About Angus Jones

Angus started his first small business in 1989 and has since gone on to have a successful career in marketing. He realised although there were many websites for small business none was addressing the question of how to. Angus has a passion to articulate benefits that add value to customers/readers.

Heat-Free A3 WorkForce Pro multi-function printers

Epson has further reinforced its commitment to sustainable business solutions with the launch of its new WorkForce Pro EM-C8100 and EM-C8101 multi-function printers at its recent New Beginnings for a Brighter Future event held at the company’s new head office in North Sydney. Both new devices are powered by its innovative, ultra-efficient PrecisionCore® Heat-Free Technology.

The versatile 25 ppm WorkForce Pro EM-C8100 A3 multi-function printer is ideal as either the main print device for smaller businesses or as a workgroup device for larger operations. The EM-C8101 is best suited where a higher volume of scanning is required.

As more employees return to the office in 2025 the EM-C8100 and EM-C8101 are designed to meet the growing demands of small and medium businesses who do not need finishing options but who value productivity, and maximum uptime while generating as little waste as possible.

Equipped with Epson’s PrecisionCore Heat-Free printhead technology, which is standard across all Epson business inkjet devices, they deliver Epson’s renowned, industry-leading print quality at fast speeds. With high ink yields and fewer maintenance requirements, these devices require less upkeep and intervention compared to toner-based devices.

Epson business inkjet products have placed emphasis on energy efficient solutions. As such these two new products provide more sustainable, economical print solutions for organisations that are becoming increasingly aware of their carbon footprint, while at the same time seeking ways to reduce operating expenses.

The WorkForce Pro EM-C8100 and EM-C8101 also provide industry-leading high ink yields delivering up to 86,000 pages in black and up to 50,000 pages in colour. This means minimal staff disruptions to change inks. Combining these ink yields with fast print out times and zero warm up make a very compelling, efficient and low cost of ownership proposition.

The WorkForce Pro EM-C8100 and the EM-C8101 are scheduled to begin shipping in Australia and New Zealand from May 2025.

Jabra SPEAK2 75 portable speakerphone review

Two years ago, we reviewed the Jabra SPEAK2 55 portable speaker, and we found it to be a great speakerphone for the home office or the bonnet of someone’s car at a construction site. Its big brother has just been released, and we review the Jabra SPEAK2 75.

What is a Jabra SPEAK2 75 professional portable speakerphone?

The Jabra SPEAK2 75 is a wireless PC or smartphone rechargeable speakerphone for group conversations. It is a large hockey puck-looking device with an internal speaker and 4 inbuilt microphones ideal for conversations in small meeting room. It allows you to have a hands-free/headset-free conversation up to 2.5m from the microphone, whether at a boardroom table or the bonnet of your car. It is ideal if several people are at your end so everyone can join the conversation.

WHY should you consider the SPEAK 2 75 over the SPEAK2 55?

A speakerphone enhances the sound substantially compared to a PC or smartphone speakers and microphone. A larger speaker and numerous microphones achieve this sound enhancement to ensure everyone in the room is heard.

Jabra SPEAK2 55 vs Jabra SPEAK2 75
Jabra SPEAK2 75 on the right

Whereas the SPEAK2 55 has an internal battery that will last up to 12 hours, the 75’s battery will allow you to stay wireless for up to 32 hours or four business hour days. It can be connected to your PC or smartphone by Bluetooth or plugged into a USB C or USB A socket with the included tethered adapter, which also facilitates charging at up to 15W.

Jabra supports full duplex, meaning you can talk while others speak. You will be heard, exactly like what happens in a normal conversation. The SPEAK2 75 allows you to link two 75’s together to increase the room’s size and allow more people to participate in a conference call. Let’s assume you have a long conference table, and more people are working from the office. Two SPEAK2 75’s can be linked at the press of a button to allow people at each end of the table to hear clearly and be heard on a call.

