Earlier this morning I was thrilled to host a session with Google’s Digital Garage for local small businesses and charities, including a free webinar on Digital Marketing Strategy.
Throughout the pandemic, my team and I have been working with the local Job Centre to host virtual Job and Apprenticeship Fairs, putting constituents into direct contact with employers providing quality employment and training opportunities.
This month, as we move towards stage two of the Government’s Coronavirus Roadmap, I wanted to focus on small businesses and charities to help them grow their audience as we move from lockdown into a new environment in which individuals are much more likely to engage with organisations virtually as well as in person. I am very grateful for the guidance that Google and their Digital Garage team were able to provide to attendees on how they may maximise their digital platforms and profiles to reach a bigger audience.
For those that were unable to join today’s session, I am pleased to advise that Google run free 60-minute webinars every day, Monday to Friday, covering a selection of courses aimed at helping individuals and small businesses, including Build a CV & Write a Cover Letter, Digital Marketing Strategy and Help Others Get Online. Further information on Google’s webinars can be found at: goo.gle/digitalgaragewebinars
Google is also helping offer free, tailored 1-to-1 mentoring via Digital Boost. UK-based small businesses and charities can pick subject areas where they need support; from how to build a marketing strategy, to product management and design and choose from a range of digital expert volunteers offering their time one-to-one. Calls take place online and mentees can select their availability to meet with a mentor.
Digital Boost is an online tech platform where expert volunteers can offer their time and skills in order to be matched and provide 1-to-1 mentoring calls with UK small businesses and charities. The platform is 100% free and volunteer experts can offer their time and support through a variety of specialisms. The platform does not contain solely-Google mentors and other brands have signed up to offer time, including BT and over 800 other volunteers and organisations.
I will be hosting further Job and Apprenticeship Fairs over the coming months however if any local organisations and companies have ideas for other events that we may helpfully provide, please do write to me via julia.lopez.mp@parliament.uk and my team and I will see where we can assist.