Digital Service Provider – Portal Submission of Interest – Digital Nova Scotia – Leading Digital Industry

About the Portals

Submission of Interest

Digital Service Provider Application Form

Are you interested in sharing your digital expertise with local small businesses around Nova Scotia? Please fill out the submission of interest form below and someone from our project team will reach out to you shortly to continue the conversation. If you have any questions,

Personal Information

Business Address(Required)
Max. file size: 50 MB.
What Digital Services do you offer?(Required)
Please select all that apply
Please select the content you would be interested in providing:(Required)

Frequently Asked Questions

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How long is this program running and how long will my information be available for viewing online?

Our funding for this project runs until June of next summer. We ask that the initial commitment to the portals is for that stretch of time. If we receive funding to continue the portals, we will confirm and discuss with you maintaining your content for another duration of time.

Why are there two different but similar Small Business portals?

There are two distinct portals because there are two different funders. Tourism Nova Scotia and The Department of Economic Development have been the two funders behind the DAP program, and have each funded the additional online resource for their respective audiences.

Webinars

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What is the plan for a webinar schedule?

Through both portals, DNS will be creating a regular webinar schedule for small businesses and tourism businesses. Webinars will be promoted through DNS and our funders respectively, and are meant to cover a series of topics designed to provide guidance to online precise and digital transformation.

What sort of content should I be covering?

These webinars are designed for the benefit of small businesses’ online presence. Any subject matter within that realm may be considered acceptable. Diversity is encouraged as the breadth of topics makes for a more interesting series.

Some topics we would recommend:

  • Digital Marketing
  • Social Media / SM Marketing
  • Finding Customers online
  • Marketing your business online
  • Website assessment guides
  • SEO basics

How long are the webinars?

Hosts should plan for webinars to run in a 1.5hr time slot. Representing approximately 1hr of presentation, and 30 minutes of Q&A and wrap up time.

How specific should the content be?

The participants are a wide range of small businesses. Some will have more practical hands-on experience than others. Within that audience scope, it’s fair to say the webinars could be anything from high-level surface level for beginners, to a more advanced level. We will label accordingly to assist Small Businesses to determine their own applicability.

How much will I be compensated for doing a webinar?

We do not have a firm rate for webinars, the price will be negotiable depending on your background and presentation experience. We have set a price floor of $500 for everyone.

If I am interested, how do I go about the next steps?

Please reach out to us at DNS for next steps. We can discuss your suggested subject matter, what date works for you, rates, and all other details needed to book you!

Workshops

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What is the plan for hosting workshops?

The original concept was that Digital Consultants would lead with Webinars, and then based on the promotion and attendance, host further workshops to build upon and go more in-depth into the lessons taught in the webinar. Workshops are not contingent on hosting webinars ahead of time, once planned we will host the events on the portal calendars, and promote them through their main pages.

In what format should the workshops be held?

We would recommend virtual hosting to provide accessibility to the greatest number of potential participants from around the province. The format can be three half-day sessions, 1 full-day session, or another frequency hosts feel is works best for their content matter

How much will I be compensated for running a workshop?

Workshops will use a per-person pricing model to compensate you based on participation. The actual price is negotiable based on the size and duration of the course and class size.

If I am interested, how do I go about the next steps?

Please reach out to us at DNS for next steps. We can discuss your suggested subject matter, what date works for you, rates, and all other details needed to book you!

Portal Content

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How long will my information be available for viewing online?

The material will be reviewed by the teams, DNS, and the DSP, to ensure all content is still relevant and within proper use, for tourism businesses to get the most up-to-date and relevant content on the subject matter.

Is this a one time ask?

No, we are launching both the DigiPort on December 1st, and BizBeacon at a later date. We will continue to accept documents from Digital Consultants at least until March, or until our budget for this content runs out.

How to submit other documents later?

We ask content creators to please submit follow-up materials one at a time. That way we can purchase and sign off with you based on the ending of the budget run. Alternatively, if you prefer, you can check in with us in advance of production and we will confirm and reserve your funding to produce the document.

What types of content should the documents cover?

The portals are designed for the benefit of small businesses and their needs to growth and sell themselves via online marketing and sales. Documents developed for the portals should be designed to reflect that goal and can touch on a wide range of digital assistance subject matter.

Some topics we would recommend:

  • Digital Marketing
  • Social Media / SM Marketing
  • Finding Customers online
  • Marketing your business online
  • Website assessment guides
  • SEO basics

What forms can documents take?

Document design and format is up to you, with the target audience in mind. Several popular designs for the content that we may suggest would be;

  • Check Lists
  • Templates / Worksheets
  • Infographics
  • How to guides
  • Tips and Tricks
  • Long form

Are there considerations around length and format?

These documents are designed to be quick reference guides and assistance documents. They are not intended or priced to be too extensive. Recommend limiting to around 2-3 pages maximum.

If I produce a ‘Tips and Tricks’ document, and someone else has made a document on the same subject matter, will mine still be accepted?

Yes, our goal is to have multiple pieces of content in all forms of subject matter. Small businesses will have access to both, and we intend for your individual styles to appeal to different small businesses.

How are the documents priced?

Please aim to price your documents based on a development time of $150/hr. Max budget per item of $500.

How many documents can I make?

For your initial product run with us please make a maximum of 4 documents

How do I know you will agree to buy my documents without seeing them first?

We will work with the honour system to purchase what you create in your first submission to the program. Documents will be loaded online and branded under your company logo. Quality is in both our interests, and we trust in your quality production.

Content Branding

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DigiPort Requirements

Funded by Tourism Nova Scotia, DigiPort has a basic branding guide that stipulates title colours, logo placements, and a footer with a standard DigiPort and DNS/Tourism Logo. Our branding guide is a one-page document based on federal project funding requirements.

View DigiPort Branding Guide

View DigiPort Content Guidelines

BizBeacon Requirements

Funded by the Department of Economic Development, BizBeacon does not have branding requirements specific to posting on the portal. Document styles are up to the consultant’s interpretation and preference.