If you are worried that your voice will not be heard, you can now be alerted of this with a Mic quality indicator. This indicator is the green LED ring turns from green to orange if the speaker’s voice is not being heard properly, prompting the speaker to move closer to the microphone. (Feature needs to be activated in the App)

The 75’s size has also increased to 155mm diameter from 140mm on the 55. Its weight has also increased to 466 grams from 280 grams. Other than the bigger battery, the big change is a 6.5 cm speaker versus 5cm. This change has significantly improved the sound quality, especially the lower base sounds.

The 75 also supports Bluetooth 5.2, up from 5.1 on the 55, contributing to improved audio over Bluetooth connections.

What is in the Box?

The Jabra Speak2 75 is an investment at $600 but does come with a 100-day return policy.

The box contains only two items: the SPEAK2 75 and a felt carry pouch to protect the Jabra while traveling with it. The 70cm USB cable is built into the product.

The Jabra has a diameter of 15.5cm and is just over 5cm thick. It weighs 466 grams and is IP64-rated, meaning it is resistant to water and dust.

The USB cable winds around the base for storage and has a USB-C plug and a USB-A adapter tethered. Buttons on the unit allow you to Power on/off, answer a call, end or reject a call, increase and decrease volume, mute a conversation, pair via Bluetooth, check the Battery status and use a smart button. An LED ring of light helps you understand the status, such as mic quality, mute, battery and volume levels, depending on which button is pressed.

The smart button function can be configured to control the Play/Pause, Voice Assistant or Speed Dial of a single number.

Using the SPEAK2 75 speakerphone

When I turned the SPEAK2 75 on for both my PC and Android phone, I immediately saw and was asked if I would like to add the Jabra device. This makes Bluetooth installation easy. We recommend downloading the Jabra App to your PC or smartphone, as additional settings can be accessed and software updates added.

As expected, the Jabra works with Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet. I have been using it for 3 weeks on my Team’s calls and found a richness in my colleagues’ voices and heard more nuances in their tones. My colleagues tell me they could not hear the garbage truck that went by whilst I was speaking, which is great on the noise-cancelling front from both Jabra and Microsoft working together. The difference from the lower model is significant when listening to music via the speaker. I was quite happy with the 55 compared to my PC speakers, but the 75 takes the music playback to the next level.

A feature we like is voice level normalisation, which means that the Jabra automatically adjusts each person’s voice to a similar level. Thus, if you have three people in a room at different distances from the microphones and speak at different loudnesses, the people at the other end of the connection will hear everyone’s voice at the same volume.

Running a small business means you cannot afford to provide all staff members with a SPEAK2. As the Jabra supports connecting up to 8 different Bluetooth devices, multiple people could share a unit without deleting the previous user.

Our Take Jabra SPEAK2 75 review

If your business wants its employees to be inclusive on video/audio calls and for everyone to be engaged and have their say, then the SPEAK2 75 will deliver that reality.

The Jabra is versatile with its long battery life, quality sound, and the ability to pair two units to include more people.

Last but not least, for your downtime, the music quality payback has lifted to a whole new level, whether on-site, off-site, or at home.

Have a Tax Debt This FY?

A business credit expert is urging businesses to get ahead of any tax debt – and know their options – to ensure they don’t fall foul of the Australian Taxation Office.

With last week (February 28) marking the deadline for FY23-24 company tax returns to be lodged, Grow Capital CEO Gus Gilkeson says businesses who believe they will have a tax debt need to be proactive.

“Simply delaying lodging your return is not a strategy. You risk being fined, accruing interest and the ATO definitely won’t ignore it.”

“Unfortunately, there are likely some businesses that know they will owe the ATO money this financial year and will put off lodging their return to avoid dealing with a difficult situation.”

“But sticking your head in the sand is not the answer.”

Mr Gilkeson says while not ideal, a business owing the ATO isn’t always a sign of something untoward going on behind the scenes.

“Perhaps your company has recently purchased or acquired another business and taken on its previous debts. It might be that you’re having cash flow issues as a result of unpaid invoices, or the business experiences a period of rapid growth that surpasses previous forecasts and projections.”

