AXIS IQ

Stop Scrolling, Start Imagining: How Our New Colour Guide Makes Choosing Merch Actually Easy

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 02:25:30 GMT

Stop the overwhelm - choose by your brand's colours instead....

Picking branded merchandise online can feel overwhelming. You're clicking through hundreds of products on a catalogue site, trying to picture a water bottle in your club's colours or imagining whether that tote bag will actually match your brand palette. It's a lot of mental gymnastics.

That's exactly why we're excited to introduce our new Colour Guide — a curated, visual tool that flips the whole experience on its head.

What Is the Colour Guide?

Instead of starting with products and working backwards to colour, the Colour Guide lets you start with your brand colours and discover what's possible from there.

It's a beautifully designed reference that groups promotional products by colour family, so if your venue runs a deep navy and gold palette, you can immediately see which products are available in those tones. No more guessing. No more "I hope that looks right in real life."

You can browse the full Colour Guide embedded below, or explore our entire promo products range at axisiqpromoproducts.com.au.

What Is the Colour Guide?

Whether you run a registered club, a hospitality venue, a trades business, or a corporate team, the principle is the same: your brand has colours, and your merch should match them.

For clubs and venues especially, that consistency matters. Your colours are already on your signage, uniforms, and glassware. The last thing you want is branded products that look like they came from a different business. The Colour Guide makes it easy to shortlist products you can be confident in before you ever place an order.

But the same logic applies across any industry. A small business wanting to make an impression at their next event, a corporate team building a welcome kit, or a tradie looking for practical branded giveaways, all of them benefit from starting with colour rather than trawling through a catalogue hoping something looks right.

Promotional products work best when they feel cohesive. When the cap, the bag, and the bottle all belong together, that's when merch actually reinforces your brand rather than just filling a box.

Ready to Get Started?

Our team is here to help you make the most of the Colour Guide and find the right products for your brand, your budget, and your audience.

Get in touch:

Email: hello@axisiq.com.au
Phone: 02 6652 6652
Browse the range: axisiqpromoproducts.com.au

We'd love to help you build something that looks great and gets remembered.

New Lookbook released - check out the best of branded apparel for your business

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:21:22 GMT

New Lookbook Released

Apparel that deserves to be seen

The New Edit: Apparel That Works as Hard as Your Team

If you've ever had a staff member ask "what am I supposed to wear?" or scrambled to pull together branded gear before a big event, you'll know that getting your team looking consistent is harder than it should be.

Not because the options aren't out there, but because finding quality apparel that brands up well, fits real people, and doesn't blow the budget takes time most businesses don't have.

That's why we've put together a new apparel lookbook, pulling the best of what's available right now into one easy-to-browse resource.

One range. Every occasion.

This collection was curated for the Australasian market, which means it's designed around real workplaces, real climates, and real people. The range covers everything from everyday tees and singlets through to polos, casual shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts, outdoor and weather apparel, and an extensive headwear range.

Whether you're outfitting front-of-house staff, kitting out a sports team, ordering end-of-year gifts, or building out your branded merch offering, there's something in here that works.

Branding options that actually deliver

A great garment is only half the job. The other half is getting your logo, name, or design onto it in a way that looks professional and lasts. Every piece in this collection is backed by a full in-house branding facility, so you're not choosing between quality and affordability.

Branding options across the range include:

Embroidery - three-dimensional, eye-catching and built to last through heavy wear.
Faux Embroidery - the premium embroidered look without the cost or stitch limitations of traditional embroidery.
Colourflex Transfer - full-colour, flexible and machine washable. Stands up to the test of time.
Screen Print - simple, sharp and affordable for larger branding areas.
Digiflex Transfer - direct-to-film full colour printing, personalisation-ready with variable data.

Sustainability built in, not bolted on

For organisations where sustainability matters to staff or customers, this range includes Impact Aware options across several categories. These are products made from recycled materials, natural fibres like organic cotton and bamboo, or sourced from brands that give back to their communities. Look for the Impact Aware icon throughout the lookbook.

Who is this range for?

The short answer: most businesses. This collection works across hospitality, registered clubs, sporting organisations, trades, retail, corporate, health and fitness, events, and more. If your team wears a uniform, represents your brand at events, or you want to put something quality in your members' or customers' hands, this range has you covered.

Browse the lookbook and tell us what catches your eye.

Ready to order or want us to shortlist options for you? Contact the Axis IQ team at hello@axisiq.com.au or call us to talk through what you need.

Website Case Study: Inverell RSM Club

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 05:31:59 GMT

Website case study

Inverell RSM Club, Inverell

A Smarter Website for a Club That’s Grown

Clubs don’t stand still. They evolve.

Over time, venues expand their offering, add new facilities, introduce new services and adapt to what their members and community want. But one thing we see often is this: while the Club grows, the website doesn’t always keep up.

That was the situation at Inverell RSM Club.

A long-time Axis IQ website client, Inverell RSM already had a solid online presence. But as the Club’s offering expanded over the years, the site structure no longer reflected the full scope of what was available, or how people were actually using the site.

This project wasn’t about starting from scratch. It was about stepping back, reassessing the user journey, and rebuilding the site from the ground up so it worked harder for today’s members, guests and visitors.

THE CHALLENGE

Inverell RSM’s existing website had done its job but it had become a product of gradual growth rather than intentional structure.

Key challenges included:

A site structure that hadn’t evolved alongside the Club’s expanding offering
Important information that wasn’t always obvious to first-time visitors
A user journey that made sense historically, but not necessarily logically
An aesthetic that no longer matched the modern, welcoming experience offered in-venue

The Club wanted a website that:

Clearly showcased everything they offer
Was easy to navigate for all user types
Highlighted key attractions and services upfront
Supported high-use functions like takeaway food ordering

In short, they wanted a website that felt as considered and user-friendly as the venue itself.

THE BRIEF

The brief was clear and practical:

Restructure the website to reflect the Club’s full and diverse offering
Improve UX (user experience) so information flows logically and intuitively
Refresh the design with a clean, modern aesthetic
Ensure key offers and services are immediately visible
Make high-traffic actions (like takeaway ordering) easy to find and use
Ensure the site was AI-optimised - that is just a given now for the Axis IQ team when building a new site!

This was about clarity, usability and confidence (and a nice fresh new look too!).

OUR APPROACH

We began with structure.

Before any design work commenced, we reviewed the existing sitemap and content flow to understand how users were navigating the site and where friction points existed or critical information was missing.

From there, we:

Rebuilt the site architecture so offerings were clearly grouped and easy to understand
Simplified navigation to reduce unnecessary clicks
Reorganised content based on how users think and search, not how information had been added over time
Paid close attention to mobile UX , knowing the majority of users would be accessing the site on their phone

Once the structure was right, the design refresh followed naturally.

DESIGN & UX FOCUS

The updated design delivers a clean, modern look that still feels authentic to Inverell RSM.

Key UX considerations included:

Highlighting important offers (all-day dining, live music, kids’ facilities, courtesy bus) near the top of the site
Expanding upon the main menu to ensure the dropdown items covered all bases
For the more visual user, clear visual hierarchy to guide users through the page to help them find what they were looking for
Thoughtful placement of calls-to-action
Ensuring takeaway food ordering appears in relevant places across the site, not buried in one section
Tweaks to the mobile view of the website to ensure the user had a frictionless experience even on a smaller screen

Every decision was made with the end user in mind; helping members and guests quickly understand what the Club offers and how to engage with it.

THE RESULT

Inverell RSM now has a website that truly reflects who they are today.

The new site:

Makes it easy for first-time visitors to understand the Club’s offering
Allows regular users to quickly find what they’re looking for
Supports high-use functions like takeaway food ordering
Delivers a modern, welcoming first impression
Provides a flexible foundation that can continue to grow with the Club

Most importantly, it works for the people using it every day.

WHAT THE CLUB SAID

"Alice and Leeanne helped us upgrade our website into a clean, modern site that’s much easier to navigate, with all key information presented clearly.

Every suggestion from our team was listened to and incorporated in the best possible way. Important offers like all-day dining, live music, kids’ facilities and the courtesy bus are now highlighted near the top of the site, so first-time visitors quickly understand what the Club offers.

Our website is heavily used for takeaway food orders, and the Axis IQ team ensured those options appear in the right places throughout the site, making the experience seamless for our customers.

A huge thank you to Alice and Leeanne for making the entire process smooth and stress-free. Their guidance, communication and attention to detail were outstanding, and the end result really speaks for itself.”

Kaitie Boney, Inverell RSM C lub

View the LIVE site https://www.inverellrsm.com.au

ABOUT AXIS IQ WEBSITES

With a large client base of Registered Clubs and pubs, and more than 28 years working alongside the hospitality industry, Axis IQ understands what venues need from a website not just visually, but practically.

Every site we build is designed with real user behaviour in mind, helping members and guests find information easily, engage confidently, and take action online.

Make a VISUAL IMPACT in your venue

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 02:08:34 GMT

MAKE A

Visual Impact

IN YOUR VENUE!

Looking to level up your in-venue promotions? These high-impact products are bold, practical, and proven to turn heads.

Here’s how some Clubs are using visual displays to grab attention, drive engagement, and promote events (without blowing the budget).

NOVELTY CHEQUES

Whether you're celebrating a fundraising milestone or recognising a local legend, our novelty cheques deliver the message loud and clear.

Available in two sizes = small (1000mm x 450mm) or large (1400mm x 600mm)
High-impact, cost-effective, and great for presentations or photo opportunities!

Want to reuse them over and over? Our new 3mm foamboard version comes with a whiteboard laminate option, making it easy to write, wipe and repeat.

Perfect for Clubs that run regular giveaways or community events.

SELFIE FRAMES

If it’s not on socials… did it even happen? Selfie frames are still a winner when it comes to fun, shareable content.

Branded with your Club logo or event message
Encourage user generated content and social sharing
Great for fundraisers, birthdays, launches or themed nights

Your brand becomes part of the photo - and the memory.

STACKABLE CUBES

These cubes build on each other (literally) to create an eye-catching display in your foyer, reception area or gaming floor.

Full-colour digital print on all four sides
Four standard sizes available
Weather-resistant Signflute or eco-friendly cardboard
Printed with water-based, UV-resistant inks
Supplied flat-packed with self-locking assembly for easy setup

Perfect for short-term promos or longer-term branding.

STRETCH FABRIC MEDIA WALLS

Level up your Club’s next event with a professional, photo friendly media wall.

Full-colour stretch polyester fabric
Choose straight or curved frame styles
Single or double-sided print options

Pittwater paired theirs with stackable cubes and hanging decals for a standout promo setup.

HANGING DECALS

Want your promo to literally hang around? These lightweight signs make the most of ceiling space.

Made from 5mm PVC foamboard
Double-sided print for visibility from all angles
Supplied with a drill hole for easy hanging

Used effectively as part of Armidale City Bowling Club’s 110 year promotion.

A-FRAME SIGNS

Hard to ignore, these portable sandwich boards are one of the easiest ways to promote what’s on, wherever you need.

Lightweight but sturdy with option for a carry handle for quick movement
Reusable and weather-tolerant
Perfect for beer gardens, entryways or car parks
Simple and effective, indoors or out

A-frame shown promoting a new dining experience where guests would see it!

CORFLUTE SIGNS

Need budget-friendly signage for a one off event or seasonal promo?

Corflute is the way to go.

Great for short-term outdoor use
Cost-effective with strong visibility
Lightweight and easy to install

FLOOR DECALS

Look down and stand out. Put your promos where people are already looking.

Durable, non-slip and available in a range of sizes
Apply to timber, tile or even carpet - easy to apply and remove
Ideal for directional signage, campaigns, or giveaways

Storyland festival decals shown installed at Coffs Harbour Airport

CALL or EMAIL todAY!
(02) 6652 6652
hello@axisiq.com.au

DON'T forget the Kids!

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 01:03:04 GMT

Don't forget the

KIDS!

Some of our favourite merch ideas to get the kids acting as your very own brand ambassadors!

FREE MOCKUPS!*

Just send us your logo to see your brand on one of these items!

*on most items in our range

View full range, stock levels and grab a quote via axisiqpromoproducts.com.au

Interview with Luke Stephenson

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 00:25:34 GMT

From Club Manager to Compliance

Mentor

After decades in NSW clubs, most recently managing Yamba Golf & Country Club, Luke Stephenson has launched his own consultancy focused on independent AML/CTF reviews.

With experience across frontline, management and board roles, he brings a practical, real-world lens to compliance and how clubs can get it right.

Tell us a bit about your background and what led you to your new venture?

I have been working in the gaming industry since I was 18 years old. I have enjoyed a successful career predominantly working in the club industry. The family life has changed with my three boys growing up and branching out, allowing me to chase other interests within the industry that has provided our family so much opportunity.

"This experience allows me to quickly identify opportunities for

improvement and make valuable tailored recommendations"

Clubs are required to engage a third-party auditor, so why should a club manager choose you over a larger, more traditional accounting firm?

Over my gaming industry career I have been employed in every position involved in the AML/CTF program review process and reported to boards for many, many years at clubs of varying sizes with varying resources.

I have the experience and ability to connect with all levels of the organisation from legislative compliance, board and senior

management oversight, and frontline operational perspectives.

This experience allows me to quickly identify opportunities for improvement and make valuable tailored recommendations. I have

a genuine enthusiasm and passion for the club industry and strive to make any review I conduct as valuable and impactful to the club as possible.

Luke Stephenson

Many people think a compliance audit is purely a tick box checklist. Can you explain the other, perhaps less obvious, areas you focus on that are critical for a club's long-term health and reputation?

It starts with a standard style checklist and audit due to the very similar designated service clubs provide and are reporting on. However, it quickly evolves due to different elements such as Boards, management, club size, location, available resources, demographics, members and visitors among many other variables.

Assisting the organisation’s different levels to understand why they do what they do and focusing on working together to strengthen compliance outcomes is always the goal.

Given the constantly evolving regulatory landscape for registered clubs, what do you see as the next major compliance challenge on the horizon for club managers?

That’s a good question considering the significant compliance requirements that already exist for clubs. AML/CTF compliance will be at forefront for an extended period due the current reforms and the expectations of AUSTRAC to effectively reach and maintain overall compliance. WHS compliance is always evolving and you can never discount a challenge on the gaming industry.

How can SPIN readers get in touch if they want to

engage you to help with their AML/CTF review?

luke.clubcompliance@gmail.com or 0414 980 997

Our team's picks - gift ideas!

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 23:42:56 GMT

Gifts Ideas!

OUR TEAM PICKS

Choosing the right promotional gift can be tricky. You want something thoughtful that people will actually use, not another item destined for the bottom of a drawer. That's why we've asked our Axis IQ team to share their personal favourites: the promo products they'd be genuinely excited to receive.

ALICE'S PICK

“I love when function meets style. And this is a funky looking picnic blanket (very handy for warmer weather picnics) and the branding panel is BIG at 200mm x 250mm so you can have great brand exposure too!”

KYLIE'S PICK

Who doesn't need a coffee or two to get them through the day? I love the range of Cordia Ceramic Vacuum Cups with their fresh spring colours and powder coated finish that looks amazing when laser engraved! They keep your coffee piping hot and your branding sleek, all whilst preventing the guilts from having to toss another coffee cup in landfill!

LEEANNE'S PICK

Unlike some traditional printing methods, sublimation allows for printing across the entire umbrella surface, including all panels, reproducing complex designs, photographs, and detailed patterns.

KISANE'S PICK

"You can’t go past a good quality drink bottle and Aura Vacuum Bottle is perfect - double wall insulated stainless, stainless steel inner straw, and best of all so many stunning colours to choose from with a matte powder coat finish. I’d love this as a gift!"

EMMA'S PICK

"I recently got married and we gifted our guests with custom Stubby holders, they were such a hit, not only on the day for keeping drinks cool, but they have now gone home with family and friends taking them as far as the UK to share with relatives that could not make it on the day. Our Stubby holders are TOP quality and everyone commented on the day about how well made they are."

Summer Merch Trends 2025

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 22:43:50 GMT

Summer

Merch Trends 2025

Warm weather’s on the way, and that means one thing: time

to level up your Club merch game. Whether your members

are on the field, at the beach, or just soaking up the sun,

the right gear turns them into walking billboards - the good kind!

Here’s what’s trending for Spring/Summer 2025, and how smart Clubs are turning heads with style, smarts, and sustainability.

1. Cool threads for hot days

Comfort’s key, but make it sharp. Moisture-wicking polos, mesh singlets and soft organic tees are leading the charge. Think bold colours, retro energy, and minimalist design. Your Club’s heritage? Still front and centre, now with a modern cut.

2. Green is the new black

Eco isn’t just a buzzword it’s the new baseline. Recycled fabrics, ocean plastic sports bags, bamboo totes and organic cotton tees are in demand. If you’re aiming to walk the sustainability talk, your merch is a great place to start.

3. Drinkware that works hard

Reusable bottles, vacuum tumblers and branded cooler bags are essentials. Laser-etched stainless steel bottles are trending for their

sleek look and durability. Stubby holders? Still a crowd favourite, especially custom, limited-edition, or personalised ones.

4. Smart headwear is in

From caps to bucket hats and visors, it’s all about sun-smart gear with UPF ratings, breathable fabric, and wider brims. Matching sets (hat + towel) are massive for swim and surf clubs this season.

5. Limited drops, big buzz

Short-run merch drops help Clubs avoid dead stock while building hype. Promote via socials, create FOMO, and make it feel exclusive because it is.

The wrap

This season, merch isn’t just about promo, it’s about identity. When you hit the sweet spot between style, lifestyle, and innovation, members don’t just wear it. They rep it.

What your website should be saving you (and earning you too)

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 05:19:52 GMT

What your website should be saving you

(and earning you, too)

A smart Club website isn’t just a marketing tool; it’s a time-saver,
revenue driver, and customer service assistant that works 24/7.

Here’s how a well-built site can reduce workload and boost revenue.

1. Online bookings:

Set, Forget, and Fill Tables

With integrated booking tools, patrons can book a table or trivia seat any time.

No phone calls, no staff. Every client we’ve worked with who added online bookings saw a spike in catering numbers.

(It makes sense. People want to book on their terms and many prefer not to speak to someone to do it.)

2. Answer FAQs once, not 15 times a day:

“What time is the raffle?”

“Do you have a kids' menu?”

“Is the bistro open Mondays?”

When your website shows accurate menus, hours, and event details, you cut down on phone calls and admin while instantly improving the guest experience.

3. Be found first (by locals and tourists):

Locals want to know what’s on. Tourists Google where to eat.

If your website is outdated or invisible, you're out of the running.

A mobile-friendly, SEO optimised site makes sure you're found when it matters.

4. Make function enquiries a no-brainer

Functions are easy money but only if people know what you offer. A tidy layout with menus, images, and an enquiry form lets people say “yes” with minimal fuss. Make it easy to book and you’ll see enquiries rise.

5. Photos that do the selling

Forget stock shots.

Real photos help people picture themselves at your venue and that connection starts well before they arrive.

6. It works while you sleep

Late-night restaurant and function bookings, gift voucher sales after hours - your website works 24/7. Can your front desk do that?

So, what’s the cost of not having a good website (or a website at all)?

• Missed bookings

• Lost event enquiries

• Weak first impressions

• Staff bogged down on the phone

• Guests going elsewhere

We absolutely LOVE helping our Club clients make the most of their online presence. Is your website doing what it should for your Club?

Still wondering if it’s worth the investment?

Flip the question: What’s the cost of not having one?

(or not having a good one!)

Upgrade Your Card Printer: $200 Trade-In Offer on the Revolutionary Entrust Sigma DS2

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 03:13:05 GMT

Limited time offer:

Trade in any old card printer and receive $200 off the next-generation Entrust Sigma DS2 Card Printer!

Offer now extended until 31 March 2026

At Axis IQ, we understand that you need a reliable card printer that delivers consistent, professional results. That's why we're excited to introduce the Entrust Sigma DS2 – a game-changing direct-to-card printer that's specifically designed for today's modern environments .

Why the Sigma DS2 is the Perfect Choice

Unmatched User-Friendliness
Gone are the days of complicated card printer setups. The Sigma DS2 features an intuitive printer dashboard that lets your staff check printer status, order supplies, and even access how-to videos by simply scanning a QR code on the LCD display. This means less downtime and more efficient membership processing.

Built for High-Volume Operations
With printing speeds of up to 225 cards per hour for single-sided colour cards and 140 cards per hour for double-sided cards, the Sigma DS2 can easily handle your busiest membership drives and events. The 125-card input hopper means fewer interruptions for restocking.

Enterprise-Level Security
Your members' data deserves the best protection. The Sigma DS2 includes:

Secure boot protection against malware
Trusted Platform Module (TPM) for certificate management
Encrypted data transmission
No customer data storage after printing completion
Luster printing and tamper-resistant features

Future-Ready Technology
The Sigma DS2 grows with your needs. Start with basic card printing and add features like:

Magnetic stripe encoding for access control
Smart card capabilities for cashless transactions
WiFi connectivity for flexible placement
Mobile printing from iOS, Android, and Windows devices

Technical Excellence You Can Trust

USA-Made Quality with Australian Support

The Entrust Sigma DS2 is manufactured in the USA to the highest standards and comes with an impressive 36-month warranty – demonstrating the manufacturer's confidence in this premium product.

