We're launching a new advertorial series, "Waitaki App for Business," in partnership with local marketing expert Megan Miller of Megan Miller Marketing + Media. Megan is using the features of Waitaki App to promote her business, and sharing behind-the-scenes looks at how you can do the same.

~ Advertorial ~

Waitaki App for Business: Better Marketing Tools to Reach Local Customers

Hi, I’m Megan. You might know me from my business, Megan Miller Marketing + Media, or more recently, from my marketing and sales collaboration with Waitaki App.

I’ve been helping businesses with their marketing for over 10 years. Before that, I was a journalist. My whole career has been devoted to the importance of good communication: Knowing how to get the right information to the right audience, effectively.

I’m also a US-born Kiwi who has been living and working between the two countries for 13 years. I probably don’t need to tell you - it’s wild times right now, over there in the USA.

Globally, we’re living in an era when the information landscape has never been so complex. As consumers, we are constantly bombarded with media from all sides.

Business owners have more marketing tools than ever before, but it can be hard to know where to invest your limited resources to cut through the noise and reach potential customers.

Digital platforms like Meta (Facebook and Instagram) and Google offer more measurable and targeted results than traditional advertising, but they come with added complications. For one thing, these platforms only work effectively if they are managed well.

They require expertise to set up properly and target your ads to the right audience. I’ve met many business owners who tell me, “I tried Google Ads, but I was paying hundreds of dollars a month and not getting results.” It’s easy to overspend and underperform on these platforms, without the right guidance.

Another problem: It’s become clear these giant international media corporations don’t always operate ethically, or for the betterment of people and communities.

For me, as a marketing and media professional, the state of the world has reinforced the importance of our local networks and dependable community resources.

That’s one of the reasons I love working with Waitaki App. I began working with the App team in early 2024, and I’ve been so impressed with their vision and results.

2024 was a big year for Waitaki App; although still a young platform, it got over 1 million content views. We achieved strong numbers of regular returning users, and we launched fresh, measurable forms of advertising for Waitaki businesses that are only available locally on this platform.

Here’s some other great things about Waitaki App:

1. Waitaki App is locally-owned and operated, and exists to serve Waitaki residents, visitors and businesses.

Locally-owned by the Business Hive, the original idea for the App came out of the need for a central Waitaki events calendar. Now Waitaki App features independent journalism, events, community groups and activities, and supports other local businesses.

2. Waitaki App makes it easy to find the information you want.

Tired of scrolling through all the good, bad and ugly stuff on Facebook groups, searching for one particular post? Waitaki App gives you updates on local news, events and organisations, when you what, where you want. It’s available in the same convenient way, on your phone and online, without all the rest of that mess.

3. Advertisers get the benefits of targeted digital advertising (including analytics reports for clear results) without the shortcomings of platforms like Facebook or Google ads.

That’s the genius of hyper-local platforms like Waitaki App. It’s built to serve Waitaki residents, visitors and businesses. If your customers are local, you don’t have to “find” them online - they are already on Waitaki App.

Check out my Facebook business page to see a video showcasing my Waitaki App Business Feature, one of the many ways businesses can promote themselves on the App. I’ll be popping up periodically to show you more behind-the-scenes content of how I use Waitaki App to promote my own business, and how you can do the same.

Megan Miller is an Ōamaru-based marketing professional, specialising in digital marketing. If you are looking for marketing advice and services, contact her at hello[at]meganmiller.nz or 020 455 3000.