Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Ramadan 17, 1445 H
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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

5 tips to start online presence from scratch

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An Omani fresh-graduate contacted me on LinkedIn to ask for advice on how to start his online business. I provide here 5 ideas to make the process more fun:


Step 1: Build in public — The first step to rebuilding from scratch is to build in public. This means being open and transparent about your process of rebuilding.


Share your ideas, progress and challenges with others. This will help you get feedback, build a community and attract potential customers.


To build in public, you can start a blog, a YouTube channel, or a social media account. Share your story, your vision and your journey. Be authentic and honest. Show people how you’re overcoming obstacles and learning from mistakes. This will make you more relatable and trustworthy.


Step 2: Provide value first — The second step is to provide value first. This means giving something of value to your audience before asking for anything in return.


This can be in the form of free content, advice, or tools. By providing value first, you’re building trust and credibility with your audience. They’ll be more likely to support you in the future.


To provide value first, you can create free content like blog posts, podcasts, or videos. You can also offer free consultations, webinars, or workshops.


Make sure your content or offer is relevant and useful to your target audience. This will help you attract the right people to your brand.


Step 3: Target a specific market — The third step is to target a specific market. This means identifying a niche or a specific group of people who have a common problem or need that you can solve.


By targeting a specific market, you’ll be able to focus your efforts and resources on the right people.


To target a specific market, you can research your audience’s demographics, psychographics and behaviours. This will help you understand their needs, wants and pain points.


You can also use tools like Google Trends, social media analytics and keyword research to find out what people are searching for online.


Step 4: Create a product or service — The fourth step is to create a product or service that solves your audience’s problem or need. This can be a physical or digital product, a service, or a combination of both. Your product or service should be unique, valuable and easy to use.


To create a product or service, you can use tools like product development frameworks, customer feedback and user testing. Make sure you’re creating something that your audience actually wants and needs. You can also use crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter or Indiegogo to validate your idea and raise funds.


Step 5: Market your product or service — The fifth step is to market your product or service. This means promoting it to your target audience using different marketing channels and tactics.


You can use social media, e-mail marketing, influencer marketing, content marketing and paid advertising to reach your audience.


To market your product or service, you can create a marketing plan that includes your goals, target audience, messaging and tactics. You can also use analytics tools to track your performance and optimise your campaigns. Make sure you’re using the right channels and tactics that resonate with your audience.


Building a business takes time, effort and resilience. Good luck!


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