Twenty businesses in Saffron Walden town centre took part in social media training sessions last week thanks to a new initiative.
The free, in-person 30-minute sessions were hosted by local firm HCreative, and arranged by Saffron Walden Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with Uttlesford District Council, who funded the initiative.
HCreative is owned and managed by Harrison Cantel, who lives in the area and has helped hundreds of businesses, including Microsoft and The Bodyshop, with their online marketing and social media presence.
He said: "With the world moving more and more online, it was so refreshing to meet with local businesses and sit down face-to-face to go through their social media strategy.
"Thank you to the BID for bringing the project to life and I look forward to continuing to support businesses around Uttlesford!"
Harrison spent two days visiting business owners in their place of work, where he went through their current social media and marketing strategy and made recommendations on how to improve reach and maximise the return on what is published online.
Todd Weston, owner of Weston Aquatics, said: "I found the experience really helpful and would definitely recommend.
"It was really great to have Harrison visit my shop and give some great pointers, I'm looking forward to working with Harrison again."
Several other businesses also gave positive feedback about the experience.
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Deborah Imrie, owner of Bare Beauty, said: "We found the time really helpful and informative. Thank you to the BID for organising this initiative.
"This is the kind of expertise that can directly benefit every small business in Saffron Walden."
Hassan Shamkh, who owns The Restaurant on Church Street, said: "We really benefited from Harrison’s expertise and his great feedback but above all he is local man knows our town very well."
Cheryl Christmas, owner of Jolie Patisserie, said: "Thank you to Harrison for your time and information, I even managed to post my first reel.
"Thank you to the BID and UDC for organising, it’s something that will benefit my business."
Following this success, the BID and the council hope to arrange more sessions in the autumn.
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