Lancashire Skills Bootcamp in Digital Marketing

This 12-week intensive bootcamp equips you with essential digital marketing skills to stay competitive in today’s fast-paced environment. Led by industry experts with real-world experience, the programme offers practical tips, case studies, and actionable insights to help you apply what you learn directly to your business or career.

KEY INFORMATION

  • Duration: 11 weeks. Starting Tue 4th Nov ending Thur 5th Feb (inc Xmas Break)

  • Format: Online via Zoom

  • Schedule: Twice weekly (Tuesdays and Thursdays, 6pm until 9pm), must attend in person, apart from exceptional circumstances.

  • Total Learning Hours: 68 hours of guided learning plus 3 hours of 1:1 mentoring.

Who is this course for?

This bootcamp is perfect for beginners or those without formal marketing training who have a strong motivation to learn AND apply their knowledge. It’s tailored for:

  • Freelancers and Small Business Owners: Build the skills to grow your online presence and drive your business forward.

  • Employees in Smaller Businesses: Transition into marketing-focused roles with confidence. Co-funded places are available for eligible candidates.

  • Aspiring Business Owners: Start strong with the marketing skills needed to launch your business.

Applications are also welcome from those with limited marketing experience who are considering a career change, assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Meet the Tutors

Nikki Hesford

Jean Atkinson

Nicola Pickup

Amy Mantle

Study Modules

  • Market Research & Strategy: Develop marketing strategies aligned with your goals through market analysis and customer profiling.

  • Branding: Build trust and recognition with consistent, professional visuals created using Canva. Learn how to create your own brand pack.

  • Websites: Understand different content management systems, manage them effectively, and measure performance using analytics.

  • Organic Social Media: Learn social media management, content planning, and tools like Canva to create engaging posts, videos, and podcasts.

  • Paid Social: Run and optimise campaigns on Facebook and Instagram, understand targeting, and track key metrics.

  • SEO: Master keyword research, content strategies, search rankings, and Digital PR for backlinks and media coverage.

  • Email Marketing: Use email tools to segment audiences, plan campaigns, and drive results.

  • AI Tools: Explore the latest affordable AI tools for small businesses, helping you streamline and scale your marketing efforts.

  • Copywriting: Learn the skills to write effective copy for leaflets, social, website and more.

  • Interview and Employment Support: For job seekers, 1:1 sessions will focus on CV building, job applications, and interview preparation.

  • Functional IT Skills: Additional Bonus 90 minute Workshop for basic IT skills required for marketing (before the start of the course)

Online and in-person workshops

Certification on completion of the programme

Network with your fellow learners

Homework and Accountability

This is a hands-on course, and progress depends on the work you put in outside of lessons. After each session, you’ll set goals tailored to your business stage or job search. These goals will form part of your action plan. You must dedicate at least two hours per week to job seeking or updating and implementing your action plan. Regular check-ins will ensure progress, and places on the course are conditional on demonstrating that progress.

  • Self-Employed/Business Owners/Start ups/Employees: Homework will focus on applying what you’ve learned to your business.
  • Job Seekers: Homework will involve CVs, job applications, and interview preparation.

Please only apply if you can commit to the required time and effort.

Why Choose This Bootcamp?

  • Practical Curriculum: Designed by industry experts, covering everything from SEO and social media to branding and AI tools.

  • Real-World Insights: Learn directly from experienced professionals using proven strategies.

  • Personalised Support: 1:1 mentoring tailored to your needs, whether you’re building a business or job hunting.

  • Funded by the Department for Education: Free for eligible individuals (including sole traders), or heavily subsidised for small businesses (Ltd companies) at £290 + VAT.

ELIGIBILITY: You must be aged 19 or over, have the right to work in the UK and live, or run a business, in Lancashire.

Application Process

First of all, you must watch our 15 minute video about the bootcamp programme. If you wish to apply, click the Application button to fill out an Application Form.

We routinely receive 200-280 applications for 12-15 spaces – so it is important that we give the opportunity to the most committed applicants.

If you are successful in being progressed to the next stage of the application process, we will require you to record a short video and attend an interview with our Training Manager, Mike Kewley.

Please email skillsbootcamp@thesmallbusinessacademy.co.uk if you have any questions.

Next Bootcamp starts 4th November – limited places available. This is a one-off EVENING Bootcamp Tue/Thur 6pm-9pm