“Regardless of the reason, if you’re aware you’re going to have a tax debt, it’s always best to be proactive and get on the front foot. Speak with your accountant and other financial services providers immediately, or if you don’t have these in place, consider seeking professional advice.”

Mr Gilkeson says it’s important for businesses to understand there are options available;

Tax Debt Options

  • Payment Plan: Can you enter into a payment plan with the ATO? Depending on the size of the debt, and the reasons why you can’t pay by the due date, you may be able to present a plan to repay over time. However, Mr Gilkeson says the ATO will require further details, including expenses and any assets the business might have.
  • Financing Debt: Depending on your circumstances, Mr Gilkeson says securing finance to pay the tax debt in full might be a better option for some businesses, and could potentially avoid paying higher interest and/or penalties.
  • Deductions: Know what deductions you’re able to claim, including prepaying interest, restructuring loans and writing down bad debts. However, Mr Gilkeson notes the Federal Government is looking to remove income tax deductions for ATO interest charges for overdue debts and says seeking professional advice is always best to ensure information is current and accurate.
  • Proactive Communication: Simply ignoring ATO deadlines and hoping to deal with the matter at a later date is not an option, says Mr Gilkeson. “Proactive communication is always key. Keep the ATO and your financial services professionals well informed and let them know what to expect. Again, depending on your circumstances you may be able to come to an agreement, if you’re open and transparent about what’s happening within the business and what your intentions are going forward.”

Mr Gilkeson says it’s important for businesses to consider their individual circumstances, as there is no one-size-fits-all approach.

However, he emphasises that whatever the final decision, it’s best to take action to avoid the potential of fines, garnishee notices, directors’ penalties and being reported to credit agencies, all of which can impact future business and finance prospects.

“We know the ATO is actively looking to recoup owed monies, and if your business is one of them, it’s a matter of when, not if. Don’t put off those difficult conversations, it’s simply not worth the stress or the risk.”

Contributed by Gus Gilkeson is the CEO of Grow Capital.

Microsoft sales AI agents

Microsoft has announced two new sales AI agents that support a core function of all businesses and further break down silos across legacy systems of record.   

Sales Agent can work autonomously to turn contacts into qualified leads, set up meetings, reach out to customers and more, freeing reps to focus on closing high-margin deals. It draws on the organisation’s CRM, company data like price sheets, emails and meetings to personalise responses.  

Sales Chat helps accelerate the sales cycle, giving sales reps actionable takeaways from CRM data, pitch decks, meetings, emails, and the web so they can spend less time digging and more time selling. All it takes is a simple natural language prompt like “give me a list of deals that are at risk of falling through.”  

Microsoft also announced the Microsoft AI Accelerator for Sales, which gives participating organisations access to AI experts at Microsoft to help them migrate from legacy CRM systems and aid with seller adoption, plus fine tuning to personalise agents that meet unique business needs.  

   For product details and a look at recent customer success stories with Microsoft Copilot and Copilot Studio agents, visit the Dynamics 365 blog, Microsoft WorkLab, and Microsoft Source.   

  

SMB marketing skills gap in 2025

VistaPrint’s 2024 Hobby to Hustle Report reveals a significant skills gap that currently exists in small business owners, with over half (55%) describing themselves as “not skilled at all” or only “slightly skilled” in branding, marketing, and design. To compound the issue, over a fifth (22%) of business owners and side hustlers don’t know where to look if they need design and marketing support. This is creating a significant barrier to starting and growing a business.  

Technologies and tools which democratise key marketing skills like design, creativity and critical thinking can help close that gap, as can learning and development programs. Vital to that is opening those tools and techniques to SMBs which make up 98% of businesses in Australia. By doing so,  they can tap into the skills and tools and generate growth for their business and reach more customers in an impactful way. 

