What I Shared With Norfolk’s Newest Startups

Yesterday I had the absolute pleasure of speaking to a room full of brand-new business owners at the BIPC Norfolk, inside The Forum in Norwich, as part of #EntrepreneurshipWeek — and honestly, what an energy boost.

There’s something special about being around people right at the beginning of their business journey. The questions. The ideas. The “I’m excited but terrified” faces. I’ve been there, and it felt like a full-circle moment guiding everyone through the foundations of real, simple marketing planning - the kind that stops overwhelm and actually gets you results.

After we worked through the basics, I lifted the lid on my personal Top Five Budget-Friendly Marketing Tactics - the exact things I’d do if I was starting from scratch today.

Here are some key things I covered:

1. Know your one ideal customer. Just one.

Not “everyone.” Not “anyone who will pay me.” One specific person with a specific problem. Your marketing gets instantly easier.

2. Build a simple content system - not random posts.

A weekly rhythm. Three pillars. A mix of education, value, and proof. No fancy tools needed - just consistency.

3. Use your personal brand early.

Your face, your story, your energy. People buy from people. Especially in those early days when trust matters most.

4. Repurpose everything.

One idea = a LinkedIn post, an Instagram Reel, an email, a blog, a webinar talking point. Cheap. Fast. Effective.

5. Collaborate your way to visibility.

Guest speaking, podcast swaps, local partnerships, workshops - it costs nothing but can open doors you didn’t know existed.

We finished with a great Q&A and some brilliant conversations afterwards. The future of the Norfolk startup scene is looking strong.

A massive thank you to Julie Cleminson for inviting me, and to my fellow speakers Rob Town From Kickstart Business Growth and Alex Till - always a pleasure sharing the stage with people who genuinely want to see businesses thrive.

To everyone who attended: good luck on your business journey. You’ve got this - and remember, small consistent marketing actions beat big complicated ones every single time.