Free AI programme helps small businesses 'Bot Up' their marketing
A free, four-week online programme - Bot Up Your Business - is back to help small businesses use AI to get more from their marketing without adding more to their plate. It's built for owners and lean marketing teams who want practical wins fast, not theory.
Research from Small Business Britain and BT Group in 2025 found 60% of business owners believe AI will be essential within five years. Two thirds see clear upside for growth, yet half say they need more hands-on support to apply it. This programme targets that gap.
What marketers can expect
- Four weekly, expert-led online sessions starting 5 March
- Step-by-step workflows to save time and improve campaign quality
- Recordings for on-demand learning and a private community for Q&A
Skills you'll build
- Content creation: ad copy, social posts, landing pages, and repurposing frameworks
- Email marketing: subject line testing, segmentation ideas, and lifecycle prompts
- Website performance: SEO basics, content briefs, and simple on-page fixes
- AI-assisted tools: prompt libraries, brand voice guards, and repeatable templates
Why it matters now
Michelle Ovens CBE, CEO of Small Business Britain, says many small firms know AI can save time but don't feel confident using it for marketing. The programme focuses on immediate, practical outcomes so teams can move from curiosity to results.
Trainer Cheryl Laidlaw adds: "AI is no longer a future advantage, it is a present day business skill. Programmes like 'Bot Up Your Business' help small businesses move from feeling overwhelmed by AI to actually using it to save time, improve marketing, and grow with confidence."
BT's Chris Sims underscores the same point: small businesses want to work faster and smarter. This training shows how to use AI to improve creative output and reach, while freeing up time for customer relationships and growth.
Who it's for
- Small business marketers and founders with limited time and resources
- Teams with no previous technical skills who want clear, repeatable processes
- Anyone who's tested AI tools but hasn't turned them into reliable workflows
How to get involved
The programme runs online from 5 March across four weekly sessions and builds on AI skills training that has already reached 2,500+ entrepreneurs. Participants also get access to a private online community and recordings for flexible learning.
For more details, check updates from Small Business Britain. If you want additional structured learning paths for marketers, see our AI Certification for Marketing Specialists. Training organisers can also consider the AI Learning Path for Training & Development Managers, and small business leaders looking for practical AI strategy guidance can explore the AI Learning Path for Business Unit Managers.
Quick wins you can apply right away
- Build a brand voice guide once, then use it to keep AI outputs consistent across channels
- Create a week of social posts from one core piece of content with smart prompts
- Draft email sequences, then refine subject lines with A/B test ideas in minutes
- Turn keyword lists into SEO briefs that content writers can follow without guesswork
Bottom line: this is practical training for marketers who want stronger campaigns in less time - and a simple path to make AI part of everyday work.
Your membership also unlocks:
