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Insights, ideas and inspiration to support your marketing strategies from our creative agency.
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...
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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