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Insights, ideas and inspiration to support your marketing strategies from our creative agency.
How employer branding attracts better talent
Your Employee Value Proposition (EVP) is part of your brand story. Make it resonate with your people as strongly as it does with your clients. The job ad goes live. Someone reads it, then googles your business. They look at your website, scroll through LinkedIn and...
Visibility is your biggest competitive advantage
Securing opportunities for Brisbane 2032 You’ve got a leak, who do you call?Probably not the 'best' plumber in Brisbane. You call the one you've seen around, the one recommended on the local Facebook feed. The one with the branded vans…the one so and so from across...
Why your B2B marketing strategy feels reactive and how to fix it
The hidden cost of stop-start marketing If your marketing only springs into action when a major project kicks off, a new service launches or sales begin to slow, you're not alone. Many organisations find themselves caught in a cycle of reactive marketing. Priorities...
Has AI changed how customers find your business?
How search is changing and what businesses should be doing now to stay visible. For years, businesses have focused on one main goal online: being found on Google. But this is starting to change. The process used to be simple. Build a website, explain what you do and...
Aspire to be the black sheep
Why human connection, emotion and authenticity really matter in the age of AI From a marketer’s perspective, AI can be a real time saver. It can help us write faster, brainstorm quicker and overcome one of the biggest hurdles content creators face - the blank page....
Marketing for construction companies
Marketing for construction companies: Why you need clearer positioning before Queensland’s infrastructure boom peaks. Marketing for construction companies has never been more important in Queensland. Not because there’s a lack of work. Quite the opposite. Queensland’s...
Designing a winning capability statement: A guide for SMEs.
You’ve just received a tender brief. You dust off your capability statement. And somewhere in the back of your mind, you already know it’s not quite right. The content is still relevant. But the presentation? It looks like something you threw together a few years ago...
What 20 years as a Marketing Manager has taught me about building a successful marketing team
There’s a moment most growing organisations reach. It doesn’t happen all at once, but it builds gradually. Start up momentum and referrals that once kept things moving start to slow. Pipelines feel less predictable. The team is stretched, juggling delivery and growth....
Is your brand aligned with your purpose?
There’s usually a moment. You’re in a meeting, someone asks what you do and you find yourself… adjusting the answer slightly. Not because it’s wrong, but because what you say doesn’t quite match what your website says. Or your capability statement. Or your company...
An About page is not a biography.
Most About pages get one ironic thing wrong – they talk too much about themselves. It sounds counterintuitive. After all, it is your About page… right? But here’s the reality: when someone clicks on your About page, they’re not looking for your life story. They’re...
A logo is not a brand: Understand the real difference between branding and logo design
When most business owners think about their brand they often jump to their logo. Yet a logo is only one part of a much bigger picture. Your brand is the meaning people attach to your business. It is how they feel when they interact with you, what they expect from you...
“It’s just a quick website” …The Love Actually lesson everyone forgets
If you watched Love Actually (again) over Christmas, you would remember the scene… Alan Rickman’s character pops into a department store to buy a necklace. He is already cutting it fine. He just wants to pay, wrap it up and go. Enter Mr. Bean. What follows is one of...
Are you winning work? The quiet strategy of business to business marketing.
You might be losing projects before you ever know you were considered If you lead a business in energy, construction, mining or professional services, this will likely feel familiar. You know your team can deliver. You have the technical capability, the experience and...
Make your marketing plan work harder
A simple structure to get you started Coming up to the holiday season, we know what it’s like to be scrambling to the finish line on empty tanks… and we don’t blame your marketing plans for running low on gas too. Word of mouth has been keeping you afloat and your...
Practical marketing for B2B businesses
How to get more value from the marketing you are already doing For many B2B businesses, marketing often falls into the “too hard basket.” It feels like extra effort outside your day-to-day, so it gets pushed aside. Others simply don’t see it as important. However, I...
How strategic internal communication shapes external success
Communicating change: a practical guide for growing businesses Over the last few years, I’ve seen a few businesses growing rapidly or pivoting and, in some cases, I can’t help but think how much easier that journey could have been if they’d leaned into the benefits of...
What’s the difference between branding and marketing?
