My social media journey

Back in November last year I was given an amazing opportunity by Bournemouth University  to be part of their DDBU digital marketing & social media project.  

When I applied for it, I have to admit that I didn't really know what it was I was signing up for or even if it was really something that I wanted to do, but I knew I needed to open my eyes to new ways of advertising for my small struggling to be noticed Bed &Breakfast business - Acorns of Lyndhurst. 
As I was actually only offered the last place due to someone else dropping out at the last minute I had missed out on the introductory and familiarisation session, so on the first actual meeting I felt very nervous & a little out of my depth.  I walked into the room and immediately noticed that I was going to be part of a team consisting of My New Forest, which is only part of the official New Forest Tourism Board who promotes everything & everyone in the area extremely well by using all the latest media's already!  Then as we mingled and introduced ourselves it became even clearer to me that I was the weakest link in the room, the others are: Exbury Gardens, Hotel Terravina, The Greenhouse Hotel,  Daisybank Cottage B&B , New Forest Coastal Cottages, Forest Leisure Cycling, Snowtrax  and Julia's House.  In my mind all of these business's were well established and already using social media very well, and then there was me, the only thing I had any idea of was Facebook but even that was extremely limited.  I sat there and thought "what am I doing here?" 

The session was lead by Dr Philip Alford & Maureen McAllister who are extremely knowledgeable on marketing and social media but quite down to earth, normal, really nice and friendly people.  After listening to everyone else in the team I began to realise that although they were all already using social media and some SEO they still didn't really know what they were doing with it and that they were not quite so far ahead of me as I first feared and they were all so lovely. 
Our team or cluster was created - AppsFab! 

We each were assigned a final year marketing student to work with for 4 months of the project and my student was Stephen Manns, a really nice young man who clearly had his work cut out being stuck with me.  Philip & Maureen each gave a presentation and by the time they had finished I was so excited & fired up about the prospects of this new opportunity that I could hardly wait to get going -  the transformation was amazing!
The only problem though, was that once I got back home and was all alone, the task actually seemed overwhelming and because of my lack of understanding I felt like I was banging my head against a brick wall and I went back to being very  frustrated about the whole thing.  I had been shown the possibilities but I didn't know how or what to do with it. 
I did however have the support of Stephen at the end of an e-mail and between us we managed to get the ball rolling.  We changed my Facebook account www.facebook.com/Acornsoflyndhurst, to be a business page rather a person, created a Twitter account @acorns_bandb - which at the time I absolutely hated with a passion.  I just could not get to grips with the lack of visibility and the coded messaging thing.  A blog was created Mel's blog - which I love doing.  My website underwent a make over and I learnt a lot about SEO which is quite empowering actually.  I started to feel like I had taken control of my destiny now rather than sitting around waiting for something to happen. 

In between our official sessions we organised cluster meetings which I have to say were invaluable to me.  I learnt more from just talking with my team mates about what they were already doing, what they did and didn't like and what they thought was a good idea, than I did from anyone else really.  Don't get me wrong though Steve, Philip & Maureen were great and helped me a lot, but my team mates had experienced and were still experiencing the exact same things that I was experiencing and sharing that knowledge is what kept me going.  I knew I could ask these people anything and someone would be able to help.

The main role of the student in my opinion was to focus me and my business on a couple of specific goals so that a strategy could be put in place.  The goals we decided up on were: to integrate Twitter, Facebook & Blogging into the business, target specific audiences via the website makeover and a quarterly e-newsletter campaign and to address the SEO of the website.  At the end of the students time with us they had to submit a report as part of their final year assignments therefore making the collaboration beneficial to both us.  By the time Steve left me we had made some significant improvements but his report did highlight that I still have a way to go, this was never really a quick fix, but a long term strategy.

The final session with Philip & Maureen was yesterday - June 5th and this was all about us giving a short presentation to them showing our journey so far and looking on to where we want to be in 1 years time.  This date had been torturing me ever since it was mentioned because I wanted to do something different, exciting and challenging.  I wanted to create something that I could proudly put my name to and use it as an advertising tool as well as my homework.  After a lot of beating myself up about the lack of ideas Fred & I came up with the idea of an acorn growing and being symbolic of my growing on the project.  He showed me the tool to make a film and after many hours of taking pictures in the New Forest, carefully choosing the right ones, editing, choosing the right soundtrack etc, the rest is history ........check it out 
 Acorns of Lyndhurst digital marketing & social media case study
On the day there was only 5 of us presenting as sadly along the way we lost a few members, but the standard of all of the presentations was amazing, I am proud of all my team mates but especially David, Nina, Cheryl & Nigel you were AppsFab! 

