Creativity That Sticks

Let’s be real – in a world where first impressions are everything, looking polished matters. Whether it’s your website, your business card, or your latest social post, strong design builds trust, grabs attention, and quietly tells customers you’re the real deal. The good news? You don’t need to be a creative genius or break the bank to make your brand look professionally designed. You just need to know a few key principles. At Glu Group, we help Kiwi businesses look their best through smart, effective design. Here are 5 simple tips you can use to instantly elevate your own branding and content. 1. Embrace White Space (Let It Breathe) White space (or negative space) is the empty area around design elements. It’s not blank space – it’s active space that helps guide the eye and makes content feel clean and intentional. Why it works: Cluttered designs feel chaotic and hard to read. White space creates elegance, improves readability, and makes your key message pop. How to do it: Add more pa...

Instagram SEO: How Kiwi Businesses Can Optimise Posts for Search Instagram isn’t just about pretty pictures anymore—it’s a powerful search engine where Kiwis look for everything from "best coffee Auckland" to "affordable plumber Wellington." If you’re not optimising your posts for search, you’re missing out on free, targeted traffic. Why Instagram SEO Matters for NZ Businesses ✔ 50% of Instagram users discover new brands via search (Meta) ✔ Local searches (e.g., "hairdresser Christchurch") are growing fast ✔ SEO-friendly posts appear in both hashtag feeds and keyword searches 5 Ways to Optimise Instagram Posts for NZ Searches 1. Keyword Research (The Kiwi Way) Instagram now ranks posts based on keywords in captions, alt text, and hashtags. ✅ How to Find NZ-Relevant Keywords: Check Instagram’s search suggestions (start typing in the search bar) Use AnswerThePublic for local questions (e.g., "Where to buy ___ in NZ?") Spy on competitors’ high-rank...

Christmas 2025 Marketing Guide: How NZ Businesses Can Dominate the Festive Season With four months until Christmas, now’s the perfect time for NZ businesses to tick off a few easy tasks that’ll make December much smoother. No fancy strategies needed—just practical steps to get organised early. At Glu Group we help with the print and digital basics that make festive marketing stress-free. Here’s what to sort now: 3 Easy Things to Do Before October 1. Order Printed Materials Early Why? Print shops get busy, and last-minute rush fees add up. Simple options: Christmas cards (Handwrite notes to top clients in November) 2026 calendars (Give as client gifts with your logo) Promo giveaways (Keyrings, drink bottles, or sustainable totes) How we help: We design and print quality materials! 2. Plan Your Social Media Posts Why? December gets chaotic—batch-create content now. Low-effort ideas: Repost customer Christmas photos (with permission) Share a simple "Holiday Hours" graphic Run a ...

How Often Should You Update Your Shop Signage? A NZ Guide Your shop signage is often the first impression customers have of your business—so when was the last time you gave it a refresh? Worn, outdated, or damaged signage doesn’t just look unprofessional—it can cost you foot traffic and sales. At Glu Group, we’ve helped Kiwi businesses keep their signage looking sharp and effective. Here’s your ultimate guide to knowing when and why to update your shop signage, along with tips to maximise its impact. Why Signage Maintenance Matters in NZ ✔ First Impressions Count – 76% of customers judge a business based on its exterior (FedEx Study). ✔ Weather Wear & Tear – NZ’s harsh UV rays, wind, and rain can fade and damage signs faster than you think. ✔ Branding Consistency – If your logo or branding has evolved, your signage should too. ✔ Regulation Compliance – Local councils update signage rules periodically (e.g., size, lighting). When Should You Update Your Signage? 1. Every 5-7 Years (S...

How Often Should You Post? A NZ Engagement Study Wondering if you're posting too much (or too little) on social media? You're not alone. At Glu Group, we analysed 3,200+ Kiwi business accounts across industries to crack the code for optimal posting frequency. Key NZ-Specific Findings The Goldilocks Principle Applies Posting too little = forgotten Posting too much = unfollowed Just right = maximum engagement Platform Differences Matter What works on Instagram doesn't always work on all social media apps like LinkedIn. Industry Variations Exist Cafés need different strategies than accountants Ideal Posting Frequency for NZ Businesses 🇳🇿 Facebook Recommended: 3-5 posts/week Peak Times: Stereotypically 7-9am & 6-8pm weekdays. However check out your analytics in the Meta Business Suite and it will tell you what are your demographics peak hours! 🇳🇿 Instagram Feed: 4-5 posts/week Stories: 5-7/week (minimum) Reels: 2-3/week 🇳🇿 LinkedIn B2B (Business to Business) Sweet Spo...

How to Integrate Social Media with Your Website: A NZ Business Guide In today’s digital landscape, your website and social media shouldn’t operate in isolation—they should work together to boost engagement, drive traffic, and convert visitors into customers. For Kiwi businesses, this integration is especially crucial, as 78% of NZ consumers interact with brands across multiple touchpoints before purchasing. At Glu Group, we’ve helped NZ businesses seamlessly connect their social media and websites to maximise results. Here’s your step-by-step guide to making them work together effectively. Why Integrate Social Media with Your Website? ✔ Increase Website Traffic – Social media is a top referral source for NZ websites. ✔ Boost Engagement – Interactive elements keep visitors on your site longer. ✔ Improve SEO – Social signals (shares, likes) indirectly influence search rankings. ✔ Enhance Credibility – Social proof (reviews, live feeds) builds trust. 6 Ways to Integrate Social Media with ...