Queensland has always been given jib for being a bit backward by the other states, and typically the more regional, rural, or remote the area, the more… ‘backward’ it may be perceived to be.
However across the world, people are signing up en masse to social networks, as a way of staying in touch with friends, family and business contacts.
This week we’re starting a road tour across Queensland visiting Townsville, Gladstone, Mackay, Maryborough, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Sunshine Coast & Gympie.
In gearing up for this, I decided to do a little research whether people in these regions are using social media, so when I encounter the usual excuses of… ‘I don’t use social media to market my business, because my market isn’t on there’, I will be able to argue the point with evidence at hand.
Before we delve in at a regional level, let’s take a look at the major social networks and their number of users globally, and how many users herald from Australia for each of these. Note that these statistic were sourced from a variety of places, and are current as of around April 2013:
NETWORK USERS GLOBALLY VS AUSTRALIA
| Location | Facebook (in a 80km radius) |
… Linkedin1 (in a 80km radius) |
| Gladstone | 24,000 | 796 |
| Sunshine Coast | 176,000 | … 24,090 |
| Gold Coast | 380,000 | 92,660 |
| Brisbane | 1,460,000 | 100,755 |
| Townsville | 102,000 | 3887 |
| … Mackay | 54,000 | … 2131 |
| Gympie | 168,000 | 11,851 |
| Wide Bay | 90,000 | … 4907 |
If these stats have made you sit up and take notice, perhaps you should come along to a free information evening we are running in a number of areas across Queensland, starting this week.
Apart from sharing trends, tips and technologies and insights into social media that all businesses should be aware of on the night, we’ll also share information on the incredibly successful Get Up To Speed program – www.getuptospeed.com.au.
Over 500 businesses across Australia have already completed this 12 week program, including locals who have already completed the program who will share how having knowledge of digital technologies has dramatically helped them and their businesses.
Here’s the details. We’d love to see you there!
BRISBANE
Date: Thu 11th July 2013
Venue: The Edge Auditorium, Stanley Street, South Brisbane, QLD 4101
TOWNSVILLE
Date: Thu 11th July 2013 | 5:30 – 8pm
George Coates Restaurant, Barrier Reef Institute of TAFE – Pimlico Campus
Hugh Street, Mundingburra, QLD 4812
GLADSTONE
Date: Fri 19th July 2013
Venue: The Rex Metcalfe Theatre – CQUniversity Gladstone, Bryan Jordan Drive Callemondah, QLD 4680
GYMPIE
Date: Thu 25 July
Venue: Gympie Civic Centre, 32 Mellor Street, Gympie, QLD 4570
GOLD COAST
Date: Tue 30th July 2013
Venue: Southport Community Centre, 6 Lawson Street, Southport, Queensland 4215
SUNSHINE COAST
Date: Thu 1 August
Venue: Maroochydore Library, Sixth Avenue, Cotton Tree
In all cases sessions are free, but bookings are essential. Session times and registration links available at getuptospeed.com.au/events.
You can also call 07 545 11315 or email help@getuptospeed.com.au.