The Essential Course to Help SMEs Take Control of Their Growth and Profitability

Why SMEs Struggle Without a Strategic Marketing Plan

It’s not uncommon to see ambitious business owners investing time and money into marketing without any clear direction. Many experiment with different tactics, Google Ads, social media campaigns, and networking events, only to find themselves no better off six months later. The result? The outcome included a wasted budget, confusion, and stagnating sales.

At the heart of the issue is a lack of strategic marketing structure. Without a solid foundation, marketing becomes guesswork. And guesswork rarely delivers ROI.

That’s where the Strategic Marketing Mastery course from Opportunity Marketing offers genuine value. Developed specifically for SME business owners, junior marketers and those new to strategic marketing, this 10-module online course is more than just a The training programme is a practical framework that empowers users to build a results-driven marketing strategy with clarity and confidence.

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Opportunity Marketing is uniquely positioned to help SME business owners, junior marketers, and accidental marketers gain the clarity, structure, and confidence needed to drive measurable business growth through marketing. We offer a proven strategy-first framework delivered through our Strategic Marketing Mastery course. We guide clients step-by-step to build a bespoke, ROI-driven marketing plan tailored to their objectives. Our impartial, expert-led support empowers businesses to stop wasting budget on ineffective tactics and start making informed decisions that deliver sustainable profitability. Contact Us: 0333 320 4108 or info@opportunitymarketing.co.uk

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Who This Course Is For – And Who It’s Not For

The course has been carefully designed to meet the needs of businesses and individuals with little to no marketing structure in place but a strong desire to grow.

It is ideally suited to:

• SME owners in their early years of trading who need direction but are unsure where to start.
• Junior marketers, such as assistants, graduates or apprentices, who want to better understand how to build an effective marketing strategy.
• Internal team members who have had marketing responsibilities assigned to them but lack experience or formal training.
• Business owners who want to upskill internal staff while developing an in-house strategy.
• Individuals who are committed to learning, open to guidance, and looking to take proactive control of business growth.

This course is not recommended for:

• Experienced marketing professionals already familiar with strategic marketing principles.
• Business owners who are unwilling or unable to commit the time to follow a structured training programme.
• There are delegates who lack the drive for self-improvement or resist adapting their approach.

The course’s success depends on having the right people engage with it—those who are ready to implement meaningful change and who understand the value of strategy over tactics.

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Key Business Challenges Addressed by the Course

1. Wasted Time and Budget on Ineffective Marketing

Without a strategic framework, many SMEs tend to experiment with various marketing tactics without evaluating their relevance or return. It’s common to see a business spend thousands on advertising or digital tools only to gain negligible results.

This course shows you how to:

• Stop reacting to trends and start planning with purpose.
• Evaluate your current marketing efforts based on strategy, not opinion.
• Allocate your budget to activities that are tailored to your objectives and audience.

2. Stagnant or Declining Growth

When marketing fails to bring in new customers or retain existing ones, your business becomes vulnerable. Stagnation erodes competitiveness and undermines team morale.

The course provides:

• Tools to analyse where growth has plateaued and why.
• Methods to identify overlooked opportunities and underused strengths.
• Clarity on how to consistently attract, convert, and retain the right customers.

3. Inconsistent Sales and Cash Flow Challenges

Irregular income makes it difficult to plan ahead, invest, or grow your business with confidence. Strategic marketing helps create predictable pipelines of leads and sales.

The course teaches you to:

• Align your marketing strategy with your business model and sales process.
• Build campaigns and customer journeys that generate and nurture leads.
• Implement review systems to measure performance and optimise it over time.

4. Lack of Direction and Missed Opportunities

Businesses without a marketing strategy often lack clarity about who they serve, how they differ from competitors, and what their message should be. Such confusion not only confuses potential customers; it confuses the business itself.

The course offers:

• A structured pathway to define your audience’s offer and value proposition.
• Guidance on choosing the most effective marketing channels for your market.
• This is a long-term plan that will help you build momentum and spot growth opportunities before your competitors do.

