Small businesses are using mobile phones to increase sales and are seeking training with support from Sebrae.

247 - With their cell phones in hand, more and more Brazilian entrepreneurs are transforming social media into a showcase, counter, and direct channel to customers. According to the 9th edition of the Pulse of Small Businesses Survey, conducted by Sebrae, 72% of small business owners use social media, apps, or the internet to market their products and services. The data reveals a clear trend: the digital environment has consolidated itself as a strategic space for the growth of micro and small businesses.

The report, by André Luiz Gomes, also highlights a survey by the company HostGator, according to which 45% of respondents plan to intensify their use of cell phones in producing content for social media. The research reinforces the role of the smartphone as a key tool to expand digital presence and boost sales. WhatsApp, with 81% adoption, and Instagram, with 60%, lead in engagement among entrepreneurs, according to Sebrae.

To support this movement and help overcome the challenges of the digital environment, Sebrae launched the Sales Guide for Social Media, with practical guidance on how to use the resources available on each platform. The organization's Markets and Digital Transformation specialist, Janaina Camilo, reinforces the importance of creating relevant content: "Given the vast amount of diverse information presented, it is essential to produce content that is truly unique and genuinely sparks users' interest in making a purchase.".

Besides lack of time and infrastructure, technical ignorance was cited by about half of the respondents in the HostGator survey as the biggest obstacle in using digital tools. To address this gap, Sebrae offers free training, including the program... UP Digital, which promotes a two-week immersion program with mentoring and live classes aimed at individual micro-entrepreneurs (MEI), micro-enterprises (ME), and small-sized enterprises (EPP).

In this course, participants learn everything from identifying their target audience to creating low-cost content, including strategies for increasing sales on social media and marketplaces. The digital marketing journey also covers how to improve online positioning and monitor the results of their actions.

With initiatives like these, Sebrae is betting on training as an essential factor for small businesses not only to survive, but to thrive in the digital environment. To access the guide and courses, those interested can consult the institution's official website.