I have to just mention though that I did blow them all away with my film and even reduced Maureen to tears. I am not very good at speaking in front of a crowd so the whole idea was freaking me out a bit. David went first and did a launch of his new website, Nina was next and amazed us with her statistics and her amazing blogging achievements, then it was me. 
I was really worried at this point because my piece was so far, nothing like anyone else's, and certainly not as factual or statistical and I thought I'd got it all wrong.  Anyway I stood at the front my heart in my mouth and said a few words to introduce myself and where I was at before I started this journey, then Maureen loaded my film.  My heart was pounding, I could hardly stand up and I was too afraid to look round but I could tell that everyone was stunned.  I had a very quick glance round to Philip who was jigging to the music so I took that as a good sign.  As it came to end I felt myself getting all emotional and everyone was cheering and clapping, Maureen came straight over and hugged me with tears in her eyes and I knew I'd done ok :)

Cheryl did a really nice visual presentation using her logo - the daisy & daisy chain, it was a really good way of using what she already has and building on it, then for the finale was Nigel.  Appsolutely fabulous, normally Nigel is quiet and unassuming just taking it all in, but he found his voice here - he broke out into a rap!  The footage will be released soon as it is a must see, but it was great.  He had crowd (us) participation, humour and individuality, he just completely took us all by surprise and what a way to end a fantastic day.

I think that doing this presentation is one of the most emotional and proudest things I've ever done and although I keep saying it, I really do mean it, without the team including Steve, Philip & Maureen, I never would have done any of it and I genuinely thank you all so much.

If you would love to read your comments about any of my blogs, or if you have any similar experiences why not share them too?
Mel

Caribbean Princess

I have a niece, Jo, that has been working on cruise ships for the last 8 years and yesterday was the first time in all that time that she has docked in Southampton.  She has wanted to show us her boats ever since she started, so yesterday, she arranged a family day on board the Caribbean Princess for us. 

Wow, as we pulled up at dock gate 4 the sheer scale of this ship was amazing.  This was the first time I had actually been up this close to one and they are awesome things.  At 19 decks high it is like a skyscraper on water.  Jo & Matt came down to meet us, there were 7 of us invited on board -  Rachel and her fiancee Anthony, my Mum, Fred, Izzy, Sophie & myself.  


After clearing security with these dodgy people we embarked via a mountain climb up the gangway which was very steep due to height of the tide.  The main arrival area and central promenade was very impressive and everybody greets you as you walk through, Rach even managed to have a chat with the Captain to make sure he knew what he was doing.  

Our first stop was the crews quarters where Jo & Matt's cabin is.  It's quite interesting to see both sides of the operation and how different they are.  As soon as you go through the door that separates them there is instantly no carpet, just grey painted metal walls and doors and everything is very industrial.  You have to negotiate the M1, the main route straight though the middle of the ship where there's trolley's rushing everywhere carrying luggage and food supplies etc.  The cabins obviously are tiny, usually without a window and where 2 people share the tiny space, but Matt has been upgraded to a rather nice double cabin with sea view for him & Jo, as he was recently promoted which came with a few nice perks.  
Next on the whistle stop tour was weaving our way through the ship up to the sun decks and pools - the pools unfortunately had all been emptied as the day before they had encountered a storm and the water had been sloshing about the ship, then right up the top to deck 19 where the basketball court is located - it was very windy up there,  through to the nightclub which is right at the back of the ship in the odd looking spoiler type thing and then back down to the salon, where Jo works doing her teeth whitening and then round the spa & gym. 

Rach obviously hasn't got the hang of the machines in the gym, a bit like the cooker!  The view from here though is amazing and I think it would inspire anyone to do a bit of a work-out.


