June Chamber Connect Event

Just over 35 local business owners started their morning at the June Chamber Connect event held in Cannonvale last week.
 
The main event was the discussion panel on the theme of ‘getting free media for your business’.
 
Editor in Chief of Mackay and Whitsunday Life Rachael Smith, Deb Friend of Whitsunday News, Paul O’Connor from Star FM, 4MK and Kix Mackay, and Tegan Philpott formally the Chief of Staff with ABC Tropical North and currently with CQ Rescue, were on the panel.
 
Deb Friend of Whitsunday News started the conversation on the purpose and structure of a great media release. Her top tips were to know what you want to and craft it into a story of around 300-400 words with a catching heading and key messages.
 
In radio, Paul O’Connor quoted a 2015 survey that found that the average adult human attention span has decreased over time from 12 seconds to 8 seconds. The challenge in radio is to develop that eight second statement that will stimulate the attitude of listeners on a topic that is more about your audience and the community.
 
Rachael Smith of Mackay and Whitsunday Life discussed the importance of understanding the business model of a free newspaper. Free newspapers rely on advertising, so they have strict measures around who receives editorial space. Advertisers receive priority but free newspapers will consider stories that are community-orientated.
 
To bring it all together Tegan Philpott spoke about factors of a story that resonate in the region, people need to feel connected to a story. Her advice was to craft stories that can quickly connect to your audience, that have a community angle, and can help you further engage in the community.
 
 
Tegan Philpott, Rachael Smith, Chamber President Allan Milostic, Paul O’Connor and Deb Friend, Photo credit: Daniel Heggie

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