By: Zethu Gweva
In an effort to inform entrepreneurs about the significance of online presence, American Corner hosted a workshop in the East London Library preaching businesses should utilise social media in order for their businesses to be recognised.
According American Corner Coordinator Yoliswa Ndhlovu this is after they hosted the creative entrepreneur workshop in 2018 and realised that local businesses don’t have an online presence.
“We discovered that a lot of businesses we are working with don’t use social media. We want to bridge the gap by empowering business owners to have an online presence so that they can have access to the market, because currently they have a limited market as they are only serving people in East London,” said Ndhlovu.
East London is a tourist destination of choice as it is frequently visited by people from all over the world. Ndhlovu explained that since these small businesses don’t have an online presence tourist shop at local retailers instead supporting small businesses such as crafters.
One of the attendees who is a fashion designer Buyelwa Ngcadana said the idea of having your business online is pivotal, especially when it comes to marketing the business. The fashion designer added that nowadays people shop online because it is cost effective.
“Young entrepreneurs need to practice the idea of having their businesses online as it is the best way of making money and you even get reviews if your business provides the best services or products,” said Ngcadana.