The Marketing Muster: Issue 11

Hello

Hello, it's Joh here.

This week, I'm sending the biggest virtual hugs to our musterers in Victoria. Fingers, toes and everything else crossed this lockdown ends tomorrow, and you can get back to business fast.

(If you need a little iso-entertainment, check out the hilarious antics my brother and brother-in-law are getting up to in lockdown. They've rebooted their Iso Scene Studies for Lockdown 3.0. 🤣😂😆🍑😳🤭)

I've got some excellent links and a jam-packed issue for you this week. 👇

To our new subscribers, welcome to the muster. (Don't forget to check out our previous issues in the archives.)

Have we connected on social media yet?

You can follow me on:

I'd love to see you there.

Standing Ovation

South Australia Police

This week's standing ovation goes out to the social media team at South Australia Police (SAPOL). The social feed of SAPOL seems to get it right when it comes to the mix of serious and a little cheeky fun.

The subject matter for SAPOL's socials can be intense, important and grim. And the team don't muck around with that stuff. Those posts are respectful and informative and tell the public what they need to know about crimes, safety messages, missing people, COVID directions and more.

But when there's a bit of fun to be had, the SAPOL social team know how to get an important message across by amusing their audience and encouraging online engagement.

Why I Love It

They use pop culture to tell their story, like this week's Valentine's Day post about Cooper, the 2021 Barkelor
Their pun game is strong, like with this announcement about their electrifying update about their new fleet
They have a bit of fun while getting out important messages at Christmas and New Year
They nailed this safety warning for last year's Queen concert

But it's not just SAPOL winning at socials. Here's a list of other police forces bringing it with the best memes and funny posts.

Social media can be a tough gig but a little humour can go a long way for human engagement when it's done respectfully.

Even for serious organisations like the police.

How do you bring the human connection to your socials?

If you know a business, brand or campaign you think deserves a standing ovation, email me to tell me more.

Breaking News

Industries to be hardest hit if Google Search leaves Australia

We still don't know for sure if Google Search will leave Australia, but small businesses in hospitality, personal services and tourism are likely to be hardest hit if they do.

On Friday, the senate economics legislation committee said the parliament should pass the News Media Bargaining Code bill.

Google has previously said they are working hard to avoid withdrawing search from Australia, but they would have to if the bill passes. Google says the code needs 'straightforward' amendments to make it workable.

The bill is set to go to the Senate as soon as next week.

Watch this space. 👀

P.S. Hear what Australia's Queen of SEO, Kate Toon has to say about what happens if Google leaves Australia.

Insights

How to create a branded hashtag

Great tips here from the #RelentlesslyHelpful John Espirian on how to create a branded hashtag to help your business stand out.

Website Wisdom

SEO for Google images

Want to know how you can use images to help improve your SEO results. Watch this video from Google Search Advocate, John Mueller to learn how images work on Google.

Tools

Answer the Public

Want to know what people are searching for about a particular topic? With Answer the Public, you can get instant search insights and a goldmine of content ideas. It's a valuable tool in my keyword research kit.

Happenings

GigSuper Do-athon - Friday 26 February 2021

If you want to make 2021 your best business year yet, you need to make a plan and get started.

That's why I've booked in to attend GigSuper's Do-athon on Friday 26 February 2021. You can choose from a bunch of masterclasses covering things like, 'Developing your creating business strategy', 'Planning and goal setting for 2021' and 'Three secrets to landing PR coverage'.

I'm looking forward to popping into the sessions that suit me and checking out the virtual exhibition hall and member's lounge to chat with other self-employed small business owners.

See you there?

My News

A Valentine's Day playlist to spice up your SEO

How was your Valentine's Day?

My highlight was cleaning up the office and ditching the pile of junk that seems to accumulate when my family mistake my desk for their dumping ground. (Such romance.)

A few years ago, in honour of the day of love, I put together a Valentine's playlist designed to get you a bit of Google lovin'.

Here's my Spotify playlist of six songs to spice up your SEO.

1. Words
The Bee Gees
When it comes to optimising your website, using the right keywords in all the right places is the best way to woo the search engine rankings.

2. Linking With You
MØ
After hearing the lyrics to this song, I'm convinced MØ is a wounded SEO who’s been burned too many times by dodgy backlink attacks and endless no-follows from high authority sites.

3. Brave
Sara Bareilles
It’s easy to think you don’t have anything to blog about. Maybe you think it's all been said. But YOU haven't said it. So write that post. Be BRAVE. Let the words fall out (or get a copywriter to help you with the words).

4. Don't Stop Me Now
Queen
Site speed is one of the signals used by the Google algorithm to rank web pages. So you want to make sure your site loads like a racing car (passing by like Lady Godiva).

5. Keep It Comin' Love
KC and The Sunshine Band
Don’t blow the search engines off and cool the romance by leaving the bots thirsting for more. Update your website regularly and stay active on your social channels. Keep it comin’ love.

6. You Can't Hurry Love
The Supremes
I know you might need Google love to ease your mind, but you can’t hurry love. SEO is a long game. You need to keep working it. Remember mama said, 'Google love don’t come easy.'

Read the full Valentine's Day post on my blog.

Just For Fun

I’m not a cat 🤣😹

I'm sure you've already seen this, but I know you'll want to watch it again.

I think 'I'm not a cat' may have taken over 'BBC dad' as my favourite thing that's ever happened on the internet. It's just so adorable.

See you next week, Musterers.