Oakwood Digital

03/07/2024

Trust me when I say: I know how managing your social media can fall right to the bottom of your to-do list when you’re busy running a business.

I spend my days creating content, crafting captions, writing marketing emails, preparing for media features, and aligning objectives with strategies… for clients. When it comes to prioritising my own marketing - well that is something I often fall behind on.

So how do you get back on track after an accidental break? Don’t overcomplicate it - just post. You don’t have to apologise, you don’t have to launch something - you can just get back onto your grid. You’ll notice your engagement might be a little low, you might not get your usual reach - but that’s ok, it’ll come back with consistency. The important part is to not overthink it and just start showing up again.

24/04/2024

The one thing that will bring you real results when it comes to your social media?

Consistency.

It’s such a boring answer, but it’s so impactful. As with anything in life, nothing good comes overnight. It takes effort, energy, time and patience.

There are very few guarantees on social media, but I will guarantee this: if you’re creating valuable content consistently, actively engaging consistently, and showing up consistently, you will see results. It won’t be overnight, but it will happen.

If this is something you struggle with, this is where outsourcing to a professional can be really useful. (DM me if this is you and let’s chat!)

But if it’s something you really want to improve yourself, here are some of my top tips for consistency:

🌱 Focus on your output: instead of watching your follower number and obsessing over your insights, focus on what you can control until you get into the swing of it. This is all about habit-building, so set yourself goals around your output (post three times a week, post on Stories every second day, post two Reels a month, etc.)

🌱 Put time in your calendar and stick to it: Slot in time to be active on social media. If you’re relying on being ‘in the mood’ or ‘having some quiet time in the day’, it’s never getting done. So put 15 minutes in your daily schedule and spend that time being mindful and engaging on the platform.

🌱 Reduce the pressure, and reduce the quantity: A lot of pressure comes internally from a mistaken sense of needing to be online all the time. Relax. Maybe you really only have capacity for two posts a week - that’s fine. Reduce the quantity of your content, but ensure the quality is there.

🌱 Plan and prepare: It’s so much easier to be consistent with your posting when you’ve already done the work. If you have great content ready to go, you’re going to find it easier to maintain your consistency. So put some time in your calendar to actually sit down and prep your content a week or two in advance.

Which tip are you going to try next month to regain some consistency?

📷: .digital

01/04/2024

Are you ready to transform your social media content with just four simple mindset shifts?

We all get stuck in a rut, but here are four really important shifts you can make when thinking about creating your content:

🌸 Instead of selling - offer value. Promotional content is tricky, but if you think of it as selling, it can feel icky and that really comes across in your content. So focus on the value you can offer and the positive impact of what you do and that will fundamentally shift the tone of what you’re selling.

✨ Instead of self-promotion - focus on your ideal customer. It’s not about you, it’s about the impact you can have on your ideal customer. Stop talking about how great you are and start talking about the transformation you can help your target audience to achieve.

🍄 Instead of posting anything - create content aligned to your goals. I get it - you forgot to prep content and now you’re panicking and you’re posting whatever is in front of you. But instead of bombarding your audience with random posts for the sake of it, take a step back and actually create some content that is deliberate and considered, and in line with your business goals.

🍁 Instead of thinking of it as a chore - embrace it as a gift. Marketing a small business used to mean huge advertising costs, dreaming of a newspaper/magazine feature, or relying on people stumbling past. We now have free online platforms that have the power to put our own messaging in front of potential customers - you get to craft that narrative and showcase whichever elements of your business you choose - embrace it!

Pop the corresponding emoji below with the mindset shift you’re going to work on this week 🧡

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27/03/2024

With a beautiful long weekend ahead to recharge, we have an opportunity to arrive in this fresh new quarter with renewed energy 🍁

A new week, a new month and a new quarter all landing on the same day makes my organised (and tragic!) little soul very happy - and the perfect excuse to review and realign your digital presence for the next few months.

Enjoy your long weekend and make sure you save this post ready to dive into the new quarter with a realistic goal & the start of an action plan to implement!