We were then treated to a fantastic buffet style lunch with so much food to choose from that you just didn't know what to have.  You could have as much as you like and you could just keep going back for more.  Unfortunately after lunch Jo had to go back to work, but as arrival day for her is just being in the salon for advertising and demonstration purposes we were able to go up with her.  She even talked Rach and myself into being the clients for the teeth whitening demonstration.  Before we took part though Matt took us on the final leg of our tour, the shopping arcade, the central promenade where the daytime entertainment takes place, the casino, theatre and his office.

 It seems that there is always something going on all the time in the central promenade area and it's just a lovely place to sit and have a drink watch everyone go by and just take it all in.  There is a lovely relaxed & comfortable atmosphere on board, it's not all formal and posh like I had imagined, although it is all very beautiful and quite luxurious.

After going up & down stairs, in and out of lifts and getting slightly dis-orientated we ended up back at Jo's salon for the finale.  At this point Rach was starting to back out of teeth whitening due to a fear she has of dentists and was trying to get everyone else in there instead of her, but Jo persuaded her and in the chairs we were.  I have to just mention at this point that Jo hadn't really explained the procedure other than I just paint this stuff on your teeth and you sit under a lamp for a few mins.  So as soon as we laid in the chairs, side by side, we started giggling about the white coat Jo was wearing making her look like a dentist & that Rach didn't really like that look, Jo was trying to be professional like she would with normal clients but normal we are not!! Jo then pulls out this scabby looking ripped towel to put over me and of course that started the banter about the six star salon and from there it just went down hill rapidly.  
Jo then proceeded to start with me as Rach was giving her grief, this therefore made me the guinea pig with an unfair disadvantage, then she produces this plastic, springy mouth guard thing and tells me to put it in my mouth just inside the lips to hold them out the way.  Well, I was already laughing so much that I couldn't get anything inside my lips, let alone this springy plastic thing.  After a few failed attempts and hysterics, and Rach nearly wetting herself watching me,  I managed, but that wasn't all - I also had to wear some silly orange glasses too.  This wasn't quite the look or the experience I had signed up for and I think at this point Jo was getting fearful for her job and wishing she had chosen someone else as we were being too raucous! 

After laughing so much that I was actually crying with tears streaming down my face it was my turn to laugh at Rach, but as I say she had the benefit of being second and managed with hardly any trouble.  She still looked ridiculous though, we both looked like Wallace from Wallace & Gromit!!!!  

As I was first I was able to wind Rach up a bit as she has a fear of anything dental and I found it hilarious to pretend that it was painful.  It was almost impossible to talk with this thing pinning your lips back so everything sounded silly even if it wasn't and the "more cheese Gromit" was hilarious, 
between us we didn't stop laughing through the entire treatment which incidentally takes about 40 mins and would cost around £90.00 on the ship or on land £250.00.  Afterwards you have to obviously rinse your mouth out and again I just had to wind Rach up one last time and as I spat out into the basin I shouted out "oh no my teeth have fell out!"  Rach's face for a second was a picture along with a few mumbled swear words. 

After all the mickey taking and messing around I have to say I was really impressed with the results, it definitely works, my teeth are very noticeably whiter and it was great fun, Thanks Jo.


If you want to have a giggle at us check out the video clip on my Facebook page, it is funny.  
 https://www.facebook.com/Acornsoflyndhurst

The time on board really did just fly by and as it got close to the time when we had to go it was quite sad, I would have liked to have been staying on board a little bit longer but I still don't think I could cruise.  I enjoyed this day as the ship was virtually empty and we had plenty of space to wonder around in, but I'm sure that when there is the 5,000 people (guests&crew) on board that it carries, it's not quite the same and for me that is the reason why I won't be booking up - Sorry Matt.
A massive thank you to both Jo & Matt though for getting us on board and showing us how lovely it is and we look forward to seeing them both when they dock again in a few weeks time.

Mel 

School hols fun part 2

It's took a while to finally get round to writing this one!

Whilst the kids were still on Easter hols we took them to see something new and something that we use quite a lot when the weather's reasonable.  Hopefully my insight into some of the attractions here in the New Forest will encourage and assist you in making a visit here for yourself.

Liberty's Owl, Raptor & Reptile Centre nr Ringwood                             

We had never been here before so it was nice to see something new and be able to tick another attraction off the list.  It was really easy to find as it's clearly sign posted from the A31 as soon as you approach Ringwood.  When we arrived it was almost time for the Owl display in the main barn but we had a quick walk round the first few enclosures which house quite a few different types of owls but also Kites and other birds of prey that I believe are all rescued birds.






