at Google+ with a visit to my business page  

Don't be left behind when it comes to presenting your best business face online. Get found - and show your expertise and authenticity.  Call me if you need a hand.

DFYRFTMTWJD9

ABC Radio Newcastle Portrait Prize 2012

 1233 Portrait Prize finalists

The wait is over for the nearly 300 budding photographers who entered the inaugural 1233 Portrait Prize. The 10 finalists have been announced.

Finalist Stuart Marlin's portrait - Dan at Harry's Cafe

Finalist Leah Morgan - Guy checking the surf at Newcastle Ocean Baths

Finalist Sam West - Nan

See the full gallery of finalists 
ABC 1233 Newcastle Portrait Competition

Creatives In Newcastle Plan For Business

Props to Newcastle Council for hosting a workshop yesterday on Running Your Own Creative Business  with Monica Davidson for AFTRS (Australian Film Television And Radio School). Well done.

The event was well attended and went for the full day and covered much good information that anyone considering running their own business would benefit from knowing but with a special focus on those in creative industries.

Back To Earth

At different times we have had topics at our Lunaticks events with many of our excellent young (and not so young) in attendance and there is often a tendency to speak in ways that demonstrates some believe that this creative issue puts people separate from other businesses.

 In reality, every creative business needs the practical business savvy too and every conventional business can use some creativity in how they operate their business and especially .. and especially now... how they choose to promote the business and show off the great products and services they have to offer.

Now just imagine our businesses were all optimized to show their best face to the world - and deliver to an excellent standard. Then we'd really have something.

Lindy Asimus 
0403 365 855

Action + Patience

What have you set in motion and had to wait for to reach fruition?

A New Way - Hudson Arc

New find thanks to Carol Duncan for the info.



From the album 'In An Ocean Of Sacrifice'.
Available for download here:
http://itunes.apple.com/au/album/in-an-ocean-of-sacrifice/id511224386

www.hudsonarc.com
www.facebook.com/hudsonarc


Shot on location at the remains of The Jolly Roger Nite-club, Newcastle, October 2011.
Producer: Shane Burrell
Director/Editor: Holly Clayton
Director Of Photography: Gavin Banks
Camera Assistant: Riley Cope
Grip & Replay: Joel Colthorp

Copyright 2012.
Hudson Arc

What To Do When It's Time To Move

Sometimes it's hard to know when it is time to move from our home. Maybe
it's too big now, or the garden is too much trouble... So I thought I'd ask
Tiron Manning from Shedden Real Estate what people need to know when
they are first starting to think about whether to downsize or just find a
home that is a more comfortable fit for them going into the future.

Here's Tiron's response.

Newcastle City Guide

Fab article from The Design Files on a City Guide for Newcastle NSW

Find out more on things to do around Newcastle - antiques, a museum, nifty boutiques and fashion finds. Some wonderful photographs too. Great stuff! Read it a The Design Files

Anzac Day 2012

The sun rises over Newcastle's Nobbys Beach
during the ANZAC Day dawn service.

ABC News: Dan Cox

 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/jayseedali/sets/72157629530961346/

Gordon Whitehead's #newcastlemorningphoto

A new tradition starting on social networks is sharing of photos via Twitter and Facebook. Gordon Whitehead is a great example and shares with us some pictures of the local area during his morning ritual photo shoot.

Nobbys Head Newcastle NSW

 

 

Merewether Baths NSW

 Gordon's "Where Am I?" challenge. 

Do you know where this photograph is taken?

And remember you can meet Gordon Whitehead 

and all the gang from #Newcastlecoffee 

Every Friday morning at 7.45am at Coffee on Crown. 

Everybody is welcome to join us! - Lindy Asimus

Yesteryear In Newcastle: 1940 Tram

The line went straight across Hunter Street. Here seen is a train standing in Burwood Street waiting for a tram to pass up Hunter Street in 1940. The same route had been used for over 100 years. Only this load of coal came from the Glebe Pit.

Same site in 1897

Find more on this http://www.flickr.com/photos/uon/5903876058/in/set-72157625938635093/

Hunter Businesses Using Social Media

While all the reports of gloom and doom tell us how bad the economy is we do well to remember how much better off we are here in Australia than so many parts of the world.

