Empowering Local Businesses: Social Media Workshop at HoW College

Last week, Redditch BID proudly partnered with Heart of Worcestershire College to deliver a hands-on social media workshop tailored for local businesses arming them with the tools, confidence, and know-how to make their online presence count.

Hosted at the college’s state-of-the-art campus, the session brought together a mix of independent retailers, service providers, and high street favourites, all eager to explore how social media can help grow their business and connect more meaningfully with their audience.

From Basics to Brilliant

The workshop kicked off with an introduction to the power of social media in 2025, revealing some striking stats—like the fact that over 5.4 billion people are now active users across platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok. Attendees learned how consumer behaviour has shifted, with nearly half of all users engaging more with brands online than just six months ago.

Getting Strategic About Social

From what makes a post stand out to how hashtags can drive engagement, the session offered real-world tips and insights into each platform’s unique audience. It highlighted why Instagram is ideal for visuals, how LinkedIn helps with professional credibility, and why TikTok continues to capture younger audiences with authentic content. There was also a candid discussion about the decline of X (formerly Twitter), and what it means for businesses navigating today’s digital landscape.

Learning from the Best (and Worst)

Using famous brand case studies both good and bad the session broke down what works, what flops, and what local businesses can learn. From Burger King’s controversial tweet to Nike’s inspirational “Just Do It” campaign, attendees saw first-hand the importance of tone, timing, and knowing your audience.

Tools to Save Time and Stay Consistent

Businesses were also introduced to Hootsuite, a powerful tool for scheduling content, tracking performance, and planning posts across multiple platforms. This led to discussions around the benefits of consistent posting, using automated replies for customer service, and aligning content with wider marketing goals.

A Stepping Stone to More

The workshop wrapped up with a look ahead at how businesses can further upskill, including opportunities to take part in professional marketing qualifications through HoW College.

Whether you’re a business just starting out on social media or looking to take your content to the next level, this workshop was a valuable step forward bringing the Redditch business community together to learn, share, and grow in today’s fast-paced digital world.