Here are four ways we can address the SMB marketing skills gap in 2025:

Invest in upskilling 

According to Deloitte Access Economics’ latest Ready, Set, Upskill report for RMIT Online, Australian businesses were expected to spend approximately $8 billion on learning and development in 2024. Four of the top five skills surveyed employers said they lacked were digital, with one-in-eight Aussie businesses planning on spending less on learning and development. This would mean missing out on skills valued at approximately $2 billion over the course of a year or $5.6 million per day. Furthermore, think tank CEDA has revealed Australia’s falling ranking in its digital competitiveness, ranking a lowly 40th out of 63 nations in digital and technological skills. 

Marketing, like most sectors, is becoming increasingly digitised, which will only accentuate as generative AI proliferates. As such, investing in upskilling and ensuring that your skillset is on the pulse of emerging technologies, particularly for SMBs where this can be a battleground for winning and losing, will be critical. This could be via short courses, certificates, and micro-credentials that leading universities and organisations now offer online; personal development through reading books and materials, or networking and collaborating with other small businesses owners or peers who are adept in the area and seek their advice.    

Utilise democratisation tools 

According to Gartner, Australian businesses are set to increase their IT expenditure to A$146.85 billion in 2025, marking an 8.7 per cent increase from 2024.  For small businesses, immediate value is key, with a recent Tech Research Asia report showing they favour quick time-to-value from IT more than traditional ROI. 

Small business owners wear enough hats without needing to get their head around complex, expensive technology, and do not have the resources to wait for it to impact their bottom line. This is where platforms that democratise key areas of your business such as marketing and branding come into play. Now, small businesses can get true value from tools that do everything from create logos, provide expert design advice, craft leading edge packaging, and create websites and domain hosting with inbuilt ecommerce capability.

Democratisation, both with regards to cost and usability, help bridge the skills gap – ensuring SMBs don’t need complex coding skills or knowhow, or particularly deep pockets, to access tools that can help their business grow. 

Don’t forget the power of traditional formats

While the digital world provides immense opportunity to small businesses, there’s beauty in the simplicity of stripping things back to more familiar physical, material forms which still pack a punch when building a brand and influencing consumers. 

So, while upskilling your digital skills and adopting IT are important, businesses must not lose the essence of branding and marketing in its physical form, whether that’s via creative and dynamic business cards that bring you and your business’s personality to life; ensuring your packaging is branded, sustainable and practical; utilising signage to proper effect; or focusing on providing quality merchandise. 

For some businesses, this is front and centre. Take Aussie hair scrunchy brand, Made by Taylah Rose. From her business’s inception in 2014, Taylah used design and marketing partner Vista to build a brand through physical market stalls, which complimented her social media and website efforts. Taylah created a full suite of branded materials including bow cards, business cards and banners. She still regularly participates in markets and says her branded materials are key to increasing her visibility and showcasing her products.

Making it stick in 2025

 SMBs live in a world of more opportunity than ever. 

There are more ways to reach customers than ever before, more ways to reach mass audiences, and more tools at our disposal than we could possibly wish for.  

A skills gap does, however, exist, and SMBs must be creative to ensure that gap can be closed. This can be through learning and development initiatives; utilising tools and technologies which democratise marketing skills like design, creativity, and critical thinking; and staying true to traditional forms of marketing that we and our customers are accustomed to and thrive off. 

I am confident 2025 will be the year this happens.

Contributed by Linda McDonald, Senior Director of Marketing, Sales and CX at Vista Australia:

Take on Growing Without Influencers

Influencers used to be the golden ticket for small brands. A decade ago, the right post could mean instant sellouts. But it’s 2025 – and relying solely on influencers is like setting your budget on fire, delivering little more than fleeting engagement.


Most of us are not Amazon. We don’t have endless budgets to throw at marketing experiments, and we certainly can’t afford to ignore the fundamentals of business. Success today isn’t about chasing viral moments – it’s about strategy, community, and understanding your market inside-out.

Here, Rebecca Klodinsky, the multi-million dollar Australian business builder, shares her tips on how to grow a brand in 2025 without burning through cash on influencer hype.

1. Own Your Niche
Trying to appeal to everyone is a waste of time and money. Instead, go all in on a single niche. Understand your audience inside-out – their habits, needs, and pain points. The deeper your knowledge, the more effective your marketing.

