The state government, through the Johor Entrepreneur Corporation (PUJB), has selected 45 small and medium enterprises to be part of the Johor Entrepreneurs Marketing Programme dubbed “Inspirasi Johor”.
State investment, cooperatives, entrepreneurship development and human resource committee chairman Datuk Mohd Izhar Ahmad said the programme aimed to help entrepreneurs promote their products on social media by providing them with basic marketing skills.
“Those involved have been training in video editing, scriptwriting, and copywriting for three months starting from March aside from boosting their content through social media like YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
“The SMEs involved range from crafts, food and beverages, tourism, service providers and food truck operators,” he said when contacted.
Mohd Izhar added that the corporation planned to get more participation from SMEs in the next round of the programme.
“The result of their training will be shown on PUJB’s YouTube channel (PUJBTV) where the entrepreneurs will showcase their products — from how they are made to how they are sold to customers.
“The promotional videos have been aired throughout June and have received over 80,000 views,” he said.
Mohd Izhar hoped the programme would help spur more new media-savvy entrepreneurs to promote their own products and generate a continuous income.
“The government plays an important role in creating a supportive environment for the entrepreneurs.
“Their creativity and will to survive will help generate income, not only for themselves but for Johor and Malaysia as a whole.
“It is only through entrepreneurship that we can create an independent society,” he said, adding that this was important for Johor to continue developing in the future.
Johor Food Truck Association president Yusrezan Samsuri, who was grateful to be part of the programme, hoped the initiative would help more SMEs move towards digital marketing.
“The pandemic has pushed SMEs into the digital way of conducting business such as giving customers the option to place orders through apps and social media as well as make payment through e-wallet, and sending products through a delivery service.
“These are the new ways of marketing. Failure to adapt to these changes will only lead to our own downfall,” he said.
Yusrezan hoped more entrepreneurs would be brave enough to change their conventional ways and go digital.
Source: https://www.thestar.com.my/metro/metro-news/2021/07/12/helping-smes-promote-products-digitally