19+
Interview with course tutor.
Thank you for your interest in the Marketing short course. This is a clear overview of what will be covered each week, so you can see whether the course feels right for you. The course is designed to make marketing feel understandable, practical and doable, not overwhelming or jargon-heavy. Everything is taught in a hands-on way, using real examples, demonstrations, workshops and time to apply learning to your own business, workplace, freelance practice, or a provided scenario if you don't currently have one. It's a Level 3 short course, but there are no assignments or exams, just turn up, learn, try things out, ask questions and build confidence week by week.
Week 1 - Marketing, but made simple
What marketing actually is, why it matters, and how people find businesses they don't already know. We'll look at everyday questions like how people discover you online, the difference between attracting people versus chasing them, and why using more than one channel usually works better. We'll look at the different ways people hear about a business, such as email, social media blogs, search, and more. We'll introduce the idea of the customer journey and how someone goes from curious to interested to taking action. Outcome: you understand the "point" of marketing, the main channels, and the basics of how a customer moves through a business.
Week 2 - Brand basics: who you are and how you want to be seen
Getting clear on who you are, why you exist, who you're for and what you want people to feel when they come across you. No buzzwords, just practical clarity you can actually use. Outcome: a confident brand foundation to build your marketing around.
Week 3 - Understanding your audience and competitors
Simple, practical ways to understand customer behaviour, create easy-to-use audience profiles, and explore competitors and trends without expensive tools. Outcome: you know who you're speaking to and why that matters, and how to plan for them.
Week 4 - Planning your marketing (without it taking over your life)
Annual, monthly and weekly planning made realistic. We'll look at simple goals, scheduling and how your marketing channels fit together to move customers along the journey. We will also explore project management tools and content planners to help you stay organised. Outcome: a marketing rhythm that fits into real life and busy schedules.
Week 5 - Visual content creation: Canva + Graphic Design
Learn to create posts, flyers, graphics, and simple marketing visuals using Canva and basic design principals (layout, hierarchy, colour, fonts). We'll discuss when the paid version is worth it and when the free version is enough. Outcome: confidence producing professional-looking visual content efficiently.
Week 6 - Photography using your phone
Learn to take quality images for your business using your existing equipment. We cover lighting, composition, simple styling, and basic editing. We will explore a range of useful apps to support your editing. Outcome: images you feel confident sharing on your website, social media, or marketing materials.
Week 7 - Video content & simple editing
Planning, filming, and editing video content using your phone, from idea to post. We focus on confidence and simplicity rather than perfection. Outcome: usable video content that supports your marketing goals.
Week 8 - Copywriting & messaging that connects
Writing captions, emails, and website copy that sounds human and encourages action. We'll explore hooks, clarity, and how to be persuasive in a value-led, helpful way, guiding the right people to take action without being pushy. Outcome: clear, confident messaging that resonates with your audience and builds trust.
Week 9 - Website essentials: UX/UI & CMS
How to make your website clear, easy to navigate, and visually aligned with your brand. We'll cover content, management systems ( WordPress, Wix, Squarespace), structuring pages, calls-to-action, and adding visuals and copy. Outcome: a functional, user-friendly website that acts as the heart of your business.
Week 10 - Getting found online
How people discover businesses through searching, what search engines actually look for, and how to use tools like Google Business Profiles effectively. Outcome: small, realistic changes that help the right people find you.
Week 11 - Social media management (without burnout)
Understanding different platforms, how they decide what gets seen, and how to plan, schedule, and manage content without it taking over your time. Outcome: a calmer, more intentional approach to social media.
Week 12 - Email marketing and building relationships over time
Why email still matters, how to grow an audience, and how interest can turn into action gradually rather than all at once. We'll cover email marketing, how to create helpful resources or giveaways that encourage the right people to engage with your business, simple automation, and how to nurture prospective customers. Outcome: understanding how people move from "just looking" to taking action.
Week 13 - Knowing what's working (and fixing what isn't)
How to check whether your marketing is actually doing its job, without obsessing over numbers. We'll look at testing, tweaking and improving over time. We'll cover simple tracking, testing, and improving your approach. Outcome: confidence reviewing and improving your marketing.
Week 14 - Advancing your marketing and working smarter
Exploring paid options (when and if they're right for you), automation, using AI sensibly, and gently covering accessiblity, legal and ethical considerations. We'll also share recommended tools, software, people to follow and resources to support next steps. Outcome: clarity on how to move forward and grow when you're ready.
A note on flexibility
This course is responsive to the group. While this structure gives a clear roadmap, some sessions may be adapted slightly to better suit the cohort's needs, industries or experience levels, without losing the core learning.
