Content Sprint
Need help with planning your communications?
Auckland Botanic Gardens. Image: Sandra Groves.
Welcome to my first update for 2023
I hope you are well and enjoying the start of Autumn.
My thoughts go out to those who have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle. It has been a challenging month for many and while we are in the recovery phase let’s hope that mother nature will be kind.
Lately, I have been thinking about the value of planning and that is the focus of this update. Planning is just as important for your communications as it is for any other part of your business. Taking the time to plan and document the approach you will take for your communications will help you in the long term. Whether it is for a specific event or campaign, or as a roadmap for the year ahead.
In today’s sprint, you’ll find:
Communications planning
Out and about in Auckland Botanic Gardens
Latest Blogs
What’s new in content writing
Communications Planning
Many businesses want to get the word out about their products/services or an event but because they are too busy running their business forget about communications. A communications plan can help to ensure that the message gets out in a timely and targeted manner. It will also ensure the success of the project or event. The Communications Collective has an excellent template that you can download and complete.
I have also pulled together a short video PowerPoint presentation that covers the key components of communications planning that you need to think about.
So, if you have five minutes to spare grab a coffee.
INNZ Committee for 2023/24 L-R: Michelle Edge, Annette Richards, Micheline Newton, Sandra Groves, Nick Yeats, Teresa Fogarty, Lynda Burns.
Out and about in Auckland Botanic Gardens
Earlier this month I attended an Interpretation Network of NZ committee meeting held at the wonderful Auckland Botanic Gardens. The day was a great opportunity to meet face-to-face as a committee to plan some exciting webinars for members, regular communications, a new website, and regional networking.
During the lunch break we got to walk through the Edible Garden, Threatened Plants Garden, Pa Harakeke, and Native Ideas Garden. There is a real community focus on the weavers who harvest from the Pa Harakeke with the Matariki exhibition on the harakeke and weaver stories.
Weavers’ dream info sign - Auckland Botanic Gardens. Image: Sandra Groves.
Blogs
Caption: Marketers checking colours for a campaign.
Tips to improve Colour Choice in Content Marketing
Have you ever considered a logo and thought, “Wow, what great colour combinations?” The colour of logos, websites, social media campaigns, and more do not happen by accident. They are carefully thought out and chosen based on colour psychology.
Walker catching the last rays of sunshine beside Waikanae Stream on Alfred Cox Walkway. Credit: Sandra Groves.
Let’s keep nature in mind
The weather has been challenging for Tairawhiti. It has been hit hard by Cyclone Hale and Cyclone Gabrielle within a month. The aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle was immense taking a huge toll on people, livelihoods, and the environment.
What’s new in content writing
Repurpose content
In 2023 content writing trends are evolving to accommodate new technologies and the changing needs of our audiences. One of the most important trends to watch out for is ‘repurposing content writing.’ This involves taking existing content and transforming it into different formats for example an infographic, a podcast, a video, an email, or a social media post.
Spot and avoid greenwashing
Greenwashing is becoming more of a communications no-no as the world becomes more climate-conscious according to the Sustainability Trust. If you haven’t heard of Greenwashing it is a marketing ploy companies use to make their products sound more environmentally friendly than they are.
Until the next Sprint! Take care.
Sandra