Cairns businesses are facing a range of challenges in 2011, but there are some great opportunities out there for those which succeed in promoting themselves in the emerging new media and social networking landscape. Cairns has had a very tough 2 years and now enters a critical period as we try to get out of the post-GFC/Queensland Floods lull and move forward to a stronger 2011. A proactive and strategic approach to online marking and social media can help Cairns businesses to succeed.
Cairns geographic limitations and future international and social media online business opportunities
Cairns has long been a city governed by geography and weather. These impact our access to resources, industries, jobs and opportunities, yet also bring visitors from around the world to enjoy this truly beautiful part of the world. Cairns weather is absolutely magic at this time of year (June) but can be oppressive in the wet season, meaning we that both our tourist driven economy (with strong flow-on to other business sectors) and also our lifestyles are highly seasonal.
Cairns is remote from most of Australia (much more so than most Australians realise) but is actually very central within Asia/Oceania. As the world economic centre of balance shifts toward Asia, Cairns has the potential to become a major international centre in targetted industries. Some obvious examples where we have already seen great success are tourism, education, environmental resource management and fisheries. As the world hurtles toward an information, online and sustainable future its vital that Cairns industry, government and small businesses get on board.
Cairns arguably has the most to benefit of all Australian cities from an NBN type information network. Our remoteness, international population (both tourists and those who come and stay), and "on the edge of Asia" positions Cairns uniquely to become an international leader in the online world, or to be left seriously behind if we aren't up to speed with the march of technology elsewhere.
A small business in Cairns faces a limited target market, which is often seasonal, is currently economically depressed (but on the repair :-) ). It faces huge threats from online retailing, a soaring Australian dollar, interest rates, and a booming economy around the rest of the nation. It seems like a no-win situation where we are destined to become major losers in the emerging Australian two speed economy.
Online business and social media marketing solutions essential for Cairns businesses
There is a solution though: small business owners can use their skills and resources, industry contacts and buying networks as a basis for building national or international online businesses. There are a thousand and one models for this, and as many tools available to help you succeed. In the last year or two though one overwhelming message has emerged: the future of the internet is social. And this is great news for small business: by their nature social media platforms are very flat: meaning you can have a facebook page or twitter account that can compare with those of the world's leading companies. Even if you don't have a bricks and mortar shop, you can successfully run an online business and boost its reach and credibility with effective social media marketing.
Social media is big news for small businesses
Social media has become the cornerstone for most people's online lives. Gone are the days of surfing the net: now more and more people are spening more and more time on social media sites, like
- Facebook: the largest social network with over 500 Million users: 1/2 of whom log on EVERY DAY
- Youtube: 2 billion youtube videos are viewed every day, Youtube search is the 3rd largest search Engine
- Twitter: over 100 million accounts with 300,000 more added every day.
And thousands of other social media platforms: we just don't know what will be the "new" facebook or twitter in 2012 or 2013. Both these platforms have their strengths and limitations and the entire online business model is under constant review.
Remember AOL? Mosaic? Yahoo as THE site on the net? (Or maybe you aren't that old? that was the 90s) Things are changing very fast.
Cairns Social Media and online marketing
You'd be amazed how much is going on already on social media: check out some Cairns Social media buzz.
Only one thing is certain. Cairns Businesses need to embrace social media if they want to stay visible and relevant to their customers.
For more help with Cairns Social media and online marketing contact inCairns.net
Check out this great video on SocialNomics: the economics of social media and how they influence the real economy and our lives more generally. The book of the same name is a great read too.
Read more about Cairns, Australia Cairns Social media and online marketing contact inCairns.net
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