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Let's Support Tourism SMEs - Here is How!

This September to celebrate Tourism Month we are going BIG on supporting local tourism small businesses + encouraging you to do the same with our 'Support Your Local Tourism SMEs' campaign. Did you know? The tourism sector faces a potential 75% revenue reduction in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 and the lockdown, with 438,000 jobs at risk, this is according to Minister of Tourism, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane. We want to promote your tourism business

We also want to help you Share YOUR TOURISM BUSINESS with our 80k readers & subscribers! Shoot a 30-second long video telling us about your tourism SME. You can DM the video to our Instagram page HERE.

In this week's newsletter:- We are excited to announce Serv, SME South Africa's newest product. Find out how it's going to help small businesses like yours! - 30 tourism you should know about and support. - PLUS marketing advice for tourism SMEs that all entrepreneurs can use. 

Stay safe and healthy. DID YOU KNOW we have Marketing Mondays on our SME SA Forum? It’s where you can promote what you’re doing! Sign up FOR FREE here to join our forum.

**** SME South Africa launches online B2B service marketplace for SMEs *****

Serv helps to connect small B2B service providers with businesses seeking professional services. The platform addresses some of the biggest challenges South African SMEs face, namely access to markets, marketing and sales, by helping them to expand their digital presence as well as gain qualified B2B leads. Sign up & get access to the following:

  • List your business in the business directory

  • Get access to the lead matching program

  • Add links to your websites and social media

  • Access to reviews testimonials and more

IT'S SEPTEMBER - WHICH TOURISM SMES ARE YOU PLANNING TO SUPPORT?

With Level 2 allowing for domestic travel let's get out, explore and help save our local tourism sector. According to Sisa Ntshona, South African Tourism CEO, COVID-19 may present massive opportunities for local establishments with more tourists choosing to frequent small tourism businesses. Looking for businesses to support? We've compiled a list of 30 tourism SMEs you can support. CLICK HERE TO SEE THE FULL LIST

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT!!

- Business Opportunities Monthly – September 2020

Access business opportunities, and funding announcements for this month. Read more

- 9 Lessons from Women’s Month 2020Check out the ‘Breaking the Funding Glass Ceiling’ Series, sponsored by Nedbank & find out more about the innovative ways women entrepreneurs are financing their businesses. More here

Marketing Advice for Tourism SMEs from SA’’s Top Travel Bloggers (that All SMEs Can Use)

1. Make it easy for people to find you online.

“Search engine optimization (SEO) is very important to learn if an SME is to create a digital footprint. Align your SEO to your hashtags to make it easier for your potential clients to find you.” - Katchie Nzama

2. Make sure your website and social media platforms are up to date.

“Most travellers will check a blog or social media accounts before they go check on Google where they can go on holiday.” - Katchie Nzama

3. Research bloggers before working with them.

 “Find bloggers whose brands can help you achieve your goals. You need to understand their audience but also their top platforms.” - Katchie Nzama

4. Have a low-season strategy in place.

“Create a seasonal package, at a possibly reduced cost, with other business owners and add a variety of offers to the deal, from accommodation to activities and meals.” - Anje Rautenbach

5. Be part of the conversation online.

“You’ll be surprised by the connections you make and the opportunities you can create for yourself via social media.” - Anje RautenbachREAD THE FULL ARTICLE HERE

The following content is paid for by VodaLend.

Get your business funded by Vodalend…

Whether you need to fund moving into a bigger office, buy equipment or property or just to get the cash flow you need to act quickly, Vodalend can make it happen. Apply now and get the cash you need. There are:- No paperwork- No hidden fees- No branch visitsCriteria:- Your business must be registered and operational for 12 consecutive months.- Your turnover must be R40,000 per month and R500,000 a year.

YOU CAN NOW ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS ON OUR FORUM EVERY MONDAY!

We have launched our new weekly thread, Marketing Mondays where you can share:- The name of your business- Your product/service offering- And where people can find you

You can also follow us on our social media platforms or join our community on our SME SA Forum - it's free to sign up.