Professional Print Quality

300 dpi resolution with enhanced modes up to 300 x 1200 dpi
Dye sublimation technology for vibrant, long-lasting cards
Support for various card thicknesses and sizes including standard CR-80

Flexible Ribbon Options

Choose from a comprehensive range of colour and monochrome ribbons to match your club's specific needs, from basic membership cards to sophisticated security-enhanced designs.

Our Special Trade-In Offer

Save $200 When You Trade In Your Old Printer
We're making it easier than ever to upgrade to the Sigma DS2. Trade in any old card printer regardless of brand, model, or condition and receive $200 off your new Sigma DS2 Mag Encoder Card Printer.

This limited-time offer recognises that every organization deserves access to the latest card printing technology without the financial burden of keeping outdated equipment.

Ready to Upgrade?
Don't let an outdated card printer hold you back. The Entrust Sigma DS2 represents the future of card issuance – combining simplicity, security, and scalability in one powerful package.

Contact the Axis IQ team today to:

Discuss your specific printing requirements
Get a customized quote for your needs
Arrange your trade-in and claim your $200 discount
Schedule a remote demonstration of the Sigma DS2s

Get in touch:

Phone: (02) 6652 6652 | Email: hello@axisiq.com.au
Visit: Unit 7, 84-90 Industrial Drive, Coffs Harbour NSW 2450

This trade-in offer is available for a limited time until 31 March 2026. Contact us for full terms and conditions.

Case Study: How we helped Pittwater create their perfect Communication Hub with their new website pulseofpittwater.com.au

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 01:24:58 GMT

Website Case study

Pulse of Pittwater: A Purpose-Built Hub for Community and Progress

THE CHALLENGE

Our long term clients and friends at Pittwater have big plans for the future with some major redevelopment projects in the works and on the horizon.

As any Club manager would understand, when undertaking large scale projects in a Club, keeping members informed with the correct information is crucial to its smooth running. (If you know, you know!)

That’s why Pittwater cleverly identified they needed a dedicated website to communicate very clearly with members, stakeholders and the broader community about all current and future developments.

They engaged Axis IQ to create a robust online presence that would act as the central hub for all project-related updates. It needed to sit apart from the main Club site, which would continue to focus on entertainment, promotions and events.

The request was clear: deliver a professional, easy-to-navigate site that could house key project information, provide regular news updates, and include a visual timeline showing progress and mark key milestones.

OUR SOLUTION

We designed and developed Pulse of Pittwater (pulseofpittwater.com.au), a clean, modern and content-rich website that delivers on every point in the brief.

Here’s what we implemented:

Clear Communication: We structured content to present all development updates in a professional, engaging format
User-Friendly Design: We built intuitive navigation to help visitors find key information with ease
Dynamic Content Areas: We added a news section that supports updates with images, video and downloadable files
Strong Visual Appeal: We followed a clean, modern design inspired by the Club’s vision for this site
Community Engagement: We included a contact form to invite feedback and support two-way communication.(As much as possible directing people to communicate via more professional means than sending Facebook messages or DMs on Instagram).

THE RESULT

Pulse of Pittwater is now the go-to platform for the Club’s redevelopment news. It keeps members, guests and locals informed with timely, accurate updates, helping build trust and transparency.

With its modern layout and user-first approach, the site makes it easy for Pittwater to communicate progress and maintain engagement with the community not just now, but well into the future.

CLIENT FEEDBACK

“Axis IQ met the brief and excelled. The team achieved the objective within the short timeframe we set, and the process was smooth from start to finish. They were professional and thorough throughout. We are very happy with the result.”
Jason Manning, CEO

“FABULOUS!!!! Pulse of Pittwater looks great!!!”
Roberta Conroy OAM, Director

We LOVE hosting our clients’ websites in the cloud for that added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

If your website needs a shake-up, (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today. We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652.

Wrap it up! FENCE MESH

Wed, 28 May 2025 04:13:25 GMT

Turn any fence into a billboard

Printed fence mesh is the ultimate blend of practicality and promo power.

Lightweight and weatherproof, it’s designed to attach to fencing—making it

perfect for Clubs that need temporary signage or bold outdoor branding.

WHERE CLUBS USE IT:

During venue renos or construction
At sporting fields to promote Club sponsors
For branded fencing at outdoor events and festivals
Around beer gardens or kids’ areas for privacy

WHY IT WORKS:

Built for the outdoors – UV-resistant, fire-retardant and
Aussie-weather tough
Budget-smart – High visual impact without high spend
Easy to use – Comes in 50m rolls, with reinforced eyelets for simple install
Custom designs

FAST FACTS:

Standard heights: 1.6m and 1.8m (custom heights available)
Reinforced edging for durability
Ships Australia-wide

The brighter your design - the more impact!

"They look great on our fence line and are a real eye catcher!

Thanks again for the speedy turnaround."

Sue Donohue, Clarence River Jockey Club

Want to make your fence work harder? Let's design something impactful hello@axisiq.com.au

Print in focus

Wed, 28 May 2025 02:56:06 GMT

Destination still worth it

We love the latest print job we produced for City of Coffs Harbour – Coffs Coast: Place of Plenty destination tourism magazine! And we love it for a few key reasons…

If you’ve ever brushed off a rep selling ad space in a tourism magazine, you’re not alone. Many Club managers have a 'hard-NO' policy when it comes to paid print features – and in most cases, they’re right to be sceptical. But every now and then a print opportunity comes along that’s worth it and here’s why this concept works:

Quality matters. This isn’t a flimsy throwaway. It’s a professionally designed, high-end publication that people actually read – and hang onto.
Right place, right audience. It’s distributed across the Coffs Coast and major east coast cities like Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne, targeting both tourists and potential future locals.
Massive reach. With 50,000 copies in circulation and strong support from local tourism operators, the advertisers’ messages aren’t getting lost in the mix.
Long shelf life. It’s packed with a full 12-month events calendar, meaning people keep it for reference - not just a one-and-done flip.

A local destination magazine like this will increase your Club’s visibility and promote its unique offerings to a broader audience, building brand awareness, boosting your Club’s reputation and increasing membership and visitation rates.

Not to mention the opportunities to cross-promote with other businesses and strengthen regional tourism – a win-win in our book!

So next time a tourism rep comes knocking, don’t dismiss it out of hand. Ask the right questions – circulation, audience, distribution points, quality – and consider whether this might be one of the rare print ads that actually works.

WHY PRINT STILL MATTERS...

We get it – print can feel like a big spend in a digital-first world.

But when it’s part of a smart, multi-channel campaign, the right print still pulls its weight.

IT GETS NOTICED

Print cuts through digital

noise. It grabs attention

and holds it.

IT BUILDS TRUST

Tangible, high-quality

materials add credibility and

make your brand feel real.

IT STICKS AROUND

People keep print. It lingers

longer than an email or

social post.

Need print that packs a punch? Get in touch TODAY!

(02) 6652 6652 hello@axisiq.com.au

Club Taree - 10 YEARS OF IMPACT

Wed, 28 May 2025 02:17:33 GMT

How Club Taree built a legacy of giving

At Axis IQ, we’re always inspired by Clubs who 'walk the talk' when it comes to community connection and Club Taree’s Community Team is one of those rare initiatives that not only started with purpose but has sustained momentum, evolved with intent, and delivered extraordinary outcomes over a full decade.

With over $1.1 million raised and 14,000+ volunteer hours contributed, it’s more than just a program—it’s embedded in the Club’s culture. We asked Club Taree’s CEO, Paul Allan, to reflect on the heart behind the initiative, its evolution, and what other venues might take from their approach to community engagement.

Ten years is a huge milestone. What was the original inspiration behind launching the Club Taree Community Team, and how has it evolved over the past decade?

The Club Taree Community Team was originally developed as a pathway for our Directors, Managers and Staff to engage with our local community. I was in a fresh new role here at Club Taree and wanted to have impact which would benefit the community, the Club and the sense of team. At the time I wanted to create an outlet that was about genuine connection between Club and Community, one that was driven by authenticity. To me it was important that the connectedness was also amongst the team, through shared achievement.

In that original moment I could not have fathomed the success of the concept, and that 10 years later it would have morphed into an iconic piece of Club Taree’s story. Nor would I have imagined that we would have raised $1.1M, and have volunteered over 14,000 hours.

"In the background we are working on our biggest story yet...

Watch this space."

Each year we work on building our concepts, whilst also maintaining similarity for our members who connect with our
iconic fundraising events. The biggest risk we took was laying our signature event, le Tour de Taree to rest last year after 10 years and an incredible community impact of $600,000. We have replaced it with the Club Taree Community Challenge, and to date our support is stronger than ever thanks to the connections we have built over the last 10 years.

Club Taree's CEO, Paul Allan

In the background we are working on our biggest story yet, and what we believe to be the natural evolution. Watch this space… .

How do you keep staff engaged and excited to participate year after year? What do you think has been the secret to its longevity?

The initiative has always been team driven. It is important that we create ownership and connection between the team and anything we do, this helps increase the sense of achievement, the benefit to the community and the comradeship amongst those involved. I am also very conscious to celebrate the involvement of those that contribute. The Club Taree Community Team is a part of our everyday, it is a part of our conversation, it forms our story telling, our staff engagement and our member communication. We have been so humbled by the support of our members from day one, together they have embraced our commitment, and have supported us vocally, financially and in spirit. The funds we have raised are because of that direct connection with our members who find great value in our contributions to building a stronger community.

What advice would you give to other Clubs who want to create a more engaged and community-minded workplace culture?

You have to want to do it for the right reasons. This is not a quick marketing gimmick. It needs to be genuine; it needs to be authentic. You need passion to drive these types of projects, and I am so lucky to have such a strong team of like-minded individuals. If successful however, it will form part of your story and create a wider connection piece between your community and your club.

Apart from this, my direct advice is give it a go. Beyond the benefits to the community you will find a stronger more connected team, a greater sense of achievement, a better workplace culture and offer opportunities for increased mental wellbeing for your team.

Thanks Paul and congratulations!

Follow Club Taree on socials where they share what their Community Team is up to..

Team Apparel & Uniforms

Wed, 28 May 2025 01:19:07 GMT

Branding Solutions for your team!

SOLS Snake Hooded Sweatshirt

Colours: 6 different colours

Branding options: Screen Print, Colourflex Transfer, Faux Embroidery, Embroidery

Min order: 10 units

Click here to ORDER NOW!

118084- SOLS Snake Hooded Sweatshirt

Element Unisex

T-Shirt

Colours: Over 30 different colours.

Branding options: Screen Print, Colourflex Transfer, Faux Embroidery, Embroidery

Min order: 10 units

Click here to ORDER NOW!

122452 - Element Unisex

T-Shirt

ORDER NOW!

View full range, stock levels and grab a quote via axisiqpromoproducts.com.au
or reach out to our team today hello@axisiq.com.au or call (02) 6652 6652

Using AI in your Club

Tue, 27 May 2025 06:39:57 GMT

Where AI works.. & where it still needs you!

AI is fast becoming part of everyday operations from meetings, to marketing, and member queries. If used well, it can save serious time and streamline busy work. But it’s not a set-and-forget solution (yet!). Here’s where it can genuinely help and where it still needs a human behind the wheel.

What It’s Good For

Board meetings & reporting

AI tools like Otter.ai or Microsoft 365 Copilot can summarise minutes, draft agendas and pull key insights from long reports – ideal for GMs and boards wanting to save time without missing

detail.

HR and rostering

Platforms like Deputy or Employment Hero use AI to flag staffing gaps, suggest roster patterns, and streamline admin.

AI tools can also assist with writing basic HR documents.

Marketing content

AI can help kick off ideas for captions, email ideas or campaign suggestions. Tools like ChatGPT and Canva speed up post creation and design tweaks – but still need brand guidance.

Basic finance analysis

Some accounting platforms now offer AI features to analyse data, flag anomalies or project future costs – handy for Club managers reviewing multiple departments.

Answering FAQs

Automated replies or website chatbots can handle repetitive member questions (e.g. raffle times, what’s on tonight), freeing up your team for more complex tasks.

What It’s Not Great For

 Understanding Club culture

AI doesn’t know your members, your regulars, or what makes

your venue special. It can’t read a room – or write with heart.

Off-the-shelf decisions

AI can crunch data but doesn’t weigh local context, community

needs or reputational impact. Use it to inform—not decide.

Unsupervised content

Without clear prompts, AI may produce content that’s bland,

off-brand, or just wrong. Every output still needs editing and

oversight. And people are definitely now identifying and tuning

out when they detect something is written with AI. (It is a big turn

off!).

One-size-fits-all tools

Many systems aren’t built for Clubs – and integrations can be

patchy. Always check how well a tool works with your existing

setup. Remember to always adhere to your privacy and data

protection policies when using AI tools and never upload private

data into an AI tool.

AI TOOLS WORTH A LOOK

FOR MEETING NOTES

Otter.ai – Transcribes meetings and generates summaries

Microsoft 365 Copilot – Integrates with Outlook, Word and Teams to draft docs, emails and notes

FOR ROSTERS & HR

Deputy – Uses AI to predict rostering needs and flag conflicts

Employment Hero – Automates basic HR docs and streamlines onboarding

FOR MARKETING TASKS

ChatGPT – Generates caption ideas, blog outlines and basic copy

Canva Pro – Offers AI-powered design suggestions and resizing tools

F OR FINANCE & REPORTING

Xero Analytics Plus – Forecasts cash flow and tracks performance trends

Fathom – integrates with Xero, MYOB, Quickbooks and excel, transforming data into visual reports, KPIs and trend analysis with ease

FOR MEMBER ENQUIRIES

Tidio or ManyChat – Chatbots for handling common website questions

Meta Auto Replies – Automate FAQ responses via Facebook or Instagram DMs

Website Case Study: Club Urunga

Tue, 27 May 2025 06:10:48 GMT

Website case study

Club Urunga, Urunga

From no web presence at all to a true digital home for a much-loved coastal club!

Until recently, Club Urunga – a friendly, down-to-earth bowlo on the NSW Mid North Coast - didn’t have a website.

No homepage. No menu online. No event info.

 Local members knew where to find the Club, but for visitors and younger audiences, it was basically invisible.

If you’re a regular reader of The Spin, you would have heard us say “your website is literally the ONLY piece of digital real estate that you own”. So we always love the opportunity to bring a Club online with a smashing new website!

Here’s what we worked on with Club Urunga….

WHAT THEY NEEDED

Starting from scratch, and with an urgent need to get online asap, we helped the Club confirm a brief for the new site. It needed to be:

Simple to navigate and cover all the details of what’s happening in the Club
Clear for both locals and tourists
Feel authentic – no stock imagery or stiff photos. And it should feel like a website from a coastal venue with clean lines, bright, and in a beachy palette.

WHAT WE DELIVERED

We designed and built a site from scratch that does the basics beautifully – then layers in a few thoughtful extras:

A friendly, informative homepage that puts the Club’s personality front and centre
Clean ‘What’s On’ schedule that reflects their weekly rhythm of members promos, raffles, bingo, and live music
Catering and Bar pages that showcase the East Garden Restaurant, the bar, play area, and courtesy bus — all in the tone a local would actually use
Custom icons and subtle animations to keep the experience light, not flashy
A mobile-friendly website that is fully customisable should there be some info or content that would be better displayed on mobile vs desktop and vice versa.

"The Axis IQ Team were incredible to work with,making the whole process so easy for us. They really understand Clubs too. It was a great "

Check out the LIVE site cluburunga.com.au !

We LOVE hosting our clients’ websites in the cloud for that added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

If your website needs a shake-up, (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today. We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652.

High Quality Stubby Holders

Tue, 27 May 2025 02:54:06 GMT

High-Quality Stubby Holders

Perfect promo merch in your venue or to give away and get noticed.

Best choice for Venues..

 5mm neoprene rubber
 Full dye-sublimation print
 Produced in Australia
 Hand-stitched to last
 Fits most 375ml cans and bottles

Need artwork?

Send us your design or let our team create one for you..

Contact the Axis IQ team today hello@axisiq.com.au for all your print marketing and digital needs.

Custom Branded Coasters

Tue, 27 May 2025 02:43:33 GMT

Custom Branded Coasters

Looking for a simple way to promote your venue while protecting your tables?

Our high-quality drink coasters are the perfect solution.

Custom-branded with your logo or design
Durable & absorbent – ideal for venues
Eco-friendly – recyclable & compostable, printed with eco-friendly inks

Sizes & Options:

Standard: 96mm round or 96mm square (rounded corners)
Custom shapes & sizes available
Minimum order: 1,000 units

Need artwork?

Send us your design or let our team create one for you.
Fast Australia-wide delivery.

Contact the Axis IQ team today hello@axisiq.com.au for all your print marketing and digital needs.

Social Media Calendar Winter

Tue, 27 May 2025 02:21:47 GMT

A handy reminder of upcoming special days to celebrate and some fun ideas to promote on Social Media..

-2025-

Power of Video on Social Media

Tue, 21 Jan 2025 01:23:26 GMT

Top 3 tips

to Harness the Power of Video on Social Media..

01

Keep It Short and Sweet

With the rise of TikTok and Instagram Reels, short videos (under 30 seconds) are the way to go.

They hold attention, convey your message quickly, and are likelier to be fully watched.

02

Focus on Value

Whether it’s educational content, behind-the-scenes looks, or fun, make sure your videos provide value. Videos that teach something or entertain are more likely to be shared and saved.

03

Use Strong Visuals and Captions

Eye-catching visuals draw viewers in, and captions make your content accessible to more people, including those who watch without sound. Always ensure your visuals are sharp and your captions clear and concise.

Implement these tips to boost your social media presence with engaging video content that resonates with your audience.

Axis IQ is your club specialist and we have the expertise to help you STAND OUT on your socials.
Reach out to our team today social@axisiq.com.au or call (02) 6652 6652

Social Media Calendar Summer

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 22:50:24 GMT

A handy reminder of upcoming special days to celebrate and some fun ideas to promote on Social Media..

-2025-

Marketing with a blend of print & digital

Mon, 20 Jan 2025 02:31:19 GMT

The dynamic fusion of print and digital marketing

Why smart marketers understand the importance of the marketing mix for
best results in 2025.

In an era dominated by AI-driven campaigns and digital-first strategies, smart marketers in 2025 know that true success comes from embracing a well-rounded marketing mix. Here’s why print continues to play a pivotal role in this modern age:

Capturing Attention

In 2025’s screen-heavy world, print grabs attention like no other medium. Research shows that physical media activates deeper cognitive engagement, with consumers spending more time processing print materials than digital ads. Print provides a moment of pause in a fast-paced digital landscape, making messages truly resonate.
Building Credibility

Trust is everything. Consumers are increasingly wary of digital advertising fraud, fake reviews, and data breaches. Print remains a trusted medium, with surveys showing that over 70% of people trust direct mail and print ads more than their online counterparts - a figure that continues to rise as audiences crave authenticity.
Amplifying Campaigns

Smart marketers don't choose between digital and print - they use both. Integrated campaigns combining the tactile presence of print with the immediacy of digital consistently outperform single-channel strategies, increasing overall engagement by up to 30%. This synergy builds stronger, longer-lasting connections.
In 2025, the smartest marketers know the key to standing out is a strategic marketing mix that blends print's enduring value with digital's dynamism. Don't leave print out - it's the ace in your hand for marketing success!

" Smart marketers don't choose between digital & print - they use both! "

Contact the Axis IQ team today hello@axisiq.com.au for all your print marketing and digital needs.

Cool Club Things..

Thu, 16 Jan 2025 04:24:06 GMT

Check out these Cool Club ideas..
Creative ways venues are providing for guests and boosting foot traffic

Club Ryde’s Amazon Locker Initiative

Club Ryde has taken a smart step forward with the installation of an Amazon Locker at their venue.

This innovative feature offers a secure package pick-up option for busy locals, apartment dwellers without mailrooms, and anyone seeking a flexible delivery solution.

It’s a standout initiative that adds convenience and draws new visitors to the Club.

Drag Bingo: A Fresh Take on a Classic

Drag Bingo is shaking up the traditional bingo night with high-energy performances and interactive fun. It’s drawing in a wide audience thanks to its mix of laughs, lively entertainment, and broad appeal.

With many venues using Drag Bingo as a chance to raise money for local causes, it’s a night of fun, as well as bringing people together for a good cause.

A few of the Axis IQ team have been along to Drag Bingo and it’s definitely a fun night for the adults! Worth a try for most venues!

Xmas Doggie Pics

Bribie Island RSL understands how much people love their pets, with their Christmas Throne for doggie Christmas pics!

This creative idea invites patrons to dress up their pups, snap festive photos, and share the fun online.