The Owl display was about 30 mins and it was great to see these birds up close.  They were trained to fly to the handler who was constantly moving around the barn by using food as a reward.  They flew so low that they feel like they brush the top of your head and you feel the wind as they silently go past.  They really are amazing birds!  At the end we got see a baby Owl and I have to say it was ugly, poor little thing.  The kids were allowed to touch it and it's fluffy feathers were so soft, they just really are ugly.  
 After that it was back outside and we continued around the enclosures of rescue birds.  We got to see Liberty herself up close, the centre is named after an American Bald Eagle called Liberty, and she is very impressive.  
Time for a quick cuppa in the cafe and then next on the agenda was the reptile display.  A very well presented talk about the snakes, tarantulas & lizards.  
Each time she spoke about a different reptile/spider she walked around the crowd showing everyone up close what she was talking about.  They insist that you don't touch though, just look! The python at the end was laid out on the floor at the front and everyone was asked to come close to see her, i'm not sure what her length was but she almost stretched from one side to the other - massive!  Although these are not my most favourite things it really was interesting and great for the kids to experience these animals in a controlled environment where it was not frightening for them.  

Another wander around outside and then it was time for the outside flight display in the arena.  It was a little bit windy out there but the birds still did very well.  Again we saw some Owls, a Caracara - a very intellegent and funny bird from the Falkland Island that just runs around on the floor & virtually tripping the handler up to get his food. 

The main event though was Liberty flying and very impressive it was.   

After this we decided to come home as it was a bit chilly but you could easily stay longer - a full day out and great for kids and adults alike, well worth a visit.

Moors Valley Country Park

This is one of our regular haunts as again it's enjoyable for both kids and adults.  You can just walk, cycle, play golf at the 18 hole course, ride the narrow gauge railway, play in the tree tops with Go-Ape, do the play trail in the forest, play in the massive sand pit play area or the older timber play area or just sit and have a picnic.  This place does cater for everything but in a lovely simplistic kind of way.  You only have to pay for parking which does vary depending on the time of year but it still isn't expensive for a family day out, I believe the max charge is about £8-£9 for the day.  It's easily found as again it's clearly sign posted from the A31 just after Ringwood.  
One thing you need to know is that there are no bins in the park as they just encourage mess and wasps, so you do need to take all your rubbish home with you.

We always take a little picnic with us aswell as our own bikes, but if you can't there is bike hire there and also a very nice cafe.  If you are interested in doing the tree top adventure with Go-Ape it is strongly recommended that you book this in advance as it is always very popular.  You can watch most of the circuit from the ground below and it is fun to watch.  There are usually lots of screams and giggles going on up there!  It's great fun if you don't mind heights, we did it a couple of years ago.

It's always a good idea to take some old bread with you aswell as there is a large lake with ducks and swans that always enjoy a feed.  You can walk or cycle for a several miles around the edge of the park and lake and it's more peaceful out there if you want to get away from the crowd.  

The main play areas can get busy but on the play trail you can at least keep moving.  All the play structures on the trail are made from logs and ropes and they look great.  It's been very well designed and laid out and even big enough & sturdy enough for adults to have a go aswell. They are always updating and modifying the trail so quite often you come across a new structure, this year there are quite a few, some are still under construction so we are eagerly waiting to see what they will be.  


On the other side where the lake and playgrounds are, there's also a lovely big grass field which has picnic benches and plenty of space to play football, rounders, cricket etc if you are organised enough to take all that stuff and you can even bbq on there too.  It's all very relaxed and friendly.  The 2 main playgrounds are fantastic - the sand pit area is great for the younger children in particular but the big ones still enjoy it too.  Then there is the older side which has more climbing structures and a zip wire which is great fun.  Also on this side there is the narrow gauge railway which runs around the playgrounds and lake.  It's a great minature train ride which the kids love but there is an additional fee for this.  

I really, really like it here and on a warm summers day in particular you can stay until sunset, if you can last that long!! It's a fantastic fun filled, full day out just enjoying the great outdoors and for not that much money.  Kids don't need electronic games, just give them some logs to climb on and some trees to hide in and they love it!!! 

