Strategies for Successful Email Marketing
2026-06-09 09:30 - 12:00 UTC | Online
Ever feel like your emails just aren’t getting noticed? You’re not alone! Many small business owners send out emails but aren’t sure how to make them really work.
In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of email marketing — how to write messages people actually want to read, send them to the right people, and see what’s working (and what’s not).
We’ll cover simple, practical steps to help you:

Get started in collecting data

Creating emails that connect with your audience

Share updates, offers, or stories that keep people interested

Use easy tools to send and track your emails

By the end, you’ll feel confident using email as a simple and effective way to stay in touch with your customers and grow your business.

What You’ll Learn:

Building a Solid Foundation: Learn the fundamentals of email marketing, from creating subscriber lists to segmenting your audience for targeted messaging.

The Legal Bits: Get an understanding of the legalities of email marketing including Marketing Consent (GDPR) and unsubscribes.

Crafting Irresistible Content: Dive deep into the art of crafting emails that captivate your audience.

Automation and Personalisation: Explore the power of automation to streamline your email campaigns and the art of personalisation to create a tailored experience for each recipient.

The Customer Journey: Learn how to utilise email marketing for more than just conversion. Nurture your customers and create touchpoints to improve customer engagement.

Analytics and Optimisation: Learn how to track and interpret key metrics, identify areas for improvement, and optimise your campaigns for maximum impact.

Using Canva to Create Content
2026-06-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Online
Learn how to design eye-catching graphics that elevate your brand and engage your audience without needing a design degree or expensive software, with this beginners guide to using Canva!
Struggling to create professional-looking visuals for your business? Many small business owners find themselves overwhelmed by design tools or rely on costly designers for every project. Introducing Canva – your key to success (and less stress!)
In this workshop we’ll be looking at the potential for our business by using Canva – and you’ll learn how to navigate the platform, design with purpose and ease, and maintain brand consistency to captivate your customers and build marketing materials that help you to reach your business goals. By the end, you’ll have the confidence and skills to produce high-quality visuals that resonate with your audience, put your best foot forward, and unlock new possibilities for your marketing!
What You’ll Learn:

Getting Started with Canva: Understand how to sign up, set up your account, and navigate the platform’s interface.

Creating a Brand Kit: Learn how to establish a cohesive brand identity by setting up your brand kit, including logos, colours, and fonts.

Designing Graphics: Discover how to create various graphics, from social media posts to posters, using Canva’s templates and tools.

Resizing Designs: Master the art of resizing your designs to fit different platforms and purposes, ensuring consistency across all your materials.

Practical Application: Participate in a live session where you’ll see how easy it is to create a graphic for a business campaign, and get the guidance from an expert on how to use the platform for your own business.

Understanding and Developing a Marketing Strategy
2026-06-30 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
Need to create a marketing strategy document but don’t know where to start? This workshop breaks down all the elements of a marketing strategy, to help you create a consistent and cohesive plan that helps you attract the right customers, communicate clearly, and grow your business with purpose.
Struggling to make your marketing actually work for your business? Many small business owners dive into social media posts, flyers, or ads without a clear plan – and end up frustrated when results don’t follow.
That’s why this workshop focuses on helping you create a marketing strategy that drives results. You’ll learn how to define your audience, sharpen your message, and turn your strengths into a clear, consistent plan you can use every day. By the end, you’ll have the know-how and framework to confidently market your business with purpose and direction.
What You’ll Learn:

What is a Marketing Strategy & Market Analysis: Understand what a marketing strategy really is and why it matters, while exploring your market landscape to identify opportunities and gaps where your business can stand out.

SWOT Analysis & Competitor Insights: Assess your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and learn how to analyse competitors to differentiate your business effectively.

Identifying Target Audiences & Crafting Your Unique Value Proposition: Discover who your ideal customers are and how to communicate what makes your business special in a way that resonates with them.

Brand Identity & Messaging: Define a clear, consistent brand personality, and create compelling messages that connect with your audience across all channels.

Choosing Channels & Measuring Success with KPIs: Identify the marketing channels that will deliver the best results for your business and learn which key performance indicators to track to see what’s working and where to improve.

Introduction to Social Media Marketing
2026-07-08 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
Meet your customers where they are – and make social media work for your business growth!
This Introduction to Social Media Marketing course takes you back to basics – understanding and finding your audience online, and giving you the foundational skills to build a strong online presence that helps your business grow.
This workshop focuses on practical strategies that drive real engagement and business growth. You’ll discover how to choose the right platforms, craft content that resonates, and manage your presence effectively. By the end, you’ll have the skills and confidence to make social media a powerful asset for your business.
What You’ll Learn:

Building a Solid Foundation: Learn the basics of social media marketing, including how to choose the right platforms and set up your profiles for success.

Understanding Your Audience & Strategy: Discover who your ideal audience is, what they care about, and how to plan content that resonates with them.

Crafting Engaging Content: Explore techniques for creating posts, images, and videos that capture attention and encourage interaction.

Scheduling, Automation & Consistency: Learn how to plan and schedule content efficiently, using tools and strategies to maintain a consistent presence.

Growing Your Following & Engagement: Understand how to attract followers organically, encourage engagement, and build relationships with your audience.

