Coronavirus closures might soon be a thing of the past. Restrictions are easing and business is returning to a new normal. To help this ease process the Queensland Government announced a grant this week to help small businesses adapt. The grant allows for expenditure in a range of business stimulus activities including digital strategy, specifically:
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- professional advice to support business sustainability and diversification
- strategic planning aligned to business development and diversification
- building the business through marketing and communications activities, for example, content development (web pages, mobile apps, visual and audio media etc.)
- digital/technological strategy development
- digital training or re-training to adapt to new business models
- specialised digital equipment or business specific software to move business operations online (e.g. logistics program for online ordering)
- and selected other non-marketing expenses.
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Ideas to help you
Our team can assist with documentation to support your grant such as quotes for the following advice and services including
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- Strategic advice across all marketing channels
- Lead generation programs
- Search engine optimisation
- Website enhancements including ecommerce
- Video campaigns
- Sales advice and support
- Design services
- Referrals to our group of trusted photographers, coaches and professional services.
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Criteria for the grant
We ask that you consider the following criteria prior to our meeting. To be eligible, the business must:
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- have been subject to closure or otherwise highly impacted by current shutdown restrictions announced by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer on 23 March 2020
- demonstrate that business revenue has been significantly impacted since 23 March 2020 over a minimum 1-month period due to the onset and management of COVID-19
- employ staff and have fewer than 20 employees at the time of applying for the grant
- have a valid Australian Business Number (ABN) active as at 23 March 2020
- be registered for GST
- have a Queensland headquarters
- have an annual turnover over $75,000 for the last financial year
- have a payroll of less than $1.3 million
- not be insolvent or have owners/directors that are an undischarged bankrupt.
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A note for other states
Other states have grants to assist with maintaining liquidity by covering overheads. To date Queensland is the first state we are aware of that has a grant of this nature that covers getting back to business, professional advice and marketing initiatives. We are monitoring whether other states will follow suit
Your five step plan to applying for a grant
To summarise and help you get focussed on this exciting funding opportunity, here is our recommended approach:
- Check initial eligibility criteria
- Review questions so you know what information you need
- Collect internal information including your business plan
- Seek quotes from suppliers
- Write well considered responses to each question – we recommend you use a professional writer
Marketing without a grant
As confidence returns and industries reopen, there has never been a better time to recommence your marketing campaigns or start a new one. Even if you are not eligible for the above grant but would like to discuss your current marketing needs, please reach out to tanya@blueplatypus.com.au or book your free strategy session here: https://calendly.com/tanya-81/free-coronavirus-pivot-and-adapt-strategy-session.