It was a quirky, family-friendly concept that added charm to the venue and engaged the local community during the holiday season.

Is your club is doing something cool? Please share with our team today!

Website Case Study: Narooma Golf Club

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 23:01:09 GMT

Website case study

Narooma Golf Club, Narooma

Narooma Golf Club would have to be up there as one of the most stunning locations for a Club! The golf course and clubhouse are literally on the cliffs, overlooking the ocean, providing those enjoying a hit (or a coldie!) some epic views!

When the Club contacted us about helping them with a new website, we knew we could help better capture the assets of this venue.

THE BRIEF

Narooma Golf Club’s original website was no longer hitting the mark. Outdated design, poor navigation, and slow load times meant the site wasn’t doing justice to the Club’s stunning location and top-notch facilities.

The imagery was low quality, the mobile experience inconsistent, and key features like booking “call to actions” (CTAs) were either buried or missing altogether.

It was time for a major refresh to better engage members, attract visitors, and reflect the Club’s premium reputation.

THE SOLUTION

We started with a complete sitemap overhaul, streamlining navigation and improving the site’s user flow.

A new, modern design was introduced, featuring bright colours and plenty of white space to create a fresh, inviting feel. The Club specialises in events and weddings, and the redesign helped boost its overall image and be more female friendly.

High-quality images showcasing the Club’s breathtaking views and facilities were prioritised, alongside strategic use of video for added impact.

Mobile optimisation was a key focus, ensuring seamless browsing across devices. We also incorporated prominent CTAs like “Book Now” and “Call Us” to simplify user actions and drive engagement.

To keep the site dynamic and engaging, Instagram feed integration and pop-ups were added, along with a rotating banner to highlight upcoming events and specials.

THE RESULT

The redesigned website is visually stunning, easy to navigate, and mobile-friendly. Faster load times and polished design elements now reflect the Club’s premium brand.

The addition of user-friendly features like prominent CTAs and engaging content has elevated the site as a marketing tool, helping Narooma Golf Club stand out and connect with its community more effectively.

"See It to Believe It"

Narooma’s new website would not have worked as well without fresh content to really “sell” the venue to people visiting the site.

Our team arranged a content shoot for Narooma Golf Club, capturing stunning new imagery that truly reflects their breathtaking location. The highlight? A drone flyover showcasing the cliffs at Narooma, now featured front and centre on their homepage.

Check it out!

We LOVE hosting our clients’ websites in the cloud for that added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

If your website needs a shake-up, (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today. We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652.

2024 MERCH BESTSELLERS

Thu, 07 Nov 2024 03:43:37 GMT

Need some promo product inspo ?

Discover our top sellers for 2024 and see which products could spell

merch success for your business...

BEST SELLERS IN TOP 10 CATEGORIES

Drinkware

Bags

Leisure

Pens

Apparel

Business

Headwear

Technology

Promotional

Personal

TOP 10 BEST SELLERS FOR 2024

1. Omega Notebook

2. Bondi Bucket Hat

3. Viva Tote Bag

4. Panama Pen

5. Hydra Sports Umbrella - Colour Match

6. Sonnet Cotton Tote Bag

7. BLUNT Metro Umbrella

8. Nomad Bottle

9. Nomad Deco Vacuum Bottle - Powder Coated

10. Trends Everyday SPF 50+ Carabiner Sunscreen 50ml

CONTACT US TO ORDER YOUR TOP SELLING MERCH TODAY hello@axisiq.com.au OR Check out our online catalogue for our full range of promotional products : axisiqpromoproducts.com.au

A Digital Case Study: Julie-Anna Inn

Tue, 24 Sep 2024 02:07:39 GMT

DIGITAL case study

Julie-Anna Inn, Bendigo

How a strategic and multi-faceted Marketing approach DOUBLED business and increased engagement 900% for this Bendigo motel and restaurant!

THE BRIEF

We were approached by The Julie-Anna, a four star motel, conference centre and restaurant located in Bendigo.

When we met with them in December 2023, they had low occupancy rates (despite being a very highly rated venue by past guests), lack of brand awareness, an unpatronised restaurant and few events enquiries for their well equipped function spaces. They also had an outdated, clunky website and an inconsistent presence on social media without any strategy.

They understood the power of digital marketing but didn’t have the skill base or resources internally to drive a campaign. They contacted us for help.

OUR MARKETING RECIPE

We developed a multi faceted approach and with a new marketing strategy we rolled out a few key items including:

New website design and build
Management of their new social media strategy across Instagram and Facebook which includes optimisation of profiles, SEO, consistent content posting schedule, weekly stories and engagement strategy, as well as an important paid ad strategy to target accommodation bookings

THE RESULTS TRULY SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!

A true success story that shows the POWER of a personalised social media strategy and the consistent work that's needed to achieve the results and goals you want most in your business! Amazing results come with the experience and expertise our team has to develop and roll out a tailored strategy for our clients.

And for the Results...

Just three months in check out these amazing results, recorded on socials and in the venue:

INSTAGRAM

Profile visits UP 971%
Followers UP 117%
Reach UP 104%

FACEBOOK

Visits UP 766%
Followers UP 631%

MONTHLY ACCOMMODATION

Accommodation bookings have had a STAGGERING INCREASE .
In July 2023 the motel was only booked at 45% capacity, compared to ALMOST 90% capacity in July 2024.

"We were at 45% capacity this time last year and now we are at 90%. This is the BEST winter season we've had!"

Do you have ACCOMMODATION affiliated with your Club? Would you like results like these?
Let us help you achieve your business goals and take your online presence to the NEXT LEVEL!
Get in touch today hello@axisiq.com.a u or call (02) 6652 6652

CLUB SUCCESS STORY - Trying Something New: The GDSC Cocktail Party Series

Fri, 20 Sep 2024 05:10:51 GMT

The team at The GDSC in Grafton hosted a Cocktail Party Community Fundraiser in April this year that has kickstarted a successful event series.

The aim was to create a fun evening targeting a new demographic for the Club (showcasing some exceptional cocktails and diverse food offerings in the Club’s new function space they wanted to promote), and engaging the community in raising funds for a local cause. This has proven to be a winning formula with events now held monthly on the last Friday of the month!

Fun Facts from the first event!

136 oysters were eaten
101 prawns were eaten
108 pieces of pork belly were eaten
108 pieces of jerk chicken were eaten
107 chocolate mousses were eaten
$10 per ticket was donated to the Hospital along with $400 from a raffle on the night

Subsequent SELL OUT events have included G&T appreciation, Flavours of Japan, and Magic of Mexico. Well done Team GDSC!

Looking to try something new in your venue? We can help!

Talk to us about promoting your new events and reaching new demographics. hello@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652 .

DON'T Forget the Doggo!

Thu, 19 Sep 2024 01:02:54 GMT

Aussies LOVE their dogs! With pet ownership on
the rise, the four-legged family member is no longer
left home on the weekends, and instead pet-friendly
venues are being sought out and preferred by families
and couples across Australia.

We found some venues that seem to do a great job
catering to the whole family.

Did you know that Australia has the largest rate of pet ownership in the world? Approximately 69% of households in Australia own pets, with dogs being the most common (48%).
Source: RSPCA knowledge base

Create Branded Ambassadors

with our PET MERCH!

Search “pet” on our promo website axisiqpromoproducts.com.au
where you'll find a selection of dog bandanas,

leads, drink bottles and more.

The POWER of a Rebrand

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 23:44:46 GMT

Is your Club's brand looking a bit "meh"?

A strategic rebrand can be transformative.

While rebranding might seem daunting, consider the opportunities you're missing with an outdated image. Are you struggling to attract younger members, crucial for your Club’s future?

Rebranding goes beyond a new logo. It's about :

Modernising your Club's image
Attracting new members and demographics
Enhancing marketing effectiveness
Strengthening community presence and a renewed sense of trust and loyalty
Driving growth and revenue

At Axis IQ, we specialise in club marketing. We understand the unique needs of Registered Clubs and the hospitality industry – from bars and restaurants to gaming and entertainment areas.

Our rebranding solutions include :

Integrated marketing campaigns for print and digital
Logo design and style guides
Stationery refresh
Website redesigns
Branded merchandise
Visual impact solutions

One of our clients saw a 50% membership increase after rebranding their restaurant – growing from 10,000 to 15,000 members.

Don't let an outdated logo hold you back. Contact our team today to learn
how our expert rebranding can help your Club thrive! hello@axisiq.com.au .

CHRISTMAS MERCH

Wed, 18 Sep 2024 23:17:34 GMT

Bright ideas for wishing

your customers and staff

a very Merry Christmas!

Christmas merch & gifts...

Check out our online catalogue for our full range of promotional products : axisiqpromoproducts.com.au

Website Case Study: Julie-Anna Inn

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 04:51:00 GMT

Website case study

Julie-Anna Inn, Bendigo

This website redesign was a refreshing change from our usual Registered Clubs format. However, being a hospitality venue, the skills required to create a killer website for this beautiful venue were still in our wheelhouse, and… well, we knocked it out of the park! Mik, the Motel Manager was an absolute dream to work with and we couldn’t be happier with the result we achieved together.

THE BRIEF

Unlike the many site redesigns we’ve curated, the Julie-Anna came equipped with a modern and well-thought-out style guide. A branding bible of sorts that dictated the overall look and feel for the site, making our web designer’s life somewhat easier as colours and fonts did not need to be decided upon. Additionally, the venue already had great imagery and video so that simply left the structural and functional elements to be tackled, which included the speed of the site, accessibility of the information and the general layout of the content.

THE SOLUTION

Speed: to ensure fast page loading times, all images were optimised for web use.

Accessibility : the header was made more distinct with a clear main menu and set to ‘sticky’ - scrolling with the user and always available; and Call-To-Action (CTA) buttons were added to encourage users to take action.

Layout : after translating the style-guide into a suitable website design, each page was laid out in the most effective way, dependent on its content, utilising:

more space around text, white or other,
image galleries and other display widgets,
the brand’s distinctive icon scrolling in the background of specific areas,
dynamic pages connected to collection data (a spreadsheet-type setup) for the accommodation types, avoiding the duplication of pages and slowing the site down; and
a CTA button linking directly to their booking site.

THE RESULT

An elegantly designed website that effectively showcases Julie-Anna’s many offerings and is cohesive with their brand.

We LOVE hosting our clients’ websites in the cloud for that added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

If your website needs a shake-up, (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today. We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652.

Website Case Study: Maclean Bowling Club

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 04:49:44 GMT

Website case study

Maclean Bowling Club

At Axis IQ, we are always happy to accept a challenge… and we got one! Not only did we refresh the Maclean Bowling Club website, a site that we designed and built in the past, but we were also tasked with adding TWO mini sites!

Check out how we tackled this BIG project…

THE BRIEF

The Club’s original website wasn’t lacking the usual suspects of website faux pas that we so often see, however it did need a modern overhaul. Just like anything that gets old and outdated, it needed a refresh - something that we’ve done many times over. However, this time there were a couple of extra requirements that came with the deal… amalgamating the Club’s accommodation options Club Maclean Motel and Maclean Stays (TWO already existing standalone websites) into the main Maclean Bowling Club website. A BIG challenge, but one we accepted with confidence.

THE SOLUTION

We tackled this project in two phases.

Phase 1: The Refresh

We needed to breathe some life back into the website with the use of more white space. The original site was looking a bit drab in its use of colour, so a fresh colour palette was chosen, focusing on the blues in the Club logo. Alongside this, a new font pairing was chosen with a semi-serif, script-like font to add a welcoming, warm and fun vibe; and the sitemap was tweaked slightly to eliminate repeated content and create more clarity when navigating the site.

Phase 2: The Amalgamation

This was by far the most challenging part of this project. To add two external websites to an already existing and rather large website, was something that we had to think about. We settled on the creation of two mini sites that would sit under a new section of the Maclean Bowling Club site – this was by far the most effective solution. This entailed:

hiding the main website’s global header, main menu and footer,
creating custom headers, main menus and footers for each mini site,
adding floating buttons to take the user back to each site’s custom main menus; and
adding Call-To-Action (CTA) buttons to go back to the Bowling Club so the user will be able to always access the main parent website.

In addition to this, dynamic pages were used to connect to collection data (a spreadsheet-type setup) to create the different accommodation types, which is a much more robust option, avoiding the duplication of similar pages, which would’ve made for a sluggish user experience.

THE RESULT

A website that we are proud to say we successfully made look better, navigate more easily and function to its fullest potential. By having all websites under the same Bowling Club umbrella, the Club not only saved on hosting, but they made it easier for Members and guests to access and book their accommodation… not to mention they also created a cohesive branding experience all round!

We LOVE hosting our clients’ websites in the cloud for that added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

If your website needs a shake-up, (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today. We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652.

Website Case Study: Balranald Club

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 04:48:34 GMT

Website case study

Balranald Club

‘When you go home, tell them of us and say, "for their tomorrow, we gave our today"’.

The Balranald District Ex-Services Memorial Club Limited is a not-for-profit organisation for returned, ex-service, serving and local community men and women, and we were more than happy to create a website for this wonderful Club that shone as brightly as its Members.

THE BRIEF

Like a lot of small Club websites we’ve designed, Balranald’s existing website was outdated, hard to update and needed their content to be reorganised – a cakewalk for us at Axis IQ! The Club’s dedication to and support of the Returned Services League (RSL) of Australia also needed to be strongly represented.

THE SOLUTION

Poppies. The official commemorative flower of the RSL and its iconic red tone was the inspiration for the overall colour scheme. It helped to capture the essence of the Club and energise its online presence. In addition to this, we checked all the ‘new site build’ boxes by creating a sitemap to lay out the information clearly, utilised impactful and large imagery, and chose a modern font pairing.

THE RESULT

A vibrant, modern and easy to navigate resource for the Club’s growing number of cherished Members.

We LOVE hosting our clients’ websites in the cloud for that added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

If your website needs a shake-up, (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today. We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652.

Smart marketing actually works!

Thu, 13 Jun 2024 23:18:58 GMT

...at The Maleny Hotel!

It’s always exciting when you get to genuinely partner with a client to build their business through smart marketing. The Maleny Hotel is one of our latest fave projects where we did just that!

Maleny Hotel is a historic pub located in Maleny, in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. Maleny is a vibrant small town that attracts visitors from the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane up for weekend and day trips to experience its charming streetscape, creative community, good food and stunning countryside.

Former poor management at the hotel had led to lacklustre trade and the marketing was non-existent! The new owners of the hotel came to us a little over 12 months ago with a bill of poor health on the marketing front including:

A ‘broken’ website. Not only was it not responsive, there was NO ability to view it on a mobile device at all, only desktop!
No social media strategy or consistent presence
Zero customer data to utilise to send out communications or to analyse the mix of spend in the venue between locals and visitors
No professional design for promotions and campaigns

"Smart marketing works when you have the right team who understand the industry. We trust Axis IQ and their 25+ industry experience!" [P.W. partner – Maleny Hotel]

Here was our marketing ‘prescription’ to bring the business back to life:

Build a new, fully responsive website with all the functionality you’d expect in a new site, with integrated booking system for accommodation and restaurant bookings
Develop, execute and management of a social media strategy across Instagram and Facebook including a two tiered paid ad strategy to market to locals and to the lucrative visitor market with very specific and separate messaging
Create a membership program (hellooooo data!) that launched in the last half of 2022, so they can actually track who is in the venue, what they are spending and where! This was a big project with a previous database that contained a lot of outdated, dirty data. Implementing the membership card we identified that over 70% of revenue was actually coming from visitors, presenting a large opportunity to engage the local market further
EDM and SMS communications were launched keeping members up to date with events and promos that are relevant to them, along with special offers and birthday messages
All campaigns are now professionally designed by us with the appropriate visual impact collateral to support the campaign too

And for the results

...

Now, 12 months later the owners have reported back to Axis IQ these stunning results they’ve recorded in the venue:

Beverage sales are UP 35%

Bistro sales are UP 51%

Accommodation bookings UP 34%

Gaming turnover has DOUBLED!

The Maleny Hotel team deliver great customer service and have made some positive changes around the venue but now the market KNOWS ABOUT IT ! And that friends, comes down to some good ol’ marketing! (Yay! Go us!)

A total success story with more wins to come!

Axis IQ are Club specialists in marketing – we have the expertise to help you stand out and reach your audience.

Give our team a buzz 02 6652 6652 to find out more!

COMMUNICATION SOLUTIONS: Using the RIGHT tools...

Wed, 29 May 2024 03:13:44 GMT

...at the Right Time!

Utilising technology to communicate most effectively with your customers!

If you’ve been following us, you would have worked out that we nerd out on effective marketing that’s executed simply, and at the right time!

When it comes to email and SMS marketing, the platforms available to us now have come SUCH a long way since the early days of Mailchimp.

As a Club you have a LOT of data, and the technology is available to conduct some really clever, segmented marketing. We’ve got the system for you:

Is this just for big Clubs?

No. If you have a membership system, you have more data than your average pub, bar or restaurant. If you have a membership system, POS and gaming system, you’ve got even MORE data at your fingertips to use to create your communications strategy.

Is it expensive?

Nope! We’re talking from $250 a month to connect your membership data to your email and SMS tools. Imagine never exporting another data list, and then importing it into a second platform. Imagine knowing that the data you’re using is the most current and up-to-date info. Plus, Free email sends and

industry standard rates for SMS!

Do I need to be a marketing guru to operate the system?

Not at all. Make the most of prebuilt templates, automations and drag and drop building tools to create email and SMS campaigns that convert.

How can this system improve my customer engagement?

By using segmented data, you can send personalised messages that resonate with your members. Tailored content means higher engagement rates, as your members receive information that’s relevant to their interests and activities.

What kind of support is available?

Support is Australian-based and provided by experts in the field. From initial setup to ongoing assistance, you'll receive comprehensive help to ensure you make the most of your email and SMS marketing efforts.

How can I sign up?

Contact our team today for more info and to sign up - we’re also offering a $150 credit to be used on branded merch when you sign up and mention this ad!

As Club Marketing Specialists we get excited when a system makes the life of a Club Manager easier – and that’s what this system will do. Get in touch today for more info on how to sign up, contact hello@axisiq.com.au .

PROMO PRODUCTS: A day at the Australian Promotional Products Roadshow

Wed, 29 May 2024 02:25:33 GMT

Leeanne from the Axis IQ team recently visited the Australian Promotional Products Roadshow in Brisbane to check out the latest in the industry. Here’s what she got up to…

I recently had the pleasure of attending the Australian Promotional Products Roadshow, and what a day it was! From innovative giveaways to insightful seminars, the event was a whirlwind of excitement and creativity.

"It was inspiring to see the impact that a well-designed pen or mug can have on a company’s image."

Our trade suppliers showcased their latest products and designs from quirky USB drives to eco-friendly tote bags, there was something for everyone. I even managed to snag a few freebies myself, including a funky stress ball that now has a permanent place on my desk.

One of the highlights of the day was the seminar on the power of promotional products in marketing. The speaker shared fascinating insights on how these products can enhance brand visibility and customer loyalty.

It was inspiring to see the impact that a well-designed pen or mug can have on a company’s image.

Another memorable moment was the live printing demonstration. Watching the intricate designs come to life on t-shirts and bags was truly mesmerising. It was a great reminder of the creativity and craftsmanship that goes into producing promotional products.

Overall, the Australian Promotional Products Roadshow was a great opportunity to connect with industry professionals, discover new trends, and gain valuable insights into the world of promotional products. It’s exciting that we’re able to bring even more value to the work we produce for our clients!

From drink bottles, personalised sweets, stationery, backpacks, tote bags, caps and everything in between - there are literally thousands of promotional products available. Axis IQ can help you source the ideal product to suit your needs.

Interested to see how your logo could look on merch?

Get in touch with Leeanne today office@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652 .

Game On! How your Club can win big with social play...

Wed, 29 May 2024 02:15:22 GMT

Game On!

How your Club can win big with social play...

Have you heard of Competitive Socialisation? It’s a trending term in the hospitality industry, highlighting the shift towards interactive and gamified experiences to engage visitors.

Originally popularised by modern board game cafés and social gaming lounges in the early 2010s, this concept has now found its way into mainstream venues like clubs and pubs.

Appealing to a wide range of demographics, competitive socialisation particularly resonates with Millennials and Gen Zers who seek interactive and memorable experiences. Venues are incorporating activities such as trivia nights, escape rooms, and puzzle challenges to cater to this trend.

For example, C.ex Coffs has introduced puzzle play nights, attracting families, workgroups, and friends to play puzzles against other teams while enjoying a meal and drinks. Other venues across Sydney are embracing Puzzle Hour and even school holiday Puzzle Camps running across multiple days to encourage kids to try their hand at Speed Puzzling! The Epping Club is hosting a World Series of Board Gaming Australian Qualifier event with a chance to win entry to the finals in Las Vegas!

Embracing competitive socialisation can make your venue more appealing, build a loyal community, and create opportunities for social media sharing. We think it's a trend that's here to stay, offering a fun and engaging experience for your patrons.