Focus on what you can do
Where we sometimes fall into the trap of focusing on what we can't do, we can overlook the things that are basic that we can be doing to promote our local businesses and social media is a great example of that.

The key to developing social marketing for any local area is to create a good network online of people who support each other and contribute to each others success. Sounds like the way local businesses have always done and that's the secret. While the technology is different, social media is just like any other way that we communicate, share, listen and tell stories just in a different place.

Social Marketing
Social marketing is much more than setting up a Facebook page but this is often the story that business owners get. This is not something to give your teenager to do, it should be integrated with your traditional marketing and support your other activities, your website and online presence generally, incorporate your PR and open doors to areas that have until now been inaccessible. Your blog is a great example of an easy step that you can take to start generating some interest online in what you have to offer. You need good pictures of your products (you need these anyway!) and posting them online can generate interest from people in your local area who have never heard of your business. Good content and good images are the way to get attention. Knowing where to get these seen is another part of the puzzle.

Part of that is building good links to other businesses that are related to our own and service the same kind of market.  I know that working with local businesses to develop and support their network with reciprocal links to websites and comments on web platforms to promote your business and a link on your site to theirs is to your advantage in helping you get found in Google searches. Google works on the basis of authority sites connecting and is always favouring genuine business sites with connections in related business. Many things that Google does in adjusting the way they conduct search changes but this one element is constant. Good quality information is what they are seeking and reward.

Grow Sales From New Sources
You may be getting traffic that is converting from different sources and not directly from Google right now. That's probably because you have no strategy to develop those other streams of visitors to your business,  Every other door you open for people to find your business has the potential to be the No1 money generator for your business. Make sure you have your hat in the ring,.

Not sure how to start? Contact me on 0403 365 855 and mention this blog for a special offer.

Luxe Photography Makes Your Product Look Good

 

Name: Tania Salitra      

What brought you to photography as a career?

Photography has always been a passion and so it was a natural progression from the another creative field - Fashion.  I decided that I wanted to learn as much as I could about photography and so undertook the Diploma Of Photography at Ultimo SIT

What do you like most about your work?

Not only do I photograph but also style the shots, so the challenges and the creativity that entails/come into play are very exciting for me. The variety is great – no two days are the same – photography has given me some great experiences but also being able to help people achieve what they want and need for their business is a real kick for me. The look on clients' faces and feedback I get is a really wonderful feeling that I have given them something that they can use to show their product or themselves beautifully and better than they had imagined it. Being able to meet and then exceed my clients expectations is very important.  

Is there a typical kind of person or business with whom you work?

Not really. My clients vary as the need for good photography to market business, whether it is a product or service, is so essential it is wide reaching. I do love working with small business and sole traders, no typical customer as such but similar situations -  they all need great images to help sell their products and services.

    

What role does photography play in promoting a business effectively? What about service businesses – can they use photographs to good effect too?

Photography allows a person to see straight up, exactly what they are getting or who they are engaging with. When it comes to service providers, potential customers are interested in seeing who you are - Is the person genuine? Are they going to be someone I can relate to? Will they understand me? are all questions that can first up be answered with an image of the person. 

So for head shots, it is important the photographer understands what it is that the person needs to convey – trust, reliability, confidence, care – all can be shown far better with one image than any words. 

For products, including restaurants, customers want to know, Is the product what I want it to be or was thinking it was? What can I expect it to look like? What will I be getting? Will it suit me? Am I going to like this? Great images help push the decision making process along and encourage your potential clients to take the next step/convert.

Are there common problems you see in how businesses sometimes use images?

The two biggest and most obvious problems are using stock or the DIY images. To me, the use of stock images makes a customer wonder what your business actually looks like – and why you don’t want to show it for what it really is. Yes, it can be an easy and cheap quick fix to needing images on your marketing material, but it is a compromise on quality and a compromise that your customers will see before you get a chance to interact with them. 

I often hear customers say ‘I’ve got a great camera’ however, if you don’t know how to use it properly, what lighting works best, what background to use, how to make the person being photographed feel comfortable, and everything else that goes into making great images, then it just doesn’t matter how good the camera is. DIY photos of products, staff and premises just look cheap and nasty, it detracts from the professionalism and polished service or product you want to provide. It looks like a business ran out of budget or aren’t that fussed about how their customers perceive them, not to mention how the staff must feel with mug-shot style photos.

