Digital workshop is to take place on Benbecula
Businesses in the Outer Hebrides are being given the opportunity to learn how to create the most effective digital strategy for their firms from a leading expert in the field.
Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has launched a range of digital strategy workshops, as part of its Entrepreneurial Academy.
The Delivering a Digital Strategy workshop, which is free to attend, will be in Benbecula on November 15, followed by other workshops, including in Oban and Fort William.
At the Benbecula workshop, businesses will be guided through digital channels and shown the best techniques and tactics to achieve their goals, from securing more sales to increasing brand awareness and improving customer support.
Delivered by Gary Ennis, of digital training consultancy NSDesign, he will explain how the modern customer researches and purchases, how Google works and why you may not be getting the results you want. Attendees will also be given an overview of social media platforms and which ones to prioritise, as well as ideas for content.
Gary said: ‘The digital landscape changes daily, and if you’re not aware of how to be found, how to stand out and how to be trusted, then you face an uphill struggle as consumers turn to these channels to find you … or not, as the case may be.
‘At Benbecula, we’ll look at digital strategies, review the websites of attendees, looking at whether they’re optimised for mobile and reviewing search engine optimisation (SEO), review social media platforms, including paid-for advertising, and we’ll be giving advice on cyber security.
‘We’ve designed the workshop to be fun and engaging.’
Mairi Buchanan, senior development manager for the Outer Hebrides at HIE, added: ‘With so many digital channels available to businesses, it can often be difficult to identify the best ones for your target market or to create campaigns that successfully engage your audience. That’s why we’re delighted to have Gary coming to Benbecula to share his knowledge.
‘If you are unsure how to make digital work harder for you, then I would encourage you to attend.’
The Benbecula Delivering a Digital Strategy workshop is at the Dark Island Hotel on November 15. Full details of all Entrepreneurial Academy workshops and links to sign up can be found at: www.hie.co.uk/ entrepreneurship