2. Build Trust and Community – Not Just Hype
Trust is what builds long-term success. Brands that cultivate strong online communities have the biggest advantage – because when customers feel connected, they keep coming back. This means talking with your audience, not at them. Respond to comments, answer DMs, and create spaces where your customers can engage with your brand beyond just a transaction.

3. Content is (Still) King – But Only if It’s Done Right
Content isn’t about mindlessly churning out videos because “the algorithm says so.” Great content solves problems, entertains, and resonates with your audience. If your content isn’t useful, engaging, or shareable, it’s just noise. Storytelling, behind-the-scenes insights, and real value-driven content will always outperform another soulless product reel.

4. Solve Real Problems – Continuously
Your brand’s success isn’t about what you sell, but about the problem you solve. The best brands constantly evolve based on real customer pain points. Talk to your customers, listen to feedback, and iterate. If you’re not actively solving problems, you’re making noise in an already crowded market.

5. Customer Service is Your Secret Weapon
People remember how you treat them. A great product will get someone through the door, but exceptional service will keep them coming back. In a world where customers are spoilt for choice, social proof from happy customers is more valuable than any influencer post. Reviews, word-of-mouth, and referrals – they all start with great customer experience.

The Bottom Line
Influencer marketing still has its place, but it’s no longer a silver bullet. Building a sustainable brand means getting the basics right – knowing your audience, creating killer content, delivering great service, and constantly evolving to meet customer needs. Those who rely purely on influencer hype without substance? They’ll be the first to fade away.

Xerocon tickets on sale 40% off today only!

Xero, the global small business platform, today announced tickets are on sale for its flagship technology and innovation conference, Xerocon. Taking place 3-4 September 2025 in Brisbane, the event promises more tailored content than ever before to connect and inspire accountants and bookkeepers, as well as a chance to hear from the brains behind one of Australia’s greatest success stories.

Returning to Australia for the first time since 2023, Xerocon will feature a range of speakers and content addressing some of the accounting and bookkeeping industry’s most talked about challenges and opportunities – from building and retaining high-performing teams, to practical strategies to harness tech in the age of AI. It will also preview the latest Xero product updates, and provide an opportunity to connect with Xero’s thriving ecosystem of third-party apps under the one roof.

Attendees will hear from a stellar lineup, including the much-cherished Queensland icon Joe Brumm, the creator of Bluey – the most watched television series in the US in 2024. Joe will share his incredible leadership journey and principles of collaboration, innovation and inclusivity that fueled the creation of a global phenomenon. Social researcher and TEDx speaker Ashley Fell, and resilience researcher and best-selling author Dr Lucy Hone will also feature alongside some of Xero’s leaders including CEO Sukhinder Singh Cassidy.

For the first time, Xerocon will also feature two dedicated ‘partner stages’, giving accountants and bookkeepers a platform to share their expertise and insights with their peers. Xero partners can pitch to become part of the Xerocon program by submitting their proposal online.

Also new, delegates will have the opportunity to shape the most valuable Xerocon yet by sharing the topics, challenges, innovations, or trends they want to learn more about, and suggest speakers they want to hear from.

“Xerocon Brisbane is all about bringing our incredible accounting and bookkeeping community together – not just to celebrate, but to empower them with valuable knowledge and tools to better run their practice, help their small business clients thrive, and move the industry forward together,” said Angad Soin, Managing Director of Australia and New Zealand and Global Chief Strategy Officer, Xero.

“This year, we’re making Xerocon bigger than ever, with more inspiring speakers, sessions for the community led by the community, and more chances to connect with each other. We’re designing the program in a way that attendees can tailor the experience for them. But some things will always stay the same – Xerocon wouldn’t be complete without our famous wrap party!”

The two-day event will be held at Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre. Delegates will connect with thousands of accountants and bookkeepers from across Australia, New Zealand, Asia and the world, and discover the latest and greatest in cloud accounting to help supercharge their businesses.

