A new study by Markel Direct, the small business insurance specialists, has revealed the growing expectations many UK tradespeople and small business owners feel to maintain an active social media presence alongside running their business. The study, which asked 501 UK small business owners and tradespeople how they use social media to market their business, revealed the hidden workload that comes with trying to stay visible online. More than three quarters (76%) spend time every week creating or editing social media content. For most, that means an additional one to three hours of work every week (54%), while more than one in ten (11%) spend up to a full working day each week managing their online presence. The findings build on a previous study by Markel Direct, which looked into overworking among the self-employed. It discovered that more than half (57%) regularly work beyond their normal hours, while 40% said they feel pressure to remain reachable outside working hours, and 57% admitted to working through illness. Running a business now means running social media too: half feel stressed to stay visible online The findings suggest many small business owners are effectively becoming self-taught social media marketers alongside running their actual business. More than two-thirds (69%) have never hired anyone to create content on their behalf, while 65% say they have never received any social media training. Despite this, many still feel an increasing responsibility to stay active online. More than half (55%) say they feel pressure to create content regularly, while nearly three-quarters (73%) believe customers now expect businesses to be active on social media. At the same time, nearly two-thirds (63%) say they struggle to stand out from competitors online. The study also highlighted that for some small business owners, maintaining an online presence is also causing a negative impact. Nearly a quarter (24%) say they have experienced negative comments online, while one in four (25%) have deleted or edited posts following criticism. The fear of negative reactions is also affecting confidence online, with nearly four in ten (38%) saying they have held back from posting due to fear of backlash. Among younger entrepreneurs aged 18–24, more than half say fear of negative reactions has stopped posting online. Social media drives growth, but raises legal concerns Social media is a clear growth driver for small businesses, and many owners are aware of the responsibilities that come with posting content online – however, the study revealed significant gaps remain when it comes to protection and preparedness. The research found that only 39% have insurance in place to cover legal action relating to issues such as copyright infringement or breaches of confidentiality linked to their social media activity. In contrast, nearly half (47%) say they do not have this type of protection, while a further 8% are unsure whether they are covered. Despite the potential consequences, some businesses continue to share client work online without following clear processes. Nearly one in five (19%) admit they do not always obtain client permission before posting images or videos of completed work on social media. Worryingly, more than a quarter (28%) say they would not know what steps to take if a client raised a legal concern about content they had shared online. Rob Rees, Divisional Director at Markel Direct, said: "Social media has become one of the most powerful ways for small businesses to showcase their expertise and attract new customers, but many business owners don't realise that the same rules around consent, copyright and confidentiality apply online as they do offline." "Many entrepreneurs have effectively become marketers overnight, often without formal training or dedicated support. Taking a few simple steps, such as obtaining written permission before sharing client projects and understanding what insurance protections are available, can help reduce the risk of disputes further down the line." To read the full study, visit the Markel Direct website. Please note: This article provides guidance for information purposes only. It should not be relied upon wholly when making or taking important business decisions – always seek the services of an appropriately qualified professional.

