Yogyakarta - The Covid-19 pandemic has been impacting the world, including Indonesia, for over a year, leading to numerous challenges across various sectors, particularly the economy. Entrepreneurs are actively seeking solutions to sustain their enterprises during the ongoing pandemic. In the modern era, entrepreneurs have the opportunity to leverage technology for product marketing. However, many students currently engaged in or considering starting a business lack an understanding of how to creatively optimize digital marketing to promote their business.

The Entrepreneurship Department of HMPS Islamic Accounting UIN Sunan Kalijaga held a webinar in 2021 with the theme “Optimizing Creative Digital Marketing to Face the Covid-19 Pandemic.” The event was held on Saturday, May 29, 2021, virtually via Zoom Virtual Meeting. The event served as a platform for active students, alumni, and the general public to network and gain knowledge about entrepreneurship, aiming to foster the development of competitive businesses and enhance the capacity to optimize digital marketing creativity. The webinar was attended by approximately 70 participants, including students from UIN Sunan Kalijaga and other institutions such as UIN Sayyid Ali Rahmatullah Tulungagung, Yogyakarta State University, UNIDA Gontor, and several other campuses.

“The ongoing uncertainty about the pandemic’s duration, along with its persistent economic impact, highlights the necessity for individuals to embrace the digital or online era. The far-reaching effects of the pandemic on every facet of life make it essential to persist in carrying out daily activities through alternative methods,” said Muhammad Wahfudin, Chairman of HMPS Islamic Accounting.

Significant strategic adjustments are imperative for ensuring business sustainability amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Agility and quick thinking are essential for adaptation, encompassing not only products, marketing, and promotion but also leadership and organizational dynamics. Embracing digital marketing is a crucial strategy for entrepreneurs, given its efficiency, speed, and extensive reach, which has garnered significant attention from the public during the pandemic. These insights were shared by Muhammad Lukman, the Executive Chairman of the Entrepreneurship Webinar.

“To become a developed country, it requires a significant presence of entrepreneurs. Data suggests that this should constitute at least 2% of the population, with some sources indicating figures as high as 7%. President Jokowi has even set a target of 12% of the population being involved in business. It is my hope that some of the participants in today’s webinar will contribute to this percentage and thereby support Indonesia’s journey towards becoming a developed country,” said Dr. Afdawaiza, S.Ag, M.Ag, the Dean of the Faculty of Islamic Economics and Business.

The entrepreneurship webinar, featuring Elita Barbara as the speaker, commenced at 08:00 and concluded at 11:30 WIB. The event was opened by the Dean of FEBI, presenting compelling insights. Elita Barbara, the young entrepreneur and founder of the Elita Kerudung brand, began by sharing the challenging journey of establishing her business, offering an inspiring example to others. This was succeeded by a dynamic question and answer session and an exchange of experiences, fostering lively engagement between participants and speakers. The moderation of these interactions was skillfully handled by Fitriya Aliyatur Rosidah, a member of the Entrepreneurship Department of HMPS Islamic Accounting.

It is hoped that following this enriching weekend activity, students will gain valuable insights, understanding, and motivation to sustain active involvement in entrepreneurship. This includes leveraging digital marketing as a pivotal tool for promoting their burgeoning businesses, particularly those established by their peers.
Authors: Nindya Ayu Milanda and Dimas Aji Ismail

(Department of Information and Technology, HMPS Islamic Accounting)