In this episode of the Regional Roar Podcast, co-hosts Cath Fowler and Melissa Dickfos chat about how you can reflect on the last financial year and how the last 6 months has really impacted on regional businesses. A lot of regional businesses have been dealing with drought for many years, and this year has then had the additional pressure of bushfires early in 2020. Then every business has been impacted in recent months by COVID19. So what are the things you might look to review or reflect on, to help set your business up for the new financial year? In this episode we cover: • Reviewing the year in two 6 month parts • Think about the wins you've had • Review your product and services mix with the stop, start, continue model • Audit your expenses and subscriptions • Reflect on how you grew as a business owner, not just in a financial sense • Be proud of what you took action on this year • Look forward to setting yourself up for the next financial year. But allow a good degree of flexibility • Plus we share some exciting news about changes to come in Season 2 of the podcast and what's ahead for Melissa and Cath's individual businesses. Links mentioned in the show: • Talking Business Australia Website • Talking Business Australia Facebook • Talking Business Australia Instagram

In this episode of the Regional Roar podcast, co-hosts Cath Fowler and Melissa Dickfos chat with Tammy Duckworth from Bella Bands. Tammy is a single mum of 2 beautiful daughters and hails from Roma, in south-west Queensland. Having been in the beauty industry for the past 23 years, she recently found herself unemployed as a result of COVID19. During this time she became resourceful with her love of sewing, and her new business Bella Bands was born. In this episode we cover: • Bouncing back from Covid-19 • The amazing support of small communities • The importance of supporting others • Regional communities are a key factor in the success of small businesses • Advantages of living regionally • Supporting local businesses is at the heart of country towns • Strength of mothers • Community involvement Links mentioned in the show: • Bella Bands Website • Bella Bands Facebook • Bella Bands Instagram • Talking Business Australia Website • Talking Business Australia Facebook • Talking Business Australia Instagram

In this episode of the Regional Roar Podcast, co-hosts Cath Fowler and Melissa Dickfos chat about how businesses can best communicate with their customers right now. We've both been writing a lot of copy for clients who need assistance conveying their message during the coronavirus pandemic. When the virus became a feature of our daily lives back in March, what we've been asked most frequently is how businesses can best do marketing right now. In this episode we cover: • What people are looking to see from brands right now is a signal of humanity. • Seth Godin, a best selling author and entrepreneur, said it best "People do not buy goods and services. They buy relations, stories and magic.'' • When you share content right now, you're sending the message within the context of the Coronavirus outbreak, so you need to read the room. • The best marketers know you need to have a deep understanding of your audience and your company's positioning • Ensure your information people find online is up-to-date in terms of opening hours, changes in how you operate etc • If your business isn't selling on your website now is the perfect time to start as people are looking for ease and convenience • Don't stop marketing • Keep the lines of communication open with your staff Links mentioned in the show: • Talking Business Australia Website • Talking Business Australia Facebook • Talking Business Australia Instagram

In this episode of the Regional Roar Podcast, co-hosts Cath Fowler and Melissa Dickfos chat with Celeste Robertson from the Natural Supply Co. Celeste Robertson is co-founder of the Natural Supply Co. Established in 2014, the business was dreamt up to provide an inclusive community where natural beauty, skincare and lifestyle products, along with meaningful information, could be found in the one place. Natural Supply Co proudly profiles and shares natural, cruelty-free and low-toxic products that they love using themselves. They embrace the slow living lifestyle and look for quality over quantity in all aspects of their lives. In this episode we cover: • While Celeste spend a little bit of time in Melbourne, Geelong always had her heart • Co-founder Cath has a chronic condition, so the desire to find all-natural products drove the business idea • She loves the supportive tight-knit community in her area • How businesses are adapting to the current environment • The shop local message is now more amplified than ever • How media coverage helped grow the business • The future plans for the business Links mentioned in the show: • Natural Supply Co Website • Natural Supply Co Facebook • Natural Supply Co Instagram • Talking Business Australia Website • Talking Business Australia Facebook • Talking Business Australia Instagram •

In this episode of the Regional Roar Podcast, co-hosts Melissa Dickfos and Cath Fowler chat all about marketing strategies and why you need one. From discussing what a marketing strategy is, to developing your brand messaging, choosing which platforms to market your business on, through to evaluating your results and your return on investment. In this episode we cover: • Identifying your unique selling proposition (USP) • Creating a SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) of your business, your competitors and the market you are in/entering • Setting SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely) • Developing your brand messaging and design to appropriately reflect what your business stands for. • Creating a customer profile (customer avatar) to outline your ideal customer • Choosing what platforms you should market your business on • Implementing your marketing strategies • Allocating a marketing budget • Measuring results to allow evaluation of your progress and your ROI Links mentioned in the show: • Talking Business Australia Website • Talking Business Australia Facebook • Talking Business Australia Instagram •

