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Introduction 

Communicating FLOSS is one of the most important components of a viable FLOSS Business model since it relies on innovative and cost effective techniques and methodologies one should employ to grasp public attention and potential customers.

In business, the link between demand and awareness is a well recognized and established relationship. With regard to FLOSS, lack of awareness, absence of a favorable policy environment, and inability to create and retain new markets accounts for some of the key barriers for those wishing to engage in FLOSS business.

A key strategy therefore, is for both the new and old FLOSS businesses to engage policy makers in efforts intended to create an enabling business environment for FLOSS related business. This could be achieved through a number of concerted and coordinated actions such as advocacting for appropriate policies and regulations. Equally important is the need to continuely undertake activities to raise public awareness through use of cost effective media campaigns.

This module therefore aims to assist SME gain the necessary knowledge and skills to successfully undertake these important business tasks. However, in order to achieve this aim, its important that the reader grasp some basic FLOSS concepts (for example; how FLOSS projects and communities work) discussed in module 1, and gain some insights into how FLOSS businesses work in the Africa context as demonstrated by the case studies in module 2. Participants can combine the FLOSS communication skills and techniques in this module with their business skills [module 4] and specific FLOSS business knowledge in module 5 to better conduct FLOSS training [module 6] or setup their own FLOSS business.

Overall Objectives

The learning objectives for Module 3 are as follows

1. Understand the core benefits of FLOSS migration for existing businesses and government

2. Understand the importance of a coordinated FOSS marketing plan

3. Appreciate the significance of PR in raising public awareness

4. Learn how to use cost effective media campaigns

Sessions and Timetable

The entire content in this module is estimated to be delivered in 1 day, with some variations within the modules. For instructional purpose, the content of this module can be delivered as proposed in the summarized table below.

Days/weeks	Session	Module name	Duration (hrs)
Day 1	Session 1	FLOSS PR and Advocacy Strategies	1:00hrs
	Session 2	Advocating FLOSS	1:45hrrs
	Session 3	Online Advocacy tools	00:45hrs
	Session 4	Creating a FLOSS market and brand in Africa	1:45hrs

Module 3 contains the following sub-modules:

Module 3.1 Public Relation and Advocacy Strategies. Read more...

Module 3.2 Advocating FLOSS. Read more...

Module 3.3 Online Advocacy tools. Read more...

Module 3.4 Creating a FLOSS market and brand in Africa. Read more...