So how are you going to bring the fun into your venue?

FOCUS ON PRINT: What's missing from your marketing mix?

Wed, 29 May 2024 02:05:15 GMT

What's missing from your your marketing mix?

(Re)-enter the Club Mag!

The Club Magazine or Newsletter has been a staple in many venues for many years. However, the onset of Covid-19 a few years ago led to cancellation of activities and cuts in marketing budgets, making the printed magazine seem less essential. But its value is being realised once again!

There has been a recent resurgence in venues restarting their printed publications, driven by member demand and the realisation that this powerful communication tool is missing from their marketing mix.

Here’s why our clients love the Club Magazine as a marketing tool so much:

Content-driven : Creating and sharing valuable content is crucial for building brand awareness, establishing thought leadership, and driving conversions, especially in a digital-first world where consumers seek authentic and informative content. Your magazine can be exactly that!

Planning tool : A regular magazine routine improves internal communication and planning across all departments, ensuring they are ready to be included in the publication well in advance.

Longevity : Quality, printed publications last longer than digital ones. Unlike marketing emails that may go unopened in your inbox, a quality magazine has a higher chance of being read and taken home for reference at a later time.

Income generation : Once you are known for a regular publication (and especially if you distribute the magazine outside of just the venue), you can expect enquiries from local businesses looking to advertise.

Want to start your own Club magazine, or need a hand making your existing magazine more professional and appealing?

Contact our team today 02 6652 6652 or hello@axisiq.com.au .

Pittwater Connect magazine is an online digital and print publication and the Epping Club produce a quarterly magazine Rawson Review which is mailed to members as well as being available at the Club.

Distributing your newsletter? Unaddressed Mail (UM) is still only .24c per item to send. Consider a targeted UM for your next campaign. Get in touch today to learn more!

MARKETING TIPS: Feast your eyes...

Wed, 29 May 2024 01:46:41 GMT

Why your visuals are the main ingredient in marketing your food & beverage offering!

You’ve heard the expression “A picture is worth a thousand words”, well in today's ultra-visual social media world, snapping killer photos of your food and drinks isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential.

If you've been hesitant to book a shoot due to concerns about cost and logistics, remember: "You eat with your eyes first." Quality images do more than just look good; they make people want to jump into the picture and start tasting.

A pro photographer knows just how to capture the vibe of your dishes in the best light, telling a delicious visual story. This isn’t just about filling seats; it’s about creating a buzz and setting expectations. It's the kind of first impression that gets people talking, sharing, and booking.

"...This isn’t just about filling seats; it’s about creating a buzz and setting expectations. "

Social media platforms like Instagram are where visuals lead to viral sensations. A stunning photo can drive engagement through the roof, transforming your eats and drinks from mere menu items into must-have experiences. And when it comes to consistent quality, nothing beats having a good photographer on speed dial.

Connect with a photographer you can work with and think about setting up a regular shoot—maybe bi-monthly or quarterly to keep your marketing fresh

Lighting is key—before you do the shoot, ideally get the photographer into the venue to see where you can set up to capture the best natural light

Maximise the opportunity—capture some video content on the day of your shoot to have stills and video options to promote your menu

So, go on, make your dishes the stars they deserve to be. Get snapping, get sharing, and watch as the likes—and the customers—start rolling in.

Food photography by the amazing Andrew Ratter Photography

Like what you see?

Get in touch with our team today hello@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652

3 steps to Revamp your website

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 05:19:35 GMT

3 steps to Revamp your website...

We can’t say it enough. Your website is the only piece of digital real estate that you will ever own… so please give it some love!

Here are a few tips for you:

1.

A colour change is as good as a holiday. Give your site a refresh by changing the colour scheme to a more contemporary palette. A colour palette forms a visual foundation that complements your branding, maintains consistency, and creates an aesthetically pleasing and enjoyable site that your patrons will love to visit AND more importantly, revisit!

2.

Reading a main menu is so 5 years ago! A main menu that is always accessible is a must, BUT have you ever considered a visual representation of your menu? Some people are more visual than others and what better way to catch the eye than to use imagery or video with text to highlight the most important sections of your website? Feature it on your homepage and watch your clicks soar!

3. You have Instagram, right? Well, why is it not on your site? Pop that all important feed in the footer of your website OR on specific pages and it will add an instant boost of colourful imagery PLUS serve as another way of informing your patrons of what’s happening in your Club.

If you want an extra helping hand with building a community online make sure you HIT US UP. We can manage your socials.

Email: social@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652.

Website Case Study: The Manly Club

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 03:53:14 GMT

Website case study

The Manly Club on Gilbert Park

We are getting quite a few notches on our website belt and this is one of our favourites! This modern, local Manly establishment was a dream to work with and we couldn’t be happier with the results.

THE BRIEF

Unlike most Club sites we’ve revamped, The Manly Club’s website did not lack modernity, impactful imagery, rich content, funky fonts, or any other obvious effective website deal-breakers… it simply needed to go in a new and interesting direction which emphasised their brand. And who better to get the job done than the company that designed the Club’s branding some 5 years ago when it first reopened? Us!

THE SOLUTION

The site was not lacking content, but the information architecture needed a little love. Once the sitemap was rejigged, the colour palette was chosen based on the Club’s brand (*ahem* something that we knew a lot about!). The fresh, peach tone from the sky and the dark blue/charcoal from the seagull’s wings in their logo were a perfect match and gave the site the pop of colour it needed, but not so much so that it felt over-the-top or unprofessional. We also reused their large imagery, a new photoshoot was very helpful, and tested a new innovative homepage banner with video and imagery combined which was highly successful.

THE RESULT

A cool, funky, fresh, and modern vibe for the Club. A website that is easy to navigate, quick to update and most of all is appealing to their demographic and on-point with their brand.

The Manly Club's website now complements their entire rebrand and moving forward is a pivotal marketing tool for their venue!

We LOVE hosting our clients’ websites in the cloud for that added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

If your website needs a shake-up, (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today. We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652.

Is AI a 'smart' marketing tool?

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 03:30:14 GMT

Is AI a 'smart' marketing tool?

The “buzz” around AI in the marketing world has been reaching high levels globally! While tools such as ChatGPT are handy to use for content creation, there are some potential pitfalls to watch out for, especially when it comes to your brand.

First off, unedited AI-generated posts lack that human touch and authenticity that your audience loves. People like to engage with real folks, and it's the personal connection that fosters a sense of community and trust.

When you overdo AI content, it can make your brand seem less relatable. For example, the overuse of emojis can affect the reader experience to the point the message is actually lost in little icons of expressions, party hats, and occasionally unrecognisable symbols!

Plus, there's the risk of the AI going off-brand, or worse, posting something inappropriate. This has the potential to lead to a PR nightmare and damage your brand image. So, it's vital to strike a balance to maintain your brand's authenticity and consistency.

Social platforms now have AI detection technology integrated which means that AI-generated content has the potential to be flagged and the algorithm will punish your posts with poor delivery!

In a nutshell, AI-generated content can be a handy tool, but it shouldn't replace the human side of your social media strategy.

It's all about finding that sweet spot where technology makes your life easier, but doesn't compromise your brand's personal touch and authenticity.

Are you using the best communications platform?

Tue, 13 Feb 2024 00:16:47 GMT

Are you using the best communications platform on the market?

If you're a Club Manager or Marketing Manager in a venue, you know how important it is to stay connected with your members.

Email marketing is an effective way to do that, but which platform should you use?

While there are hundreds of platforms like Mailchimp out on the market, there's another option that's specifically designed for the Hospitality Industry (and soooo much smarter!):

TalkBox by Impact Data:

TalkBox is a comprehensive communication platform that offers more than just email marketing. With TalkBox, you can send targeted emails, SMS messages, automate marketing messages based on set customer milestones and communicate with members based on their preferences too.

But TalkBox's benefits don't stop there. Unlike other email platforms, TalkBox is specifically catering to the needs of Clubs everywhere with its intelligent integrations.

>> The TalkBox platform is specifically catering to the needs of Clubs everywhere with its intelligent integrations.

No more downloading member lists and uploading into your email platform. Sync your lists daily to Talkbox, only use the most up to date member data, view reports to measure success, and take integrations even further by connecting POS data, gaming data, accommodation and table booking data, digital ordering and more!

Get in touch today so that we can arrange a walk through of the system and help you get started to connect more meaningfully with your members.

Contact alice@axisiq.com.au or call (02) 6652 6652 .

Spring/Summer Marketing Roadmap for your Club!

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 21:25:59 GMT

Your Spring/Summer Marketing Roadmap is here!

We've put together a few tips to make the most of the new year and get the best start to planning ahead for your venue...

Post Holiday Trade Slump Strategy

We know that trade can traditionally drop off in February once the silly season is over but have a plan in place to bring people in.

Value offers - You probably already run a happy hour, a dining special or members only offers. REMIND YOUR CUSTOMERS and bring them back in!

Gaming promo - Always a good time of the year to kick off a gaming promo in your room.

Targeted campaigns - Do you have a loyalty program? Make sure you run some analysis of your database and target your highest value members with a special offer for a limited time to get them in.

Communicate, communicate, communicate

No point undertaking some serious promotion in your venue if you’re going to rely on just the people that attend your venue every day to support it. Get creative:

Paid social media campaigns to targeted audiences - Identify local ‘ínfluencers’ (offline and online) to help promote specific events to their captive audiences.

Create a Summer guide that you print and distribute around town - Go to your local caravan parks, accommodation providers, consider an unaddressed mail, whatever you do just get this material outside your venue to bring people in!

Tap into existing databases - Have a list of people who booked functions last year. They should have already been contacted to rebook again this year. If your events are family friendly, tap into existing networks in your area. Just about every town and district now has a kids/ family based website directory or social media group. Find where your audience hangs out and promote there.

Festive Frenzy & Summer Soirees

Embrace the holiday spirit and the Australian summer by curating a series of festive events and outdoor gatherings that cater to families, couples, and friends alike.

Group and Functions Menus - Create special holiday menus featuring seasonal dishes and drinks, catering to the hordes of people who will gather and celebrate over the holiday season - start promoting it early! Be mindful to create options that can be taken up by small groups in your regular F&B outlets, to larger custom events. Incentivise higher spend and bookings earlier in the week to increase revenue.

Ham and Christmas raffles - With all the doom and gloom news in 2023 around the increase in the cost of living we predict a popular Christmas raffle season! (Check out our ham raffle supplies on page 3 that can help you promote your events).

Family Fun Days - Families are looking for things to do with the kids. Designate specific days for family-focused activities such as face painting, kids' entertainment, and outdoor games.

New Year's Countdown - The options are endless for a NYE countdown event. From a high end set dinner option to a casual family friendly event with live music, activities like barefoot bowls and something to keep kids entertained.

Celebrate outdoors - Summer of cricket, barefoot bowls parties, outdoor movie nights - make the most of daylight saving and Summer nights with events that are celebrated outdoors.

The Everest and Melbourne Cup Extravaganza

Celebrate Spring Racing in your venue and tap into multiple opportunities for different demographics!

Luncheons and Ladies days - Spring Racing has the potential to appeal to more than just your regular punters. Consider a luncheon for these special events (always great to partner with an existing organisation or body to make for a successful day like a business women's networking group, school, etc).

Dress up - You can make your venue look the part and mark a sense of occasion with racing theming (think green displays, synthetic flowers, custom made standee displays, hanging mobiles to create a sense of fun).

Multi layered promos - Based on the theme, tailor promos across your venue to appeal to specific target markets e.g. tailor a promo for the serious punter with a prize that appeals to them in the TAB and sports bar, come up with an attractive cocktail special for a young female demographic.

Communicate - Segment your database to send the relevant promos and events to the right audiences. E.g. TAB promos should go to those you know who patronise this department via SMS, set up a targeted social media ad to females under 55 for your cocktail special.

Need a hand with planning your venue's Marketing Roadmap?

Our team of Club Specialists can help you!

Get in touch today

hello@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652

Is Unaddressed Mail making a comeback?

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 00:47:18 GMT

Unaddressed Mail in fashion once again... who would've guessed it?!

The communication medium is making an unlikely return, and unleashing a cost-effective impact!

In a digital age where costs and efficiency are paramount, the allure of unaddressed mail has often been overshadowed by its perceived expenses. However, the industry is seeing evidence that dispels the notion that direct mail is a costly endeavour, emphasising that the investment is not just relevant but pivotal to achieving remarkable results. Cue the (surprising!) comeback of Direct Mail!

For an audience accustomed to steering clear of unaddressed mail due to cost concerns, the resurgence of direct mail might raise eyebrows. But here's the twist: direct mail is now more potent than ever, offering a cost-effective strategy that stands out amidst the digital noise.

Cost vs. Value: Making Every Dollar Count

Consider direct mail not as an expense, but as a value-driven investment. While the upfront cost may seem higher compared to digital alternatives, the returns are where the true value lies. Direct mail's tangible nature ensures your message doesn't get lost in the digital ether—it's physically in your audience's hands. With a lot of users opting to turn on ad blockers, digital advertising cut through has been impacted, making the physical form much more appealing.

Precision Targeting for Efficiency

The notion of cost-effectiveness is closely tied to precise targeting. Instead of casting a wide net, direct mail enables you to tailor your message to a receptive audience - target by postcode or by suburb name for maximum results and ability to test and measure its effectiveness, ensuring you get the most out of every dollar spent.

Personalisation: From Expense to Engagement

Investing in personalisation transforms direct mail from an expense to an engagement powerhouse. Tailored messages resonate deeply, making recipients feel valued and understood. This level of personal connection can lead to substantial returns, far surpassing the initial investment.

Complementing Digital Efforts for Enhanced Impact

“Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is a Marketing 101 rule!

Direct mail doesn't replace digital strategies; it enhances them.

By integrating direct mail into your marketing arsenal, you create a multi-channel approach that captivates your audience's attention. The synergy between digital and direct mail amplifies results and reinforces your brand's presence.

What you need to know :

Targeting locations – Choose exactly where you send your mail by a postcode or suburb filter (Australia Post has a handy guide on their website where you can download data lists sorted by postcode and suburb to plan your mailing numbers and costs).

Special conditions in peak time s – There are changes to unaddressed mail during peak delivery periods. In 2023 these dates are for bookings and lodgements from 30 October 2023 to 5 January 2024.

Pricing – Postage pricing is based on size/ service and details are on the Australia Post website but as a guide most promo flyers will be covered by the ‘small letter up to 50g’ category which is just $0.24 per item to deliver in the same state. Good value to get into someone’s home on their kitchen bench!

Case Study :

The Manly Club on Gilbert Park

We recently helped The Manly Club to produce and distribute a targeted unaddressed mail campaign to targeted areas in their locality after it was identified there are still a good portion of locals who weren’t aware of the offering at the Club (despite strong digital campaigns targeting the area). We had a call from the manager the day the campaign was delivered letting us know that they’d had a huge number of calls to make bookings in the restaurant, and multiple people come in to become members as a result of the mail drop! Excellent result!

We’re experts when it comes to Unaddressed Mail!

Contact our team to discuss your upcoming campaign today... hello@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652

Safeguarding your social media presence

Tue, 23 Jan 2024 23:06:33 GMT

In the ever-evolving landscape of social media, 2023 witnessed an alarming surge in cyber threats targeting

Facebook and Instagram users (both personal and business accounts), resulting in numerous individuals losing access to their accounts.

Here’s our top tips to securing your Facebook and Instagram accounts:

1. Set a STRONG/unique password that is different from your other accounts and doesn’t use your business name or common words (this makes it easier for hackers!).

2. Two-Factor Authentication - A MUST! It's important to secure your accounts by enabling two-factor authentication. In the event that someone is trying to gain unauthorised access to your Insta or FB account, having two-factor turned on means a code will be sent to your registered mobile number to get in successfully. You can also request a new code by going into your account settings and selecting “Two- Factor Authentication”. Select “Send authentication code to my device” and then a new code will be sent to you.

3. Use a business email address as the main contact for your accounts and NOT your personal email address, which may be linked to your personal social profile. It's essential to use an email address that is the same domain as your Club's website

to verify ownership, and avoid using email addresses that may change if staff leave.

4. Scam emails and direct messages - Real account notifications will NEVER be sent via direct message on the app. You will ONLY be contacted via email by one of the following email addresses:

Facebook: @fb.com, @facebook.com or @facebookmail.com

Instagram: @support.facebook.com, @support.instagram.com, @mail.instagram.com

5. DO NOT click on links or reply with personal information in your direct message inbox and make sure to check the spelling of email addresses, as hackers can make them look very similar to the above. To be safe ALWAYS log directly into your account if you suspect there may be an issue.

6. Security Check Ups - Check your accounts monthly and keep an eye on your emails for suspicious activity. There are dedicated Security Checkup sites for both Instagram and Facebook.

See URLs and relevant links to secure your account here:

Two-Factor Authentication

Instagram : facebook.com/help/566810106808145

Facebook : facebook.com/help/148233965247823

Security Check Ups

Instagram : about.instagram.com/blog/announcements/keeping-instagram-safe-and-secure

Facebook : facebook.com/privacy/review?review_id=573933453011661

Need a hand managing your socials?

Get in touch with our team today for a complimentary audit and chat.

Email: social@axisiq.com.au

2023 DONE & DUSTED...

Wed, 20 Dec 2023 04:49:05 GMT

WHAT A YEAR!

We have to brag a bit...

! Over 1,380 client projects

! Half a MILLION membership cards printed

! Over 6,000 social media posts

! 16,070 HAM BAGS designed + delivered

! 24,000 promo products designed + printed

! NEW web builds & web management completed for 20+ valued Clubs and clients

We're proud as punch!

If you have a project in mind and you would like to work with us email hello@axisiq.com.au or call (02) 6652 6652

Website Case Study: Stuarts Point Workers’ Recreation & Bowls Club

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 03:28:45 GMT

Website case study

Stuarts Point Workers’ Recreation & Bowls Club

THE BRIEF

When developing SPWRBC’s new website, modernisation and ease of use were the key factors in driving the design. Their existing website was very outdated, however the fact that it was non-functional was a red flag. Having a functioning website is essential to any size Club, as it is the only online resource they own. SPWRBC is a vibrant little Club located on the magnificent Macleay River, so we wanted to highlight this and the town of Stuart’s Point, as well as promote the Club’s many offerings.

THE SOLUTION

To achieve this, we gave the new site a fresh coat of paint using a colour palette reminiscent of the Club’s beautiful surrounds and immersed the user into an environment that was welcoming and eye-catching. The original site’s content was then reorganised into a simple sitemap – a tool we always use – and reimagined in the new site with large and impactful imagery to enhance the delivery of the information.

THE RESULT

A website that is easy to navigate, quick to update and is appealing to all types of patrons. It is a resource which enhances the Club’s authenticity as well as its love for the village of Stuart’s Point.

We LOVE hosting our clients’ websites in the cloud for that added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

If your website needs a shake-up, (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today. We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652.

Managing a team for success...

Fri, 15 Sep 2023 00:14:13 GMT

Nick Brabham, General Manager of Burpengary Community Club, shares his tips on how he trains and fosters an unbeatable team.

Nick Brabham and fellow manager Lizzie, cook and serve up breakfast for one of their staff meetings.

As a successful Club manager, what do you believe is the most important aspect of staff management for maintaining a positive and efficient team dynamic at your venue?

Open communication. Not just saying “good morning" in the hallway but keeping everyone in touch is a key to keeping our staff happy.

I regularly ask our staff (when they least expect it) to tell me about a promotion as if I am a customer. There is no punishment if they don't know it, just embarrassment. I give them one minute to find the information (readily available in every area) and come back. I find this drives an expectation without the big scary stick. The teamwork that comes from helping their colleague find the information is natural, positive and supportive.

Employee retention is a challenge that a lot of people in the industry are talking about. Could you share some of the key strategies you implement to retain good people in your team?

Two areas for me, Staff Feedback and Training.

I regularly conduct Staff Focus groups, where staff volunteer (unpaid) to attend a session where we ask a series of questions. These questions vary from what do you like about working here, what is the biggest improvement we could make as a business, what suggestion do you have to fix waste? We get some pretty out there answers that are just not possible, but I give them the reason why we can't, why we won't or we will take up their option. The ownership of new ideas and concepts empowers them to keep voicing improvements. The important thing is answering them.

Training, not formal training but experience training.

Recently we held a Keg Room 101, unpaid. We had 36 (42%) staff turn up. Chefs, Managers, new and experienced staff all wanting to improve their skills.

All of our Duty Managers have a Cadet DM that they mentor. These cadets are picked from an EOI process. They work together regularly and share experiences, stories and strategies. When that Duty Manager moves on (hopefully through promotion!) the Cadet is ready, they know the systems, they know the role and they are confident. Plus they get to mentor a Cadet too. Most of our Cadets are 20-30hr per week casuals of all ages who are just wanting to see if they can do it.

