Communications are important for a variety of reasons within a club/ branch to:
https://www.clubhelp.org.au/marketing
By prioritising effective communication, clubs can achieve their objectives, enhance member satisfaction, and build a strong and cohesive community.
https://www.clubhelp.org.au/club-resources
Communication Types
- Social Media
- Printed materials
- SMS
What Communication Type To Use And Why
- Email: News, Announcements, Long-form communication, Links
- Social Media:
- Public pages (EXTERNAL)
- Sign on days
- Special offers
- Public events
- Club and member news
- Sponsor updates
- Private groups (MEMBER-ONLY)
- Member-only news/information
- Share member newsletters
- Training information
- Ask questions and start conversation amongst members
- Printed materials: Formal Communication, Promotions
- Letters/newsletters
- Promotional posters/flyers
- SMS: Urgent Updates
| Club Tip Always think about the way the communication will be received in order to determine which channel to use. |
Tips And Recommendations
- Build a plan (Including what you will send and when – eg. Monthly newsletters)
- Send as few emails as possible
- Cover all club news & info, not just one program
- Have a balance of operations news, promotions, interesting stories etc
Use an Email Platform such as Mailchimp to send emails. These are generally free email marketing tools or you can upgrade for small fee. They usually include free template designs that make your regular newsletters easy!
To help you build your new email designs we have some new red and yellow branded templates and assets for you to download.
Remember, aim to reduce the number of emails that are sent. Between all SLS entities – clubs, SLSA, SLSQ, it’s estimated any member can receive over 140 emails per year.
Social Media & Meta Business Suite
Platforms to use: Facebook, Instagram. Optional: LinkedIn, Twitter, TikTok, Threads
What is META Business Suite? Meta Business Suite is a free tool that centralises Facebook, Instagram, and messaging tools in one place so you can save time, create connections with more people, and get better business results. Meta Business Suite simplifies the process of building and managing your presence on Facebook and Instagram. It’s where you can post, track performance, monetize content and interact with fans.
SLSA Policy 6.20 – Social Media
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/
Have a business page AND business group set up.
Page vs Groups
- Public pages (EXTERNAL)
- Sign on days
- Special offers
- Public events
- Club and member news
- Sponsor updates
| Club Tip Tip1:* Create a content plan, know who your audience is, use consistent branding, post engaging and relevant content, be responsive – reply to comments and messages, use Facebook insights, encourage your followers to tag and share, collaborate and cross promote, avoid over posting and regularly review and adjust as needed.
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Instagram https://www.instagram.com/
Ensure your profile is set up correctly, with a short but informative bio on your business. Add a linktree to your profile so you can direct people to your website links/link in bio.
Create a content plan, post high quality content, use captions wisely, utilize hashtags, interact with followers, post consistently, use Instagram stories (share behind the scenes content, updates, temporary promotions and use features like polls and questions to encourage interaction), use reels, track insights, run giveaways and be authentic.
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/feed/
LinkedIn is a powerful social media platform specifically designed for professional networking and career development. For business you can share exciting updates and initiatives, job opportunities, industry insights or news, share SLSQ content, knowledge sharing, business or sponsor promotions, networking events and webinars.
Twitter https://twitter.com/?lang=en
Twitter is a popular social media platform known for its real-time updates, short-form messaging, and quick interactions. This can be used for big announcements, updates and promotions.
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/en/
TikTok is a popular social media platform known for short-form video content, music, and creative expression. This platform is good to add some personalisation to your business/club, enables community interaction and offers brand exposure. This platform requires regular content posting with a medium to advanced skill in photo/video editing and creation.
Threads https://www.threads.net/login
Threads is a new social media platform and social networking service owned and operated by Meta Platforms. The app offers users the ability to post and share text, images, and videos, as well as to interact with other users’ posts through replies, reposts, and likes. Not dissimilar to Twitter threads displays short-form messaging in the way of facts, updates and announcements which can be replied to and shared.
Printed Materials
Formal Communication, Promotions
- Letters/newsletters
- Promotional posters/flyers
Ensure that you keep to consistent and correct branding when creating any printed materials. If you are using SLSQ logo/IP you will need prior approval from the Marketing Team as per SLSA Policy 6.01 Intellectual Property SLSA Policy 6.01 Intellectual Property
Surfguard SMS
Should only be used for urgent updates or actions required by specific member groups.
Surfguard has SMS capability and this should be used before personal phones to ensure there is transparent communication, if available, always through Surfguard.
Refer to Administration Operations Manual for further information.
Imagery, Digital Recordings Use
Photographs capturing individuals and events on Australian beaches, encompassing surf lifesaving endeavours and both patrolling and competitive activities, hold significant value within Australia’s cultural heritage and collective identity.
The proliferation and accessibility of digital photography and videography tools have brought to the forefront certain ethical, moral, and legal considerations concerning the use of such media, especially in the context of SLSA Members.
SLSA has a policy relating to requirements required, under law, when imagery is being used on public platforms.
SLSA 6.21 Photography, Digital Recording & Images Policy
Website Content
When members are tasked with creating website content for their club, there are several key considerations to keep in mind to ensure that the content effectively represents the club, engages visitors, and provides value. Here are some important factors to consider:
| Audience: | Understand your target audience. Who are the primary visitors to your website? Are they current members, potential members, sponsors, or the general public? Tailor your content to meet the needs and interests of your audience. |
| Purpose: | Define the main goals of your website. Is it to inform, recruit, engage, or raise awareness? Knowing your purpose will guide your content creation efforts. |
| Branding: | Ensure that your website’s design and content align with your club’s, SLSQ and SLSA branding guidelines. Consistency in colors, logos, fonts, and messaging is crucial for building a strong brand identity. |
| Navigation and User Experience: | Create a user-friendly website with clear navigation menus and intuitive layouts. Make it easy for visitors to find the information they need. |
| Content Structure: | Organise your content logically with headings, subheadings, and bullet points to make it scannable. Use a consistent content structure across pages. |
| Content Quality: | Focus on creating high-quality, accurate, and up-to-date content. Avoid spelling and grammatical errors, and ensure that all information is reliable and trustworthy. |
| Visual Elements: | Incorporate visuals such as images, videos, infographics, and charts to enhance your content. Visuals can make your content more engaging and easier to understand. |
| Mobile Responsiveness: | Ensure that your website is responsive and accessible on various devices, including smartphones and tablets. Many users access websites on mobile devices. |
| Privacy and Security: | If you collect any personal data from users (e.g., for membership registration), ensure that your website complies with data protection regulations and prioritize user privacy and security. |
| Accessibility: | Make your website accessible to all users, including those with disabilities. Use alt text for images, provide transcripts for videos, and ensure text is readable by screen readers. |
| Analytics: | Implement website analytics tools to track visitor behaviour, understand what content is most popular, and make data-driven improvements to your website over time. |
| Legal Considerations: | Ensure that your website complies with copyright laws, and include necessary disclaimers and terms of use. Seek advice from SLSQ marketing team is required. |
SLSA 6.20 Social Media Policy outlines requirements all Members must aheard too
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