Small business owners can now enhance their marketing efforts and save valuable time with the return of the free, four-week online ‘Bot Up Your Business’ AI programme. Designed to address the growing demand and confidence gap in adopting Artificial Intelligence, this initiative offers practical guidance to help entrepreneurs leverage AI for better marketing results.
Key takeaways
- The ‘Bot Up Your Business’ programme offers free, four-week online AI training for small businesses.
- It aims to bridge the skills gap, enabling owners to use AI confidently for marketing.
- Participants will learn practical skills in content creation, email marketing, and SEO.
- The programme starts on March 5th and includes access to an online community and recorded sessions.
Bridging the AI skills gap
Research indicates a significant belief among business owners that AI will be essential in the coming years, with many recognizing its potential for growth. However, a substantial number struggle with effective implementation, highlighting a need for hands-on support. The ‘Bot Up Your Business’ programme directly addresses this by providing expert-led, practical guidance.
Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO and Founder of Small Business Britain, stated, "Small business owners know AI can save time and open up new opportunities, but many don’t know how to use it confidently, especially for marketing. ‘Bot Up Your Business’ is designed to be practical, friendly and immediately useful, helping entrepreneurs cut through the noise and get real results."
Practical AI skills for marketing
Delivered entirely online, the programme commences on March 5th with four weekly sessions. Building on previous successful training that reached over 2,500 entrepreneurs, this initiative requires no prior technical skills. Participants will gain practical skills in creating marketing assets and utilizing AI-assisted tools. Topics covered include content creation, email marketing, and improving website performance through SEO and digital strategies.
Cheryl Laidlaw, a Web Designer and AI Trainer involved in the programme, emphasized the current relevance of AI, stating, "AI is no longer a future advantage, it is a present day business skill." She added that the programme is vital for helping small businesses move from feeling overwhelmed to confidently using AI to save time, improve marketing, and foster growth.
Benefits for businesses
Chris Sims, Chief Commercial Officer, UK Business, at BT, highlighted the programme’s responsiveness to business needs: "The ‘Bot Up Your Business’ programme… is in direct response to the message we are getting from small businesses – that they want to use AI to work faster and smarter." The programme aims to help businesses harness AI’s power to enhance marketing creativity and reach, freeing up valuable time for innovation, customer relationships, and overall growth.
In addition to the training sessions, participants will gain access to a private online community for questions and peer-to-peer learning. All sessions are recorded, offering flexibility for on-demand access.
Sources
- Free AI programme helps small businesses ‘Bot Up’ their marketing, TheNational.scot.
- Free AI programme helps small businesses ‘Bot Up’ their marketing, Hillingdon Times.
- Free AI programme helps small businesses ‘Bot Up’ their marketing, Northwich Guardian.