Our Apprentice Chefs (yep we have them!) are given experiences outside of the kitchen. We roster them at our local baker and butcher for work experience blocks to improve their skills. They attend our produce supplier to pick our order, deliver it and see the full circle of that box. The suppliers love the free labour which further improves the supplier relationship and we get a more enthusiastic employee back who wants to share their experiences.

How do you foster a sense of teamwork and camaraderie among your staff members?

Celebrate success! When was the last time you set a basic target, then rewarded your team? Last month our restaurant team had a target to suggestively sell gravy with 50% of burgers sold.

Pleasingly they exceeded the target with 63%. This resulted in an additional $1,200 in revenue for the month. Our reward of Cake cost us nothing from the local baker as our Apprentice made it! I find it’s not so much the reward but the recognition that counts.

How do you handle a conflict among team members or address an issue that you have with an individual staff member while maintaining harmony within the team?

Deal with it quickly and openly. I turn to mediation meetings where both parties attend and we discuss the issues. More often than not, it's a misinterpretation of what was said or how it was said. This shows that you appreciate them as employees and want to keep the team working together. As far as my time is concerned, 30 minutes and the meeting is generally over, with a positive outcome.

As a leader, how do you communicate your vision and goals to your team to align them with the overall objectives of Burpengary Community Club?

Selling the idea to the staff before you sell it to the customers. I do have some pretty out there ideas. This summer for instance, we are going to turn part of our beer garden into a Beach Club at Burpengary. A small focus group on what we need and how we are going to do it has resulted in street food menus, new cocktails, Hawaiian shirts for staff and 3 tonnes of sand! Should be interesting considering we are nowhere near the beach.

What role does recognition and appreciation play in your staff management strategy? How do you acknowledge the contributions of your team members?

Celebrate success as a team, reward individuals one on one.

If I am giving someone employee of the month, I sit with them and explain why. We don’t tend to broadcast those awards to the rest of the team. We do however broadcast the team achievements to everyone.

As a club manager, you must handle various responsibilities. How do you balance being a hands-on manager while also empowering your team to take initiative and ownership of their roles?

I work with Delegated Authority Documents. These empower each level of management to make decisions within their authority. If I witness something that I don’t like or don’t think is to standard, I will ask the relevant Team Leader, Supervisor or Duty Manager if there is a reason it is like that. This puts the responsibility on them to either know, or fix to get it back to standard. Simple things like TVs, Lighting, Music and Maintenance Items, they will look to have the answer to me before I see it.

Sweet motivation for the team ahead of a big day!

Would you like your Club to feature in our next edition of SPIN?

Email your stories to our team:

hello@axisiq.com.au or call (02) 6652 6652

Is my website really that important?

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 06:30:20 GMT

"Your website is still THE ONLY piece of real estate that you own and can control on the internet."

We get asked ALL the time – “I have Facebook and Instagram profiles for my business, is my website really that important?”

Um… heck yes!

Consider the volatility of social media for a moment… does anyone remember where MySpace went?

Look at what's happened to Twitter since Elon Musk took over… Consider recent bans of Tik Tok from government staff devices amid data safety concerns...

Social media is a wonderful tool to utilise as part of your overall marketing, but it’s also highly volatile and each platform’s future is finite. So please don’t be foolish and put all your eggs in the social media basket and abandon your trusty website!

Now that we've established that your website IS important, consider your current site's performance.

An ‘audit’ is not a foreign concept for venue managers. But when was the last time you or your team conducted an audit of your website?

Quick self audit for your website

We’ve put together a few key elements for you to consider when auditing your website:

Competitor audit – this might take a little more work but is a worthwhile exercise. Conduct a SWOT on a competitor’s website

to discover opportunities or weaknesses in your site. Consider:

Is their website easier to navigate than yours?
How does their page loading time compare to yours?
Are there tools or items missing from their site that you could integrate into yours to give you a competitive edge?
How does their site rank in search engine compared to yours?

Responsive – is your website responsive and does it adjust well to all devices (keeping in mind that over 60% of searches are conducted on mobile devices)? The mobile view has never been more important.

UX (user experience) design optimisation – UX is all about the end user’s motivation. Why is someone on your site and are

you helping them find the info they are after, in the easiest way possible? This includes the actual content on your website and the design of the site.

Ask yourself if your website’s content answers the questions
your team are frequently being asked.
Take a look at the site layout:
Are headings and navigation menus easy to follow and obvious
to the end user where they need to visit to find the info they
are seeking?
Are buttons large and clearly visible?
Is it easy to ‘go back’, or to find home if you wanted to navigate
to another area of the site?
Is the call to action on each page obvious and visible?

A self audit should be quick to do and give you an idea of how well (or poorly) your website is performing.

As always if you need a hand and some professional advice, reach out to our team.

Contact our team via our website today:

www.axisiq.com.au/contact

5 ways to reach more people on Instagram

Wed, 07 Jun 2023 06:14:10 GMT

5

ways to reach

more people on

Instagram...

One key factor to growing an account on any platform is reaching new people and this is especially true on Instagram… but how do we do this?

There are tons of Instagram features, as well as methods you can utilise to reach that ideal target market for your business or venue and we are here to shed some light on these…

1.

Instagram Reels: It’s no secret that Reels, 'REELY' work when trying to reach a new audience. Reels have massive growth potential for your page, with the ability of reaching thousands if not millions of people in a short period of time… It’s safe to say, if you're not creating reels you are missing out! P.S. read our blog for more tips on Reels. https://www.axisiq.com.au/instagrams-un-reel-feature

2.

Paid Instagram/Facebook ads: Instagram and Facebook have become so saturated that it pays to run paid ad campaigns on both platforms to successfully reach your ideal audience. Paid ads are specifically targeted to your chosen demographics and allow for full control over your marketing efforts that will get great results and reach people EVERY time when done correctly!

3.

Collaborations: Collaborations with other pages allow you to tap into their audience and grow accordingly. This can be done through co-authoring a post together or even collaborating with the local community groups and sporting Clubs you sponsor by sharing each other's posts about upcoming events, promos etc with your audience and vice versa…

4.

Giveaways: Hosting a giveaway is another great way to fast track your reach and give a boost of follower numbers to your page. This gets people engaged with your pages and gets them sharing and spreading awareness about your brand with their followers. It’s a WIN, WIN!

5.

Hashtags and keywords: Add hashtags to posts so people searching on Instagram can easily find your post. The same

goes for keywords… simply add a commonly searched term to your Instagram name field to increase your profile visibility via the Explore Page.

If you want an extra helping hand with building a community online make sure you HIT US UP. We can manage your socials.

Email: social@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652.

Maximising your Sponsorships

Wed, 15 Mar 2023 05:07:01 GMT

Making the most of

your...

SPONSORSHIPS

There's no doubt that the 'right' sponsorships for your venue can be very beneficial (for all parties involved).

Brighton Wet Bag

These handy water resistant nylon bags are ideal as promo items. Our client, Pittwater, chose them as part of their sponsorship program with one of their local Surf Life Saving Clubs. The members can use them to store wet items, plus they have a domed strap which is great for attaching to bags or pram handles etc. – genius!

Also available in a range of colours.

TIP : add your logo or message.

Sponsorships are a cost-efficient form of marketing, help shape consumer attitudes, build brand awareness, drive sales, increase reach, generate (free) media exposure, differentiates you from your competition, and enhances key community and business relationships.

Here's a few things you can do to maximise exposure of your sponsorship:

Provide partners visual impact products and insist on its use at all events/games - marquees, flags, banners not only look impressive but are functional too.

Create simple co-hosted events - low-cost options! Think special
themed trivia sessions that can double as fundraisers (but helps get a whole new crowd in the venue). Something you already do that can
be rebadged into a special event.

Discuss tagging each other in your socials - share the love both ways.

Track sponsor spend - create a tag in your membership system so
you can run a report on how the group/team are supporting the
venue in real terms when they swipe their cards.

Branded merch - go beyond the jersey the team wears and co-brand
some tees, badges, bags etc for greater exposure of your partnership
and get that message all over your town.

Get involved - do more than just handing over some banners to those you sponsor. Sit down and be honest about your objectives from the agreement and see if each party has ideas on how they can best support these goals. You might be surprised!

Need a hand getting your Sponsorship Essentials sorted?
Get in touch hello@axisiq.com.au

Event & festival merch ideas...

Tue, 07 Mar 2023 00:58:21 GMT

Event & festival merch ideas...

Are you planning an event or festival or do you sponsor community groups and require branded merch? We have an extensive range of products from lollipops to lanyards, wristbands to cooler bags and everything in between!

Stay tuned for our FULL RANGE CATALOGUE WEBSITE – COMING SOON!!!

Visit our website to view our full range of promotional products. call ouR team on 02 6652 6652 or email: HELLO@axisiq.com.au

Supporting our Clubs

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 21:46:26 GMT

SHARING THE LOVE and support

within THE CLUB community

Let’s take a look ‘around the Clubs’ with some recent wins and awesome ideas that Clubs are sharing online...

Images courtesy of Club Lennox Facebook Page. Club Lennox andCherry Street Bowling Club were wonderful supporters of OESC's initiative.

$388K raised for the Eugowra Floods

OESC, Clubs Industry & Rotary Flood Relief

In November 2022, flash floods hit the community of Eugowra, NSW without warning!

Community members were forced to flee their homes, leaving all their belongings and homes behind.

The wonderful Orange Ex-Services Club reached out to the wider Club Industry and the Central West Community, to come together to support the many flood victims.

Together, OESC and the Clubs community raised $388,000 for these flood victims with the help of Clubs, Suppliers, Individuals & Associations in NSW, ACT, VIC and QLD.

The generosity of the Orange community also raised $96,000 worth of physical goods, including water, baby supplies, cleaning products and more!

A truly amazing effort by the OESC, the supporting Clubs, the local Orange community and every (man and his dog!) who showed their support across Australia for the families in need.

Love on the Clock!

Speed dating

Have you ever gone on a speed date before?

In this new era of dating, everyone is in a rush to find and keep love… but how do you find the ONE?… Enter the Speed Date! It doesn’t get any more thrilling than dating several people in one night, right?

Club Parramatta is taking things to a new level with their ‘CitySwoon’ speed dating nights… It involves unique matched dates based on attendees' profiles along with fantastic hosts and a great location!

Singles rejoice!

We love this idea for Clubs, giving another reason for the community to come together at their local Club.

Pittwater’s 2023 in one word…Community!

Pittwater - 2023 Community Sponsorship Programs

Pittwater is paving the way for community focused connections through supporting organisations, sporting clubs and charities within the local area.

With a theme of community engagement in 2023, the Club has really stepped things up with their community sponsorships, leveraging the partnerships and going the extra mile to make sure the contracts see the maximum result for all parties involved.

Pittwater’s brand awareness has increased and as a result, the local community has a strong connection with the Club that operates right on their doorstep!

We love that the team at Pittwater have also been hitting the streets doing their bit at local events to help raise awareness and support for sponsored groups, as well as flying the flag for the Club. Bravo Pittwater. Keep up the great work!

Would you like your Club to feature in our next edition of SPIN?

Email your stories to our team: alice@axisiq.com.au or call (02) 6652 6652

Products we love!

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 21:12:34 GMT

Products we LOVE...

our team's BEST choices ...

those voted 'repeat order'

POS + MERCH & GIFTS...

Visit our website to get further inspiration for your next promo or email: HELLO@axisiq.com.au

2023 Insta Communities

Wed, 01 Mar 2023 05:18:09 GMT

How you can build an

Instagram Community

in 2023!

Cultivating a strong and engaged community is part of any social media strategy, helping you attract new customers and form a personal bond with your audience!

Instagram has loads of useful features that you can start using NOW to help build your community…

1 - Instagram Stories:
Instagram Stories: Stories are a great tool to use when connecting with your current followers. They’re the perfect channel for conversational content, with interactive polls and emoji sliders to get your audience engaged. Humanise your brand by showing yourself, the team and inside your venue to connect in a REAL way.

TIP: You can also experiment with the 'Close Friends' lists to serve exclusive content to hyper-engaged followers.

2 - COMMENTS:

To create more engagement… you MUST ENGAGE too! When building your online community, commenting, liking, sharing and being SOCIAL is essential! Take time to reply to comments and encourage conversations on your posts. CTA’s (call-to-action) are perfect for this!

3 - INSTAGRAM LIVE:

We know how daunting it can be to go LIVE in front of a room full of ONLINE people, but we promise live

broadcasts are a great direct and unedited way of connecting with your audience on a more personal level!

TIP: You can now schedule Instagram Lives, which is great for building hype and boosting view counts.

4 - GUID ES:

Did you even know there is an Instagram Guides feature? It's a fantastic tool for community building to provide value to your viewers! There are endless handy uses for them but the most popular being travel guides, product picks, curated educational posts and more!

TIP: We love using these on our socials for our 'Meet The Team' series, our 7-Day Social Media Challenge AND more!

5 - DIRECT MESSAGING:

As they say, "it goes down in the DMs." It’s

time to jump into your own and your followers' DMs to get to

know your audience and create brand advocates!

If you want an extra helping hand with building a community online make sure you HIT US UP via email social@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652 .

Website Case Study: Yamba Golf & Country Club

Wed, 01 Feb 2023 02:41:52 GMT

Website case study

Yamba Golf & Country Club

We love reimagining websites for Clubs... and some of them need some serious TLC! Let's check out one we completed recently (and one we are very proud of!) ...

Yamba Golf & Country Club!

THE BRIEF

Our main objective for YGCC's new site was to improve the information architecture and User Experience (UX) design. Their existing website's information was difficult to find and lacked a clear pathway, so this was going to be the most crucial part of the rebuild. The look and feel were already quite modern, but we decided to give it a refresh by changing the colour scheme to a more contemporary palette... we even gave the logo a little zhuzhing using a modern typeface! The Club is an award-winning wedding venue, has a championship golf course and a new virtual golf simulator, so we also needed to highlight these in an eye-catching and cohesive way.

THE SOLUTION

This site was full of content! First and foremost, like we do for any site, we created a detailed sitemap. This provided YGCC with a snapshot of how the site will be structured and for us (as the name suggests), a 'map' to build from. The new secure site was constructed with a multi-nested main menu always available to the user, which was key to building a successful user experience. We utilised large imagery and parallax scrolling to highlight the Club's most important offerings and changed the overall design so it would feel modern and revitalised, incorporating new colours that complimented each other as well as the picturesque location of the Club.

THE RESULT

A website that's functional, easy to navigate and nice to look at... 3 simple attributes that make a huge impact for any business... AND make for one very happy client!

“Liana (website designer) is amazing! All went well, and the site is super intuitive so it's sooo much easier to use than the old one!”

Eryn Hammond, Functions Co-ordinator – Yamba Golf & Country Club

We LOVE hosting our clients’ websites in the cloud for that added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

If your website needs a shake-up, (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today. We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652.

Hottest merch and gift ideas

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 05:18:20 GMT

Check out our latest range (ideal for corporate gifting and Club branding).

Makes for great merch you can sell too - plus eco options now available!

Create brand awareness... ADD YOUR LOGO to any of the below products...

see our full range of PROMOTIONAL PRODUCTS .

Questions?* Email: HELLO@axisiq.com.au or call (02) 6652 6652

* Check in with our team to discuss your options and current stock levels. Min order qtys apply.

Club feature: Pittwater

Fri, 18 Nov 2022 04:40:45 GMT

FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BOLD

In every industry there needs to be a leader, someone who takes risks and ‘gives it a red-hot crack’, and in the Club industry, one of those leaders is PITTWATER ...

Whilst the events of the past two and a half years have seen a lot of businesses apply the brakes when it comes to taking a risk and trying something new, Pittwater has bucked the norm and continued to test the market with new and innovative offerings.

Even through several lockdowns the Club didn’t rest

Pittwater was the first on the Northern Beaches to introduce a pub style operation (pub-within-a-Club) whilst maintaining its traditional, popular Club services, with an aim to attract a new market. The Club House Hotel attracted the 18-40 year-old market in droves with its American style dedicated sports bar, award winning burger bar, and sponsorship of the Manly Seabirds (who regularly appear at key events in the venue).

In 2021 Pittwater converted an upper level of their carpark to become the largest rooftop bar on the Northern Beaches, ‘The Deck at Pitty’, creating a destination for families by day and young party going crowd in the evening, and also hosting a record-breaking ANZAC Day in the space in 2022.

But it’s the Club’s most recent ‘Ice Skating Spectacular’ event that has set a new bar for the business - a full-size, pop-up ice skating rink, installed on the lower entry carpark to the Club with pop up bar, coffee cart, and live DJ events that ran over the July 2022 school holidays.

The path leading to the July 2022 ice skating event was not one without its own hurdles. The original event scheduled to run for 2 weeks commencing from Saturday 26 June 2021 saw only three sessions attended before Former NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced a snap lockdown that would start at 5pm that same day – a lockdown that would be in place for Clubs and pubs for over 3 months.

Costs in excess of $50,000 had already been invested in the original 2021 event in set up, hire and contract, marketing and labour. But Pittwater’s board made the call to refund in full, anyone who had already experienced the event prior to lockdown (over $3500 in ticket sales), and the contractors from Ice Spectacular worked closely with the Club to reduce costs and set a new booking date for July of 2022.

After the initial investment and loss, the Pittwater team was keen to have the opportunity to see the event pay dividends, and in 2022, it certainly did!

The event ran for 9 days in July, and boasted:

Over 6,500 tickets sold (or excess of $75,000 in ticket revenue)
For the first week of the Ice Skating Spectacular (9-15 July), food sales were 34.7% higher than the average of the previous three weeks. Beverage sales were 26.8% higher
Return patronage over the event to skate, and utilise the Club’s facilities
700 new membership sign ups over the event period
Increased brand awareness of Pittwater as a ‘Destination’
Viral social media response to an appearance by the Manly Seabirds on the ice rink

“The Board and Leadership Team at Pittwater have always had a high tolerance to balanced risk… although Pittwater enjoys the benefits of Gaming / Responsible Entertainment, it is not a traditionally high value orientated Gaming venue as some may be in alternative Sydney Suburbs and or demographics… We don’t enjoy the luxury of being surrounded by medium density living, nor does Pittwater’s location lend itself to high volume transport exposure or access. As a result, it’s forced us to be more creative and aggressive in our approach to make sure we are appealing to new markets whilst ensuring we nurture our existing supporters” said Pittwater CEO Jason Manning.

“The Ice Skating Spectacular we hosted this July is a clear example of our willingness to think outside the box, and be bold. I’d encourage all Clubs to be brave and try something new. It’s innovation like this that see our team come together and build a deeper rapport and we are clever in the way we secure our success by partnering with other innovative suppliers like Hennessey Coffee whom when asked, called to action as a good business partner would, supplying products, equipment, additional training and support.

Then there was the on-point marketing from the team at Axis IQ, securing over 600,000 impressions on targeted social ad campaigns, 98% increase in reach on the Club’s Facebook page, and 117% increase in reach on the Club’s Instagram profile over the 30 days measured before and including the event. It’s always a team effort and we’re proud to lead the way and hopefully inspire other venues to take a calculated risk and back themselves… nothing is off limits!” (Pittwater CEO Jason Manning).

Axis IQ are Club specialists in marketing – we have the expertise to help you stand out and reach your audience.

Give our team a buzz (02) 6652 6652 to find out more.

When 'booze' became uncool

Thu, 17 Nov 2022 21:06:03 GMT

You may have already heard… It may have intrigued you, scared you, (or baffled you?)… BUT, across Australia there is a very fast growing population of people who are choosing to not drink alcohol and as a result, non-alcoholic beverage sales are quickly

on the rise.

In recent times there always appears be a new hip and funky booze-free beer brand popping up in cafes, bars and shops.

With a lot of craft breweries including an alcohol free option in their range, the bigger players in the industry have launched their own alcohol free options too such as Carlton United Breweries’, Carlton Zero.

Published on CUB’s website in May 2022, CUB reported “Carlton Zero went on sale in September last year. It is the first non-alcoholic beer in CUB’s 180-year history and has been one of its most successful ever launches, outstripping expectations with around

$10 million in sales already. CUB CEO Peter Filipovic said: “We launched Carlton Zero because beer lovers told us they wanted more opportunities to enjoy beer responsibly. Its enormous success proves drinkers have been crying out for a non-alcoholic beer that actually tastes like beer.

Adults want alternatives to sugary soft drink and this campaign highlights that Carlton Zero has 10 times less sugar than regular soft drink.” (Source: https://cub.com.au/zero-to-hero-non-alcoholic-beer-takes-on-soft-drink-giants/ ).

As of May this year CUB also reported that non-alcohol, low and mid strength beer now make up a quarter of their sales! And not only are there reports of bars in inner city Melbourne now that are exclusively alcohol free, the regular beer drinker would have noticed the change in the tap mix of the past few years with more and more brands bringing out mid, low and non- alcohol beers that are actually drinkable!

So who is driving this change?

Market research undertaken by CUB published on their website revealed that whilst adults of all ages were reporting to enjoy Carlton Zero, it was particularly popular with men and women between 25-34yrs of age who enjoyed a fit and active lifestyle.