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What You’ll Gain: Tangible Outcomes of Strategic Marketing Mastery

Greater Control Over Growth and Profitability

This course aims to restore control to business owners. If you have a solid understanding of the fundamental elements that comprise a marketing strategy, you will be able to improve your decision-making abilities, organise your investments in a more effective manner, and reduce waste.

Instead of outsourcing marketing decisions or reacting to underperformance, you’ll have a reliable framework that supports profitable growth.

Enhanced Confidence in Your Business Strategy

Marketing shouldn’t be a gamble. Through the course’s exercises and templates, you’ll develop confidence in your planning and messaging. You’ll know what to say, when to say it, and how to measure the impact.

That level of clarity breeds confidence not just in yourself, but also from your team and stakeholders.

Improved Marketing Skills and Internal Capability

Whether you’re a business owner upskilling yourself or supporting a junior member of your team, this course delivers practical knowledge that can be implemented immediately. The modules are designed to upskill users in strategic thinking, audience targeting, pricing, brand positioning and more.

Reduced Dependence on External Experts

External agencies and consultants have their place, but they should supplement your strategy, not define it. This course allows you to build that strategy internally so that any third-party support you engage with is properly briefed, aligned with your goals, and measured on meaningful results.

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Inside the Course: Breakdown of the 10 Core Modules

Each module is structured to build upon the last, culminating in a comprehensive and practical marketing strategy document by the end of the course.

Module 1: Vision, Values, Objectives and Goals

We begin by defining what success looks like. A clear vision provides direction, while objectives and measurable goals give you something to aim for and track.

This module will help you:

• Align your marketing with your long-term business goals.
• Define values that resonate with your audience.
• Set SMART goals that guide decision-making and prioritisation.

Module 2: Offer and Pricing

You’ll learn how to craft an offer that connects with your ideal customer and reflects your value while remaining competitive.

Key takeaways:

• Understand the psychology of pricing.
• Learn how to package services or products in ways that enhance perceived value.
• Assess profitability alongside market expectations.

Module 3: Audience

Effective marketing starts with a clear picture of your customer. This module teaches how to create detailed buyer personas, understand buying triggers, and segment audiences for better targeting.

Module 4: Competitive Positioning

How do you stand out in a crowded market? This module explores how to identify your unique selling proposition (USP) and communicate it effectively.

You’ll also:

• Conduct a basic competitive analysis.
• Learn to position your business so it attracts rather than competes on price.

Module 5: Messaging

This module teaches you how to talk to your audience in a way that moves them to act. From email copy to social media, it all starts with the right messaging strategy.

Learn how to:

• Build benefit-led messaging frameworks.
• Tailor content by audience segment and channel.
• Develop core brand messages that are repeatable, memorable and relevant.

Module 6: Brand

Your brand is more than just visuals It’s your identity and reputation. You’ll explore how to define your brand voice, values and emotional appeal.

This module covers:

• How to build a brand your audience can relate to.
• Making sure your visual and verbal identity are consistent.
• Strengthening credibility and trust.

Module 7: Routes to Market

Marketing success is partly about being in the right place at the right time. This module helps you choose the most effective marketing and sales channels.

You’ll walk away knowing:

• Which online and offline channels match your audience’s behaviours?
• How to blend inbound and outbound tactics.
• When to use paid, earned and owned media.

Module 8: Financials

Marketing is an investment. In this module, you’ll build a marketing budget, learn how to track spend, and measure return.

Key elements include:

• Budget setting based on business goals.
• Basic ROI calculations.
• Tracking tools and techniques.

Module 9: Activity Planning

Strategy becomes reality through execution. You’ll develop a 12-month marketing calendar that outlines key activities, responsibilities and deadlines.

This includes:

• Identifying quick wins vs long-term initiatives is crucial.
• Prioritising campaigns based on impact and effort.
• Scheduling tasks and allocating resources.