🍁 The first step is figuring out your objectives. What is it that you’re trying to achieve? Try to be specific and think a little deeper. This isn’t five year goal setting, it’s just over the next few months. Is it increase website traffic? Managing a consistent and sustainable content schedule? Connecting on a deeper level to your target audience? Reaching new and different people?

A lot of people gloss over this part and go straight to tactics. But setting objectives is really important and it completely determines the rest of the strategy. Your tactics and activity should be in direct correlation to what you’re trying to achieve for your business.

🍂 Want to connect to your audience? Let’s get more storytelling content in your schedule and push for DMs to deepen the relationship.

🍂 Want to reach new and different people? Let’s focus on Reels that really align to your brand or potential new platforms to explore so we can find more people who might be interested your business.

🍂 Want to increase your website traffic? Let’s be clear in your call-to-action, use link clicks and create beautiful content that makes people want to learn more.

My advice is to pick one to really focus on - that’s where you’ll see faster results, rather than diluting your efforts across eight different goals. Of course, you still need to balance through your content pillars and not harass people with the same push - but choose one major focus for the next few months and just see where you land.

If you need a little help - send me a DM with your goal, and I’ll give you a tactic to can implement immediately to start seeing results 💌

📷: .digital

08/02/2024

Social media can be a tricky road to navigate. It constantly changes, gives you everyone’s highlights with very little context, makes you feel like you’re never doing enough, but then at the same time is so incredibly valuable for creating a network, allows you to reach your target audience, and is an amazing source of inspiration.

If there’s one thing that will help you nail your socials and make the most of the platforms, it’s developing habits that don’t rely on you being in the mood, super motivated, or feeling creative and inspired to show up for your audience.

The only way to make sure you’ve got beautiful and valuable content, clear direction, a consistent presence and are building an engaged audience is through developing solid habits and actually sticking to them.

So where do you start? Well, let’s not overcomplicate this! Here are three core areas to start developing considered and meaningful habits for your social media activity:

📹 Content Creation: making fresh and new content, utilising the different functions, planning and preparing content for consistency

❤️ Engagement: how you behave when you’re on the platform, encouraging active conversation, developing relationships

🧪 Experimentation: staying on top of updates, researching and gathering inspiration, trying new things, analysing what’s working and what’s not

If you’re struggling with any of these, I can help! Send me a DM 💌 so we can chat about what you need to get your social media aligned to your business goals and actually working for you.

📷: .digital

06/02/2024

Just your little reminder that scrolling is not engaging.

Trust me - I love a good long scroll as much as the next gal. But let’s be clear - it’s not ‘work’ and it’s definitely not getting your closer to your goals. So here are four things you can do to avoid oncer-consumption and mindlessly scrolling on social media:

⏰ If you’re scrolling for inspiration and to check out what’s trending - set a timer. Give yourself the time to enjoy a scroll and see what’s happening, but don’t fall down a black hole in the name of research.

📝 Save posts that you love and feel inspiring, take notes of what you’re seeing and enjoying and make sure you’re actively absorbing content rather than scrolling thorough for the sake of it.

❤️ Actively engage with content you love - like, comment, share and save where it feels right and send love to those who are creating content you love. (This will also help the algorithm send you content that you’re more likely to love.)

⚡️ Unfollow accounts that aren’t inspiring you, and start curating your newsfeed better so that you’re consciously consuming content that you actually want to see.

Leave me an emoji with the tip you’re going to try this week ⏰📝 ❤️⚡️

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28/09/2023

What are you holding back your dreams for fear of? Why are you letting all that business potential pass you by?

With only one quarter of the year left - it’s time to kick your business into gear and chase those dreams you have for it.

If you just keep doing what you’ve done, you’re going to get the same results. Muddling through with your social media and marketing is fine… but what if it could be AMAZING. What if you elevated your digital presence, spoke directly to your target audience, showcased your brand in the most aligned way?

