WebSpring – the new standard in online marketing

While attending a local business event, Lifestyle Trust – trading as Interactionz, a Hamilton based charitable organisation, never dreamed they would walk away with a valuable $3,000 social medial marketing package. This amazing prize was up for grabs to all local businesses and organisations attending a Waikato Chamber of Commerce event, hosted by WebSpring Ltd, on June 1st, 2010.

Interactionz CEO, Lynda Millington, is delighted with the win “We are starting to devise a marketing strategy and we have looked at traditional promotion, like newsletters, but had not considered social media as the ability to invest was limited.” The prize donated by WebSpring will allow Interactionz to facilitate new initiatives, promote the Trust, its three Hamilton community centres, up-coming events and connect with its stakeholders.

The prize, valued up to $3,000, included a full online marketing strategy, customised blog or website, with a number of options to select from (depending on the most suitable strategy). Options included Twitter and Facebook for business, an online advertising programs and full comprehensive training for staff. Interactionz will be able to choose the combination that best suits their organisation.

Leading the way with a ‘person driven practice’ methodology, Interactionz assists people with disabilities to live the life they choose, empowering lifestyles and enabling them to create a life which is meaningful and satisfying. As the name suggests, Interactionz focus is on strengthening the relationships which will enable this to happen. Interactionz relies on Government funding, sponsors and fundraising to provide its invaluable service to the Waikato community. “Funding is getting tighter and its increasingly difficult to make ends meet, there is never enough left over for marketing activity” says Ms Millington.

Being able to reach these members of the community with new online communication tools, like Facebook, will also play a major part in developing a more complete communication strategy for the Interactionz. Facebook in New Zealand has over 1.2 million subscribers, so with over 27% of the NZ population using this forum for communication, a professional strategy will only generate more exposure for Interactionz and allow for a greater level of community engagement. “Through social media we can create another way to assist with empowering the lifestyles of individuals with disabilities and their support networks in an online space, that they feel comfortable with” says Ms Millington.

WebSpring Ltd generously donated the prize as part of a promotion at a Waikato Chamber of Commerce Business After 5 (BA5) event. “We wanted to show the Waikato business community that using popular online social media networking sites can benefit businesses through cost effective marketing and promotion strategies” says WebSpring’s General Manager, Elisabeth Soffe, “The Chamber BA5‘s provide a great platform to do this.”

Recent winners of the 2009 Best Emerging Business at the Westpac Waikato Business Excellence Awards and finalist in the Innovation category, WebSpring was thrilled that the donated prize went to a worthy charitable organisation. Mrs Soffe proudly admits, “when we encouraged those business that did not need the prize to donate it to a local non-profit orgnaisation, we never thought it would be such an organisation that would win. WebSpring couldn’t be happier with the result.” WebSpring, a Hamilton based online marketing company, specialises in website design and development, online marketing strategy, social media marketing, online advertising and search engine optimisation.

If you are interested in finding out about the services available at Interactionz, or if you feel that Interactionz may be able to assist you or a member of your family, please visit their website www.interactionz.org.nz or contact the team on 07 847 4255.