One of the major things about starting a new business is all the intense learning and knowledge acquisition that takes place every single day! It’s mind-boggling. It’s inspiring!

Since January, I’ve been working extremely hard. I’ve joined business networking groups, I’ve met hundreds of new people, had umpteen face-to-face meetings and drank megalitres of coffee – all in the name of ‘getting myself out there’! I’ve learnt that networking is an incredibly powerful business and communication tool.

However, when I’ve wanted to publicise my PR Boot Camp workshops I’ve used the same old methods of emailing, messaging, putting up posters and sending advertorials to my local media and Chamber of Business for distribution. Not much response. It feels like I’ll never ‘get out there’. I’ve also made the huge mistake of ‘shot gun’ advertising in local newspapers, in the hope of targeting a few who might be interested in my offerings….. with no success.

I’ve also been bumbling around with my website, LinkedIn, Outlook and my Gmail – sending my contacts notices of all my activities, while seeking assistance from online groups that incessantly send me hints and guidelines on marketing my business via Blogs, SEO, PPC, Pinterest to name a few. But I don’t understand half of what they’re saying! It’s just all so confusing. The new social media terms mean very little to me, so I revert to the very backward, rather unsuccessful options that leave me feeling despondent.

BUT then I met a man! A man who knows his way around technological devices, computer jargon and social media applications like no-one I’ve ever met before. A man who displays the patience of Job with my brainless questions; who quietly, rationally explains to me that everything I need is right under my nose – in Google. He explains the value of Google Docs, Adwords and the Keyword tool.

I’m excited! Help has arrived. My very own cyber-saviour! And I’m taking full advantage. I’ve downloaded a Google Tips booklet and I’m getting into Google!

My young cyber-mentor assures me I’ll be ‘on the [Google] map’ in no time. I’m putting my faith in him. So once I’ve learnt something and experimented with it, I’ll share it with you.

Meanwhile, I’m revelling in the fact that today, especially with all this new tech social media stuff, nobody is a ‘fundi’. Gone are the days when there were knowers and learners. We’re all a bit of both and the more sharing of information, know-what and know-how that circulates, the better we’ll all feel and be. It’s a new creative, collaborative knowledge-building era and I’m so glad I’m part of it!