Early bird tickets are on sale now for 40% off the standard price until 11:59 pm tonight, Tuesday, 4 March, and will be 30% off until 30 April. Tickets can be purchased on Xero’s website.

The toughest hurdles for sole traders

Running a solo business is full of challenges, and though sole traders and freelancers are uniquely adaptable and resilient, they frequently encounter the same common gripes and bugbears that come with sole trader life. According to recent data from platform Sole, cash flow, taxes, and admin caused the biggest headache for Australia’s 800,000+ sole traders in 2025.

Sole founder and CEO Johann Oberholzer says, “With more Aussies becoming their own boss in 2025, we are seeing an increase in people encountering the same problems time and time again. Some of these are easily solvable, but some require further training and support to make life easier for this significant portion of the small business sector.”

Data shows that income varies by industry but can range from an average of $25-48 per hour. According to Sole’s own figures, the average total of invoices sent per business is $14,845.82

Johann says, “Sole traders work incredibly hard, yet many struggle to find the right balance between competitive pricing and sustainable earnings. While the hourly rate and invoice values depend on industry, not understanding industry benchmarks and optimising pricing strategies can leave sole traders with an income that falls short of expectations.”

Sole traders are quoting an average of $4,396.50 per quote but may forget to include their business details, an itemised breakdown, and the customer’s details, and so on. This could lead to them not being paid in a timely manner or cause confusion for customers if they don’t differentiate a quote from an estimate, which could be subject to change. 

Handling too many clients can be another hidden trap for sole traders who find that they receive diminishing returns for the time spent servicing a larger number of customers. The secret to sole trader peace of mind it seems is retaining a core group of clients that make up the majority of the business’ income. Sole data indicates the average client count per business is 3.5.

Managing expenses is unsurprisingly another headache for solo traders. While the average expense total per business is $1926.70, sole traders are struggling to keep expenses down while retaining money in the business. 

On this front, tax is a huge issue for freelancers and sole traders particularly in the face of increased scrutiny from the ATO. Common tax pitfalls for sole traders include not managing their BAS correctly and forgetting to hold onto a portion of income for tax. The average tax per business in the first year may only be $1,547.70, but fines for non compliance and unpaid debts can go into the thousands.

Finally, as much as 64% of sole traders were found to be using excel spreadsheets before switching to the Sole app. Johann says, “Many sole traders are wasting hours of their limited time on outdated tools to manage their businesses. Come tax time, this can blow out to another huge time trap as sole traders attempt to disentangle expenses and income that they haphazardly recorded in a spreadsheet. Making the switch to a streamlined platform will save them the headache of working out their financials and there’s the added benefit of being able to view their business performance at any given moment, which is essential for sole traders who need to keep an eye on cash flow.”

He concludes, “With a 205% increase in Sole app sign ups between 2023/24, more people are choosing to take control of their careers and enjoy the flexibility and freedom of self-employment. The surge in the number of Aussies choosing to try their hand at sole trading in 2025 is exciting, but it also comes with challenges as sole traders quickly realise that managing finances, pricing their services correctly, and handling their tax obligations can be overwhelming. This is why we are seeing more sole traders turn to platforms like Sole for the support they need to navigate these common issues and build a business that is sustainable and satisfying.”

Popup Forms, Smarter Lead Generation

Intuit Inc. , the global financial technology platform that makes Intuit TurboTax, Credit Karma, QuickBooks, and Mailchimp, has announced a host of product enhancements and a completely revamped popup forms experience in beta to help marketers target and engage site visitors with branded, interactive popup forms to grow their audience. With popup forms, marketers can grow their customers using customisable, mobile-first designs for deeper audience targeting and seamless zero-party data collection. Popup forms empower marketers to collect data directly from customers and prospects, which enables AI-powered, truly personalised marketing.

While e-commerce businesses will see significant value from popup forms, the solution is designed to support a wide range of industries. With eight different and new offer types, businesses can use popups to drive conversions with opt-ins customers are already looking for, like discount promotions, free shipping, free content, consultations, contests and giveaways, event signups, newsletter subscriptions, and more. The variety of popup offer types ensure marketers can collect richer audience insights than they were able to do before. 