It’s clear that Aussies still enjoy a drink but there is a shift to enjoy it in a more responsible way. Australian alcohol consumption is at a historic low and the newer generations are changing their approach to alcohol consumption after a culture of drinking culture at the forefront of Australian identity for generations previously.

Endeavour Group (parent company of chains BWS and Dan Murphy’s) told smartcompany.com.au in July of this year that they’ve seen sales of zero alcohol products increase more than 150% in the previous 24 months with zero alcohol products remaining one of their fastest growing categories. (Source: https://www.smartcompany.com.au/series/dry-july-series/nom-alcoholic-beer-sales-dry-july-moderation-behaviour/ )

It’s a market trend to keep an eye on and to be responsive to as we try to make sure our venues stay relevant to the consumer.

CHEERS!

WHAT'S WORKED WELL FOR YOU IN THIS SPACE IN YOUR VENUE?

We'd love to know!

Send an email to alice@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652

Instagram’s un-REEL feature!

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 04:29:23 GMT

Instagram' s un-REEL feature

taking over

THE ONLINE WORLD !

Instagram officially launched their NEW reels feature in 2020 just after covid lock downs were a thing and the popular app, TIK TOK took off!

In order to compete with the TIK TOK phenomenon, Instagram created 'reels'. Since releasing this feature, static in feed posts (images etc) have taken a big backseat online and video content is being prioritised over all other content.

Instagram is pushing reels in a big way, therefore changing the landscape once again for online marketing and business success. Small accounts are going VIRAL from these fun, quick and simple videos, taking accounts from a few thousand followers to 10k-100k and beyond!

So, how do we leverage this trend to help our businesses grow and welcome more leads in the process?

here are our top tips

FOR reels in 2022:

1. JUST start creating! These days, people aren’t too fussed with the pretty videos and perfectly curated clips… viewers want to see YOU and real/raw videos that are relatable to everyday life!

2. Jump on a trending audio/industry trend. This can be one of the best ways to get your reel out there. We have noticed if you jump on a trending audio early, you can ride the wave on the way up, maybe even go viral!

3. Sometimes short and sweet is best! Make your clips shorter and time the clips to the beat of a cool audio = a recipe for success.

4. Start your reel with something eye-catching! There is no better way to grab the attention of someone on their late night IG scroll, than by starting your reel with an eye-catching element… This could be a colourful shirt, cool camera angle, moving an object, or a fast transition into the next clip.

5. Get in the video! People LOVE to see people and social media is all about being social and connecting with others… Make sure you show yourself, team and staff for a personal touch.

Now that you know how to make groovy reels, are you stuck for ideas?...

our 5 FAVE reel ideas:

1. Meet the team.

2. Behind the scenes.

3. Dining specials of the week.

4. Cocktail tutorial.

5. What a function/wedding looks like within your venue.

Need a hand mastering your socials?

Get in touch today... social@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652

Top tips for planning a website build

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 03:37:41 GMT

5 top tips for planning a NEW website build

1 First impressions matter – when a visitor first clicks on the home page you have just seconds to hook them in or lose them. Is it appealing? Is it uncluttered? Is it easy to find the info they need?

2 Functionality and usability – most venue’s sites are visited for the same general reasons, e.g. seeking out the latest menu, booking a table for dinner, to see what entertainment is on, to buy tickets to a show. Building a new site is the perfect time to look at what other functionality you can integrate to make your site of genuine use to the public, as well as making the back of house more efficient for your team.

3 Call to action - what do you want people to do when they’re on your site? Tell them! For example, ask them to get in touch to book in their upcoming event and make it easy for them to send off a functions specific enquiry (and let them know how long it will take to get a reply from your team).

4 Look and feel – a site should reflect your brand aesthetic. If your brand is in need of a refresh, before you create a new site is the best time to do this (we can help you with this too!)

5 Mobile – most search is carried out on a phone. Focus on how your new site works on a phone (generally keeping it simple is best when you consider search on a small screen).

We LOVE our cloud based, closed source websites for added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

Looking for some website inspo to get you inspired for your new website build?

Start planning for the new year, and get yourself a NEW website that has ALL the functions you and your customers will LOVE!

If your website needs a shake up (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today.

We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652 .

Work the data!

Wed, 16 Nov 2022 03:23:43 GMT

Don't leave it to chance...

work the data

to get more visits more often!

If you’re still using multiple systems to send correspondence to your customers like emails and SMS, and (worst of all), they aren’t connected and exchanging data, you may want to ask yourself WHY?

Customers are savvy. Generic messaging, blanket emails and SMS blasts are sooo outdated, so smarten up your direct marketing and work that data!

And the best part, there are systems already out there created to make it easy for you to connect all your data and get a real snapshot of what’s going on for each customer so you can target them at the right time, with the right messaging. It’s a no brainer really.

Here are just some of the systems you can connect into one neat little package:

Membership systems
POS
Online ordering
Table bookings
Accommodation – just to name a few.

The data from these systems can feed into one, consolidated email and SMS platform with built-in automation and triggers to make it oh-so-easy!

You can even create digital vouchers for customers based on their own specific journey with your venue, distribute, and track their redemption back in the venue! It’s smart marketing, already done for you.

If you’re serious about increasing revenue in your venue, get in touch for a free demo. Email: alice@axisiq.com.au or call (02) 6652 6652

Local success story - Woopi Brewing Co

Fri, 28 Oct 2022 00:30:39 GMT

The Woolgoolga Brewing Co. (or Woopi Brewing Co as it’s referred to), launched their community craft brewery in 2021 and have enjoyed a successful first 12 months in business despite the challenges of operating a hospitality venue during a pandemic.

We caught up with one part of the craft brewery family, Sarah Poole, to hear more…

Owners Ryan & Sarah Poole with Member for Coffs Harbour - Gurmesh Singh.

Sarah, tell us about how the Brewery was born?

We’re ‘Mexicans’, moving up from Victoria where my husband and I lived most of our adult lives. We were on holidays with the family in Woopi, loved the place and decided to sell and move up here three years ago.

We’ve always wanted to open a brewery and create a space that people all across the community would want to come to. We love the industry. The craft community is very non-competitive and friendly.

We were fortunate enough to meet some other locals here who

shared the same vision for what we wanted. It was then a matter of

scouting for a location.

There are five families involved in the brewery and we wanted to keep it as small as we could, each party bringing their own background and skillset including strong hospitality operation skills, brewery skills from the very successful Mornington Peninsula Brewery, and some hardcore locals too. That has really helped us to build what we envisioned.

The Brewery looks amazing. It’s a great concept the warehouse in an industrial estate but with a large grassy area for kids and families (and pups!), a full brewing set up on display, and bar and catering services. Was there any key inspiration you pulled from other venues?

We were all just passionate about building the brewery that we wanted to be at. We wanted it to be a community space. We just happen to also make beer here and serve really good food too.

You seem to offer a range of activities and cater for a lot of different groups. Who is your target market?

Given we wanted to create a community space, we’ve established ourselves as a gathering place for different people at different times. There’s a time for families, for girl’s nights, for the lads to catch up. We encourage these groups to come in at different times with activities like musical bingo, trivia, our paint and sip sessions, art installations, kids entertainment, schooner and beer night specials.

There are other venues that have similar style of events but the success of ours is always about the people involved in the activities and the personality who is running it.

We really understand our customer – that is vital. We start with them and then choose the entertainment and activities that fits. We’re the first brewery like this in our patch. It was time to do

something different.

Staffing – everyone knows there’s an issue at the moment with big staff shortages across the industry. You seem to have a very low turnover of casual staff. Is there anything you’ve changed or do differently operationally to overcome this?

We haven’t had any trouble with casual staff at all. We treat them really well, we pay fairly and we make this a fun place to be. We find that ongoing training opportunities helps them learn and feel more engaged in the business. We have monthly training sessions which might include tour of different parts of the brewery, tasting sessions.

A brewery is different to a pub. People who visit a brewery are really interested in learning generally, so we need our team to be educated on the product.

Membership – you started a membership program for the brewery from Day 1. There are clear benefits for members but why is the membership program a good strategy for the brewery?

One of our partners comes from a brewery background and had experience with a membership program model that fitted in with the concept of what we wanted here.

Given our whole ethos is that we are a community-based brewery, the membership program makes people feel more part of what we are doing. Our ‘Woopi Brew Crew’ members are our biggest fans. They actively promote the brewery and bring friends and family in to experience it.

We offer different levels of membership with a range of price and inclusions. Not everyone wants the same things, so it works to give people options and choices. People feel special being a member.

You’ve got a background in marketing which I’m sure would be a great bonus for the operation. What’s the marketing strategy for Woopi Brewing Co and would there be anyone (or few) tactics that you’ve found most effective?

Understanding who your customer is first is critical. And then find out where they consume their information.

Our target groups range in age from 20 to 70. Social media is a big part of our communication strategy, but you need to build a database and regularly communicate with them. For us we also know that given we are targeting locals within a 30km radius, being in the local community mag and sponsorship of sporting teams helps. In holiday time we’re targeting visitors, so socials play a big part.

Socials is great to track and monitor who is engaging with your content and to find out who you are talking to. Doing that research is really important. We also rely a lot on our team, getting feedback from them, seeing what they think will work and getting out and listening to what people want.

Would you have any advice on what venues can be doing right now to attract more customers (and repeat customers) into their businesses?

Really look after the people who come into your venue with a consistent experience and make them feel special - they are the ones who will keep coming back. I think there is a lot of opportunity for regional hospitality operators who put a huge emphasis on service, training and going over and above. For us we know that anyone can pour a beer, it’s the other skills that matter.

Biggest lesson you’ve learned in your first year of operation?

I’ve got a few! Go with the flow. Don’t overthink things too much. Things have been really hard since September 2021 with covid, rain and floods. You need to have a strong belief in what you’re doing and you will build a great team.

Don’t focus on the things you can’t change, only the things you can.

And bringing in someone with experience is so valuable. They learnt all the hard lessons so no need to learn them all again.

Website Case Study: Armidale City Bowling Club

Wed, 21 Sep 2022 02:04:11 GMT

Website case study

Armidale City Bowling Club

We love helping our clients to realise their 'wish list' for the many websites we've built

over the years. Let's check out one we redesigned this year that is modern and functional – Armidale City Bowling Club.

THE BRIEF

ACBC’s website was in desperate need of a refresh. Their existing website was not cohesive, nor responsive and the overall design needed a modern overhaul. Given the Club is an award-winning wedding venue, it needed to highlight this, as well as showcase the Club’s other amazing offerings.

THE SOLUTION

For a site with a lot of content we always start with the bare bones and create a detailed sitemap. This really helps our clients to visualise how their site will function and allows us to build the site with a clear plan of attack. For ACBC we created a secure site featuring a nested menu structure which is always available to the user, impactful imagery and video and a section solely dedicated to showcasing their many well-deserved industry awards. We changed the look and feel so that the site was revitalised, modern and fresh, but also kept in line with their style guide and complimented their overall colour scheme.

THE RESULT

“We approached Axis IQ to update our website. We wanted a fresh, modern look and to improve its functionality. The entire process flowed without a hitch, and everyone was so helpful. We now have a website we are very happy with and if feedback from our customers is any indication, functionality has now improved significantly!”

~ Walter Sauer, CEO, ACBC

We LOVE hosting our own and our clients’ websites in the cloud for that added peace of mind, security and optimal performance!

If your website needs a shake up (or you don’t have one and you need one!) reach out to our team today. We have a range of options including pay-as-you-go packages.

Call 02 6652 6652.

The World of UGC

Wed, 29 Jun 2022 03:49:07 GMT

spilling the beans

on the

World of UGC !

You may have heard the term User Generated Content (UGC) floating around the internet and in conversations around social – let us introduce you to the world of UGC...

What is UGC you might ask?

UGC refers to the content that is created by the users of a brand’s products or service. So, for example, someone takes a snap of one of your new cocktails at the bar and post it to Instagram letting their followers know what it is and tagging where they are.

UGC is such a great marketing tool because it is authentic/honest content. We are all much more likely to pay attention to a post about a business that our friends post and appears in our feed.

How do you find UGC?

There are a few places that this content can be found:

Instagram

Location pins - search your business in the IG search bar and select your business location, to review images of people who have tagged their location whilst at your venue.

Profile tags - look in your tagged section of your IG profile to review the pictures you have been tagged in.

Hashtags - search hashtags relating to your brand to see who has used your business specific #

Facebook

Profile tags - notifications will come up on your profile when someone has tagged your venue in their post

Reviews - people may leave a great review and attach an awesome image that can be reshared on your profile.

Venue check-ins - when visitors check in at your venue, you can reshare their captions or images taken whilst in the venue.

It’s important to remember to tag them in your post to credit their image or caption for copyright purposes.

5 reasons WHY you should utilise UGC:

1. Higher brand awareness

2. Credibility and authenticity

3. Real customer feedback

4. Great traffic and conversation starters

5. Unique content tailored specifically to your venue

Need a hand mastering your socials?

Get in touch today... social@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652

Branded Ham Bags

Sun, 05 Jun 2022 03:53:11 GMT

Branded Ham Bags

Order yours today!

HAM BAGS Personalised with your own logo!

Ham Bags are perfect for Clubs and Pubs for Christmas Ham Raffles,

a fantastic promotional opportunity and gift for members.

Our branded ham bags are also ideal for Butcher Shops and specialist Co-ops or

Wholesale Meat outlets. Corporate clients may like to add a special touch to their Christmas gifts for staff and clients too!

BRANDED HAM BAGS:

Drawstring Ham Bag for storing ham in the refrigerator
Manufactured from 140gsm unbleached natural cotton
Printed one colour, one side
400mm x 500mm size
Personalise one of the FREE Axis IQ ham bag designs (See below). Custom ham bag design also possible.
Bulk Ham Bag run min order Qty 250, for less ham bag qty contact us for a quote

"We used ham bags this year supplied by AxisIQ for a point of difference and to also help with reduction of plastic. Our members were over the moon with them!"

Tere Sheehan, GM
Cherry Street Sports Club

Axis IQ Ham Bag Designs..

HURRY, DISCOUNTED ORDERS CLOSE 26 JULY FOR NOVEMBER DELIVERY

Ham Bag Gallery

To order your ham bags call 02 6652 6652 or email office@axisiq.com.au today!

To order your Ham Bags call 02 6652 6652 or email office@axisiq.com.au today!

*Pricing excludes GST. Ham Bag Production art set up charge $50 + gst applies. Excludes freight - estimate given upon request.

Tips on building your team

Tue, 08 Mar 2022 23:24:53 GMT

Here are our tips on building your team...

...to really thrive!

The hospo industry has been amongst the many industries hit hardest in the past 2 years, with shut downs and restarts on repeat. Now though it seems many establishments are facing a new situation - staff shortages!

A few factors are affecting this, and it has turned into a very competitive environment.

Which begs the question “How do you entice

employees to join your team over the competition?”

Here are a few key factors which may help to be the “clincher” for a prospective employee.

Value added contract

As a small club, you may not be able to offer the perks larger clubs can, especially those with on-site health facilities, including fully-equipped gyms. You can however consider teaming up with other local business and could offer employees discount coupons to use with local gym or spa facilities.

Not only will you be injecting money back into your local economy, you’ll also be helping out other small businesses in the area. And your employees will likely appreciate saving a few extra bucks (and they'll stay healthy too!).

Scope for growth

Most employees aren’t looking for jobs where they’ll do the same thing for the next 30 years. They’re looking for positions that offer opportunities for advancement.

What will the position you’re offering promise a new employee? The chance to develop new skills? Will it be a stepping stone to a position with more responsibilities? Will there be pay increases after certain period(s) of time on the job? Whatever it is, be sure to get the future possibilities on the table when you’re in the recruitment process.

Employee incentive program

Employee incentive programs not only reward good employee performance, they also give prospective employees something to look forward to if they come to work for you.

Whether it’s an annual company-paid retreat or a program where employees collect points that they can trade in for cash, employee incentive programs can increase your chances of attracting the

people you want to hire.

Sweeten the pot

When competition for employees is fierce, a plain old signing bonus may be what’s needed to recruit the high-quality employee you want and keep them from joining the competition.

If you choose to do this, keep two important things in mind. The signing bonus has to be large enough to matter and the signing bonus has to be contingent upon a certain length of employment. Otherwise, you’ll be running a revolving door as people sign up, take the money and run.

Work perks

Recent research shows 24% of Australians believe employee benefits play a significant role in deciding where they work. One of the challenges facing small or medium business is attracting great talent and holding onto them. “Extensive research shows happy, engaged employees will not only stay longer, but they will perform better and your business will soar,” says Alex Hattingh, the chief people officer of Employment Hero.

Work perks play an important role for many Australian candidates. “Perks help you attract top talent and to retain and engage your employees,” says Hattingh.

Widen the scope of your advertising

It’s not enough to place an ad in your local newspaper anymore. Your chances of attracting the employees you want will be much better if you broaden your advertising.

For example, place ads on job websites and college/university campus boards. Advertise in other towns or cities. Go onto social media and advertise on Facebook (FB), Insta and Twitter. Just last month one of our clients engaged us to create a "Paid Push" Ads campaign through FB for some key chef positions. They had tried unsuccessfully through other mediums - after less than a week they had filled the position.

Don’t forget to get your current team members involved in the employee recruitment hunt. For example, you can offer signing bonuses to those who successfully refer a new employee.

looking for MORE TIPS TO HELP BUILD YOUR TEAM TO THRIVE?

Get in touch today... sales@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652

C-O-M-M-U-N-I-C-A-T-I-O-N

Thu, 03 Mar 2022 22:07:57 GMT

It’s a necessary component in the success of your business… but it’s something most of us could do better!

You’ve of course got to get your messaging and strategy right (things like having customer service standards that your team follow, surveying, social media content strategy) but there are bucket loads of outbound tools you can use to directly communicate with your customers.

Create a regular newsletter – the businesses who consistently communicate STAND OUT. People love to hear from all of the team – from the CEO to the barista. Share updates, happy news, promos and wins. You can do this via EDM, SMS and print.

EDM – an email that is sent out to members (you can even filter to send different messages to different people based on their experience with your business). Print and distribute – old school? Yes! Effective? Still yes! With such a reduction in what comes in the letterbox, distributing a quality publication to a targeted area has the power to make it to the kitchen bench (people tend to hold onto it if it's useful too).

SMS – really great for last minute call to action messages e.g. 24hr flash sale in the bottleshop. DO NOT send SMS to announce every promo to every member. Once that member opts out, you’ve lost the ability to SMS them forever. Keep it targeted and for urgent call to action only.

Pick up the phone – not just in lockdown. This might seem hard to do but a quick call to some local members can make all the difference.

Social media - an opportunity to showcase the personality of the business and engage on another level. You don’t have to post daily, just try to be consistent and interesting.

looking for an easy solution to contact customers?

Get in touch today... sales@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652

Website Case Study: Towradgi Park Bowls & Recreation Club

Tue, 21 Dec 2021 22:23:00 GMT

Website Case Study
TOWRADGI PARK BOWLS

The Towradgi Park Bowling Club began its life in the early 1950s through the hard work of volunteers from the local community. It started life as a small brick clubhouse built by Pop, a local bricklayer and Jones his offsider. Over the years it’s evolved into one of the most successful clubs in their zone and has enjoyed a large membership due to their proximity to the beach and success on the bowling greens.

THE BRIEF

Towradgi Park Bowls came to AxisIQ for help with their website. They were in a maintenance contract but were constantly being let down by their supplier who would take what seemed like forever to service the website as it stood. They wanted a new website that could grow with the club and a reliable service provider, and they wanted it turned around quickly.

THE SOLUTION

AxisIQ have been able to build a website that shows the club to its best advantage, is current and informative and with plenty of room to grow with unrestricted hosting limits. The site is secure, informative, and easy to navigate. Our platform allows for the whole website to be redesigned at any time without having to start from scratch. It’s a simple solution that works and with built in SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) the site is easily found online.

Before & After Slider
Please use the central arrows to move the slider below left or right to see the website before and after redevelopment.

Looking for a
new website?

Website Case Study: Club Taree

Fri, 17 Dec 2021 03:29:24 GMT

WEBSITE CASE STUDY
CLUB TAREE

Club Taree was first established in 1915 progressing through the years to its present position as one of the premier Clubs and golf courses on the east coast. The Club has also cemented itself as the regional centre for hospitality in the Manning Valley offering members and guests modern facilities, excellence in dining, entertainment, first class function facilities and of course a stunning 21 hole golf course.

THE BRIEF

The existing Club Taree website had served the Club well but was in need of a refresh to better reflect the current offering and a modernise to better utilise more up to date website capabilities. The Wordpress site had also become somewhat unmanageable with the number of pages that were included in the navigation.

With a refresh of the Club's corporate identity completed, it was an ideal time to launch a new website reflecting their more elegant style which they wanted to reflect across the site.

