C
reating a new website
often sends one on a
whole new journey of
discovery. There are so many
options you need to consider. Also,
the mere whisper that a website is
‘under development’ can create a
tsunami of emails and phone calls
from people around the world
promising that they will make you
number one on the front page of
Google. It does take time to get
your head around it all and as a
small business owner you need to
decide whether it is worth paying
someone else to develop the
content and manage the website
or for you or learn the basic skills
to manage it yourself. Perhaps,
if you want to participate in this
new digital landscape you may
need to invest in a website that is
affordable for your budget.
digital clique
As a member of Women’s Network
Australia (WNA) you have access to
a phenomenal group of experienced
business owners, mentors and
cheer leaders who will be there
to support you to embrace the
changing digital landscape and to
explore opportunities that enable
you to participate in the growing
digital economy. successful 24/7 online businesses,
some of the old familiar ways of
networking are still the best and
can be easily implemented by using
those small key strokes on your
computer or your iPhone and make
that call that starts with saying
‘Hello, I’d love to catch up with you
for a chat to see how can I help you
to achieve your dreams?’.
There are a number of online
resources and government grants
available for Australian Business
Owners to access to improve
their digital literacy and skills.
Aligning your marketing and
sales across a number of digital
platforms including facebook,
twitter, instagram, pinterest etc
can leverage your capacity to
reach an even larger target market
more quickly. Look, listen and
learn from those
that are already
utilising these
tools. SOME POINTERS ARE:
“Content without continuity
and connection will leave you
with fewer conversions, sales,
and engagement. Stop trying
to create something to go viral.
Start building a n authentic
connection rooted in endurance
and engagement.” - Loren Weisman
How sophisticated your digital
platform becomes will depend on
the type of business, products or
services that you offer and where
they can be accessed. For many
small business owners, their
website can simply be a launching
pad to other social media platforms
that are integrated with their
website or links to where their
products can be purchased in
store or online. Promoting your
business and attracting clients
via the World Wide Web (www) is
limited only by your imagination
and potentially your budget.
Another way to
promote your
business and build
your networking
capacity is to align
your business
with others that
are working in the
social enterprise
space. You might
consider becoming
a sponsor,
donor, mentor
or contributor
to support
organisations
like Givit, Safe Haven Community,
Share the Dignity and The Big Issue.
These organisations were created
because the founders identified a
simple solution to address a specific
social need to alleviate poverty,
homelessness and domestic abuse.
By inviting others to join them to
become more conscious consumers,
they have created a tremendous
ripple effect that can be replicated
in other communities to make a
real difference. More importantly
though it is how we can maximise
the utilisation of this evolving digital
economy to build long and lasting
relationships. While these digitally
1. ind out what type of digital
F
platform you are comfortable
using and where your target or
niche market prefers to do
business, then adapt your key
message about your business
products and services.
2. se a low cost platform that
U
doesn’t take a lot of your time
or money to maintain.
3. eep your key messages
K
simple and stay connected
with your target audience
with regular updates.
4. Recommended reading:
Marketing with Social Media
– by Linda Coles.
Above all you need to keep pace
with this digitally challenging
yet exciting new work-space! IT
communication certainly is a
kaleidoscope of change that is
ever evolving
AUTHOR
CHRIS KNIGHT
Director, Inspirational Connections/Dream
Catcher & WNA National Rural and Remote
Ambassador
www.chrisknight.pro-masystems.com.au
Women’s Network Magazine
19