The important role of social media to market more dynamic products is a solution for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Apart from being required to produce products that can compete, MSMEs must also be technologically literate so that they are easy to market. Competence that is not yet qualified when marketing digitally is a new problem for MSME players.

This situation attracted the attention of Hayam Wuruk Perbanas University to provide assistance and training. This is what the UHW Perbanas community service team did at Novotel Samator Surabaya on Saturday, (11/25). They provided a Social Media Development and Viral Marketing Workshop for Surabaya City MSMEs.

According to the Coordinator of the UHW Perbanas Community Service Lecturer Team, Dr. Dra. Lindiawati, M.M., this activity is a form of the presence of academics on campus in order to increase the competence of MSME players to be updated on technological developments and social media. The reason is that MSMEs in Indonesia have contributed to the national gross domestic product (GDP) which is high, reaching 60.34%.

"So our attention to them (MSMEs) must be high. During community service in MSMEs, we found obstacles in business management and digital marketing. So we offer solutions to their problems," explained Lindiawati.

Currently, the solution provided by her is in the form of implementing digital marketing strategies so that MSMEs can upgrade. There are more than 20 MSMEs from Surabaya that are facilitated and discussed with presenters regarding the application of appropriate viral marketing according to the algorithm of the social media platform chosen by the MSME. They are engaged in various business fields, such as food and beverage, fashion, services, and others.

Lindi continued, business actors are also encouraged to have a Landing Page Marketing (website) specifically designed to market MSME products. The point is to expand the reach of potential buyers of MSME products.

"This landing page has also been implemented by UHW Perbanas-assisted MSMEs in Ar-Roya Healty Food. On the website, healthy food products can be ordered directly and are integrated with the WhatsApp contacts of business actors," he added.

One of the MSME players, Yanti, said that this training helped her increase sales. Her party, which was originally still unfamiliar with social media, was gradually able to make good use of it.

"We are very grateful to have become a foster partner of UHW Perbanas. Initially, we only took product photos carelessly, then we paid more attention to making good product photos and uploading them on social media," said the owner of Ar Roya Healthy Food. (PR)