If selling a product, then crisp clear images of that product and brand imaging are essential - it is a chance to make a customer want to buy - make it work.  

What would you suggest business look for when showcasing their products? 

Make sure you have a clear understanding of what your product is and how you want it represented, who your target market is, is also very important as you need to communicate on their level. 

Be true to who you are and your brand – don’t try to be like everyone else. Don’t be afraid to do something different, that way you will be guaranteed of standing out from the crowd.

Businesses are often looking to scrimp and not spend money when they don’t have to – does it cost a lot for professional product photography?

Considering what goes into the photography session, and the benefits a business will gain, no it doesn’t. Marketing is always the first to suffer when times are tight, but that is when it is most important and you need to ramp it up. Great images are an integral part of a successful marketing strategy.

Great photos display really well online. What are some other places besides a website where your clients have been able to use photographs with good results?

Business cards – this is a great place for images – not only does it make the card more interesting and so makes people actually read it before putting it away, but it also immediately connects the person with what you do rather than just words.

Flyers, brochures, blogs, any form of advertising, avatars for social media such as Twitter and FB, wall art for offices and public spaces – the list for how you can make your images work is endless.

Do you have any tips for businesses looking to hire a photographer for product images?

Of course, first step is to check out their website/portfolio, see if you appreciate their style, then meet with them to see if they ‘get you and your product’ and they are a person you would like working with. Make sure they are listening to what you are saying and what you want first, then they can offer suggestions to build on this or offer advice if they think it could be done better. 

Like any creative service – your photographer needs to ‘get’ you and your business to best be able to capture it.

What location do you service?

Hunter Valley, Newcastle, Central Coast, Sydney… Australia wide, Worldwide.. I am very lucky to love what I do and am happy to travel pretty much anywhere I am needed.  

How can people reach you if they would like to discuss photographs for their products?

I would love to speak with you about how I can help your business and your image needs. 

You can call me on 0409 249 609 or email me: tania at luxephotography.com.au

You can find Tania’s work displayed at:

www.luxephotography.com.au

Day Trips: Bushrangers Bar & Brasserie Largs NSW

Bushrangers Bar & Brasserie Largs NSW

Quality Food Presented With Care

Mine Hosts (owner/operator) Bruce & Vicki Woods

Business: Description
Multi award winning restaurant & hotel centrally located in Hunter, specialising in fine Hunter Valley wines & fresh seasonal produce

What's the number one reason people like to come here?
To dine with friends & family in our restaurant & to catch up with the locals & what’s happening in town

What do you love about your work?
The daily challenge of getting the food right & making it work, whilst working towards our next Award and growing our business

Are customers from the local area or do you get travellers?
We have a strong regular & local clientele throughout the hotel, with a mix of locals & visitors for the restaurant

What are some of the unexpected ways that people use the hotel?
Central meeting place for a catch up ie: people from Muswellbrook will meet people from the Bay, ‘halfway house’

Used for wakes, as so many come home for funerals and again it’s easy to meet here

Are there special events through the year that people can find out about?
100^th Anniversary Celebrations (weekend 27/28/29^th April)  Chef’s Tables, wine tasting’s cider/beer tastings. Annual Largs Village Ball, Brenda Clouten memorial Schlorship for the Young in Visual Arts, Community Consultation, usual holidays: Australia Day. Anzac Day, Easter, Mothers Day, Fathers day

How would you describe your food style?
Simple food – done well. Flavoursome, with a mix of Modern Australian & Pub Classsics

Do you cater for special occasions?
Weddings, Engagements, Wakes, graduations 21^st,  80^th’s & everything in between

Tell us about your wine list.
Cellar Selection has 55 wines listed, 52 of which are Hunter wineries. Our Museum Selection has 15 aged/special wines, 8 from Hunter, 5 from other regions in Australia, 2 French

You serve great coffee. Is that important to you?
Bruce is passionate about good coffee, & this is why we choose to use Lavazza. Good consistent brand, well known & readily available
Are children welcome in the restaurant?
Absolutely , we have a special children’s menu, highchairs, baby change table, outdoor kids playground

Is it necessary to make a booking?
We prefer/encourage bookings so we are able to have the right amount of staff to look after. We offer a ‘Reservations  dinner voucher draw’ every month for those people that make a booking


What's the best thing about being in Largs?
Sense of community. It is a town of 4^th & 5^th generation families & everyone knows you. Sometimes that can be a little scary though!!


