Wakefield First supports a diverse range of businesses across the Wakefield district, providing entrepreneurs with access to guidance, resources, and growth opportunities. Many small businesses face common marketing challenges: limited time and budgets, activity that feels reactive rather than planned, and a lack of clarity on how to translate ideas into a structured, effective marketing strategy, particularly when planning ahead for a new year.
Having benefited from Wakefield First’s advice and support when launching Sonnen Marketing, this collaboration presented an opportunity to give back to the programme. The aim was to support local business owners by simplifying marketing and helping them approach 2026 with greater confidence, focus, and strategic direction.
I delivered a free, easy-access online workshop available to small businesses within the Wakefield First network. The session provided practical tools and frameworks to define clear objectives, prioritise channels, and align marketing activity with wider business goals.
The emphasis was on ensuring that strategic marketing felt achievable for business owners rather than overwhelming or theoretical.
A key part of the workshop focused on demystifying campaign planning. I shared clear building blocks on how to create effective quarterly campaigns, alongside actionable advice and idea prompts that businesses could apply immediately. This approach demonstrated how even small, well-planned campaigns can deliver impact when they are intentional, focused, and aligned to clear goals.
To extend the value of the workshop, I offered a free follow-up 30-minute consultation to any attendee requiring further guidance.
These personalised sessions provided space for business owners to discuss individual challenges, refine ideas in real-time, and receive tailored advice and ideas on how to apply the frameworks shared in the workshop within their own context.
Through this collaboration with Wakefield First, I was able to provide accessible, practical marketing support designed to build confidence and capability among local businesses. The workshop helped participants move away from ad-hoc activity and toward more strategic thinking, giving them a clearer structure for planning their marketing activity in 2026.
For me, personally, this initiative was a meaningful way to give back to a programme that has played a role in my start-up journey. Supporting our local district and contributing to sustainable business growth is something I am proud to do. Simplifying marketing to make it more strategic and less overwhelming felt like a strong starting point, and I hope to continue this relationship with Wakefield First, expanding this support further and making a lasting difference where possible.
“The whole workshop was so motivating and gave me lots of ideas.”
89% were ‘Extremely Satisfied’ with the content of the workshop
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