Co.Solo

Marketing on a Shoestring: Big Impact, Low Cost
For small business owners who want smart, creative, budget-friendly marketing wins.

Objectives

By the end of this workshop, participants will:

• Understand the most effective free marketing tactics (digital + traditional)
• Be able to apply at least 3 new strategies to their own business immediately
• Learn how to create a simple, actionable marketing plan without spending big
• Leave with a marketing strategy template and ideas they can reuse

Part 1: Free & Powerful Digital Marketing Tactics

Topics:

• Optimising your social media presence without paid ads
• Using storytelling & content batching to stay consistent
• Leveraging free tools: Canva, Google Business Profile, Mailchimp and Mailerlite (free tier), scheduling tools
• Creating “value hooks” and education carousels and reels that attract rather than chase customers (reducing sales posts!)
• The magic of partnerships & collaborations online (podcasts, guest posts, Insta Lives)

Exercise:

• 5-Minute Idea Sprint — create one content idea for each of these:

1. Educational carousel
2. Reel video
3. Partnership

Part 2: Low-Cost Traditional Tactics That Still Work

Topics:

• Referral scheme creation (structure, incentives, keeping it simple)
• Business cards with a twist (QR codes, special offers)
• Networking like a pro (local groups, community events, pop-ups)
• “Leave-behind” marketing – flyers, postcards, or free samples that don’t get binned
• Leveraging local press & radio without paying for ads

Exercise:

• Referral Map — map 3 people/clients who could become your first referrers, and plan what you’d offer them as a reward.

Break (15 mins)

Part 3: Pulling it Together; Your Shoestring Marketing Plan

Topics:

• Choosing tactics that match your audience + business personality
• How to stay consistent without burning out
• Tracking results for free (spreadsheets, platform analytics)

Exercise:

• Mini Plan Challenge —

• Pick 2 digital + 2 traditional tactics
• Decide when/how you’ll do them in the next month
• Share one aloud for group accountability

Adam from Sustained Innovation is passionate about helping businesses work smarter, not harder. With a background in business process improvement, data analysis, and streamlining operations, Adam specialises in showing businesses, particularly sole traders and small teams, how to unlock their full potential by using the right tools in the right way.

In this talk and workshop, Adam will be diving into how modern technology can make even a one-person business feel like a full team. He will be sharing practical, easy-to-apply ways to automate repetitive tasks, manage work more efficiently, and create a more professional, organised business without adding extra hours to the day or hiring a full office of staff.

The session will cover:

• How built-in Windows tools and Office 365 features can streamline daily work

• How AI and automation tools can handle admin, customer service, marketing and more

• Real-world examples of simple systems that make you look and operate like a much bigger business

• Practical tips you can apply straight away

Adam’s style is hands-on, practical, and designed to leave you feeling empowered, not overwhelmed, with plenty of time for questions and a live demo of how easy these tools can be to set up.

Goals That Stick: Real Plans for Real Progress

A practical, no-fluff session to help you set goals that actually work for you,  not against you

Feel like traditional goal setting just doesn’t work for you? You’re not alone.

If you’ve ever scribbled down big business goals in January and promptly forgotten them by February (say hello again to to-do list chaos) this workshop is for you.

This workshop isn’t about vision boards, intentions or vague affirmations. It’s a real-world session for real-life business owners, the kind who wear all the hats, juggle all the tasks. It’s for those who want their business to support their life, not swallows it whole.

People factors are key in strategy execution and knowing how much stress is just right is a critical success factor. Chris Wilson, founder of Stress Science, will introduce you to a scientific approach from measuring stress to optimising team performance. 

Key Takeaways:

Stress Science developed their keystone coaching program called Performance Acceleration based upon a behaviour change model with human-centered design. In this short session we will discuss:

Three levels of regulation: Participants will learn by using a focused lens on physiology and stress and the research that supports this focus in our daily work. How to identify early warning signs through changes in your physiology.

Sustainable performance: Using the Stress Science Performance Acceleration coaching model the participants can create a performance success plan. 

Chris will stay after for anyone who wishes to continue the conversation at the Chambers.

About Chris

Chris is the founder of Stress Science. A coaching and consultancy business focused on biomarkers and metrics to create positive behaviour change.

He sits alongside your people and aligns the wellbeing and performance to the strategic roadmap fostering individual growth and organisational excellence. Using mindset training, diversity of thinking training and coaching to create capacity to function in VUCA environments. Empowering individuals to think flexibly and independently towards an identified goal.

Chris was a key mentor for previously and current serving defense personnel for Veterans South Australia, a government agency focused on supporting those who served in transition and the Minister for Veterans’ affairs.

Pioneering the entrepreneurship pathway that supported Veterans to create opportunities from their military experiences and take them from ideation into commercial opportunities.

