By Lindsay Grubb

There are thousands of SMMEs across South Africa, with new ones starting up every day. So what makes your SMME different or more special than the next and do people know about you?

Most often an SMME has a small but dedicated staff complement, working with limited funding and resources. It’s usually a case of “all hands on deck” with everyone handling projects or crises as they arise. More often than not, there is no marketing and PR department to liaise with media or to ensure that your SMME is in the spotlight. Your name and your product or service are not getting out there to customers. If you’re not being seen, how can you attract these target audiences you need to survive? How can you get them to answer your call to action and convert their queries into sales?

Every organisation – big or small – needs a PR and marketing champion in its ranks. Building relationships and managing your organisation’s reputation are critical to boosting its success. That’s all good and well you’re all thinking, but we simply don’t have the funds to hire a marketing and PR specialist. So what are your alternatives?

It’s simple really. The key is to leverage your relationships with others. It’s to network within and outside your networking circles to source individuals who could assist you with your marketing and PR strategies and requirements. Discuss your requirements with colleagues and peers. Ask for referrals for a good freelancer. You will often find that their fees are reasonable and fall within your budget parameters. This is because you’re not saddled with the administrative and financial overheads involved in hiring a full-time individual to fill this role. Freelancers are available for ad hoc projects or can assist you over a longer period on a retainer basis.

How can a Freelancer help Your SMME?

A good freelancer can get your message out to your target audiences in an articulate, succinct manner and can assist you with many of your marketing and public relations requirements.