Mel

School holiday fun

When the kids are off school I always feel like I should take them out somewhere and entertain them for at least a few of the days, so I thought I'd tell you about where we have been.

Paultons Park inc Peppa Pig World
For the last 9 months this has been a favourite of ours as we became season ticket holders last summer and have tried to make sure that we use it. Our Children are 8 and 3 and this family theme park definitely caters for both of them.  The weather was a bit cold so we only stayed for 3 hours but we still had a lot of fun.  We even got to try the new 4D cinema.  We had already experienced 4D at Legoland so knew what to expect, but to be honest I came out of it with mixed feelings really.  The amount of waiting time seemed excessive especially after being told by the attendant that it was only 5 mins until the next showing, there was hardly any people queueing, and then when we finally did get inside nearly 30 mins later, they were only half filling the auditorium - so we probably could have got in to the show before as it's only a 15 mins movie! Anyway the only movie was in my opinion a bit too scary for the kids as several had to be taken out crying half way through, including Sophie and the clarity/focus of the film was not very good either.  
The one really good thing about it was the effects, the chairs move and vibrate, the water & wind spurts out from the back of every chair and bubbles float out of the ceiling.  This was a definite improvement from the Legoland one as their effects all only came out from the front stage or above in the middle of the ceiling, so not everyone got the full experience.  I am glad we tried it but I certainly won't be queueing for it again.  
The rest of the afternoon was very good, the children love the indoor soft play area of Peppa Pig World and we also managed to fit in some of the rides too.  All in all I do recommend this as a great day out but if you are paying the day ticket price make sure you stay all day and get the most for your money.

Longdown Activity Farm
We had'nt been here for quite a while so it has changed a little.  As soon as we arrived it was time for the baby goat feeding, which the children love.  You feed them with bottled milk and the goats are so funny, they climb on top of each other to try to get a bottle and then gulp it so quickly they nearly pull it out of your hand.  

Next door is the trampolines which are always a favourite and always very busy, so while the kids got the chance they had a play in there. After this we walked around the chick shed and guinea pig shed where some had just had babies & they were so cute.  Next was the petting corner, for this we had to queue for a while but the children were kept busy looking for eggs in the hens nesting boxes.  

The kids got to hold tiny little chicks, stroke the baby bunnies which were so, so soft and adorable and then brush the baby goats which I have to say were so placid and well behaved - nothing like the ones we fed! 
Another play - this time in the soft play area and then outside on the pedal tractors & go-carts.  
A new addition this time was pony rides, you do have to pay an extra fee for this but it was very popular.  Sadly the big tractor ride was cancelled due to the soggy field, but normally we do really enjoy this bumpy ride.  
The kids however were quite happy playing at the outside play ground and picnic area which then leads quite nicely to the pig feeding.  The pigs pen has lots of plastic tubes which you pour feed pellets down for the pigs and the kids just seem fascinated by.  They kept on going back round in the queue for more.  The straw play barn is another great play area with a couple of slides and masses of straw bales and the kids had loads of fun running around in a very safe environment.  Finally on our way out we had a look round the very lovely farm shop and bought some yummy strawberries to eat in the car on our way home.

New Forest Reptile Centre's Wild Wednesday

We have been to the Reptile Centre before, but not for "Wild Wednesday".  Last year we had one of the RSPB volunteers that was working at the centre stay with us, and she had recommended it back then, so I thought we should take her advice and check it out.  Admission is free but you pay a small fee for parking.
There are about 6 pods which house the reptiles that are native to the New Forest, but obviously they only become active when the weather is warm.  We did manage to see a couple of common lizards and a toad, but sadly no snakes - although we have been lucky enough to come across Adders & Sloworms out in the Forest.  

There were a few stalls set up with activities for the kids like colouring in & making things and although we didn't do it, I believe there was a nature trail too. 
There was a lovely gentleman there with two telescopic bird viewers set up watching a nut feeder, allowing everyone to see the birds feeding right up close, it was great.  There had been a Woodpecker and lots of Siskins and Tits and apparently he had seen a Nuthatch but it was in hiding.  He was really helpful and very interesting to chat too.  

In the main hut they have some TV screens that are linked up to live webcams that are watching the birds close by and one in particular is the live feed from a secret but local Goshawk nest. 