THE SOLUTION

Using our cloud website solution Axis IQ have been able to provide Club Taree with a professionally presented, bespoke design and state of art website which will take them well into the future.

Using the animation features of our platform we have been able to perfectly reflect Club Taree’s new identity in an elegant and animated presentation. Simplifying many pages into single pages divided into sections, navigation for the end user has become simplified.

Social media integration is simple and with our platform's excellent SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) the traffic to this website has dramatically increased and the Club are able to manage the content with ease.

Before & After Slider
Please use the central arrows to move the slider below left or right to see the website before and after redevelopment.

Looking for a
new website?

Extrapreneur Services

Thu, 16 Dec 2021 00:42:52 GMT

WEBSITE CASE STUDY
EXTRAPRENEUR SERVICES

Extrapreneur Services are the extra entrepreneur for your business giving you access to skills and experience whilst developing both you and your business, improving governance and management processes as well as increasing profit and sustainability. Servicing various industries with a key focus on the hospitality industry as well as agriculture, environment, recruitment, and retail.

THE BRIEF

Ron from Extrapreneur Services who AxisIQ has regularly worked with had decided to start his own venture backed by many years’ experience. He needed a business identity developed as well as all the requisite collateral including a brand new website. Starting with a blank page the brief was to develop a website that could grow with the business, was professionally presented and easy to navigate.

THE SOLUTION

Using our state of the art website platform we have been able to create a website that reinforces the Extrapreneur brand whilst informing prospective customers as to the benefits of using Extraprenur Services. Fully responsive and with built in SEO (search engine optimisation) this website ticks all the boxes when it comes to functionality and ease of use.

Looking for a
new website?

Website Case Study: Evans Head Surf Club

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 05:30:51 GMT

WEBSITE CASE STUDY
EVANS HEAD SURF CLUB

Synonymous with the local community, The Evans Head Casino Surf Club was established in the early 1920s. Situated right on Main Beach the Club has a relaxed, family friendly atmosphere offering live entertainment and dining at their Sandbar and Restaurant or coffee and cake at their Sandpit Café.

THE BRIEF

Impressed by the work that had been carried out by the Axis IQ team on the Evans Head Bowling Club site, the Evans Head Surf Club connected with us to replace their existing Surf Club website as well.
Unfortunately the Surf Club had been let down by their previous provider and the way the original website had been set up meant that all the images were being called from another source rather than being loaded onto the site (so as soon as any links were updated the images disappeared from the site).

The previous site was also built using Wordpress, which is a great solution for someone who knows a bit about managing websites but can be daunting for a novice. By the time we were given the task of building a new website their existing website had fallen into disrepair and wasn’t servicing their membership at all.

THE SOLUTION

Starting basically from scratch the solution for the Evans Head Surf Club website was to build a vibrant, easy to navigate site using our state of the art cloud solution platform.

The Surf Club (as is the case with most NSW surf clubs) is made up of the local surf life saving club and the supporters club (bar and restaurant).

We created a simpler navigation menu and incorporated more functionality and made it easier for users to find the information they were seeking out that the previous website had failed to do.

We used imagery supplied by the Club to give the site a local feel and we were able to successfully deliver a website to service the needs of the SLSC as well as the club itself easily integrating an online reservation app. The statistics for the website speak for themselves with an over 1000% increase in visitations since the new website has gone up.

Before & After Slider
Please use the central arrows to move the slider below left or right to see the website before and after redevelopment.

Is it time for
a new website?

Promotional & Uniform T-shirt Printing

Wed, 11 Aug 2021 00:20:41 GMT

Spring is almost here. Time to think T-shirts!
Customise with your own logo, sell as merchandise, use for special events or as uniforms.

Stylish cut and sewn womens and mens t-shirts which feature an elastane ribbed round collar with neck tape reinforcing and short sleeves. Available in five sizes - S, M, L, XL and XXL. Manufactured from 190gsm heavy jersey, semi combed ring spun cotton. This gives the garment a soft and smooth feel as well as providing an excellent branding surface.

Branding Options Available

Screen print in one colour, full colour transfer or embroidery.

Mens Selection

Womens Selection

Colours available as shown from left to right include: Grey Melange, White, Gold, Orange, Orchid Pink, Red, Apple Green, Kelly Green, Atoll Blue, Royal Blue, Navy, Dark Purple and Deep Black.

Request a quote today!
Call 02 6652 6652 or email: sales@axisiq.com.au

QR Codes - The comeback kid!

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 05:23:28 GMT

First appearing in the mid-1990s QR codes have come into their own since the

pandemic as businesses of every size are looking for a contactless solution.

A QR (Quick Response) Code is no different than the barcodes you see

in the supermarket. They are scannable 2D codes that prompt a specific

action including opening a web page, downloading an app or taking you to a social profile.

If you’ve bought a movie, concert or plane ticket recently you’ve probably been sent a QR code and if you use Snapchat you might have seen you can add people by scanning their SnapCode.

The reason the codes have now come into their own is because our phones can now easily scan the code using the photo app with no third-party app required.

This opened up possibilities for brands to debut all new campaigns featuring QR codes in their marketing.

The possibilities are endless.

QR codes can be a helpful tool to better engage with your audience. It’s another instant way to drive traffic to exactly where you want them to go.

There are lots of free QR Code generators online or for a small fee you can track your QR Code and analyse its performance. You can even add your logo or an image to a QR code too!

So, keep your eye out for QR Codes in advertising, I think you’ll be surprised just how many you’ll see as the QR Code trend continues to grow.

And one last bit of advice…always make sure you test your QR Codes before applying them!

Because QR codes are so dynamic they can easily be incorporated into your marketing, fulfilling a variety of objectives including:

Link to a website or landing page
Send a text message or email
Direct users to leave a review on Yelp etc
View a message or access a special offer
View Google maps locations
Direct to social media profiles
Marketers can apply these codes to any offline creative that drives users to the next step in the process…
Promotional posters, brochures or flyers
Product Packaging
Business Cards
Conference Displays
Postcards or other mail
Print ads or promotions
Signage

LIKE WHAT YOU SEE? Get in touch today sales@axisiq.com.au or call 02 6652 6652

Camden Golf Club

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 04:47:21 GMT

Exposing a local venue to a new customer base!

We love to help our clients grow their business through our range of services.

We’ve had the absolute pleasure of working with Camden Golf Club recently to deliver a strategic marketing project to expose their business to their local market and to drive people through their door! Here’s a summary of what we did and the results…

The situation

A golf club located in the centre of a residential area with a strong golfing membership (thanks Covid!) and capacity to grow social membership further.

The Club was set to complete some renovations that included changes to their dining area with increased seating, new kids playground, new sports bar and gaming lounge.

Locals (particularly families that the Club wanted to target), weren’t as familiar with the Club as they should have been, and this presented a large opportunity!

The plan

With upgraded facilities and prior strategic research to refer to, we worked together to define the Club's target market and planned a launch to market that included a series of elements including:

Targeted google campaign
Design, print and distribution of a 4 panel A4 newsletter delivered via unaddressed mail to local homes
Social media ads delivered to targeted audiences in the local area
In conjunction with this, the Club recorded new radio adverts on their local station and took out features in local publications to support the marketing campaign.

If you’ve got a project coming up or you’d simply like to look at growing your
business give us a call to discuss how we can assist you with your marketing campaign!

Call 02 6652 6652 or email alice@axisiq.com.au

7 Day Social Media Content Challenge

Wed, 07 Jul 2021 00:43:41 GMT

Introducing Axis IQ's 7 Day Social Media Content Challenge

Ask yourself these 3 questions…

1. Are you in the hospitality industry?

2. Do you struggle to think of new ways to stand out in the market?

3. Have you run out of ideas for social media content?

If you answered YES to any... then consider your problems solved!

We’re giving you 7 days worth of creative content ideas for you and your team to create in your Cafe, Club, Pub or Restaurant.

These will help you to stand out in your industry and gain real authentic growth when performed on a consistent basis.

TIP

If you are tech savvy, you can take this to the next level and create a Reel!

For more info on Reels, head to our blog

Monday: Meet the team!

Try introducing or re-introducing your team to your audience to help build a connection with your followers and allow people to get to know you and your team more.

Here are some suggestions:

CEO
Managers
Business owners
Chef + Kitchen staff
Admin/front desk staff (the first face people see when they come into your venue!)
Baristas
Bar attendants

Tuesday: Testimonial or Google review

People love a personal recommendation! Post a testimonial or a Google review accompanied by an attractive image of your venue or create some graphics to showcase what customers who visit your Club are saying about your food, service and facilities!

This is great to reinforce your marketing, by sharing a real response to the wonderful things that are happening in your venue. It will help to drive traffic into your venue, and it will help boost your audience organically!

Wednesday: Video of the Chef/Barista – behind the scenes!

Video often converts at a higher rate than still photos. Try taking a nice, clear video of your Chef plating up a meal or your Barista making coffee for a customer!

People love seeing behind the scenes of the places they get their food or daily coffee from (just make sure when you take the shot that the background is neat and tidy or it’s out of focus).

Thursday: #throwbackthursday

It’s Throwback Thursday, so get out there and post a throwback image of your venue a few years ago, or a team member's progress over a period of time.

This is great to get your audience interacting with your content through a shared memory or if they are new to your Club, it will be good for them to see how much growth your venue has seen over the years!

Friday: Showcase a past or upcoming function or event

Events are often a big revenue stream for Clubs, so making sure you showcase what your Club can offer when it comes to holding an event at your place is so important!

Do a post reflecting on a past event or on an event that is coming up. Be sure to tag or mention the other businesses that collaborated with your Club on the event for more exposure!

Saturday: Who are your suppliers?

It’s mutually beneficial to promote which local or regional businesses supply your venue’s ingredients. People love to know about the provenance of their food and drinks. These could be suppliers of coffee, meat, fresh veg/fruit or seafood and even florists and other event/function suppliers.

Sunday: Venue history

Finally, we suggest sharing the history of your venue. Audiences love seeing your when, why, how and where your business started and how it’s going. It helps to build an authentic story that people can get involved in and support your future growth as a community. Share an image of the past version of your venue with the NEW version. Again, if you are savvy with Reels, then this would be a great opportunity to create one under the popular theme of ‘how it started vs how it’s going’.

Does this sound great but you don’t have the time, skills or resources to make it happen in your venue?

We are your Club specialists and we have the expertise to help you stand out on your socials.

Reach out to our team today for a

FREE audit session. Email: social@axisiq.com.au or call (02) 6652 6652

What we're loving right now!

Mon, 05 Jul 2021 04:14:44 GMT

Below is a selection of products that have been popular with our clients lately...

UMBRELLAS

WHAT IS IT? With all the rain that’s been about the humble umbrella has come into its own. Why not ensure your brand is getting around town when people are staying dry!

We stock a huge range of umbrellas in a vast array of sizes and colours. Our umbrellas feature a strong canopy, automatic opening, a windproof fibreglass frame with a comfort hand grip and a matching sleeve.

WHY WE LOVE IT! Umbrellas are a handy item to have at hand and are a great branding opportunity. As a merch item for sale in your venue or as a gift or giveaway, branded umbrellas are a very cost-effective item and are a great way to get your brand out into the community. Our

umbrellas will make your clients want to go singing in the rain!

STRETCH FABRIC STANDS

WHAT IS IT? Say ‘see ya’ to pull up banners and ‘hello’ to our stretch fabric display stands! Portable and easy to assemble, the stretch polyester fabric banner is printed in full colour using vivid dye-sublimation inks and sewn into a sleeve which simply slides over the tubular frame to create a flat and seamless graphic. They come in multiple sizes as well as single and double sided printing.

WHY WE LOVE IT! They are a more professional and striking display than a traditional pull up banner, sturdy, easy to assemble and ecofriendly with its reusable frame – and they don’t cost the earth. So, if you’re looking for a more sustainable display solution the stretch fabric stand is the solution for you.

FENCE MESH

WHAT IS IT? Vinyl fence mesh is a mesh banner material designed for fences or outdoor spaces that lets the air flow through it and comes in a 2m max height coming in 50m rolls or customised lengths to suit your requirements. Digitally printed in high resolution full colour with UV protection for the Australian climate, and fully weatherproof.

WHY WE LOVE IT! Fence mesh banners are the perfect outdoor solution when sponsoring an event, to cordon off areas or to get the message out LOUD AND PROUD along a fence line! So, if you want to get the message out there, running some fence mesh along your fence line will certainly do the job.

MAGNETS

WHAT IS IT? I’m sure we’re all familiar with magnets but they can come in a range of sizes and shapes including die cut shapes (we’ve produced Pizza shaped magnets for a pizza shop in the past!). They’re also great for calendars and car doors if you want a quick solution that’s easy to remove. Our magnets are manufactured in Australia, come in a thickness of no less than 0.7mm with a protective gloss finish.

WHY WE LOVE IT! Everyone has magnets on their fridge at home or filing cabinets at work right? A magnet has a long shelf life and for some reason are not something people generally throw away so your message will stay in front of the eyes of your potential customer for a very long time. Combined with a QR Code a fridge magnet can instantly take people to your menu, to your online bookings, or a landing page on your website. A magnet is a great branding tool that just keeps on giving.

Call 02 6652 6652 or email sales@axisiq.com.au today!

The Growers, a real life Paddock to Plate success!

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 01:37:06 GMT

If you haven’t heard of The Growers on the South Coast, you need to! This exciting new venue located in the Shoalhaven region has taken a sporting club space & transformed it into a 450 seat restaurant/come market garden and retail store to appeal to a new demographic – with great success!

Axis IQ interview

Shoalhaven Ex-Services Group
CEO Bernie Brown

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background?

I began my Club journey back in the mid-90s, at the Shellharbour Club working in various roles before a stint in the pub sector.

I found myself back in the Club Industry at Warilla Bowls where I spent several years moving from reception to duty manager. From there I took my first Club leadership role at Dapto Bowling Club, a challenging tenure with significant debt and market competition.

We were able to arrest revenue declines and had some success but unfortunately driving growth and keeping up with industry trends proved difficult.

I then moved north to the Corrimal RSL, a fantastic little Club with great people where I spent 5 years. I am now located in the beautiful South Coast region looking after two venues under the Shoalhaven Ex-Services Group banner since 2017.

We recently saw a ClubTV profile on 'The Growers', your new indoor-outdoor eatery with a real 'paddock to plate' theme. Can you tell us a bit about it?

The Growers is a terrific concept which shines a light on South Coast produce and suppliers as well as taking advantage of site grown edibles such as herbs, chillies, kale, spinach, tomatoes and much more as well as flowers that are used to garnish meals and cocktails.

It is a 450-seat indoor / outdoor eatery which is located on the ground floor of our sprawling Worrigee Sports Club site. It takes in lovely views of our links style golf course and wider vistas of the surrounding dairy farms and mountain ranges, it’s a great spot.

The concept was designed to be fully self-sufficient from the rest of the Club's operation and reliant on its revenue streams to fund loan structures, marketing, depreciation, wages and other costs.

It is important that it becomes a strong food and beverage expansion model that drives positive net outcomes to the bottom line of the group finances.

Our Growers’ staff are dedicated to the concept and don’t rotate within our other venues. The real treat for us is our location and accessibility to the wonderful fresh produce that the area provides.

We get local mushrooms, oysters from Greenwell Point only 10 mins away, olives from Kangaroo Valley and local Nowra cheeses. This is all topped off with fantastic wines from local estates such as Silos, Coolangatta Estate, Cupitts and beers from Jervis Bay Brewing, Flaming Galah, Bentspoke from Canberra and Southern Highlands Brewing.

How did you arrive at that concept to develop for the Club?

Not long after I started at the group I could see the potential in the Worrigee Sports site as an opportunity to really develop into a true multi-faceted operation taking full advantage of the well-presented property and available spaces.

We began looking at options for an additional outdoor food space and partnered with Tully Heard to develop the concept.

A large amount of research went into the project in the early stages especially around our target demographic. We took apart our membership and identified a gap in the 30-year-old female cohort, they just were not coming to the club, yet made up a large portion of the local market and were well represented in the local area demography.

"The concept was designed to be fully self-sufficient from the rest of the Club's operation..."

We conducted focus groups with members and non-members as well as concept research including a trip to the US touring Seattle, Portland, San Francisco and perhaps the most influential aspects of the Napa Valley area which reflects similar traits to the Shoalhaven. Local venues that we checked out and took inspiration from included Cupitt’s Estate Ulludulla, Acre at Camperdown, Greens North Sydney, Easy Lane at Windsor, The Grounds Alexandria and other innovative F&B operations.

Opportunities also arose to test the concept with “pop up” events on the grassed areas using a food truck concept. It was also very important for us to locate the right people to align with the project, so we made some strategic appointments including Group COO Andrew Gunn who came to us with extensive food experience. Andrew has been the driving force behind the project as well as taking over our other food operation Pepper Trees 12 months prior to Growers opening which proved to be a sound strategy.

"We had an amazing marketing campaign which started well before we opened to build anticipation...""

All in all, it was a 3.5 year research and strategy concept, from development to open.

You've engaged a lot of local producers, farmers and breweries for The Growers, was this a big task to undertake?

Our Chef Patrick was employed early on, about 4 months prior to open with the challenge to align with local suppliers.

He took advantage of this and visited farms and production sites, local markets and regional food events to source the best of the area.

Most producers were excited to hear about a new eatery and were eager to jump on board.

We have also included a small retail space where patrons can take home local goods that we use within our kitchen. Andrew put together the beverage component which also meant sampling (the good part of research) and meeting with potential suppliers.

Post opening many new suppliers have attended the site keen to get on to the menu.

The offering appeals to a much younger market than most clubs traditionally attract. How have you marketed the new space?

We had an amazing marketing campaign which started well before we opened to build anticipation. You only get one crack at it (opening) so it’s important to get right.

We had a large budget which included attracting social media influencers, photography and branding. Prior to opening we had reached a million people with targeted articles in Broadsheet, SMH Good Food Guide, Concrete Playground as well as industry journals and local media exposure. Our total campaign reach has now exceeded 12 million people.

Influencer Jules Sebastian has visited multiple times with family (and Guy) and Neil Whittaker enjoyed his Birthday lunch with us too.

We’ve had comments that the venue is comparable to a Hemmes venue which is a strong accolade.

"Align yourself with the right people that you need to execute the project."

Probably the most important aspect was the branding. It was deliberately branded away from the club and pre-opening had no linkages to the Club. This was important as the targeted market are not traditional Club members or even visitors, they are restaurant goers and looking for trendy venues to enjoy.

Sadly, Clubs over the years have been seen as old and dark and not very welcoming, it’s tough to break that mentality within the non-Club going community. The Growers has its own website, socials and team which has worked well and continues to drive visitation.

What has been the biggest lesson you've learnt/ taken out of this experience?

Building a kitchen from scratch you must get it right, spend a lot of time with a chef, ensuring it is efficient and contains quality, up to spec equipment. When you think the design is right, double it…lol!

Any advice for anyone looking to undertake a project like you've done?

Get stuck in and have faith in your ideas. That said, underpin and back your ideas with solid strategy, research and budgets. Align yourself with the right people that you need to execute the project.

What's next for the venue?

We will now look to expand our gaming offering again due to demand and investigate opportunities for further estate development including an indoor heated pool in concert with Shoalhaven City Council.

Thank you for sharing your story and insight Bernie.

Check out The Growers Shoalhaven via their website for more inspiration

www.thegrowersshoalhaven.com.au

Our Tips for Beautiful & Tempting Food Photography

Fri, 02 Jul 2021 00:46:37 GMT

Food imagery plays a big part in what drives people to a venue. Whilst nothing beats a library of professional shots, sometimes you need to take a quick snap using your phone. Follow our tips to take a snazzy shot!

Shoot your images in natural light.
Try to stay away from shooting images in low or really bright lighting. Natural light is the best light you can shoot in for food, so make sure you start there. This will determine the quality of your photo straight away.
Don’t use zoom
Refrain from using zoom, as it distorts the image and results in a low res/low quality image, which won’t reflect your business/brand in the best way possible.
Batch your content
Take LOADS of photos. You need to have options and other angles to show on your social platforms. Batching your content within one shoot will save you time in the long run when creating images to use as evergreen social content!
Try shooting overhead
Overhead is one of the best ways to shoot images, as you get a whole view of the food and it acts as the perspective as if the viewer was looking over THEIR meal. AND almost any type of food looks good from this angle, which is what we want!
Use the grid feature on your phone
The grid is important to use, as it relates to the rule of thirds. The rule of thirds can be done by placing key elements of your scene within the line’s intersection on the grid. It creates a balanced image and gives an aesthetic result!

Finally, don’t forget to keep a steady hand when taking your images. Have fun with it and get creative. Now is your chance to get out there and put these tips to the test.

If you take an image using these steps, don’t forget to tag us @axisiqcoffsharbour and tag #axisiqtips so we can see all your amazing images!

Instagram Reels

Thu, 03 Jun 2021 06:30:02 GMT

Instagram Reels are here to stay!