“Marketers are increasingly prioritising ownership of their customer relationships and data, with lead generation as a crucial step toward long-term success,” says Fay Kallel, VP of Product and Design at Intuit Mailchimp. “Popup forms solve a top pain point for marketers and SMBs, allowing them to collect data directly from customers, creating a frictionless way to capture leads, grow their customers, and build deeper, more meaningful relationships. Compelling data capture provides the foundation for how marketers can leverage AI for more effective personalisation, and we’re making it easier than ever for them to integrate this effective tool into their strategies.” 

Popup Forms Addresses Key Marketing Pain Points 

Before marketers can effectively connect with customers through email and SMS campaigns, they first need a seamless way to capture opt-ins. Popup forms simplify this process by making it more intuitive for marketers and more personalised for customers, helping ensure higher engagement and conversion rates from the start with benefits like: 

  • Unlimited design customisation to create beautiful, mobile-first popups..
  • Access to 80+ fully-designed templates to streamline setup and maximise results.
  • Full customisation of templates— including fonts, buttons, colors, imagery, logos, and layout— for a design that matches brand identity.
  • Dynamic visitor targeting with custom filters and triggers that can help convert traffic into subscribers.
  • Seamless zero-party data capture to build richer customer profiles for targeted email and SMS campaigns.
  • Opt-in lead generation that can help reduce acquisition costs and accelerate list growth.

Since integrating popup forms into his marketing strategy last month, Joe Gray, Senior Manager of Digital Marketing at Avenova, has seen a significant boost in customer opt-ins, growing his organisation’s SMS list by 27% in just one month. “We were thrilled to gain deeper insights into our customers’ behavior and journey—understanding how they discovered our brand and what drives their purchasing decisions,” says Gray.

Integrating Amped Into Mailchimp’s Core Product

Mailchimp’s new popup forms offering is built on technology Intuit acquired from Amped in 2024. The technology allows brands to have full control of the form’s design to connect with their audiences, drive growth, and stay competitive in today’s market.  

“We’re excited to bring Amped’s powerful functionality into Mailchimp’s core product,” says Matt Cimino, Product Lead and Founder of Amped. “As consumer behavior evolves, marketing tools must evolve with it to create authentic connections with their customers and prospects. Today, roughly 75% of website visitors browse on mobile, yet most popup forms are still built for desktop experiences. This next generation of popup forms changes that with fully responsive, mobile-first designs that eliminate friction, making it easier than ever for marketers to connect with and convert new customers by meeting them where they are.”

Customers across all Mailchimp plans can soon access, create, and publish popup forms—enabling seamless customer engagement from day one. The refreshed popup forms feature is rolling out in English to Mailchimp customers in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States, with full global availability coming soon.

Dropping the Beat on popup forms

To celebrate the refresh of popup forms, Mailchimp’s in-house creative agency, Wink Creative, is turning up the volume with their latest brand campaign, “Popup Like It’s Hot.” The team remixed an iconic hip-hop track to create a high-energy marketing anthem that highlights how marketers can seamlessly grow their audience with popup forms. With catchy, campaign-driven lyrics, the track lays down the beat for marketers looking to strengthen their customer base and drive revenue growth. The ad will be featured across various channels including podcasts, social media, and more.

“Bringing this campaign to life over the iconic early 2000s hip-hop beat was an exciting challenge that pushed our creative boundaries,” says Jeremy Jones, Executive Creative, Wink Creative at Mailchimp. “Our team, in collaboration with Breakfast for Dinner, leveraged a blend of still imagery and emerging AI technologies to produce something truly unique. This approach not only increased flexibility and efficiency in our creative process but also reimagined how we bring Mailchimp’s popup forms to market—delivering an innovative campaign that excites marketers about this powerful reinvention.”

