Social Media
Marketing
Cardiff | Virtual Online
90% of social media marketers are confident of bringing in a positive ROI – but how many UK SMEs actually achieve this? Learn the fundamentals that separate success from struggle
Transform your social media presence with training that actually works.
Over 800 professionals from Cardiff to London have already discovered why our social media training stands apart. Since 2008, we’ve helped marketing teams, PR professionals, admin staff, and business owners turn their social media efforts into real business results.
This isn’t just another generic course. You’ll learn the platforms that matter most in 2026 – Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok and X – and how to use AI tools like ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot to plan, write and create content faster, without losing your brand’s voice.
Ready to join hundreds of satisfied professionals who’ve already transformed their social media game?
Price
- Face-to-face virtual course
- Video recording of the course
- Support site (inc course notes)
- Post-course support
Learning outcomes
On completion of this 1-day course you will:
- Learn a new framework for developing a digital marketing strategy
- Discover how the major social networks work and how they differ to one another
- Gain confidence in managing your own social media activities
- Use AI tools confidently and responsibly to save time on content creation
- Explore different approaches to using the social media platforms
- Encounter new tools for creating, monitoring and publishing social media
Who is the course aimed at?
It is aimed at beginner-intermediate marketing and PR professionals and those who are managing social media accounts. Whether you are involved in Social Media for SME’s, councils, charities, the NHS or education departments, you should find this course of particular interest.
Social Media modules covered
Module 1 : Social Media Today: what's changed and what matters now
- The UK picture in 2026: who uses which platforms, and how much
- The big shifts: feeds built on recommendations, short video everywhere, and people searching on social and AI tools
- What this means for small teams: doing fewer platforms, better
Module 2 : Strategy: planning with SOSTAC® and customer journeys
- Planning with SOSTAC®: turning your goals into a practical social media plan
- Mapping customer journeys and choosing the right platforms for your audience
- Setting measurable objectives and reporting results to managers or trustees
Module 3 : Facebook and WhatsApp: community, content and ads that still deliver
- How the Facebook feed works now, and the posts, Reels and Groups that still get reach
- WhatsApp Channels and Communities: reaching supporters directly on their phones
- Meta Business Suite and ads: scheduling, insights and AI-driven targeting
Module 4 : YouTube and TikTok: short-form video that gets seen
- YouTube, the UK’s most-used platform: channels, Shorts and getting found in search
- TikTok: how the For You feed works, and whether it’s right for your organisation
- Making video on a small budget and reusing it across every platform
Module 5: AI: working faster without sounding like a robot
- Hands-on with ChatGPT, Gemini and Copilot, plus the AI tools built into Meta, LinkedIn and Canva
- Prompts that work: getting on-brand content, not generic AI copy
- Responsible use: accuracy, labelling AI content and data privacy
Module 6 : Instagram: Reels, carousels and getting found
- What Instagram rewards in 2026, and how to create Reels and carousels people share
- Getting found: keywords, captions, the new five-hashtag limit and Google search
- Reaching new audiences with Trial Reels and Collab posts
Module 7 : X, Threads and Bluesky: where to post and whether to stay
- What X is now, and how its algorithm and Premium accounts affect your reach
- Threads and Bluesky: who’s using them and whether they’re worth your time
- Should you stay? Making the right call for your organisation
Module 8 : LinkedIn: profiles, company pages and building reach
- Profiles that work harder: headline, About and Featured section
- How LinkedIn decides who sees your posts, and the formats that perform
- Why reach now comes through people: company pages vs employee advocacy
Course costs
Our online courses are charged as follows: £399 (+VAT)*, though Early bird prices may apply). Prices include:
- Slides for the day.
- Video recording of the day**
- Access to our password-protected area where you can access latest slides and self-help guide, along with links to useful resources and videos.
Discount
Get 10% off course bookings:
- if your organisation is a registered charity (not applicable to Early Bird discounts)
- If you have 2 or more staff attending, we can offer a discount of 10% (off the standard NOT Early Bird rate).
Times
Courses start at 9.15 am but we ask people to sign in to Zoom by 9.10 am. The courses end at 4.30 pm and lunch is usually taken at 12.30 pm with tea and coffee breaks mid morning and mid afternoon.
Location
All courses are delivered through Zoom which allows us to stream HD-quality video of our courses direct to your office or home, via desktop or tablet. These courses are limited to a maximum of 8 people. Learn more about Virtual Classrooms.
Cardiff training venue
Our principal training venue is located in the offices of Liberty Marketing in Cardiff Business Park, Llanishen. This location is conveniently located between the M4 (junction 32) and Cardiff City Centre, making it easily accessible from Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, the valleys and South West England. Please note on occasion our training venues may be located in Cardiff City centre (always check the events page for correct location).
Cardiff training venue
Our principal training venue is located in the offices of Liberty Marketing in Cardiff Business Park, Llanishen. This location is conveniently located between the M4 (junction 32) and Cardiff City Centre, making it easily accessible from Cardiff, Swansea, Newport, the valleys and South West England. Please note on occasion our training venues may be located in Cardiff City centre (always check the events page for correct location).
London training venue
The venue for the workshop is in the heart of London and therefore ideal for transport links. We hold the training at either Portland Place or Holborn Bars in London. Both venues offer free wifi, teas/coffees and a sit-down lunch in a restaurant on-site.
Testimonials
Testimonial
I have done plenty of training courses over the years but the two that I have done recently with Marketing Tom have been by far the best. The Social Media course I did with Alun John was great. I left with so many points I could actually action. It took me weeks to complete everything I wrote down but in one month, my GA stats were massively improved.