In this episode of the Regional Roar Podcast, co-hosts Cath Fowler and Melissa Dickfos chat with Tanya Kitto from My Provincial Kitchen. My Provincial Kitchen is led by Robert (the farmer) and Tanya (the cook). This dynamic duo love food, farming and family. They have developed a range of yummy, healthy, gluten-free premixes that your whole family will love. Together they're also raising 4 farm kids in Western Australia who are carrying on the family love of learning about and growing food. In this episode we cover: • Making a product that's generally tricky to use, easy • Discovering exactly who your target audience is • Moving out of your comfort zone and exploring new ideas • Living regionally does not prevent your business from becoming successful • Turning defeat into determination • The importance of community in Regional Australia • The perks of living regionally • Banding together in tough times • Living within your business values Links mentioned in the show: • My Provincial Kitchen Website • My Provincial Kitchen Facebook • My Provincial Kitchen Instagram • Talking Business Australia Website • Talking Business Australia Facebook • Talking Business Australia Instagram

In this episode of the Regional Roar Podcast, co-hosts Melissa Dickfos and Cath Fowler chat with Stacey from CQ Nutrition. Stacey is the Director of CQ Nutrition and works with her husband, Chris and their team to head up 6 dietician clinics around Central Queensland, with locations in Yeppoon, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Mackay, Emerald and Blackwater. CQ Nutrition assists clients in reaching their health, wellness and performance goals and specialises in weight loss, corporate health and wellness programs, sports nutrition and management and the prevention of chronic diseases. In this episode we cover: • Working in co-working spaces can allow you to grow your business faster • Living regionally gives you access to funding that you wouldn't receive if you were operating out of a major city • Attending local networking events opens you up to receiving information that could be extremely beneficial to your business • Forming partnerships with other local businesses can be advantageous, especially in regional Australia • By hiring great staff you may receive more free time to do the things you love • Launching online challenges and Facebook groups helps to create a community • Working regionally doesn't prevent you from having clients in the cities • Don't just look for your target audience, but also look for YOUR ideal target audience Links mentioned in the show: • CQ Nutrition Website • CQ Nutrition Facebook • CQ Nutrition Instagram • CQ Nutrition Linkedin • Talking Business Australia Website • Talking Business Australia Facebook • Talking Business Australia Instagram

In this episode of the Regional Roar Podcast, co-hosts Cath Fowler and Melissa Dickfos chat all about website copywriting. While design attracts, it's copy that sells. We share tips to help increase your website engagement and conversions. Cath helps businesses get found and look good online. She enjoys working with regional businesses of all kinds to help the little guys compete on the big stage. A coffee-loving digital marketer and copywriter, Melissa loves working with regional businesses to help them stand out online. In this episode we cover: • Starting with knowing your audience first • Highlight important details and share your story to build connection and trust • Keep your copy conversational • Write for people but also consider search engine optimisation and use keywords to get found on Google • Avoid jargon and keep your copy easy to read • Create good linkages from one page of your site to the next. • Don't assume everyone who visits your site starts on the home page • Have strong call to actions Links mentioned in the show • Talking Business Australia Website • Talking Business Australia Facebook • Talking Business Australia Instagram

In this episode of the Regional Roar Podcast, co-hosts Melissa Dickfos and Cath Fowler were excited to chat with Jenn Donovan, creator of the Buy from a bush business Facebook group, which has over 200,000 Australian members. Like us, Jenn is a marketing nerd, small business lover and also hosts her own small business podcast. Following on from our last episode where we chatted about supporting regional and rural Australia after the recent bushfires and ongoing drought, we found Jenn's group and wanted to have her on to share how her group is helping businesses all over Australia. In this episode we cover: • How the idea for the Buy from a bush group came about • The challenges Jenn faced running a group of 200,000 members • Putting the focus on small businesses and having a positive impact • Some of the stories around how the group has impacted local regional and rural businesses • Some tips about how you can support local businesses • What Jenn loves about living in rural Australia • Jenn's top tip before you start a business in regional Australia Links mentioned in the show • Buy from a bush business Facebook Group • Buy from a bush business Facebook page • Jenn's Small Business Made Simple podcast • Talking Business Australia Website • Talking Business Australia Facebook • Talking Business Australia Instagram

In this episode of the Regional Roar Podcast, co-hosts Melissa Dickfos and Cath Fowler share with you some ideas on how you can support towns, communities and businesses in regional and rural Australia throughout 2020 and beyond. Of course, we love to share the success stories of people and businesses doing great things in regional and rural Australia. But given the enduring drought conditions in much of our country, combined with the devastating bushfires, it's time for us to all band together and show the compassion and support we are renowned for. In this episode we cover: • The amazing social media campaigns that have grown the awareness of regional Australian communities. • Small businesses are at the heart of regional and rural communities. They are the biggest employers of people and contributors to giving back to the community. • Businesses have been born out of innovation and what needed to be done. Creating a secondary income for farming families • The impact on businesses in rural and regional Australia has a wider flow-on impact for the rest of Australia and more so on our local communities. • While charity certainly has its place, what communities want is for you to invest in them. People need an immediate injection of cash to ensure they survive. • Mental Health and family stress levels in rural areas have been affected by the drought for a prolonged time. • Don't underestimate the impact you can have on putting your money directly to a business owner and spending it there. People need hope. • You might feel that your one person but it's the combined efforts of everyone and banding together we can reduce the suicide numbers it's an opportunity to step up and support a mate. Links mentioned in the show • Buy from the bush • Stay in the bush • Spend with them • Empty Esky • Stay here this year • Talking Business Australia Website • Talking Business Australia Facebook • Talking Business Australia Instagram