Free social media support for Lincolnshire businesses

North Kesteven District Council offers digital skills training and social media tools worth more than £400 to local companies.  

A new project aims to help local businesses, social enterprises and entrepreneurs in Lincolnshire reach more customers and grow sales. Experts from social media marketing platform Maybe* will provide digital skills training supported by North Kesteven District Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The training includes everything from where to start with social media to advanced strategies on how to use Facebook ads to deliver winning sales tactics.  

According to UK consumer research conducted by Maybe* in 2022-23, just 16% of local businesses in the district are active on social media, below the UK average of 24.4%.  

At the same time, 79% of consumers in England spend more than seven hours per week on social media and 85% say social media influenced purchasing in the last year. 

The council has received £36,000 from the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, which it will use over a three-year period, beginning with this Maybe* partnership, to help some 3,500 businesses across North Kesteven access social media tools and advice.  

Polly Barnfield OBE, CEO of Maybe*, says: ‘It’s a privilege for Maybe* to be able to support the local business community in North Kesteven. We are enjoying working with these local businesses to help them use social media to connect with customers and improve their ability to reach new markets.’  

Alan Gray, Economic Development Manager at North Kesteven District Council, says: ‘There’s a fantastic range of local businesses and traders throughout the district – from hospitality, food and drink through to service-based businesses, arts and culture, heritage attractions and more. 

‘Those active on social media often have a great presence online and they strive to engage with customers both there and in person. Social media and all its algorithms and tools are ever-changing however, and so we hope this free training and advice will help businesses across the district generate further sales by boosting their activities online and discovering what else they can do using it. 

‘That’s a great thing for those businesses and could be impactful too for our high streets and centres by encouraging more people to visit and keep using them.’ 

Maybe* also provides scheduling, engagement, listening, reporting and training tools to help businesses learn how to better connect with customers. 

The council offers a range of business support, not least through its independent business support advisor who can assist with start-up advice, business planning, grants and funding, development and skills, sales and marketing. 

The government’s Shared Prosperity Fund is key element of the wider Levelling Up programme, with £2.6bn available for local investment up to March 2025.

In related news, thousands of digital devices are being given free to communities in Birmingham.

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