I know what you’re thinking – “I’m a small business owner, not an online reading teacher. How does ‘digital literacy’ apply to me?”
Fair enough.
However, that proves my point right out of the gate.
There are limited resources for eComm business owners to help them learn and understand everything they need to know (digital literacy) about selling online.
As a result, the “digital illiteracy” of many eComm business owners (by no fault of their own) is stunting the growth and profitability of their businesses.
According to Western Sydney University in Australia…
Digital literacy is having the skills you need to live, learn, and work in a society where communication and access to information is increasing through digital technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices.
As a digital marketer, this is what my team and I do all day, every day.
But until recent conversations with multiple small eComm business owners, I didn’t realize so many new (and veteran) online entrepreneurs are unaware of or don’t have access to the digital tools and resources available to them.
This realization was an eye opener for me, as I’ve just assumed people not only knew what’s available to them in the eComm space, but also understood how to use it.
Boy, was I wrong.
The pandemic changed a lot of things in our culture – one being the way we do business. Not only has the eComm game changed for online business owners, but many brick and mortar stores have had to move their businesses online.
There is so much to learn and understand about the digital world of business – yet, as I have discovered, no one is teaching it.
However, there is a resource that is available to help small business owners plan, launch, manage, and grow their businesses – Small Business Administration. And if you’re not taking advantage of this free resource, you certainly need to.
Unfortunately, though, how to create and build an online business. is a crucial area of business the SBA doesn’t cover.
In a world that has become so digitally dominated, it’s a shame we aren’t doing more to educate and equip business owners to succeed online.
Not having internet access or the knowledge and understanding of the digital platforms and tools that are available is a disadvantage we can’t ignore.
As business owners who use and are familiar with online resources and sales tools, we need to have conversations with decision makers about making digital literacy resources readily accessible.
I hope this inspires you to think about the opportunities you have as an online business owner and encourages you to help others who don’t have access to the resources and tools we take for granted.
Whether you’re a grizzled eComm veteran or just now dipping your toes in the water, come hang out in my free Facebook group, Six Figure+ Success Strategies, and we’ll keep this conversation going.
Don’t be afraid to post questions regarding digital marketing. I guarantee there are other eComm business owners wondering the same.
If you would like to learn about the digital tools and resources that are available to you and how the Digital Dawn team can help you take full advantage of those, schedule your free consultation here.
If you enjoyed this article, check out my podcast.
BIO
Dawn Sinkule, the Founder of Digital Dawn, is an MBA graduate, Strategy and Business Growth Consultant as well as a Certified Online Business Manager with more than 16 years of corporate experience working for a Fortune 50 company. Dawn and her team work with passionate six figure business owners who want to grow, expand, and explode their businesses. Dawn and the DD team provide your choice of self-implementation or fully done for you solutions, and both include detailed business strategies, automation, systems, and most importantly the satisfaction of knowing your business is heading the right direction. Her clients get not only the experience of a Fortune 50 leader, but also a personalized and customized strategy as well as an implementation team: AKA your secret weapon for success.