Tips from young South African entrepreneurs on how to use digital platforms to grow a business

Facebook Blueprint, for instance, has courses for people with beginner, intermediate and advanced digital skills

July 6, 2021

Samantha Traill 2 minutes read

There are many young entrepreneurs in the eMalahleni community and they just need a guideline on how to get their business started on Facebook.

Digify Africa is a group of young entrepreneurs who have got together to share ideas on how to do so and they are willing to share their knowledge with many other young entrepreneurs in South Africa.

Digify Africa and Facebook hosted the Youth Digital Skills Forum on June 11 under the theme “Youth Power; Growing South Africa Together in The Period of Covid-19.”

The Youth Digital Skills Forum is part of an effort to encourage dialogue around digital skills.

Here are some of the tips that youth panellists shared about ways young marketers and entrepreneurs can leverage digital platforms to build sustainable livelihoods or grow their businesses.

1. Be ready to pivot

Aviwe Komsana, a young digital marketer and graduate of the Digify Pro program, says that it’s important to remain open to shifting to new roles and opportunities in our fast-changing world.

As a former film student, she found new ways to use her content creation expertise by upskilling in digital marketing.

2. Be open to learning

A second tip from Aviwe is to “learn, learn, learn”.

She says that platforms such as Facebook offer a wealth of free learning content that can help anyone to build strong digital skills.

Facebook Blueprint, for instance, has courses for people with beginner, intermediate and advanced digital skills.

Those who want to become digital professionals can invest in an exam and certification as proof of their digital skills and knowledge for clients and employers.

3. Strive for consistency

Lebohang Letsapa, a personal stylist and shopper, says that one of the keys to successful digital marketing is to be consistent in creating content.

She advises entrepreneurs to make time each day to create something, even if they don’t post it every day.

This is a good way to build a stockpile of content and to get into the discipline of using your social channels every day.

4. Recognise that social channels are about community

Akhona Kom, an Instagram micro-influencer, said; “that your brand on social media is shared with your community. It’s important to engage authentically and hear the voices of the people on your channels.”

5. Find your niche

Akhona continued to say that she started her Instagram account to promote her modelling career.

But her engagement levels and following started to skyrocket once she began focusing more on showcasing her dreadlocks.

She knew then that she had found a community and viable target market that shared her passions.

Similarly, Lebohang started in clothing retail and found her niche as she started building closer customer relationships.

Her business evolved into a personal shopping and stylist service, and she adds value with her taste and touch.

And lastly boosting the digital economy

Nomonde Gongxeka-Seopa, Facebook Head of Policy, Southern Africa said; “It was heartwarming to hear the stories of some of the young entrepreneurs who have graduated from various programmes, whilst also affording them a platform to share their insights and advice with other youth. Their stories and experience showcase the importance of empowering young people and businesses to enable them to fully participate in the digital economy.”

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