Discover how branding and marketing strategies work together to drive growth for your business If you’ve ever used the words branding and marketing interchangeably, you’re not alone. Many business owners think they mean the same thing, after all, both are about...
No marketing plan? Here’s what it’s costing your business
You wouldn’t build a house without a blueprint. So why build a business without a marketing plan? Yet for many growing businesses, marketing still happens in bursts of inspiration, a social post here, an ad campaign there, a new website “because we need one.” Without...
AI in action – Our team’s go-to marketing tools
AI technology is transforming the way we work It is no secret that AI technology is transforming the way businesses operate. The greatest opportunity is not in collecting more tools but in developing smarter strategies, building AI-fluent teams and choosing solutions...
Discover how to win gold on your next tender submission
Set your business up for success With 2032 opportunities well and truly on there way, now is the time to set your business up for success. With major investments rolling out across Queensland and new opportunities being announced almost weekly, only the best-prepared...
Dogs in the office? Meet our furry friends.
Create a pet inclusive workplace: Here are our 5 benefits of having dogs in the office. Did you know - More than two-thirds of Australian households now own a pet, with dogs accounting for 48% of these. It’s not surprising. The benefits of owning a pet are well known....
Marketing assets: the underrated power tools of business to business (B2B) success
When you hear the word “marketing,” do you picture flashy ads, catchy jingles, or TikTok influencers? If so, you’re not alone. In the B2B world, especially among industrial, engineering and professional services businesses, “marketing” can feel like a foreign...
Is it time for brand refresh – are we thinking a rebrand or brand evolution?
If you’re starting to wonder whether your business needs a brand refresh, a complete rebrand, or a more strategic brand evolution, you’re not alone. Many businesses, particularly in business to business (B2B) companies, delay the branding conversation because it feels...
Not for profit marketing – Demonstrate value to drive growth
Many not for profit organisations and associations do incredible work but struggle to articulate exactly what that work is. They often assume people already know who they are and what they stand for because they advocate for their members or cause. But when it comes...
Office branding: why your workplace should reflect your brand
At Focused Marketing we’ve just moved into our new office space and one of the very first things we did was install our office door signage, brand decals, reception signage and our tagline on a bright yellow wall. Why? Because we wanted to feel at home. Because we...
Inappropriate workplace ‘slanguage’: Navigating a content landmine
If your business is trying to “slay” content marketing but ends up looking a little too “thirsty,” we need to talk. Staying relevant online isn’t just about posting regularly or nailing your hashtags, it’s about speaking the right language, and if you’re still...
Creativity drives connection and change, helping you make an impact
Recently I attended The Design Conference hosted at the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse. This conference is a place where the best in the industry take the stage to inspire and share their knowledge and experience, shaping the future of creativity. From purpose-driven...
Why your business needs a capability statement
Over the next two financial years, more than $100 billion in major projects are scheduled across Queensland. Roads, rail, water, defence, renewables, resources, ports, large-scale commercial and civil construction. Think hotels, stadiums, mines and airports. But it...
Destination 2045: Queensland Tourism’s bold new chapter
The Queensland Government has released Destination 2045 – a 20-year tourism strategy designed to transform the state into Australia’s leading destination for ecotourism, events and visitor experiences. Informed by over 1,500 tourism stakeholders across the state, the...
Top 10 marketing strategy tips for the end of financial year
The end of the financial year is a perfect time to hit pause, reflect and reset your marketing strategy. As we approach the end of financial year, many organisations are shifting focus from delivery to planning, reviewing what worked (or perhaps didn’t…),...
Grant applications: granted, it’s not all about you
YOU GET A GRANT, AND YOU! AND YOU! Every reader here gets a grant! If only. The unfortunate reality is that Oprah is not here handing out grants for your projects. The truth is that grant funding is fiercely competitive and no one’s handing them out just for showing...
Top 10 resources to stay updated on tender opportunities
In the lead up to 2032, we have pulled together a list of resources to give your business a head start. “The international Games spotlight is expected to attract a $4.6 billion boost in tourism and trade for Queensland and $8.5 billion nationally.” – (GIICA) With...
Design is not just a pretty face: The power of visual communication
When you hear the word “design”, you often jump straight to aesthetics: beautiful logos, polished websites, sleek packaging. It's easy to assume that design’s primary role is to make things look aesthetically pleasing. But truly impactful design goes far deeper. It’s...
