Donegal Women in Business kicks off new season today
Back to School for Business: Marketing That Connects, will take place at Lough Eske from 10am to 1pm
Donegal Women in Business kicks off its new season today, Wednesday, with Back to School for Business: Marketing That Connects, a morning workshop at Lough Eske Castle focused on practical, achievable marketing for local business owners.
Running from 10am to 1pm, and organised in partnership with Donegal ETB, the event is designed to help women return from the summer break with fresh ideas and a clear marketing focus. The morning will combine an interactive workshop, networking and a free professional headshot opportunity for delegates to use across their website, social media and marketing materials.
The workshop, Marketing That Connects, will be led by marketing consultant Niamh Shields, founder of Dooey Digital. Built around local examples and real-life insights from businesses across Donegal, the session will explore how attendees can tell their story with confidence, create content their audience genuinely wants to engage with, and build an approach that is authentic and effective without a big budget or hours spent online. The content is structured around three themes: connecting with your audience, connecting your marketing channels, and connecting with confidence.
Niamh Shields, founder of Dooey Digital and a member of the Donegal Women in Business Network committee, said: "People buy from people. That is the heart of the morning. Business in Donegal has always run on word of mouth and knowing your neighbour, and marketing is only that same conversation moved onto a screen. We are bringing small business owners and sole traders into one room to look at how they tell their own story, in their own voice, without needing a big budget behind them. Everyone will leave with something they can put into action that same afternoon."
The morning will also include a session with Adele McElhinney, Regional Literacy Coordinator with Donegal ETB, who will outline the free supports available through the Adult Literacy Service, covering literacy, numeracy and digital skills.
For those who want to continue their learning, the event introduces the Certificate in Social Media for Digital Marketing (NFQ Level 5), a fully funded 10-week programme delivered online by Donegal College of Further Education and Training. Beginning on Wednesday 30th September, it runs on Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 9pm and is delivered by Niamh Shields, building on the workshop with the same tutor.
Back to School for Business: Marketing That Connects is open to women starting or growing a business, business owners looking to improve their marketing, and anyone keen to refresh their approach after the summer. A limited number of places are still available. Register via www.donegalwomeninbusiness.com
The Donegal Women in Business Network connects and supports women in business across Donegal through a programme of events, networking opportunities and peer support throughout the year, delivered in partnership with Local Enterprise Office Donegal.