Halls Gap, Victoria. 2023, is it fire ready?

Went on a couple of walks last week while holidaying with the family in Halls Gap, Victoria.

Coffee in Halls Gap - Large Strong Flat White from LiveFast Cafe in the little square by the creek.
Well priced chocolate croissants from the bakery in that same square, and the Vanilla Slice is pretty damn good, too… Last weird dinner experience, the Halls Gap Tavern, they were booked out, the decor is tired, the chap running the bar / handing out menus was run off his feet… The food was solid fare (Chicken Parma, great size… ) arrived SO quickly. We sat upstairs and the first impression was ‘The is kinda Fawlty Towers!’ but the food was good and the dessert (Sticky Date Pudding) was a ripper! Anyway…

We stayed at ‘Bush Lodge’ - Air BnB it here. Really nice little place, No wifi, Good fireplace, nice views… Cockatoos…

Anyway, that’s not what this observation was about… Is middle Victoria ready for what ‘they’re saying’ is going to be a nasty fire season? I dunno man, I’m not environmental specialist, but there is SO much brush and undergrowth, a lot of it well dry… Lots of remaining felled tree trunks that have dried out, It looks like chaos waiting to happen - I truly hope I’m talking bollocks and it’s all fine.

Here’s a few photos I made.

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There are photos of the accom in the Air BnB link, but here’s a shot of the cheeky wood-chewing cockies! (The place is pet friendly and we took our Jack Russell Terrier named Coco, she kept them off the verandah…

Well, she kept them off the verandah after this photo… (I asked her to heel in this photo)

Anyway - great destination about 3 hours out of Melbourne. We took bikes and had a good few days.

My full evaluation and strategy for THREADS for business use.

It’s been live ONE DAY… anyone that says they have a ‘full evaluation and strategy’ of anything in less than 24 hours is pulling your chain.

Here, relax.

Social Media, but get away camping for the weekend?

After my post about TikTok yesterday, I was thinking about how social media can have quite the negative effect on some people and I wanted to start a series, using social media to help spread the word (my blog, and maybe sharing this article on Twitter and Insta) about things you can do that involve LESS social media! Let’s starting with maybe looking at a family camping holiday?

And no, not THIS kind of camping… (Side note: my direct BCF links are not affil or sponsored, if you find this info useful, we could always share a coffee, and by share I mean you could spring for it, I could drink it while thinking of you… I know, I’m hilarious)

The year festivals all around the world were carnage - this one notwithstanding! Benicassim 2009, Spain.

But I digress… Let’s get back to a place I like to wander around, BCF, here in Australia is, in my opinion, a great all-rounder for the outdoors. Well worth a browse.

You can use this link to find some potential savings at BCF

Camping is an incredible way to reconnect with nature and create lasting memories. By equipping yourself with the right camping accessories, you can enhance your outdoor adventure and make the most of your time in the wilderness. BCF.com.au offers a wide range of high-quality camping gear, and the five accessories mentioned in this blog post.

So what five things are well worth a look at BCF that could potentially make your camping lives easier?

1. Wanderer Nightfall Dome Tent 10 Person

2. Telescopic Marshmallow Fork (Hello, yes!)

3. Wanderer Grand Yarra -9.6C Cotton Hooded Sleeping Bag - Why freeze? Toasty.

4. Campfire Lawson Cast Iron Set 7pc - Great minimal set for many cooking options.

5. Coleman 360 light and sound lantern - You need a half decent light, this one has tunes.

A half decent tent is an easy choice, you want a sturdy tent that packs away with little stress, needs to be strong enough to not fall apart! I’ve used both Wanderer and Coleman, either would work well for a family (I”m a family of four, two big, two little)

If I need to explain the hassle of sending the kids off to find that PERFECT sharp stick for their marshmallows, well… (Please make sure if you’re running any kind of open fire / flame that you’re doing so within the bounds of local fire ban conditions… that said, it’s winter here right now, so you’re good to go)

I don’t have THIS sleeping bag mentioned above, but I have an old one that won’t die - I’ll likely update to this one for our next venture out. I like being warm in a tent - I like a cold face and a warm body (that sounds odd, but there you go)

Now, I love the idea of a camp stove and griddle, and this set is on my list, too, hopefully for the next trip! I had family trips as a kid and dad always had a big blackened camp stove / oven that he’d make these (well, I was a kid, they were awesome) crazy potato stews in - good memories.

My last choice was the Coleman 360 light, I have a version of this light from many years ago, an older Coleman - it’s been a great companion. Not a directional light, but something that you hang up and it casts a nice glow - fine to cook by / not trip into the creek with, etc.

So, because you know I always get carried away and go over my list number, here’s number 6, though this is a little crazy, I mean EVERYONE that knows me knows my dog’s sleeping in my sleeping bag!

Still, fun!

