Attract Customers & Increase Sales

Helping businesses improve visibility, generate demand and convert enquiries into customers through practical marketing & sales techniques.

Attract Customers & Increase Sales

Date: Thursday 4th February 2027

Time: 9am - 1pm

Location: Freedom Works - The Palace Workspace, 1-3 Robertson Street, Hastings, East Sussex, TN34 1HN

Ideal for: Sole traders, early-stage businesses and micro businesses operating in East Sussex

Format: In-person | Practical | Interactive | Peer learning

Cost: Fully funded for East Sussex businesses

Most businesses need a steady flow of customers, but marketing and sales can feel difficult to manage when time and budgets are limited.

You may be posting on social media without seeing results, relying heavily on referrals or receiving enquiries that do not consistently turn into work.

This event brings together two complementary workshops covering the complete journey from attracting attention to securing a customer.

Practical Marketing That Works will help you identify the right audience, sharpen your message and focus on realistic marketing activity.

From Interest to Income will then help you manage enquiries, communicate value, follow up confidently and guide potential customers towards a decision.

Workshop C

Alex Ryan, Marketing 101

Alex Ryan is a marketing strategist, speaker, podcaster & DJ. He is the founder of several businesses including the agency Marketing 101 and alcohol brand Vermouth Actually, as well as the Chair of Gaydio (the world’s biggest queer radio station). He has over 15 years of experience helping businesses improve visibility, attract customers and grow through effective marketing. Alex works with businesses across a range of industries and is known for delivering practical, no-jargon marketing advice that businesses can implement immediately.

Workshop D

Ric Hayden, LearningCog Ltd

Ric is the founder of LearningCog, and has years of experience in Learning and Development, coaching, and consulting. He has worked with gloabl corporations and small to medium-sized businesses, focusing on strategic and operational organisational development. His expertise spans business management, logistics, customer operations, sales, and service, with a strong track record in turnaround and change management.

Marketing does not need to mean being everywhere, posting constantly or spending large amounts of money.

This workshop will help you focus on the customers you want to reach, the messages most likely to connect with them and the marketing channels that make sense for your business.

You will begin developing an approach that is practical, focused and manageable.

• Understanding your ideal customers
• Clarifying what makes your business valuable
• Communicating your offer clearly
• Choosing appropriate marketing channels
• Websites, social media and email marketing
• Creating relevant and useful content
• Planning consistent marketing activity
• Measuring what is working

• Clearer marketing priorities
• A stronger understanding of your target customers
• Ideas for improving your business message
• A manageable marketing plan
• Practical actions you can implement immediately

Generating interest is important, but it does not automatically result in a sale.

This workshop focuses on what happens after someone discovers your business. You will explore how to respond to enquiries, understand customer needs, explain your value and follow up without feeling uncomfortable or overly sales-focused.

The aim is to create a clear, confident and repeatable customer journey.

• Mapping the journey from first contact to purchase
• Responding effectively to enquiries
• Asking useful questions
• Understanding customer needs
• Communicating value rather than competing only on price
• Discussing pricing with confidence
• Responding to questions and objections
• Creating a consistent follow-up process
• Reviewing and improving conversion

• A clearer sales process
• Greater confidence in customer conversations
• Practical ways to communicate value
• A more structured approach to follow-up
• Actions to help convert more enquiries into customers

Marketing creates awareness and interest. Sales helps turn that interest into income.

The two workshops have been paired so you can examine the whole customer journey-from first attracting the right audience through to converting an enquiry into paying work.

This event is suitable for business owners who:

• Want to attract more customers
• Are unsure which marketing activity to prioritise
• Find it difficult to communicate what makes their business different
• Receive enquiries but do not always convert them
• Lack confidence discussing prices
• Want a more consistent approach to sales and follow-up

You do not need previous marketing or sales experience.

The programme is only open to businesses that are based and trading in East Sussex (that excludes Brighton & Hove, I’m afraid).

9:00am–9:30am Registration, refreshments and informal networking

9:30am–11:00am Practical Marketing That Works

11:00am–11:30am Refreshment break and networking

11:30am–1:00pm From Interest to Income

1:00pm Close and signposting to further support

👉 Secure your fully funded place here today.

This programme is funded by the Sussex and Brighton Strategic Authority and East Sussex County Council. It is managed by East Sussex County Council and delivered by Freedom Works Ltd.

Event venue & nearby stays

Freedom Works - The Palace Workspace, 1-3 Robertson Street, Hastings, United Kingdom

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.

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