Module 10: Continuous Review

Marketing never stands still. You’ll learn how to implement a review and optimisation process to keep your strategy relevant and effective.

Key skills:

• Setting KPIs and performance benchmarks.
• Building feedback loops into your activity plans.
• Adjusting tactics based on outcomes.

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Supporting Tools and Workbook: A Hands-On Learning Experience

Unlike many courses that focus on passive content, Strategic Marketing Mastery is structured to be practical. The course includes:

• A downloadable workbook to guide you through each step.
• Worksheets and templates are easy to customise.
• Tools to capture your ideas, priorities, and strategies in one place.

You will have developed your very own strategic marketing blueprint by the time the course is over, and it will be ready for immediate implementation that you will have created.

Meet Your Instructor: Ian Kirk’s Experience and Vision

Ian Kirk, founder of Opportunity Marketing, has over 25 years’ experience in both B2B and B2C sectors. He has created and led marketing strategies for SMEs across various industries and channels.

Ian’s mission is simple: to help business owners stop wasting time and money on the wrong marketing and start investing in what works. His methods have helped clients achieve an average return of over 450% on their total marketing spend.

With this course, Ian has packaged that experience into a system that empowers others to do the same without the need to rely on external consultants or agencies.

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How This Course Differs from Typical Online Marketing Training

This is not a course filled with jargon or generic marketing advice.

Here’s what sets it apart:

• No gimmicks or trends, just strategic fundamentals that stand the test of time.
• This is designed for business owners and junior marketers, not for marketing academics.
• The design aims to generate a concrete strategy document, not merely a theoretical one.
• The course offers real-world insights based on decades of experience, not speculation.

Course Logistics and Enrolment Information

• Format: Pre-recorded online modules.
• Length: 10 modules — recommended over 10 weeks.
• Access: 12 months’ access to all content.
• Price: £725 + VAT.
• Support: Includes a downloadable workbook and optional 1:1 mentoring/coaching via separate services.
• Guarantee: 14-day money-back guarantee.

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Why Now Is the Right Time to Enrol

The longer you operate without a marketing strategy, the more resources you risk wasting. This course gives you the structure, tools, and guidance to take control of your marketing in a meaningful way.

For £725 + VAT, you’re not just buying a course; you’re investing in the future growth and sustainability of your business. Enrol Today!

Final Thoughts: Strategic Clarity is the Key to Sustainable SME Growth

Running a business without a strategic marketing plan is like navigating without a map. It’s stressful, inefficient, and risky.

Strategic Marketing Mastery: Your Plan for Profitable Growth offers SMEs the chance to regain control, build confidence, and drive measurable outcomes. Whether you’re new to marketing or need to bring structure to a chaotic approach, this course is your opportunity to shift from reactive to proactive and from uncertainty to clarity.

Now is the time to take action.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is this course best suited for?

This course is ideal for SME owners, start-up founders, junior marketers, and individuals who have found themselves responsible for marketing without formal training. It’s especially valuable for those who want to build a structured, strategic marketing plan from the ground up, whether for their own businesses or the organisations they work for.

Do I need any marketing experience?

No prior marketing experience is required. The Strategic Marketing Mastery course has been designed in clear, plain English and avoids jargon. It guides learners step by step through each marketing concept, offering tools, templates, and explanations to support understanding and implementation.

How long does the course take to complete?

The course is structured across 10 modules and is typically completed over 10 weeks by dedicating a few hours per week. Learners have access to all content for 12 months, providing the flexibility to pause, revisit, or work at a pace that suits their availability.

Is support available if I get stuck?

While the course is self-paced and designed to be intuitive, additional support is available. Learners can access help through Opportunity Marketing’s marketing mentoring services, which offer tailored guidance, feedback, and accountability to support implementation.

What if the course isn’t right for me?

We understand that training needs to be the right fit. That’s why the course comes with a 14-day money-back guarantee. If you find that the course isn’t suitable, simply notify us within 14 days of purchase, and we’ll refund your enrolment, no questions asked.