If you’re ready to stop playing small and muddling through - I’d love to chat with you about what seriously good socials could look like for your business 🚀

26/09/2023

Do you actually know who you’re talking to?

And more importantly are you actually talking to the people who you want to buy, book or pay you for what you do?

These people are your target audience, and the key word is in the name - target 🎯

There is nothing targeted about ‘women, 18 - 85, Australia’ - this isn’t going to be helpful for you. Because you try writing something that is going to resonate and speak directly to that group of literal millions!

The main reason any marketing person will get so hung up on defining your target audience is so you can tailor your messaging, your channels, your entire approach to speaking to these people who actually want what you have and will pay you for it. That’s the crux of it.

The more you know about your ideal customers/clients, the easier it is to speak to them in a way that lets them know they’re understood and you can help them. So when it comes to getting to know them, of course you can start with the basics - age, gender, location… but I also want you to think about their values, what is important to them, how much disposable income to they have, what are their likes and dislikes, what are they reading, what are they listening to, what inspires them. Really sit down and think about these things.

And then the really important part - what are their pain points? What do they struggle with? What is their problem that you can help solve? You can flip this and do pleasure points too - what makes them happy? What do they crave? What is aspirational and brings them joy? What do they desire that you offer?

I really want you to spend time on this and start creating content that speaks to the people who you want to attract.

Getting stuck on this? Send me a DM and let’s chat about how I can help!

📷: .digital

17/09/2023

— TRAVEL GUIDE: MERIMBULA, NSW —

With some of the best places to eat in the region, sparkling seaside views, incredible local seafood and only a short drive in any direction to explore the whole Sapphire Coast – Merimbula is a must-stay town.

Featuring some seriously incredible gems:

🦞: Valentina Merimbula
🍔: Dulcie's Cottage
🍷: Sunny's Kiosk
💤: Hillcrest Merimbula

Read the full guide on my website 🦪

The heart of the stunning Sapphire Coast is undoubtedly the town of Merimbula, located on the edge of a bay and lake. Famous for their incredible fresh oysters farmed right on the edge of this bustling coastal village, Merimbula is an ideal spot to explore the beautiful coastline for a weekend. Wi

31/08/2023

Flower season is officially here 🌸

I love each of the seasons in their own way - but there is something so joyful and uplifting about Spring time. The baby lambs in the fields, the blossom exploding from the stark branches, the morning birdsong getting earlier, and the promise of sunshine and wonderful bright days ahead 🌼

Wishing you all a beautiful spring and a magical new season ✨

📷: .digital

28/08/2023

Just because you’re at a different stage in your business journey to someone - it doesn’t make it any less beautiful.

Please don’t compare your year one with someone else’s year ten. We’re all at a different stage in our business, so comparing yourself to others is really unhelpful. And it can actually take the shine off the amazing work you’re doing.

Instagram is such a Highlights Reel - it’s not always reflective of reality. What you’re seeing are the best bits or at the very least - the parts that person has chosen to share. Everyone is busy showing their best selves, so be mindful of how you’re consuming what you’re seeing.

And no matter what - remember that you need to go through all the stages to learn and grow. The mistakes and messy bits - that’s how we get better. So embrace them, learn from them and use them to make your business even more wonderful.

You’re doing great - don’t forget that!

📷: .digital

27/08/2023

Is your social media working for your business?

This is such a loaded question, but the crux of what I want to focus on is what to look for when you’re evaluating your activity on social media.

Analysing your social media activity comes down to three core segments I want you to focus on:

📊 Quantitative: this is data based. So some key things to look out for here:
- Consistency: how often are you posting on your feed and Stories?
- Engagement rate: what is your average engagement rate, and how does this track over the month?
- Reach: how many people are you reaching? How many of these are exisiting or non-followers?
- Website & Link Clicks: how many clicks are you getting through to your website or link button clicks in Stories?

📈 Qualitative: this is more subjective and based on you personally as a business owner. Have a think about who is engaging with your content - are these in your target audience? What is the feedback you’re getting in comments and DMs about your content? Are you reaching the people you want to? Does your content reflect your business and brand?