If it is a nice warm day there are picnic benches around and also some walking trails, so you could make a day of it and it's just a really nice, peaceful place which is fun & educational without the kids realising. 
Mel 

Something completely different

My neice is currently in New York and somehow inspired me to come up with these fun versions of 2 famous New York songs, changing them to be relevant to the New Forest.  I enjoyed myself and just wanted to share them:

New York New York by Frank Sinatra

Start booking a room 
I'm on my way 
I'm going to stay 
New Forest, New Forest

These walking shoes
Are leading the way 
Right through the heart of the 
New Forest, New Forest

I woke up in the country
Had an amazing sleep
Now I've climbed that hill 
To the top of the ridge 


My stressfull town blues 
Have been blown away 
I'm loving the R&R you get
In the New Forest 

Now I found my way here 
I needn't go anywhere else
Can't wait to be back 
New Forest, New Forest 
New Forest, New Forest 

I woke up in the country
I had an amazing sleep
And I've climbed that hill 
To the top of the ridge 
Looking down at the view
Oh what a sight!


My stressfull town blues 
Definitely blown away 
The R&R is really great 
Right here In the New Forest And don't forget
Now I found my way here 
There's nowhere better than here
Why don't you come along 
New Forest, New Forest

Empire State of Mind by Alicia Keys 

As this one is possibly a little harder to remember the real lyrics I have left Alicia's in black & my version is in blue. 

Grew up in a town that is famous as the place of movie scenes 
Visiting a town that is famous as a tourist scene
Noise was always loud, there are sirens all around and the streets are mean 
There is no noise and the streets are kept really clean
If I can make it here, I can make it anywhere, that's what they say 
I have found my way here, I needn't go anywhere else that's what I say 
Seeing my face in lights or my name on marquees found down on Broadway 
People are so nice, they will help you and even go out of their way 
Even if it ain’t all it seems, I got a pocketful of dreams 
Even if it rains, I've got my waterproof's 
Baby, I'm from New York 
Baby I'm in the New Forest
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of 
Woodland jungle where adventures are made of 
There's nothing you can't do 
There's lots here you can do
Now you're in New York 
Now you're in the New Forest!
These streets will make you feel brand new 
These open spaces will make you feel recharged 
Big lights will inspire you 
Great sights will impress you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York! 
Let's hear it for New Forest, New Forest, New Forest!

On the avenue, there ain't never a curfew, ladies work so hard 
On the cycle trail, you can walk aswell and it's not that hard
Such a melting pot, on the corner selling rock, preachers pray to God 
Such diversity, plants & animals for all to see 
Hail a gypsy-cab, takes me down from Harlem to the Brooklyn Bridge 
Hail a Twizzy car, takes you on an eco trip from Brockenhurst all around the Park
Some will sleep tonight with a hunger far more than an empty fridge 
You can stay the night then have a breakfast that's got the NF markI'm gonna make it by any means, I got a pocketful of dreams 
You will have a great time, maybe pack your waterproof's
Baby, I'm from New York 
Baby I'm in the New Forest
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of 
Woodland jungle where adventures are made of 
There's nothing you can't do 
There's lots here You can do
Now you're in New York 
Now you're in the New Forest!
These street will make you feel brand new 
These open spaces will make you feel recharged 
Big lights will inspire you 
Great sights will impress you
Hear it for New York, New York, New York! 
Let's hear it for New Forest, New Forest, New Forest!

One hand in the air for the big city, 
A review on TripAdvisor for all to see
Street lights, big dreams all looking pretty 
Pretty sights, coastal, heath & lots of trees
No place in the world that can compare 
Creating memories for you to share 
Put your lighters in the air, everybody say yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah 
A place of outstanding beauty - yeah yeah, oh yeah yeah
In New York 
In the New Forest
Concrete jungle where dreams are made of 
Woodland jungle where adventures are made of
There's nothing you can't do 
There's lots here you can do
Now you're in New York  
Now you're in the New Forest!
These street will make you feel brand new 
These open spaces will make you feel recharged 
Big lights will inspire you 
Big sights will impress you
Hear it for New York! 
Let's hear it for New Forest

I have tried singing them much to Fred's annoyance, and I think they do work.
Mel  :)