Additional Features Launching Soon

Soon, there will be more ways for Mailchimp customers to organise their customer data, enhance lead generation, and drive real ROI for customers with an improved integration with thelead ads portfolio from Meta. This updated experience automatically syncs new leads from Meta Business Suite (including Facebook, Messenger, and Instagram) directly into Mailchimp, streamlining the process of capturing and organising contacts. Customers can effortlessly nurture leads by automating personalised email campaigns, turning new prospects into loyal customers with ease.

In addition to the launch of popup forms and an upcoming improvement to the integration with the lead ads portfolio from Meta, Mailchimp customers can enjoy new ways to interact with a simplified Customer Journey Builder, easier audience management with new .xlsx Microsoft Excel file imports, and new access to promo codes in the SMS editor for customers with SMS marketing plans. For more information, visit Mailchimp’s What’s New page. 

Australians use social media platforms for brand discovery and research

Report finds Australians use an average of 6.5 social media platforms per month, spending nearly two hours daily on social.

Social media continues to shape the way Australians connect, discover brands, and make purchasing decisions, according to Digital 2025 Australia, the latest report from global media intelligence leader Meltwater and socially-led creative agency We Are Social.

With 20.9 million social media user identities, representing almost 78% of the population, social platforms are an essential part of Australians’ everyday lives, from staying in touch with friends to filling spare time and seeking inspiration for purchases.

Social media’s dominance in daily life

Australians are more engaged on social than ever, using 6.5 different social media platforms each month and spending an average of 1 hour and 51 minutes per day on social media.

TikTok leads in time spent, with Australian Android users logging an average of 38 hours and 51 minutes per month, surpassing the global average of 34 hours and 56 minutes. Australians also top the global charts for time spent on Snapchat’s Android app, averaging 16 hours and 26 minutes per month across 490 sessions.

Facebook remains the most widely used platform (78% of users), while Instagram (65%) and TikTok (48%) continue to gain influence*. Instagram takes the crown as Australia’s preferred social app (22%), followed by Facebook (20%) and TikTok (14%).

LinkedIn’s rapid growth in Australia

LinkedIn is seeing significant traction, with its advertising audience reach increasing 13% year-on-year to 17 million users, representing over 80% of Australians aged 18+.

Australia now ranks among the top five countries globally for time spent on LinkedIn’s Android app, with 1 hour and 6 minutes per month across 42 sessions. The shift reflects how Australians are using the platform in a more personal way, blurring the lines between professional networking and social interaction, making it a key channel for marketers looking to engage professionals.

Social media’s role in brand discovery and research 

Social media is now a key touchpoint in the path to purchase. More than 58% of Australians now turn to social media for brand and product research to inform their purchase decisions. This underscores the platform’s growing impact on consumer decision-making, rivalling traditional search engines (62%) and far surpassing brand websites (37%).

Digital and social ad spend continues to grow

Social media advertising in Australia continues its double-digit growth, with annual spend increasing 12% year-on-year to US$4.26 billion, now accounting for 29% of total digital ad spend. Influencer marketing also keeps growing rapidly, with brands investing US$520 million in influencer-led campaigns, a 13% increase from last year.

Rising concerns around misinformation and data privacy

As digital engagement grows, so do concerns around online trust and safety. Three in four Australians (75%) worry about distinguishing real or fake information online, while 43% are concerned about how companies handle their data. Australia now ranks among the top five countries globally for concerns over misinformation and data privacy.

Ross Candido, VP ANZ at Meltwater said: “As Australian consumers turn to social media as a key brand research tool, brands must strategically align their media mix and tailor content to engage diverse audience groups across platforms. By harnessing real-time insights into consumer behaviour and engagement preferences, brands can optimise their marketing campaigns by delivering  authentic, relevant content where it matters most.”

“In Australia, social media is where culture is shaped, opinions are formed, and brands are built,” said Suzie Shaw, CEO of We Are Social Australia. “The challenge for marketers today isn’t just being seen, but being relevant. With more Australians using social media to discover, research, and engage with brands, success comes down to understanding culture and tapping into it in meaningful ways.”Read the full report now: https://www.meltwater.com/en/global-digital-trends