Two award-winning solopreneurs from south Warwickshire who specialise in small businesses, have unveiled a new workshop which they claim will offer vital support for SME owners battling to keep their brand visible throughout the cost-of-living crisis.

Joining forces for the first time, Amanda Chalmers, of Chalmers News PR, in Warwick, and Katie Wilber of Cotswold Connected, in Stratford, are pledging to empower small business owners through their workshop by guaranteeing everyone valuable one to one time.

Empower PR is a one-stop shop affordable workshop created to help businesses that either don't have a marketing budget or want to learn more about how it works – despite potentially impacting their own.

Amanda and Katie are being supported by Tracey McAtamney, of Ladies First Professional Business Network based in Solihull.

A local journalist for 30 years and former newspaper editor, Amanda established Chalmers News PR five years ago, since scooping two national awards - The Woman Who Achieves in Media Award 2022 and Ladies First Excellence In Media Award this year. She hopes local businesses can benefit from a wealth of experience after her three decades in the local media.

Workshop numbers are intentionally limited so every attendee can be guaranteed one on one time with Amanda to explore the PR potential for their own businesses – as well as learn essential press release writing skills and how to nurture media relations.

She said: "You don't work in newspapers for so long without learning a thing or two about effective PR and marketing. And for the past five years running my own PR agency it's really brought home to me what a huge appetite there is among the growing number of small businesses, for learning these skills – but particularly now, when budgets are being squeezed more than ever.

"Public relations is important because it can elevate an almost anonymous business to a brand that connects with its audience. PR makes that happen by establishing communication channels, providing and releasing positive content, ensuring that content reaches the target audience and so reassuring them of your brand's values."

She added: "It is recognised that PR is of vital importance to businesses of all sizes but, sadly, it's usually the smaller ones that miss out on the opportunities good PR can generate because they either don't know how to approach it or don't have the time to address it among all their other day to day responsibilities.

"More and more small business owners are discovering they can't afford to outsource to a professional, so this workshop offers the perfect solution when it comes to learning the important basics. From how to write a stand-out press release and where to send it – to how to pitch and build key relationships, it's all invaluable insight and knowledge that they can take with them going forward."

Since establishing Cotswold Connected in Stratford in 2021, Katie Wilber has worked with a huge range of clients across multiple sectors and is passionate about helping SME businesses grow – both their online accounts and their business.

The following year she was awarded Best Online Business at the Stratford Herald Business and Tourism Awards.

Katie said: "I'm really excited to be working with Amanda and Tracey on Empower PR. It will be a fabulous event equipping SMEs with key skills to help their businesses grow.

"With over 80 per cent of people now buying online and 85 per cent using social media, it's crucial your business is visible. Every business is unique and your social media should be too. The top tips and tricks you learn at this workshop will enable you to stand out on the crowd and reach new marketing heights.

"PR and social media go hand in hand and together they create a marketing powerhouse. Empower PR will give business owners the opportunity to gain expert knowledge from both fields."

Empower PR takes place at Nailcote Hall Hotel's Pavilion Golf Clubhouse in Berkswell between 9.30 and 3pm and includes arrival refreshments and two-course lunch.

There will also be the chance to hear from Tracey McAtamney about how PR worked for both her networking group and charity foundation. For further information and to book visit the website.