If you have heard of Tik Tok, the app that had everyone dancing during the Covid-19 lockdown, then you may have heard of Instagram Reels.

What are Reels you might ask?

Instagram Reels are an element within the Instagram platform that lets users create 15-second short-form videos with audio and special effects.
Viewers can see reels in their newsfeed, stories, or the reels tab in the explore page. Creators can insert voice-overs or original audio and can utilise the platform music library, filters and special effects.

You can check out some of the Axis IQ Instagram Reels here .

A big question on most business owners' lips is ‘Do Instagram Reels actually get results for businesses?’

We believe Reels are a great tool for businesses to start using as they are a fun way to get your team involved in creating content and show a bit of personality, PLUS they engage your audience, which can lead to an increase in customers for your business!

Here are our favourite benefits of creating and using reels for your business Instagram profile!

Reel benefits (“for real!” - sorry, couldn’t help ourselves):

Spread awareness of your brand:

The average attention span is as little as 8 seconds long these days! (https://muckrack.com/blog/2020/07/14/how-declining-attention-spans-impact-your-social-media) That means that when trying to get your brand's message across to your audience, it has to be punchy and to the point.

Reels are up to 15-seconds long, so this helps you get your message across quickly and in a fun, engaging way!

Get content seen on the explore page:

The explore page is a great exposure tool on the Instagram platform that allows brands and users to be seen by more people. Reels are always showing up on this page, which means when you make more reels, you’ll get more exposure compared to a static post or story!

The other way reels are easily picked up by viewers is when users scroll through the reels tab in the navigation bar on the platform. This addictive habit that many users have can lead to your reel gaining more views by simply being in the mix (if you’ve fallen down the rabbit hole of watching reels for hours, don’t worry, you’re not alone!).

Increase follower engagement:

Engagement is one of the biggest drivers for social media content and businesses are always trying to get more engagement and interactions with posts on their profile.

It is said that ‘video generates more engagement than any other content type on Instagram’ ( Ahmad, Social Media Today 2019 ), which supports the belief that reels are one of the most engaging pieces of content available today!

Showcase brand personality:

Reels are a great opportunity to showcase your brand and team’s personality! Viewers love to interact with content that is authentic, real and content that they can relate to on a business or personal level.

These short video bursts allow a 15-second glimpse into your business, venue, Club or brand, which is fun for them and fun for you and your team to create.

Evergreen content uses:

Reels are a great evergreen source for you to draw back on at a later date! Reels can be broken up into individual posts, stories, IGTV, blog posts and can even be discussed in further detail over Instagram live streams.

Here at Axis IQ, we are all about repurposing content without having to reinvent the wheel too many times - because who has the time for that?! Consider using your reels as a way to set up your business for success through creating content that won’t go out of date and that you can reuse whenever you need to.

Long lasting content:

What more can we say? Reels are the LONGEST lasting content type available on Instagram today. Reels are extremely user-friendly and allow for short-form video content to have a longer shelf life than 24 hours on the platform. This means that reels can take off a few weeks later and still get great results.

They work in a way that circulates on the platform, which can last longer than static posts, stories, IGTV and live streams. Reels are catching some serious attention from Instagram viewers, so it’s definitely worth investing some time into this new element of social media marketing.

Here are some Reel ideas to get you started:

Meet The Team
A day in your Club, Cafe, Pub or business
Jump on a trend
Behind the scenes
(Hospitality) A video of the Chef making meals or a barista making coffee

Not sure where to start?

Here are some great videos and blogs to help you get started with making your FIRST reel!

If you need help when marketing your business correctly, don’t hesitate to contact our team or reach out to Alice on alice@axisiq.com.au or Skye on social@axisiq.com.au to see how we can help your business grow!

Have you made a reel on Instagram yet?

Let us know how you went, in the comments!

The Axis IQ team :)

New range of beanies

Tue, 18 May 2021 23:43:25 GMT

Turn heads this winter and keep your customer’s heads nice and toasty warm with our huge range of beanies! Branding quotes available on request. Free shipping. Request a quote today!

#3 It makes you feel valued – receiving personalised mail makes the receiver feel important and evokes an emotional response making the receiver more likely to take action e.g. visit your venue (this is why so many not for profits still incorporate mail in their strategy due to the increased response rate when using mail over purely digital communication).

Club Catch Up - Frenchville Sports Club

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 23:50:25 GMT

First established in 1948, located in Rockhampton, far north QLD, Frenchville Sports Club has a strong membership base and proud history of community support. Axis IQ caught up with Marketing & Promotions Manager Kaitlyn Graham to find out more.

Pictured Damien Massingham (General Manager), Bonnie Cheung (Member) and Kaitlyn Graham (Marketing & Promotions Manager)

What’s the Club’s number one focus for 2021?

Frenchville Sports Club’s ongoing focus is to provide great value and service in a relaxing, family friendly environment, while fostering continual growth in our region through the sustainable provision of sports, employment, grants and community events. Being able to contribute over $1 million to the CQ community each year is something we are proud to continue.

What’s been an effective tool in growing your membership?

The greatest tool in growing our membership data base is knowledge. We have spent quite a lot of time in building an understanding of our target audiences and implementing strategies to not only retain our current database, but also attract new members.

D o you have a marketing tip for our readers?

Know what your target audience want, what you are offering and where the opportunities lie within that gap is your greatest tool to succeed. The ability to diversify and head in an alternate direction is also important, particularly if the last 12 months has proven any-thing. Our Club was flipped on its head and completely rebranded as a take-away outlet during COVID-19 as we were lucky enough to still operate while most others in our industry closed. Since fully re-opening in July 2020 we’ve had some of the strongest days in the Club’s history and we attribute this to being able to transform into what our community needed us to be at that time.

How have you found working with Axis IQ so for?

The team at Axis IQ have been a dream to work with. We recently ordered custom ham bags for our guests which all management have agreed are a great little addition for Christmas. From ordering to delivery, I couldn’t fault the team. The stock arrived way ahead of schedule and the quality was beyond what I expected for the pricing. We look forward to continuing the relationship in the future.

Launch of Southside Kitchen at South Tamworth Bowling Club

Mon, 26 Apr 2021 06:57:39 GMT

Around the Clubs

Launch of Southside Kitchen at South Tamworth Bowling Club

Since the disruption caused by Covid-19 lockdowns in March 2020 there have been a handful of venues that have dared to try something different, and one of those venues is South Tamworth Bowling Club who took back control of their catering and opened the ‘Southside Kitchen’ in October 2020.

Any manager who manages their own catering knows it’s a big task to take on, but CEO Owen Walker could see the opportunity to move away from a traditional Bowling Club Chinese Restaurant option and create a more modern, quality food offering that was more that of a funky pub style menu.

The Axis IQ team worked with the South Bowlo crew to create a brand that was simple, timeless and appealing.

Owen and the South Bowlo Board carefully planned this step back into managing their own catering. They wanted to avoid the overly ‘Clubby’ stigma of a bistro or brasserie, they also didn’t want to be a café, nor did they want to be locked into being a ‘restaurant’. This is how the name ‘Southside Kitchen’ was born.

When talking with Owen Walker (CEO) about the reason behind the ‘kitchen’ wording, he explains: Kitchen doesn’t limit what sort of food offering we have. It gives us flexibility – it can be à la carte, smorgasbord, café style etc. We only have room for one food outlet so that outlet needs to provide variety.”

“Kitchen was a term that no one else was using in our area. It gives us a separate identity. We want to be different from everyone else. It makes people inquisitive as to what we are offering.”

Bistro is a term that has been attached to club catering operations for a long time. Bistro suggests bain-marie style offerings at cheap prices. Restaurant suggests a set menu with higher prices and table bookings are required. We didn’t want either of those perceptions attached to us!

We believe the consumer is looking for something different, fresh produce with a variety of options served in a social atmosphere with a price point that reflects the quality of the product being served. That’s what we trying to achieve.”

A few months on, Southside Kitchen has been very well received and has moved from a 5 ½ day operation to trading 7 days and nights after the overwhelming response!

Well done to Owen and his team. They’re certainly not resting on their laurels either, continuing to test new menu items and refine their offering to be profitable and give consumers what they want.

" We want to be different from everyone else. It makes people inquisitive
as to what we are offering."

Creating a new brand

Southside Kitchen

Our team worked with South Bowlo to build the Southside Kitchen brand. Here’s a few key elements of the launch campaign that were included:

Logo and brand identity – after establishing the target market, competitor analysis and considering the offering, the design process was entered into. Once the logo design was set, collateral for in house, digital and external signage was rolled out.

Social media ads – teasers letting the community know it was coming, along with a giveaway to boost brand awareness before launch.

External signage – flags and banners to be positioned at the front of the venue catches the eye of passing traffic.

Website – update website with its own page, ensuring the menu was loaded onto the site as a responsive menu (no pesky PDF downloads that are clunky to view on phone)

Radio ads - targeted placement to hit the right audience!

Promo collateral – aprons for the team and pens, bottle opener key rings and magnets for customers. Excellent promo opportunity!

SMS and email – complemented the campaign to let members know the good news.

Newsletter – the Club include a large feature of Scope Newsletter (the Club’s own publication) that was mailed to members and a letterbox drop of local homes.

Dates to celebrate

Thu, 22 Apr 2021 06:54:28 GMT

A list of handy dates that you can celebrate in your venue (that you won't find on a regular calendar!)

In the age of ‘engagement’ and competing to get the attention of your customers, most venues will benefit by promoting something a little outside the square or in this case, outside the ‘calendar’.

Give your customers more excuses to enjoy what you have on offer by creating an occasion and event that they can’t miss (and drive more traffic through your doors).

Everyone loves to enjoy a cocktail especially when combined with an occasion! Or for those more food orientated a ‘dish’ focussed milestone is a hit for those needing a reason to hook up with mates and throw down one of your famous club burgers or popular Schnitty!

Here are just a few ideas to consider. You’ll get the drift, we think they are certainly worth spruiking via your digital channels and with a bit of extra promo around the club you will certainly see patrons embracing the fun.

May 6 - Beverage Day

May 7 - Cosmopolitan Day

May 13 - World Cocktail Day

May 15 - Pizza party Day also World Whisky Day (what a combo!)

May 16 - Waiter’s Day (seriously with all that goes on in May they deserve a “day”)

May 17 - Pinot Grigio Day

May 28 - Hamburger Day

Jun 9 - Rosé Day

Jun 12 - World Gin Day

Jun 14 - Bourbon Day

Jun 19 - Martini Day

Jul 11 - Mojito Day

Aug 5 - Oyster Day

Aug 6 - International Beer Day (first Friday every August, for most it’s the first Friday of each week!)

Aug 25 - Whiskey Sour Day

Aug 27 - Burger Day

Sep 4 - Eat an extra dessert day

Sep 7 - Beer Lover’s Day

Sep 9 - Schnitzel Day

Oct 4 - Taco Day also Vodka Day (it’d be rude not to participate!)

Oct 14 - Dessert Day

Oct 19 - International Gin & tonic Day closely followed by…

Oct 20 - Office Chocolate Day (October delivers!!)

Nov 12 - Happy Hour Day (that’s all for Nov, but that is probably enough) Happy hour for a whole day! Oh wait …

Nov 23 - Espresso Day (you may need it before the 23 ^rd though)!

Dec 20 - Sangria Day

Dec 31 - Champagne Day (although this can also be EVERY day!)

The list goes on, there are resources to help you plan ahead - we love the following:

5 Personal Development Strategies

Sun, 28 Mar 2021 21:00:03 GMT

5 Personal Development Strategies

Personal development is one of the most important advancements you can make not only for yourself, but for your business! If 2020 has taught us anything, it is that we need to work on ourselves and practice self care and personal development. When we’re on fire, our business fires too!

Only you can improve your business or company by improving yourself. So ask yourself, how am I investing in my personal growth currently?

Making an investment of time, money, educational pursuits, health/wellness or making a change in your day-to-day operations can show great long term improvements that will make you feel good and help you kick goals at work.

Here we will take you through 5 personal development strategies to better yourself and your business.

5 self development strategies to practice in your business:

1. Effective goal setting

Goal setting is a great way to visualise your dreams and make sure they get achieved in an achievable time frame. ‘Goals hold us accountable for our work ethic and challenge us to improve skills we may or may not already be well-versed in’ (Jones, 2018)

We suggest setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals to help reach your goals in your personal life or business. These goals can be set on a daily, weekly, monthly or even yearly basis, which you will work towards.

To keep yourself accountable, why not tell someone what you are aiming for and when you wish to achieve it by?

We announced the beginning of our #motivationmonday blog series on our social media platforms in January 2021, to make sure we didn’t slack off on delivering some awesome content for our audience! Andddd look at us now, we are on our FINAL blog post for the series. #proud

2. Killer time management

It is said that the most successful people in the world started by getting control of their time management! So, get your calendars ready, because we are going to be using these bad boys religiously from today, onwards.

Time management can start with little things like scheduling in your meetings, lunch breaks and times when you are going to complete specific tasks!

It is important when scheduling in your time, that you allow for curveballs throughout your day, because we all know how they can affect us if we do not allow some time for these moments. It’s all about being proactive, not reactive.

Check out our blog on ‘how to be more organised in your business’ , to learn some strategies to help plan out your day, in order to achieve your daily, weekly or monthly goals!

3. Education and learning

Education and learning is one of the best investments you can make for yourself and your business! It’s important that you are always searching for new ways to improve your business and your personal skills, as it will keep you at the forefront of your industry and will also help to keep operations running smoothly. The brain is a muscle, so make sure you keep it active.

We like to think of ourselves as continuous students who are always ready to soak up new information that will help our clients and our team to work better and produce a better experience for all involved.

Alice loves learning by listening to her fave podcasts, and Skye likes to read books and watch some handy YouTube tutorials. From courses, podcasts, books, joining a group or association, we encourage you to find what works for you and go for it!

Are you stuck on how you can learn new things? Read our blog on ‘7 ways you can learn new things’ here .

4. Ask for feedback

Asking for feedback is one of the best ways you can assess how you are going and what you can do to grow personally or in your business!

Approach a friend, family member or work colleague for feedback on recent accomplishments or projects in your work or social life. This will supply positive feedback for a confidence boost, as well as constructive criticism, that you can use to learn and grow from.

5. Health and wellness

Your health and wellness is one of the most crucial parts of your personal development. If you can’t take care of yourself correctly, how can you take care of the business and the employees within it!

We all need to find our own retreat to unwind. Things like mediation, exercise, reading, therapy, resting or even just spending time with your family every night after work, can be very beneficial for a person’s mental and physical wellbeing.

Check out our blog on “6 steps to maintain a healthy work-life balance” for some ideas.

Personal development is so important for business success. If you are not continuously striving to better your personal skills and knowledge base, then how are you going to effectively grow your business or company?

What personal development strategy has worked for you recently?

Let us know what it was, in the comments!

The Axis IQ team :)

5 digital B2C marketing methods to try out in your business

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 04:15:18 GMT

5 digital B2C marketing methods to try out in your business

2021 is a new time for business. With so many people now online and growing, why not try some new marketing methods to grow your business and increase customer traffic!

In this blog we’re honing in on B2C marketing methods. So, what is B2C marketing?

We can define B2C (Business-to-Consumer) marketing as any marketing activity that occurs between a brand/business and a consumer, who plans to use the product for personal use (Kajabi 2021).

Many businesses use the B2C method when marketing their business as it helps to communicate more effectively and persuasively in order to gain loyal consumers! It is the direct line to your consumer base, so therefore it is important that you get this marketing area right!

Here are our top 5 marketing methods, to help you nail B2C marketing in your business.

5 new digital marketing methods to try in your business:

1. Facebook/Instagram Ads

Facebook/Instagram ads are a great way to target your ideal audience in both a niche or general way, as they can help to:

Increase visibility
Increase customer traffic
Generate leads
Improve sales
Generate fan loyalty

Social media ads are a great avenue for any business to try out because they are cheap to test but they also perform well when you want to raise brand awareness, grow your audience and promote events, products or services to a particular audience segment. Be sure to use the targeting tool in Facebook Ads Manager to ensure your ads are reaching the people most likely to be interested in your business based on demographic aspects (age, location, education and employment status) or even based on people’s interests and associations.

2. Google Ad Words & Display Campaigns

Google ad words are ads that feature your listing on a search engine result page whilst display campaigns use visuals combined with texts on the google network to show your ads to prospective customers.

Your ad is placed based on target keywords, instead of targeting a specific audience interest (like Facebook and Instagram). Some of their benefits include:

Increases brand awareness
It works faster than SEO
Reach a larger volume of customers
Reconnect with visitors of your website
Allows you to get the edge on your competition
Google Ads are super measurable and scalable

They are a great method to get the results quickly and accurately and can help you be exposed to customers who are seeking out services or goods that you offer.

3. Email marketing

Email marketing might feel a bit old school but is still very effective!

“ 99% of consumers check their email every day and it is by far the preferred way to receive updates from brands ” ( Hubspot 2020 ).

Some benefits of email marketing include:

Direct communication with your audience
Increased lead generation
Increased brand loyal customers
Increased sales
Cost effective
Addresses people ‘already’ interested in your brand
Environmentally friendly

But please, don’t spam your customer list. Improve your performance and conversion with email marketing by balancing your frequency of sends with providing valuable content and special perks to these customers e.g. early bird access to a sale or a sneak peek at a new range before the general public.

4. SMS

SMS marketing is a great tool for businesses to utilize when looking to reach new customers on a awareness and promotional basis! It is a text message that is sent to customers to let them know about sales, events and new products/services etc.

Some of the benefits include:

Increased sales and engagement
Cost effective
Reach wide demographic
Compliments other marketing avenues well
Fast delivery

5. Facebook/Instagram LIVE

Doing a Facebook or Instagram LIVE on your business account can be very beneficial when you are hosting a launch, event, or have certain announcements to make to your audience. It’s also a great way of giving your business a face to make the user experience more personal and authentic.

Facebook and Instagram LIVE benefits include:

Increased Brand awareness
More brand engagement
Cost effective communication
It stays on your profile for your audience to view later
Quick and easy
Authentic and personal!

If you need help when marketing your business correctly, don’t hesitate to contact our team or reach out to Alice on alice@axisiq.com.au to see how we can help your business grow!

What new digital marketing method has worked for you recently?

Let us know what it was, in the comments!

The Axis IQ team :)

Looking for a comprehensive digital marketing solution that you can literally 'set and forget'?

Thu, 18 Mar 2021 09:03:08 GMT

Being a Manager today is busy! That’s why we love Impact Data’s ‘Clubs Package’ - a powerful integration of your venue’s systems (POS and gaming) teamed with email and SMS communication tools to ensure you’re always targeting the right customer at the right time to maximise return on your marketing investment.

Utilise the email marketing and SMS features of the package to create custom emails, kick back and watch clever automations do a lot of the heavy lifting, design newsletters and SMS campaigns, and capture more data and convert visitors to members with Impact Data’s wifi package add on.

Axis IQ is a proud partner of Impact Data.

Here’s what the Impact Data Clubs Package has achieved & can do for your Club!

Increase your gaming turnover
Re-engage ‘missing members’
Get more frequent member visits
Re-engage lost members
Book more functions and win your members over
Save time and money
Fully integrated, one login to access your data and communicate with members

IMPACT DATA CLUBS PACKAGE
Client Feedback

CLUBS PACKAGE - USER REVIEW

Sarah Kane
Head of Marketing and promotions
EVERGLADES COUNTRY CLUB

How long has the Impact Data Clubs Package been installed at the Club?

It has been installed at Everglades for 2 years now?

What was most appealing about the Clubs Package solution?

The integration with our POS and gaming is the most appealing feature. At the time we also needed a marketing database and communication solution, the Clubs Package was able to fill that gap for us.

You have the Clubs Package which not only provides a communication platform to members (SMS and email) but also integrates with your POS and gaming system to trigger automated offers and communications. Can you describe which automations you utilise?

We have a number of automations programmed and running in the background including:

Welcome – an introductory communication that promotes our various activities, events and services.

Expected Revisit – when enough data is collected and a pattern is established, an offer is triggered for their next expected visit.

Late Revisit – an offer that is triggered when the customer missed a visit according to their usual visit pattern.

These keep our customers thinking about us and coming back regularly.

What sort of response do you receive when these automations are triggered?

We have a very engaged database with open rates of over 40% every communication and claim rates of over 50%.

You also utilise the wifi package where anyone who wants to use the wifi in the venue registers using their details – how do you utilise this data in the system?

We have the wifi package and also the restaurant package. These both collect data and either match that up with our existing customers or adds these new customers to our database. It essentially allows information to flow into our database from all the touch points in the club.

Do you find the program easy to use?

It is one of the most straight-forward and clear programs I’ve ever used, the dashboard and reports are easy to read. I love it.

Do you think Impact Data’s solution would benefit all clubs, large and small (and why?)

No matter the size of your club, data is so important. Knowing your customer and being able to communicate to them with relevant, personalised information and offers is crucial to every business.