A qualified mindset and executive coach.

Find out more about Stress Science here: https://wp-stage.norfolkchambers.co.uk/directory/stress-science/

Join us for our for a netwalk and make co.nnections whilst enjoying the beautiful views and animals at Banham Zoo.

What better way to give your well-being a boost than by spending time outside in the fresh air, networking with fellow business professionals at the beautiful Banham Zoo (whilst also getting those important steps in) and enjoying a rewarding drink and slice of cake at the end!

This outside event will start at The Banham Zoo Entrance, where we will meet for our walk around the Zoo. For those that would like to continue networking at the end of the walk, we will stop at the café for a well needed coffee and slice of cake (you will be required to pay for your own refreshments)

Are you a solopreneur or sole trader with limited time or LinkedIn experience?

Join Rick Notley from Uptech for a lively 2-hour workshop where we’ll cut through the noise and get real about growing your network and generating leads.

Discover how Rick consistently adds 1,500+ connections a year, creates opportunities for himself and others, and builds a standout presence—without spending hours scrolling.

What we’ll cover:

• Business page vs. personal profile—which one actually works for you?

• What to post—and what to avoid to keep it professional, not personal.

• Time-saving strategies to stay active without LinkedIn taking over your life.

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Bring your questions, your laptop or phone, and your curiosity. This interactive session is designed to give you actionable tips you can apply immediately.

No fluff, no fuss…just LinkedIn strategies that deliver.

Join us for our for a netwalk and make co.nnections whilst enjoying the beautiful views at Whitlingham Country Park.

What better way to give your well-being a boost than by spending time outside in the fresh air, networking with fellow business professionals at the beautiful Whitlingham Country Park (whilst also getting those important steps in) and enjoying a rewarding drink and slice of cake at the end!

This outside event will start at Whitlingham Café, where we will meet for our walk around the broad. For those that would like to continue networking at the end of the walk, we will stop at the café for a well needed coffee and slice of cake (you will be required to pay for your own refreshments)

Get ready to celebrate the festive season at the Co.Solo Christmas Party on Friday December 13th from 7 pm until midnight at the St Giles Hotel, in the heart of beautiful Norwich.

Co.Solo’ers will enjoy Prosecco upon arrival, followed by a delicious three-course meal – the perfect way to toast to 2024 and your business!

Led by Co.Solo lead Katie Norwood, this event is part of the Co.Solo programme offering Norfolk Freelancers, Sole traders and Independent Professionals an opportunity to connect with fellow Co.Solo members in a festive atmosphere. Join the Co.Solo community and let’s celebrate together! Ticket sales will close on December 6th, with pricing set at £55 for members and £75 for non-members. A special thank you to our festive sponsor, Howes Percival. Howes Percival are a leading commercial law firm with clients ranging from individuals and families to global businesses and government departments. They offer a wide range of legal expertise and are constantly investing in new specialisms to ensuring they offer excellent advice to their clients across all aspects of their business. We look forward to celebrating the festive season with you! 

Please email Katie.Norwood@norfolkchambers.co.uk with your food choice 

 Game Terrine (DF) (GF) Sourdough toast, cranberry and port chutney

Garnished Seasonal Vegetable Soup (GF) (V)Lightly toasted Croutons

Prawn and Crayfish Cocktail (GF) Fresh leaves, cherry plum tomatoes, chili cocktail sauce

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Roast Turkey (GF) Roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, seasonal vegetables and honey roasted parsnips. Sage and apricot stuffing, yorkshire pudding and jus

Roasted Cod Fillet Supreme

Sweet potato mash, wilted spinach leaves, brown shrimp and herb butter

 Nut Roast (V) Seasonal vegetables, roast potatoes, sage and red Onion stuffing, Yorkshire pudding and jus

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White Chocolate Creme BruleSt Giles shortbread

St Giles House Traditional Christmas Pudding (V) Brandy sauce

 Dark Chocolate Truffle Torte Vanilla ice cream

Join us at our brand-new Business Hub for a Co.Solo Knowledge Session aimed to empower Co.solers with the confidence to network effectively and turn connections into clients. Agenda 9.30am: Introduction

9.45am: Knowledge Session lead by Katie Norwood, Co.solo programme lead and Chambers Marketing and Communications Manager, Rick Notley.

11am: Event Close

Please feel welcome to stay and work in the Hub after event close.   This session will also include tea, coffee and pastries. Dietary Requirements Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements. Getting to the Hub The Business Hub, Hardwick House, is walkable from Norwich Train Station (8 minute walk), Rose Lane Car Park (5 minute walk) and Castle Quarter Car Park (2 minutes walk). Cancellation policy If you have booked tickets for this event and can no longer attend, please notify us at hello@norfolkchambers.co.uk