📝 Emotional: this is entirely personal and very internal. Have a think about how you feel about your social media? Are you proud of it? Are you stressed or overwhelmed by creating content? Are you feeling organised and prepared in your planning? Are you unsure of what to write and how to show up? Are you confident in how you’re connecting with your target audience?

It’s so easy to focus on the data because that’s what we can see, and that’s what is so much simpler to track over the months. And this is really important to do. But the true analysis comes with adding in some quantitative and emotional thinking as well to glean a full picture. There’s not much point in having a killer Reach rate, if you don’t like how you’re representing your business or dread doing your social media.

Let me know in the comments if there are parts of this process you’d like to see more detail and content on 🤍

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31/07/2023

A brand new beautiful month has arrived 〰️

Before you get down work - take a moment to centre your goals and focus. What does success look like for you this month? What do you want to be celebrating? What can you do this month to show up for yourself and your business?

You don’t have to set wild goals or impossible standard for yourself. Maybe it’s about finding a better balance. Maybe it’s stabilising for the month. Maybe it’s about your own consistency. Pick a focus for August and see what difference a month can make.

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31/07/2023

In business, we never know what is around the corner.

Uncertainty is just part of the deal, and it seems ‘unprecedented times’ are the norm these days.

Anxiety is heightened, people are nervous and no one really know what’s coming next…

So may this be a little inspiration for you to embrace the unknown, try new things, and stay focussed on your goals to keep moving forward in a way that feels right and aligned to you. Something beautiful might be right around that corner.

📷: .digital

05/07/2023

If there is one thing I want every single business owner and organisation to realise about social media, it is this:

Social media is not a silver bullet - it isn’t the solution to cover cracks in your business.

A glossy and beautiful social media presence does not fix failings in what you actually offer. Your customer service, your product or service delivery, your client journey, your website… all of these things need to be functioning and in line with how you want to do business. If you don’t deliver what you say you can - it just doesn’t matter how beautiful your social media is.

Social media can form a relationship, can build trust, can help people feel connected, can get people to your website, can lead to sales, but it cannot make someone buy and it cannot fix a broken business.

Once you’ve got your house in order and you’re confident that you deliver the goods - then it’s time to take your social media to the next level and really enhance and maximise that amazing business you’ve built.

DM if you want to talk more about what that looks like and how I can support you to flourish online 💌

📷: .digital

30/05/2023

"It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan" - Eleanor Roosevelt

This is your reminder to get those amazing dreams out of your head, into a plan, and then start making it happen!

It’s all well and good having dreams and ideas, but without any plans to execute them - they stay in your head and rarely become a reality.

So if you’ve got some big dreams, or the seed of an idea, or something you’ve been hoping to bring to life - it all starts with a plan.

Whether you need a brainstorm buddy to get that plan in motion, a killer strategy for implementation, or some content to get you started - take a look at my consulting options so we can make it happen!

📷: .digital

07/05/2023

— Travel Guide: Coastal Motels —

I have been following this resurgence of gorgeous retro motels popping up all over the country, and am completely smitten with the concept. Turning old-fashioned motels into bright, colourful and modern destinations for a stay is genius.

So I planned a little coastal route down the South Coast of NSW to experience three different recently-renovated and updated motels. Click here: tohttps://www.oakwood-digital.com/travel-guides/coastal-motels \ read the full Travel Guide.

Which one has made it onto your travel list?

Motel Molly The Isla Hillcrest Merimbula

I have been following this resurgence of gorgeous retro motels popping up all over the country, and am completely smitten with the concept. Turning old-fashioned motels into bright, colourful and modern destinations for a stay is genius. Creating unique spaces to enjoy with reasonably priced rooms,

11/04/2023

One of my favourite reminders - the day you plant the seed is not the day you pick the flower 🌸

When it comes to your social media - it's all about consistency, nurturing, and some patience as you trust the process. Growing an engaged audience and building an authentic digital presence is not for those who need instant gratification.