6. Pet’s Camp Kennel Really?!

And on that note, I leave you to ponder turning off your phone and maybe, in the very least, going and making yourself a nice cup of tea.

Social media has become an integral part of business marketing strategies. It offers numerous benefits that can help businesses grow and thrive in today's digital age. Here are 22 benefits of social media for businesses:

1. Increased brand awareness: Social media platforms allow businesses to reach a large audience and increase their brand visibility.

2. Enhanced brand loyalty: Engaging with customers on social media helps build strong relationships and fosters loyalty towards the brand.

3. Improved customer insights: Social media provides valuable insights into customer preferences, behavior, and feedback, which can be used to improve products and services.

4. Targeted advertising: Social media platforms offer advanced targeting options that allow businesses to reach specific demographics, increasing the effectiveness of their advertising campaigns.

5. Cost-effective marketing: Compared to traditional advertising methods, social media marketing is generally more cost-effective, making it suitable for businesses with limited budgets.

6. Increased website traffic: Social media can drive traffic to a business's website, leading to higher conversion rates and potential sales.

7. Lead generation: Social media platforms provide opportunities for businesses to capture leads and grow their customer base.

8. Improved search engine ranking: Active social media presence and engagement can positively impact a business's search engine ranking, improving its visibility online.

9. Direct customer interaction: Social media enables direct communication between businesses and customers, fostering engagement and building trust.

10. Reputation management: Monitoring and addressing customer feedback on social media helps manage the brand's reputation and resolve issues promptly.

11. Influencer partnerships: Businesses can collaborate with influencers on social media to promote their products or services, reaching a wider audience.

12. Crisis management: During a crisis, social media can be used to share timely updates, address concerns, and maintain transparency with customers.

13. Competitor analysis: Social media platforms allow businesses to monitor their competitors' activities and stay updated on industry trends.

14. Market research: Businesses can conduct market research through social media to gather insights on consumer preferences, interests, and trends.

15. Customer support: Social media provides a platform for businesses to offer customer support and resolve queries in real-time.

16. Content distribution: Social media platforms enable businesses to distribute and promote their content, such as blog posts, videos, and infographics, to a wider audience.

17. Partnership opportunities: Businesses can discover potential partnerships and collaborations through social media, expanding their reach and resources.

18. Product feedback and testing: Social media can be used to gather feedback on new products or services, allowing businesses to make improvements before the official launch.

19. Employee advocacy: Encouraging employees to share company updates and engage with the brand on social media can enhance employee advocacy and attract talent.

20. Event promotion: Social media platforms offer effective tools for promoting events, attracting attendees, and generating buzz.

21. International reach: Social media transcends geographical boundaries, allowing businesses to reach a global audience and expand their market reach.

22. Real-time analytics: Social media platforms provide detailed analytics and insights that help businesses measure the performance of their campaigns and make data-driven decisions.

These benefits illustrate the tremendous value that social media can bring to businesses, making it an essential tool for marketing and growth in today's digital landscape.

Should you be using Tiktok? Social media 1 ohhh 1

Asking ChatGPT what it thinks of businesses using various platforms for promoting themselves, sometimes I agree with the answers, sometimes I don’t… I think it’s pretty ‘bang-on’ with its feedback on Tiktok. Tldr; if your business supports a younger demographic and the content you make is relatable and correctly formatted for the platform, have at it.

TikTok can be an effective platform for promoting small businesses, depending on the nature of the business and its target audience. Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to use TikTok as a promotional tool:

1. Target audience: TikTok has a predominantly young user base, with a significant portion being teenagers and young adults. If your target audience aligns with this demographic, TikTok can be an excellent platform to reach them.

2. Content suitability: Consider whether your business can create engaging and entertaining content that fits the TikTok format. TikTok is known for its short-form videos and creative challenges, so businesses that can adapt their content to this format and capture users' attention may find success on the platform.

3. Brand personality: TikTok thrives on authenticity and creativity. If your business has a unique brand personality and can showcase it through fun and engaging content, TikTok can be a great platform to amplify your brand's voice and connect with your audience.

4. Industry relevance: Certain industries, such as fashion, beauty, food, and entertainment, tend to perform well on TikTok. If your business operates in one of these industries or has visually appealing products or services, TikTok can provide a platform to showcase them and generate interest.

5. Time and resources: TikTok requires consistent effort and time investment to create and publish content regularly. Consider whether your small business has the resources to maintain an active presence on TikTok and engage with the community.

6. Advertising options: TikTok offers advertising options, including sponsored content and in-feed ads. These can be effective for reaching a wider audience and driving traffic to your business. However, they may involve additional costs, so evaluate your budget and determine if paid advertising aligns with your goals.

Ultimately, it's important to assess whether TikTok aligns with your business objectives, target audience, and available resources. Consider conducting research and observing how businesses similar to yours are performing on the platform before making a decision.