Juliet Davies, Executive Officer
Cardiff University
More testimonials
I have done plenty of training courses over the years but the two that I have done recently with Marketing Tom have been by far the best. The Social Media course I did with Alun John was great. I left with so many points I could actually action. It took me weeks to complete everything I wrote down but in one month, my GA stats were massively improved.
Juliet Davies, Executive Officer
Cardiff University
The social media course was excellent. Alun provided the group with lots of practical advice on how to make inspiring content and increase user engagement, and was happy to answer any questions or queries we had. He also used lots of fantastic examples that were really thought-provoking. I came away from the course with lots of ideas that I have been able to put into practice very successfully. As a result, engagement across my organisation’s social media platforms has increased significantly over the past five months.
Isabel Gillen-Smith, Professional Standards Officer
Architects Registration Board
I found the course very informative & extremely helpful. I didn’t really know what to expect but to be honest I was massively impressed with the information & advice I walked away with. Canva alone has been a great tool for me. I have been using paid advertising through FB & we’re already achieving results. Through the analytics I’ve been able to monitor traffic & we are on a steady increase.
Dan Heap
Nouveau Clinic
The Social Media course I went on was fantastic. Alun was a fantastic instructor, whose approach was friendly and encouraging. I learned so much during the one day course, it was so engaging I could have easily stayed for the whole week to learn more. With great tips and links to useful blogs and websites, I can easily put skills learned into practice. I just want to say Thank You and I’m sure I will see you again. P.S the venue and lunch was great
Aimee-Jane Carpenter, Junior Account Manager
Delta Consultants
The Social Media Training Masterclass was the most informative and useful that I have attended. Marketing Tom provides all the information you need regarding social media and digital marketing practices as a whole including multiple social platforms, blogging, SEO, strategy and tips for getting the most your of your communications for your organisation.
I highly recommend Marketing Tom’s sessions to revolutionise the way your use social for business and help you to shape your future success. Thanks again for a great session!
Katie Peplow, Social Media Officer
Royal Voluntary Service
Alun’s course gave me great insight into how to take our social media accounts to the next level. He crammed in an awful lot of content, but still kept the day light, fun and engaging.
Jan Butter, Director for Communication
The Anglican Communion
Marketing Tom Media provided a thorough overview of the latest social media marketing tools and techniques with great examples, insight and delivery – a very worthwhile day!
Tom Holbourn, Head of Marketing
Caspian Media
Alun John (Marketing Tom Media) came highly recommended! The Social Media Marketing course gave me an in-depth view on how to use popular social media sites to a business advantage. Anyone thinking of expanding their use of social media tools should consider this course. A thoroughly enjoyable and information packed course, with a practical approach. Will hopefully be joining Alun again on his upcoming courses in the near future.
Victoria Humphreys, Marketing Officer
Seren Books
This course offers a valuable insight into the world of Social Media, and how using specific social media tools can benefit your company no matter how big or small. Alun knows exactly what he’s talking about and is happy to answer questions along the way breaking down those barriers caused by fears of the ‘unknown’ (I was a non-Twitter user before I attended this course!) This course provided me with the confidence and knowledge to lead our company into the modern world! It was really interesting, enjoyable and fun too! I would highly recommend this course.
Ann Barker, Marketing Manager
Gymboree UK
With new media moving at such a fast pace, the Social Media Marketing course is a must for all marketing professionals, as it provides in-depth knowledge on how to make social media tools work for your business and enhance your digital marketing strategies. Having done several courses with Alun in the past, I knew that this would be fully informative, relevant and taught using a relaxed, interactive approach – definitely recommended!
Louise Elias, Marketing Manager
Sinclair Volkswagen
The Social Media Marketing course is ideal for anyone wishing to expand on their existing knowledge of social media marketing techniques, or for those who feel slightly lost in this fast-moving environment, like I did! I found the course highly interactive, and the lively discussions and presentations offered everyone the opportunity to think about their own organisations and how to apply these creative methods to marketing in a practical way. As a result of the course I have started a new job where I have the opportunity to apply all my knowledge on a day-to-day basis. I now feel I can talk with confidence on a range of social media initiatives and am even teaching my colleagues! I would thoroughly recommend this course for all marketing professionals as we move into what is seen to be a new and exciting time for social media marketing.
Beth James, Accessible Information and Research Officer
Learning Disability Wales
Everything I know about social media, I learnt from Alun! A really engaging and useful course to help you understand how to get your company’s social media presence up and running successfully. Alun uses his expert knowledge to give personalised recommendations and tips to meet the individual needs of your company. His passion and enthusiasm for the subject is truly infectious leaving you chomping at the bit to get started on your own social media strategy! Well worth attending.
Alice Silver, Community Manager
Schoolzone
I had some knowledge about different social media platforms but after attending the training program it gave me clear indications on what are the most productive routes to use various social media platforms to achieve the optimum results for our events/exhibition. I highly recommend this program.
Sumit Pal, Sales Manager
Property Investor Media
Marketing Tom’s social media courses are an effective way to learn about social media implementations and practices in the business world. The course I attended was good on an introductory level – covering the basics of the various platforms and why & how businesses should use them – but also covered more intermediate and advanced topics, while tying it all into the most important elements in business, which should be seen as the most important reasons why social media is used for business purposes: branding, interaction and ROI.
* Prices exclude VAT.
** Depending on whether everyone is in agreement.
Looking for an in-house course?
Our in-house courses for 3 or more people are tailored to your needs and can be delivered in-person or online.
You’re in good company! These companies have all sent staff on our Social Media courses…