It takes time, consistency and authenticity.

Just keep moving forward, stay true to your business and values, and when you'll look back - you’ll be so grateful you planted the seeds as your business grows 🌳

📷: .digital

27/03/2023

Small steps to big change 💫

I've heard it said that if you're not a bit embarrassed by the first iteration of things in your business (your website, your product, your offering, etc.) then you started too late.

Businesses are built in the process. It's the 'failures', the 'mistakes', the 'it's not quite right' that actually show you the way. When you wait for perfection, you often miss out on all the learning opportunities that come from the process. ��

Business isn't about getting it right the first time. It's about being brave enough to try. To put something out there and keep working on it until it feels good. ��

So whatever you've been holding back on while you agonise, tweak, perfect... just start. Just put one foot in front of the other and take one small step at a time. Because they all add up to some pretty special big changes. �

15/03/2023

— Travel Guide: Burrawang, NSW —

https://www.oakwood-digital.com/travel-guides/burrawang

A stunning little town of the Southern Highlands, Burrawang is the quintessential quaint countryside village with so much charm and beauty. Secluded and tranquil, this village is as picturesque as it gets.

With a gorgeous general store and café Burrawang General Store and the most perfectly situated pub in the Southern Highlands (and consequently the entire state) Burrawang Village Hotel - I challenge you to find a more beautiful spot to spend a day than here.

And if you’re looking to stay - the most wholesome yet stylish, cosy yet chic property can be found in the stunning Werona Cottage 🏡 The ideal country cottage with English countryside charm, this is the most beautiful spot to base yourself for a few days of exploring the Southern Highlands, and the dreamy village of Burrawang.

📷: Oakwood Digital

13/03/2023

How much should you be posting on your social channels?

This question has to be one of the most asked ❓❓

And you’re going to be annoyed by this - but there is no one answer to this question. So many factors should be considered when it comes to this - your capacity, your interest, what your analytics are, what your objectives are, what your business is and who your audience is.

BUT… if I had to give generic advice without specifically knowing the answers to any of these things, I would say this:

You should be posting as consistently as possible with high-quality, valuable content that aligns to your goals and utilising the different functions strategically. Simple, right 🤪 Here are three examples for context:

Example 1: If you want to maintain visibility but you only have capacity to create one really incredible piece of content a week - then posting once a week consistently is preferable that posting filler content three times a week for the sake of it.

Example 2: If your business focus is on building a deeper connection with your audience and you find that Stories do this the best for your channel, you might need to carve our time to make sure you’re posting daily Stories with intent, rather than creating Reels that reach mostly non-followers.

Example 3: If you want to showcase your expertise and credibility - focus on creating meaningful and considered posts that provide value, rather than lots of Stories and Reels.

Start with your business goals and work backwards - what are you trying to achieve and how can your social media support that. And if this is something you’re really struggling with - send me a DM and let’s chat!!

12/03/2023

This is just a little reminder to pause and celebrate the small wins and beautiful things on the road you’re on.

It’s so easy to focus on the to-do list, get caught up the day to day rhythms of your business, or fixate on the highlights reel of other people’s journey. Trust me - I get it!

But sometimes you just need to take a minute to celebrate what you’ve achieved - how far you’ve come, what impact you’re making, and what you’re building and creating for yourself. It won’t all be glamorous, but it will still be beautiful in its own way.

With a new week on its way, take a moment now to soak up some wins from this week - I guarantee there were some amazing ones in there!!

02/03/2023

— Travel Guide: Berrima, NSW —

A beautiful historic town full of character and charm – Berrima is a little slice of countryside heaven.

Situated on what was once the main highway between Sydney and Melbourne, now this quaint village is its own destination – a place to browse, wander, and enjoy at your leisure.

Click here: https://www.oakwood-digital.com/travel-guides/berrima to read 📖

A beautiful historic town full of character and charm – Berrima is a little slice of countryside heaven. A predominantly preserved Georgian village filled with stone cottages, historic buildings, established gardens and the loveliest main street to peruse. Situated on what was once the main highwa...