Social Media Advanced: Paid Ads on Facebook & Instagram
2026-07-14 10:00 - 13:00 | Online
Use paid social media advertising to reach the right audience, drive traffic, and achieve real business results – without wasting money on ineffective ads.
Many small business owners struggle with paid campaigns because they run ads without a clear strategy, leaving them frustrated when results don’t match their expectations.
This workshop focuses on equipping you with strategies for paid social media campaigns that actually deliver. You’ll discover how to target the right audience, craft compelling ad content, and measure performance effectively. By the end, you’ll have practical skills and the confidence to turn paid social media ads into a powerful growth tool for your business.
What You’ll Learn:

Building a Strong Foundation: Understand the fundamentals of paid social media advertising, including campaign objectives, ad formats, and targeting options.

Defining Your Audience: Learn how to identify your ideal customers and use tools like custom audiences, lookalike audiences, and retargeting to reach them.

Creating Engaging Ads: Explore techniques for writing persuasive copy and designing eye-catching graphics using tools like Canva that drive clicks and conversions.

Setting Up Campaigns: Get hands-on guidance on creating and launching campaigns in Facebook Ads Manager, including ad placement, budget allocation, and bidding strategies.

Monitoring & Optimising Performance: Learn how to track key metrics, analyse results, and adjust campaigns to improve ROI and achieve better outcomes.

The North Essex Business Expo 2026
2026-09-10 10:00 - 15:00 | Charter Hall, Cowdray Avenue, Colchester, CO1 1YH, United Kingdom
We are really pleased to announce a partnership between the North Essex Councils (NEEB), Colchester, Maldon, Tendring, Braintree, Uttlesford, Epping, Chelmsford, Essex, Global, the DS Group and Networking Essex . What we hope to achieve the biggest business expo in North Essex at the Charter Hall, Colchester on 10th September between 10am-3pm with over 150 stands and 1000 visitors.
The expo will be promoted by all our partners to their databases, social media, newsletters and in the case of Global we’ll be on Heart radio again leading up to the event. We intend to make every business in Essex aware of the expo and make it a must attend event.
This event is open to all businesses of all sizes, trades, industries, professions and sectors, start ups and pre start ups with something for everyone.
The expo is free to attend with plenty of free parking at the Charter Hall, to book your place please visit www.networking-essex.co.uk and if you would like to exhibit, please email aaron@networking-essex.co.uk

Festival Of Business
2026-11-11 10:00 - 15:00 | Chelmsford City Racecourse, Chelmsford, Essex, CM3 1QP, United Kingdom
We’re excited to announce the return of the Festival of Business, taking place on Wednesday 11 November at Chelmsford City Racecourse – bringing together businesses from across Essex to connect, celebrate and grow.
This year’s event promises a dynamic day of networking, collaboration and opportunity for businesses of all sizes.
For Exhibitors:
Take advantage of the opportunity to showcase your products and services, generate new leads, strengthen relationships and raise your brand profile within the Essex business community. Spaces are limited and always in high demand, so we encourage early booking to secure your stand.
For Visitors:
The Festival is free to attend and provides a fantastic opportunity to connect with a wide range of businesses, discover new suppliers, gain insights and expand your professional network. Be one of the first 500 visitors on the day to receive an exclusive goody bag!
EXHIBIT AT THE FESTIVAL OF BUSINESS
Book your stand at one of Essex’s leading business exhibitions, celebrating growth, innovation, and collaboration across the county. This is your opportunity to showcase your organisation, connect with decision-makers, and position your business at the heart of Essex’s evolving economy.
Why Exhibit?
Exhibiting at the Festival of Business provides a powerful platform to:
💼 Showcase Your Business – Present your products, services, and success stories to a targeted professional audience
⚡️ Meet Potential Clients & Partners – Build meaningful connections with businesses, industry leaders, and key stakeholders
🔍 Increase Brand Visibility – Raise your profile among decision-makers from across Essex
🌟 Stay Ahead of the Curve – Gain insight into emerging trends, innovation, and growth opportunities
📈 Drive Sales and Leads – Generate valuable leads and partnerships during and beyond the event
Who Should Exhibit?
The Festival of Business is ideal for:

Businesses looking to grow and expand
Companies offering innovative products and services
Local suppliers seeking new partnerships
Professional service providers (consulting, legal, financial, etc.)
Tech and digital companies driving industry transformation

Exhibitor Benefits

Dedicated exhibition space
Networking opportunities with attendees, sponsors, and speakers
Premium company listing in the official Festival brochure
Opportunity to demonstrate products or services to visitors
Exclusive advertising space available in the Festival brochure
Opportunity to enter the Best in Business Award

Exhibition Space Details

Maximum space of 2m wide x 2m deep
One 6ft table with cloth and two chairs provided (unless opted out during booking)
Electricity available to your stand (must be selected at booking stage)

Need more room to showcase your business? Contact us to discuss larger exhibition or outdoor space options.
Pricing:
Standard Exhibition Stands

Members: £395 + VAT
Non-Members: £700 + VAT

Festival Brochure Advertising – Limited Space Available

1/2 Page: £75.00 + VAT
Full Page: £125.00 + VAT
