Many of Australia’s small- and medium-sized business are at risk of being eclipsed by larger competitors in the exploding realm of digital marketing, says Sensis, the advertising arm of communications giant Telstra.
To help SMEs navigate the growing digital galaxy, Sensis and its Yellow Pages team of digital experts are embarking on a tour of Australia. The Driving Your Business series launches Thursday and will run over the next six weeks.
The series the team will offer free digital marketing seminars to the nation’s small businesses, providing practical tips and insights about how to use the Internet to drive a businesses’ success.
And the help is sorely needed. According to research released Thursday by Sensis, only 17 percent of Australian small businesses have a digital strategy, only 14 percent have a social media presence and a staggering 40 percent don’t have a website.
“From online shopping to consumer reviews, the digital world presents huge opportunities for businesses of all sizes, yet it is a complex landscape which presents something of a digital dilemma for many SMEs,” said Kim Van Prooyen, an “ambassador” for the Driving Your Business series. “They want to embrace this new world but understandably in many instances they just aren’t sure how to tackle it.
“Through this campaign, we want to show our support of Australia’s SMEs by helping to unlock the power of digital marketing. There is a lot that small businesses can — and should — be doing online to successfully compete in this space and drive more customers through their doors.”
The series kicks off with a free SME seminar in Brisbane on 17 May, before moving on to Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Melbourne and Sydney throughout May and June.
For more information and to register for one of the free events near you, visit yellowadvertising.com.au and follow the link to the Driving Your Business series.