13/02/2023

I want you to take a moment to pause. To reflect.

Somehow the year is well underway, and it feels as though we’re back into the swing of things. Rushing and charging forward with 2023. But take an hour this week to take stock, before this year gets away from you.

What does this year look like for you in business? Where do you want to be? What do you want to be celebrating? What goals do you have? What do you need to achieve them? What is holding you back?

Sit with these questions. Challenge yourself and really answer them. Get out of your own way and dream some big, beautiful dreams for yourself and your business.

I hope 2023 is a magical one for you all - I can’t wait to see all the successes and triumphs for regional businesses this year ✨✨

And if you need support with making those big dreams come true, I’m right here ready to support you 💛

📷: .digital at the stunning

13/12/2022

Get prepped and ready for 2023 ✨

Start the new year strong with a 1:1 Strategy Session booked in January for 90 minutes of intense focus on your business.

Together we’ll develop your marketing objectives for the year, brainstorm digital activity and strategic marketing ideas for the coming months and get really clear on the practical action items and next steps for you to move forward and implement to achieve your goals for 2023.

I’m opening up extra slots for January and taking bookings now so you can get yours locked in. Click here: https://www.oakwood-digital.com/services for all the details, and fill out the contact form: https://www.oakwood-digital.com/contact to secure your spot 🖤

09/10/2022

— Exeter Travel Guide —

A quintessential English countryside village set perfectly in the beautiful Southern Highlands. This lovely village is small but mighty, surrounded on all sides by picturesque countryside views. With a superb General Store, wonderful wineries, some lovely stores, and the absolute highlight - a stay at the sublime Woodland Studio Farm (https://woodlandstudio.com.au) for the perfect immersion into the idyllic countryside.

Check out my Travel Guide for this gorgeous village here: https://www.oakwood-digital.com/travel-guides/exeter

📷: Oakwood Digital

04/10/2022

"It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan" - Eleanor Roosevelt

This is your reminder to get those amazing dreams out of your head, into plan, and then start making it happen!

It’s all well and good having dreams and ideas, but without any plans to execute them - they stay in your head and rarely become a reality.

So if you’ve got some big dreams, or the seed of an idea, or something you’ve been hoping to bring to life - it all starts with a plan.

If you want a brainstorm buddy, some accountability, or strategic advice on how to create that plan and implement it - lock in a Strategy Session with me so we can make it happen!

03/10/2022

Perfect days spent in the Spring sunshine 🌼🌼🌼

A new month and the final quarter of the year is here so now is the perfect time to have a think about what you want to achieve over the next few months.

What do you want to be celebrating? What does success look like? What would bring you happiness and pride?

Spend a bit of time this week soaking up the fresh Spring air and ponder these questions so you can make the most of these last three months of the year.

📷: .digital

18/09/2022

The day you plant the seed is not the day you pick the flower.⠀
⠀
When it comes to your social media - it's all about consistency, nurturing, and some patience as you trust the process. Growing an engaged audience and building an authentic digital presence is not for those who need instant gratification. ⠀
⠀
Just keep moving forward, stay true to your business and values, and when you'll look back - you’ll be so grateful you planted the seeds as your business grows 🌳

21/08/2022

〰️ take me somewhere 〰️ 



The latest edition of the beautiful OAK Magazine is a double issue with a flip cover for their special travel feature - Take Me Somewhere 〰️

And I’m so honoured to have contributed an Oakwood Travel Guide to this stunning publication. I shared my guide to Candelo and the towns of the Sapphire Coast (lured here by the unbelievably gorgeous Ellington Grove ) and I share all my favourite spots in this divine part of the world.



Every edition of this magazine is filled with so many incredible stories of incredible people so make sure you grab a copy via OAK Magazine and enjoy some armchair travelling through our wonderful country 🍃🍂 



📷: Oakwood Digital