Digital marketing: 4 essentials every business needs to be found online
Whether you’re launching a new brand or refreshing an existing one, building a strong online presence is essential to growing your business. But where do you start? The digital landscape can feel overwhelming, especially when your time, resources and attention are...
Are you tender fit for 2032?
In the lead up to 2032, the Queensland Government are committed to conducting a comprehensive 100-day infrastructure review. This review focused on ensuring that Queensland is delivering the right projects in the right places with the right governance. In simple...
ChatGPT buzzword bingo – how many will you get?
Eyes down for a full house. Welcome to the ChatGPT bingo hall where buzzwords and clichés are the go, and big prizes await the first lucky participant to fill their card. All you’ll need are excellent concentration skills and the ability to discern the real thing from...
Nobody reads websites anymore! What to consider in your website design
Discover how to connect with your audience in 7 seconds or less. Yes, you read it correctly. A common misconception is that people read everything on your website but unfortunately, no matter how good it is, people simply do not. A website user, as opposed to a...
“It feels like I don’t even know you anymore” – Kind regards, your CV
It’s 2025. You’ve celebrated dozens of career milestones, gained decades of wisdom, eavesdropped on your fair share of office gossip about Tina’s personal life and endured endless Teams meetings. You have achieved so much in your 5, no 10, sorry, 25 years… wait, how...
Start as you mean to go on by being brand happy – is it time to look at your brand strategy?
Ah yes. January. We’ve been expecting you. January, you really are the Monday of months. You’ve taken away from us those blissful alarm clock-free mornings and the daily blank canvas where anything seemed entirely possible. And don’t think we haven’t seen you slowly...
Website developer vs marketing agency: Which is best for your website development?
My practical mind has me thinking about why, for many, the process of building or refreshing a website feels like a mysterious art, filled with jargon, complex terminology, and a sense of uncertainty. I have met business owners who put it in the 'too hard' basket year...
Cultivating a social media community – why the comment section is an underrated tool
Comments are often an afterthought when growing your social media community, but they’re an amazing tool to build engagement for both personal and business pages. Many social media users refer to comments to gauge others’ reactions. At times, the comments section can...
The 3 biggest tender and bid mistakes
There are several elements required to create a winning tender or bid. Possibly the most important is getting your ducks in a row. By that I mean ensuring you have robust processes in place to increase your chances of success. A system that ensures you are meeting all...
Build a team of brand ambassadors
Five simple ways to promote your business and inspire others to do the same. When investing in business development, many brands fail to use the resources they already have, especially your team! To drive awareness and promote your brand in a highly competitive...
Barbie Movie Marketing Masterclass: 6 lessons we can leverage from this year’s biggest marketing campaign
Amplify your marketing strategy with these simple yet effective marketing tactics from the Barbie movie campaign. Barbie is officially the biggest movie of the year, bringing in a staggering $162m in America and over $330m worldwide in its opening weekend, according...
Your new colleague is here to stay – avoid these common Chat GPT mistakes for better collaboration
It’s everywhere we turn. Schools, universities, workplaces, your neighbour, are freaking out about what its rapid progress will mean. And, if you’re anything like me, conversations about ChatGPT progress almost as fast as the uptake of its platform in December 2022....
8 simple ways to improve your search engine optimisation (SEO)
Increase organic traffic to your website through search engine optimisation Did you know… 68% of online experiences begin with a search engine (BrightEdge) So, search engine optimisation is important then, right? The challenge is that most businesses struggle to...
How to know if your tender submission is worthy of winning?
You’ve spent endless hours on your tender and with 24 hours until submission time, you believe you’ve given it all you’ve got. But have you? Take the time to sit down and read through your tender submission (yes, again!) whilst asking yourself these questions: Do you...
4 reasons you need brand guidelines
A clear and consistent visual identity is essential to the success of any thriving business. Your visual identity communicates your brand personality, sets you apart from competitors, makes your product or service recognisable, and establishes professionalism and...
5 reasons you need a graphic designer
We get it – when it comes to graphic design, it can sometimes seem like one of those things where you can cut corners. Your friend’s neighbour’s son might say he’s pretty nifty and offer to whip you up a logo in Powerpoint. Or you might be lured in by one of those...
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