Social media is very popular now but many businesses have just not done anything to be findable online.  Can people find you to connect on Facebook and Twitter?

Like us on Facebook  Bushrangers Bar & Brasserie or

Follow us on twitter http://twitter.com/bushrangersbar

Contact details and web

Bushrangers Bar & Brasserie

46 High Street, Largs   NSW   2320

Phone: 49301201   Fax: 49301051   Mobile: 0407301201

Email: info@bushrangersbar.com.au

Web: www.bushrangersbar.com.au

CEOs Sleeping Out For Homeless

CEO’s with Soul is a one night Sleepout at Tamburlaine Winery in the Hunter Valley on Friday 9^th March 2012.

Name : Vicki de Carle

What's your connection to CEOs with Soul: 

Through some friends I found out about Soul Café and their desperate need for funding for a new kitchen to continue their amazing work. We discussed ways to help them raise awareness and funds and the idea for an executive sleepout evolved. As I have been involved in a sleepout on the Central Coast we thought this was a good idea for the Newcastle Hunter region. I am helping to organise the night.

What's CEOs with Soul all about? 

 CEO’s with SOUL is an Executive Sleepout where business people get an opportunity to experience a little of what homeless people go through every night, sleeping rough. The experience for a business person who gets to go to a warm bed, shower and food can be quite life changing. We can truly never know the hardships faced by homeless people but this experience will provide some empathy and understanding. It is not a career choice to be homeless, people end up in this situation through a variety of problems. By raising a relatively small amount of money, the business people spread the word as they ask people to sponsor them, which raises awareness and funds.

Many of us walk by a homeless person and look the other way because we don’t understand, we find it confronting and generally we don’t quite know how to react. The best way to react is to support the organisations such as Soul Café who provide support way beyond the food they provide.

We encourage business people to take up the challenge, raise some money and step a little out of their comfort zone and sleep rough for one night! It will also be a great networking opportunity, lots of business people and even a politician or 2 with no distractions for 12 hours.

How did it start?   

We were throwing around some ideas about raising awareness and funds and it is so obvious that if people can experience sleeping rough, they will want to help as they will have first hand understanding of the issues of not having a roof over your head.


What is the outcome that this event is intended to achieve? 

 Money and awareness!

Do we have any high profile people who will be there?  

Absolutely, we have Tim Owen MP, Steve Thompson, Regional Manager Westpac along with some other high flyers of the district. We still have room for lots more

What's the benefit to companies to get involved? 

The benefits to the companies is that their managers get to know their district a little better and have a better understanding of philanthropy from a hands on view. Many of us go about our daily life, embroiled in day to day issues of our immediate business. Learning more about your community can only benefit local businesses.

Managers should be aware, and we will be pointing this out at CEO’s with SOUL, that many of their workers are only 2 pay packets away from potential homelessness. It can take only one major illness, one unexpected job loss for a family to become homeless. The average Australian family does not have financial reserves to survive for more than a few weeks with no income.

It can only be a good thing if our business leaders understand their community, the stresses on their workers and are prepared to step a little outside their comfort zone for the benefit of those less fortunate.

How will the money raised be used? 

The money will be used fitting out the new kitchens and to provide the ongoing services that SOUL Café provides. Unfortunately it is never enough for the need.

How do people register?  

You can register online at www.ceoswithsoul.com.au

What other ways can people help? 

Convince their boss to register and sponsor him or her to sleepout. Challenge them to step outside their comfort zone. You can also go to givenow.com.au and give a one off donation, search for CEO’s with SOUL and follow the instructions. Or email me at Vicki@ceoswithsoul.com.au

Women In Pubs Acknowledged

Newcastle and Hunter pubs often owe a debt of thanks to the women who play such a big role in their success.

AHA NSW will be celebrating the gals at a Girls' Picnic to be held at Customs House in Newcastle near the Foreshore and proceeds from the event will be donated to HMRI for research into Multiple Sclerosis.

The event will be held on Thursday March 8 11am - 3pm and there will be  door prizes, raffles and guest speaker Prof. Maree Gleason.

For more details contact Debbie Potts on 0405 127 660 or email swanseahotel@westnet.com.au