Small Business Britain has partnered with Adobe Express to launch a free marketing school for small businesses.
Research conducted by Small Business Britain has found that marketing and brand visibility are the top priorities for small business owners aiming to grow this year. The findings show that 71% of small firms polled want to focus on marketing and brand visibility in 2025.
The research has also found that 61% of small business owners say that sales and customer acquisition is a priority for growing their business; almost half (49%) also want to boost their social media content and creation skills.
Marketing school for small businesses
In response to the findings, Small Business Britain has launched a new programme in partnership with Adobe Express to help small business owners boost their marketing skills and drive sales. Up to 500 UK small businesses will be able to sign up to take part in the Small Business Britain x Adobe Express Marketing School - a free six-week course designed to help build marketing and design skills.
The course starts on Tuesday 25 February and it will teach businesses owners how to create professional-quality marketing materials, logos, branding assets, dynamic social media content and flyers, all without any prior design experience, using Adobe Express.
Each week, Adobe's senior manager of product, Andy Lambert, a small business founder himself, will lead interactive workshops tailored to practical, real-world marketing applications. The sessions will also feature Eva Thorne (pictured right), founder of Garden of Eva in London, acting as a live case study testing out the technology and creating marketing materials. Eva's business manufactures pickles and condiments inspired by the American Deep South.
"Marketing is everything for a small brand like mine and I am keen to focus on it more. I haven't had the bandwidth, big budget or skills to really take marketing on, so I'm grateful and excited to take part in this programme. I always welcome the chance to pick up new skills, so learning about Adobe Express, especially with the support of their team, is a great opportunity. I'm keen to end up with brand assets that will be eye-catching and enticing for possible customers." Eva Thorne, founder of Garden of Eva.
The weekly sessions will be centred around themes such as building a brand identity, video marketing strategies and succeeding on social media. Each session will include hands-on demonstrations; participants will also have access to a course LinkedIn group where they can share learnings and network with other members of the small business community.
"Marketing is such a crucial area for small businesses, yet it can often feel overwhelming for those with limited time, budget, or expertise," said Michelle Ovens, founder of Small Business Britain. "Our research highlights just how important this area is for small business growth, and by partnering with Adobe Express, we're giving entrepreneurs the tools and knowledge they need to thrive. This course will turn what may seem like a daunting task into an exciting opportunity to enhance their brand and connect with customers."
Small businesses can learn more about the Small Business Britain x Adobe Express Marketing School and sign up here. Participants include Johanna Haughey-Lewis (pictured in the main picture), founder of eco-friendly bedding brand Weirdstock.
"Our mission is to simplify the creative process so entrepreneurs can save time and money while focusing on what truly matters - growing their businesses … We're excited to provide practical skills and inspiration to help entrepreneurs stand out in an increasingly competitive market. This course will equip small business owners with the confidence and tools they need to create compelling marketing content effortlessly." Claire Darley, vice president at Adobe.
Written by Rachel Miller.