In this #AbsaSmallBizFriday interview, we find out more about Michelle Geere (CEO of Adbot), her business journey, and why she believes South Africa should support small business.
Michelle says that Google has become so dominant that its name is a verb, and is synonymous with search. Google accounted for 92% of global search activity with their Adwords platform cemented as the digital marketing media of choice for small businesses. This is in part due to the fact that through this platform, businesses gain easy access to various markets. However, even with this offering, digital marketing is still a pain point for many small- and medium-size business owners who often neither have the time nor the expertise to use the service effectively themselves. They also often face the dilemma of not being able to afford or make use of marketing agencies or freelancers, who charge by the hour for their time.
This is where Adbot comes in and empowers small- and medium-size businesses to effectively advertise on Google. Adbot essentially functions as an artificial campaign manager, saving SME owners up to 75 hours a week, freeing up time and energy to focus on other important aspects of growing their businesses.
Why did you start your business?
Being in the digital advertising industry, one starts to notices that small- and medium-size business owners really have limited options to effectively
access online markets. Often their only choice is to either advertise themselves and spend hours navigating the complicated Google interface, or pay a traditional agency to do it for them. As time and money are very scarce commodities for an entrepreneur, and seeing the struggles first hand, Michelle was inspired to create a solution that could give these
entrepreneurs back their freedom and help them make use of the incredible opportunities that await them.
What do you love the most about running your business?
Seeing clients prosper and make the most out of the digital space by creating products that truly helps other businesses succeed.
What is one of the biggest lessons you have learnt on your business journey?
Be gentle with yourself – beating yourself, or other people up will not make things smoother. Be open and look at things with curiosity instead of defensiveness.
What is your why? Why do you do what you do and what do you focus on to help you persevere and get through tough times?
Most business owners start their journey with great hopes of flexible hours and more freedom. As their business grows they are pinned down by
task-orientated to-do lists. Adbot wants to give entrepreneurs back their freedom.
Why should South Africa support small businesses now and beyond?
South African people are the most innovative and creative in the world. Our solutions to problems, more often than not, supersede those of Silicon Valley. Supporting local means you are choosing the best.
SPECIAL OFFER:
NSBC and Adbot would like to give you a Free Google Business Profile plus start advertising with Google Ads for R1000 a month and get R500 back.*
Adbot is a proud Member of the NSBC.
This Small Business Friday feature is proudly sponsored by Absa.
