How Click for Vic helped Ballarat business

A SELECTION of Ballarat businesses have been front and centre of a statewide online marketing campaign aimed at putting Victorian produce in the spotlight.

The Click for Vic advertising initiative involves a selection of rural and regional businesses and producers including Saltbush Kitchen, Springhill Farm, Kilderkin Distillery, Ruby Pilven Ceramics and Creswick Woollen Mills.

Since the start of the pandemic, Kilderkin Distillery owner Chris Pratt said business turnover dropped dramatically for both wholesale and retail.

“Our cellar door sales dropped off and in addition to that we had a lot of distributors on premise close, bars and restaurants,” he

said.

“On a positive note though, we had a huge push for our online store and since March, we haven’t charged any shipping at all.

“Although it hasn’t been huge, being a part of Click for Vic has added a significant number of direct online sales.”

When deciding whether to be a part of the campaign, Mr Pratt said they try to welcome any opportunity to get their name out there, particularly at a time like right now.

“There are add on benefits, people have said they have found us on the Click for Vic website and said what a good resource it is,” he said.

“If a business is not on Click for Vic because they think it would be too hard, they should get on it because even it’s a small increase, it’s worth it and they’ll get a lot of support and exposure.

“When things are tough, it’s good to know people are going out of their way to support you and doing a bit extra to keep you going.”

With COVID-19 restrictions limiting travel, the marketing campaign aims to engage by introducing people to a range of regional produce and products online.

Artisan and ceramicist Ruby Pilven said showing your support for small business online is the best way to invest in your backyard.

“More locals are being supportive which is great and helpful,” she said. “Why buy from overseas or another state when we have everything we need here in Ballarat and you could support your local community?

“It is imperative to support art and culture as some of these places, people and small businesses won’t survive this pandemic.”

Throughout both lockdowns, many regional businesses were forced to pivot and supply an increase of their offerings online rather than in the newly unoccupied stores.

Owner of Saltbush Kitchen Brigid Corcoran said that although they lost business, both lockdown and Click for Vic encouraged new and existing customers to get creative with their purchases.

“Lockdown proved to be a time where people turned to their kitchen for comfort, suddenly they had time to spend making and creating their own food,” she said.

“We have really enjoyed seeing customers indulge in our products and enjoy Australian bushfoods in their own kitchen.

“Click for Vic really has spread the word, the campaign has boosted our profile throughout Victoria and we have loved sending bushfoods across the state.”

While she prefers in person customer experiences, Ms Corcoran said the campaign was a great way to network and build opportunities that suited the safety needs within the current climate.

“Looking back over the last few months I’d say that we have been impacted, especially financially, but it also gifted us the time to make the business even better going into the future,” she said.

“There’s something really important about supporting local businesses as it feeds and grows your local community, something for everyone to be connected to and proud of.

“When lockdown hit, it presented the opportunity to live more locally, to look into our backyards and unveil the quality of produce and talent that is available right on our doorstep.”