Helpful tools entrepreneurs can use to level up!
The last three years have seen many businesses doing their best to stay afloat, and with turbulent times predicted for the year ahead, it’s vital that business owners take advantage of the resources at their disposal to not only survive, but thrive in the coming year and beyond.
Entrepreneur, singer and My Community Connects ambassador, Jimmy Nevis, says that while hard work and dedication are good qualities for entrepreneurs to have, making the most of learning resources and platforms are also crucial in helping them level up and stand out among their competitors.
“Social media, for example, offers a free and effective platform to promote yourself, but do you know how to make the most of TikTok and Instagram, for example, to get the word out about your offerings? Or whether these platforms are the right fit for you?” asks Nevis. “This is the upskilling you need to be focused on to weather the storm that’s coming and stay on top of your game. And there are tons of helpful resources like this online that are free.”
Nevis points to tips that include a number of links and articles that can be accessed for free by signing up as a My Community Connects entrant, as well as some other avenues he’s made use of during his career.
Set your socials up for success
No matter the nature of your business or brand, ensure your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and even Instagram and TikTok pages are professional and respectable. That means avoiding posting strong opinions that may offend, or any photos of yourself or others that are too revealing. Add your logo and business name to content, research keywords and hashtags that apply to your offerings to make you more discoverable by potential customers online.
Protect what’s yours
While this is not always the first priority on every young entrepreneur’s to-do list when starting out, protect your intellectual property by looking into trademarking your name and logo and copyright your business idea – especially if it’s something that someone else could copy and make money from.
“Copyright protects you, your business and your income, by nailing down the details that make your idea uniquely yours and ‘uncopy-able’ by others,” adds Nevis. For further information about copyright, contact the Companies & Intellectual Properties Commission (CIPC) – www.cipc.co.za.
Helpful websites and tools for mahala
While it’s often true that there are ‘no free lunches’, the world wide web is brimming with resources you can access for free to a full or limited extent, to help your business succeed. Websites like canva.com allow you to create beautiful template-based and from-scratch content (from logos and brochures to posters and invitations) quickly, easily and, best of all, for free. Mailchimp and its local lookalike, Mailblaze, are both great free resources you can use to build up a database, design and distribute email newsletters, and even manage e-commerce activities. Then there are writing tools like Grammarly, to help you with spelling, grammar and word choice, as well as Wordtune designed to help you level up your writing.
So, while every professional service has its place, self-reliant entrepreneurs in need of basic support that can’t afford to hire a professional can still get by using free tools available on the internet.
Scouting for opportunities
“Sometimes the best shot at making your mark comes in an unexpected form, which is why it’s important to keep an open mind, firstly, and secondly to grab every single opportunity that comes your way and offers you the chance to get yourself and your brand or business noticed,” says Nevis. “The My Community Connects platform driven by Vuma is an excellent example of this, allowing individuals hoping to turn their talents into flourishing futures a chance to make their dreams come true.”
“Levelling up means being open to new opportunities and ready to go after them when they do come up. Platforms like Vuma’s My Community Connects are geared toward helping entrepreneurs across the spectrum to get a foot in the door, network and be discovered within their respective industries” adds Mathilda Robertson of Vuma. “Lastly, it’s also about making sure you’re ready with the right set of skills when the right opportunities come your way, so working on yourself and educating yourself is important,” concludes Robertson.
While businesses have faced a tumultuous few years resulting from the pandemic, by putting in the work and focus, as well as making use of available resources, entrepreneurs can achieve success in the coming year and beyond.
To sign up for My Community Connects, please visit: https://www.mycommunityconnects.co.za/