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Jan. 6, 2021 By Michael Dorgan
A group of neighborhood civic leaders have come together to set up a digital tool kit to help struggling small businesses survive the economic crisis.
The Queens Small Business Alliance, which was co-founded by City Council candidate Julie Won, local leaders Morry Galonoy, Charley Mills, Jamie Walsh, Danielle Brecker, and Anatole Ashraf, aims to provide free online technical support to small businesses to help them stay out of the red.
The tool kit consists of various links and tips on a Google document to help small businesses update their websites, manage social media accounts and come up with digital marketing strategies.
The group members, who work in the tech and marketing industries, are also providing free virtual tutoring sessions to small business owners. Appointments can be scheduled via the toolkit.
Won, who works as a digital strategy consultant, said the group wants to help small businesses adapt to new market trends brought on by the pandemic.
“We want to provide them with the tools and resources to compete in a digital market,” Won said. “The toolkit is technical mutual aid for small businesses.”
Won said that the second indoor dining ban last month spurred the group into action as they felt that not enough was being done to guide small businesses through the pandemic.
“Small businesses are hurting and have fewer resources. Owners are even more time-constrained now so we are making it easy and fast for them to modernize.”
Won said the group wants to help small businesses understand the importance of having a digital presence.
For example, the tool kit explains the various platforms by which small businesses can create their own website with links to video tutorials. Won said that restaurants could avoid using third party delivery company’s that charge high fees by having a properly functioning website.
The tool kit also has links to help small businesses use Facebook and Instagram to market their products and services.
The tool kit can be accessed by clicking on this link.
