Staying aware of what’s happening locally and internationally is important to everyone, especially businesses. While it can sometimes feel like there isn’t a lot happening in Canberra, visiting one of the Canberra news sites will change your mind pretty quickly!
By keeping an eye on the local news, businesses can gain valuable insights into market trends, consumer behaviour, and competitors, which can help them make informed business decisions. Being aware of local events and issues can also help businesses engage with the community more effectively, which, in turn, can help build a positive image, foster trust among local customers, and improve their overall brand reputation.
Keeping up with the local news can also help businesses to better understand the needs and preferences of their local audience, allowing them to create more relevant content for their target audience and improve their content strategy. Here are some of the best ways to stay up to date with what’s going on around Canberra:
1. The Canberra Times
The Canberra Times is one of the most prominent newspapers in Canberra, established in 1926. They cover everything a traditional newspaper does, from international headlines to local news. They’re a highly reliable source for breaking news in Canberra, and they cover a wide range of topics, including politics, business, sports, entertainment, and lifestyle.
The Canberra Times is available both in print and digitally. Their digital articles are the best source for real-time and breaking news. However, access to these articles is restricted behind a paywall, and you need to subscribe to read them. Subscription starts at $4.95 per week.
2. ABC News Canberra
ABC is Australia’s national broadcaster and has dedicated news services for different regions. ABC News Canberra‘s primary focus is to deliver news that is relevant to Canberra, but it also covers the broader ACT region, including Queanbeyan, Yass, and Bungendore.
ABC Canberra has a strong online presence, and you can also find them on TV and radio. Overall, ABC News Canberra is a valuable source of information for staying up-to-date with local developments and understanding the political landscape.
3. The RiotACT
The RiotACT is a locally owned and operated news and opinion website focusing on Canberra and surrounding regions’ news and events. The RiotACT was founded in 2000 and since then has become hugely popular thanks to its focus on independence and reader input.
The RiotACT website has a thriving Canberra business news section, where they feature stories about entrepreneurial Canberra figures as well as news about the local economy and business openings and closures.
4. HerCanberra
HerCanberra is an online magazine that caters to women residing in Canberra. The magazine focuses on lifestyle, culture, health, and local events. In recent years, HerCanberra’s ‘Food & Drink’ section has become increasingly popular among readers. It features regular restaurant reviews and announcements of newly opened hospitality businesses in the area.
Besides food and drink, HerCanberra is also a reliable resource for information on upcoming events in Canberra. The magazine publishes a comprehensive weekly list of events happening in the city over the weekend. HerCanberra also regularly highlights local businesses in Canberra.
5. OutInCanberra
OutInCanberra is an online platform and lifestyle guide that focuses on events, entertainment, dining, and nightlife. One of the most popular features on the OutInCanberra site is its comprehensive event listings, including details about upcoming concerts, festivals, cultural events, and more.
Keeping an eye on the OutInCanberra website can provide insights into popular events, trends, and opportunities for digital marketing campaigns targeting those interested in Canberra’s social scene.
6. Canberra Weekly
Canberra Weekly is a free print magazine that’s distributed across the city on a weekly basis. You’ll often find copies of it available outside supermarkets, at local shops and community hubs. It covers a wide range of topics, including local news, events, lifestyle, entertainment, and community.
It aims to provide a comprehensive overview of what’s happening in and around Canberra and often features grass-roots stories and profiles of Canberra residents, businesses, and events.
7. The Canberra Post
The Canberra Post is an independent local website providing ‘views and reviews’ from the Canberra Region. It offers local content, covering news and lifestyle stories from around the capital, as well as national and international issues of interest to Canberra readers.
The Canberra Post is a great place to find interesting facts about Canberra, food reviews, and suburb-specific information about local businesses.
Forums, Facebook Groups & Notice boards
While established news websites are great for finding reliable information about Canberra, the value of informal groups and forums online can’t be underestimated, especially for small businesses. They’re a great place to interact with the community directly, network with other businesses and gain local insight.
However, make sure to check each individual group’s rules around self-promotion before you plug your business! Some groups are monetised, and you need to pay a fee before advertising.
1. Canberra Notice Board
The Canberra Noticeboard on Facebook is huge, with 148,000 members – that’s over a third of Canberra’s population. The purpose of the Canberra Notice Board Group is mainly to share information, news, and events and pose questions to the community.
Members often turn to the group for recommendations – an example of a typical post would be ‘Best place to have brunch in Canberra?’ This, combined with the large number of group members, makes it a powerful place for word-of-mouth marketing.
2. R/Canberra
Reddit is a hugely popular forum site, and Canberra has its own subreddit! It allows users to post links to local news, start a discussion, ask questions, share Canberra memes and vent about any local issues they have. It’s a great place to join in on community engagement and gauge public opinion on Canberra-related topics.
3. Local Area Community Groups
Almost every region or suburb in Canberra has at least one dedicated Facebook group. They’re a great way to tap into the community closest to your business, engage with potential customers, post updates, and promote local events.
4. Special Interest Groups
Special interest groups, like ‘Canberra Knitters and Crocheters’, for example, are a great way for Canberra businesses to reach niche target audiences locally. There’s a Canberra-centric group for almost any interest or hobby you can think of, some with thousands of members.
Finding the Facebook groups most related to your niche can help generate a loyal customer base.
5. Canberra Hospo Network
Canberra Hospo Network is a Facebook group with 17 thousand members. If you’re in the hospitality industry, joining is a must – it’s a great place to find relevant news about the Canberra hospitality industry, post job ads, and ask for advice.
6. Things On In Canberra
Things On In Canberra allows users to promote and discover local events around Canberra, like small business markets, live music, and community get-togethers. If you’re hosting an event or running a promotion for your business, it’s an ideal opportunity to reach a wide range of people and drum up excitement – the group has almost 40,000 members!.
Trying To Reach More People In Canberra?
At Futuretheory, we’re passionate about helping other small Canberra businesses grow forward online through marketing, websites, and design. We offer knowledge of the local market and friendly, personal support. We understand what it means to be a Canberra business and all the unique challenges it carries.
As a Canberra-born digital marketing agency, we’ve been helping Canberra businesses reach more people since 2008. We have a lot of trust and belief in Canberra and the potential it provides for growth and prosperity. Helping businesses realise this potential is why we do what we do.
Contact us to discuss how we can help you – whether it’s through our digital marketing services, creating a website for your business, or consulting and training.