More than two thirds of SME business leaders are grappling with finding time to step back and work on the business due to being stuck in the day-to-day, according to new research. This was cited as the biggest challenge facing SMEs (68%), followed by the rising cost of doing business (51%) and balancing investment in growth with day-to-day operations (48%). The data comes from business leaders who are alumni of the Help to Grow: Management Course, the 90% government-funded course delivered by more than 60 Small Business Charter-accredited business schools across the UK. To date, 14,420 business leaders have completed the 12-week course to bolster their leadership capabilities and resilience during challenging economic conditions. The survey showed that the challenges businesses face are wide-ranging. Beyond the top three challenges, factors such as implementing technology (42%) and skills shortages (34%) were also major concerns for business leaders. The impact of Help to Grow: Management Despite ongoing pressures for business leaders, the support provided by the Help to Grow: Management Course is having a positive impact. More than three quarters (78%) of respondents said the Help to Grow: Management Course was key to achieving a specific business challenge, project, milestone or personal development goal they had identified before starting the course. In addition, more than two thirds (68%) said the course had helped them respond to broader challenges they were facing. Specifically, 58% were finding time to step back and work on the business rather than in it, 46% felt more confident managing growth sustainably and 37% cited digital adoption as a key area of impact. Peter Beaumont, Managing Director at Monty Miracle Ltd in Leeds, said: “Before the course, I was overwhelmed by the responsibility of leading the business. It can be incredibly isolating, and I didn't have anyone who understood how I was feeling or could advise on next steps." "The course changed that. Having access to experienced tutors and a peer group who'd faced the same challenges gave me clarity and the confidence to make decisions I wouldn't have made before." "It's nearly four years since I completed the course, and I still use the practical tools and broader perspective it gave me every day. I continue to face challenges, that’s the nature of running a business, but the course gave me the foundations I needed for dealing with changes, managing growth and leading through uncertainty." Duncan McCombie, CEO of YES Energy Solutions and a member of the Small Business Charter Management Board, completed the Help to Grow: Management Course at Sheffield Business School at Sheffield Hallam University. He says the course helped him step back from day-to-day pressures, make clearer decisions during uncertain times and focus on building a stronger organisation. Since completing the course, YES Energy Solutions has increased revenue by 28% and grown its headcount, enabling the business to support more households with energy efficiency advice and measures. Duncan said: “The course made a real difference to the way I lead the business. At the time, like many business leaders, I was dealing with uncertainty and competing pressures. Help to Grow gave me the structure, confidence and practical tools to take a step back, test my thinking and make better long-term decisions." "That shift in approach has had a lasting impact. It helped us focus on sustainable growth, strengthen the team and increase the number of households we can support. These findings show why the course matters: it gives business leaders the headspace, network and confidence to respond to challenge and turn uncertainty into opportunity.” A catalyst for continuous learning The Help to Grow: Management Course is a catalyst to inspire SME business leaders into continuous learning. Since completing the course, alumni are prioritising mentoring (45%), peer-to-peer networking (44%), and attending conferences, workshops or seminars (41%). Flora Hamilton, CEO of the Chartered Association of Business Schools and Executive Director of the Small Business Charter, said: "In addition to the immediate impact businesses are feeling from completing the Help to Grow: Management Course, it’s very encouraging to see that alumni aren't stopping after the 12 weeks." "Armed with new knowledge and having built strong, local connections, business leaders are continuing to invest in their growth, whether through other initiatives provided by business schools or through sector specific initiatives, mentoring and peer networking. That's the kind of long-term resilience that will empower small business success,”

A Glasgow football coach who has trained more than 1,000 children in the city's East End has expanded his reach, after turning to Business Gateway for support developing his digital marketing. Bradley Ruddick founded Football Focused 1-2-1 in January 2023, coaching young people at Stepford Football Centre. The business has seen significant uptake from locals and grown considerably over the past 3 years, with referrals and word of mouth playing a key role in attracting new participants. The business now has 10 self-employed coaches, the majority of which are from the local areas, all UEFA-licensed and delivering one-to-one sessions alongside specialised and weekly classes for children of all ages and abilities. Ruddick also places significant importance on developing his team of coaches, most of whom are from the local area, giving them the chance to build their coaching skills and open up future career opportunities. Developing coaches from the East End is a priority for the business, giving young people the chance to learn from people who understand the community they live in. Recent growth has allowed Ruddick to bring two long-serving coaches on full-time. As the business grew, Football Focused 1-2-1 partnered with East End Community Carers (EECC), supporting the charity's community work with weekly multi-sports sessions for children delivered through its network throughout the year. The partnership also saw the business redevelop Queenslie Park into a brand new, full-size five-a-side astro pitch. Football Focused 1-2-1 has more recently started delivering movement classes for over-65s in the community, and now partners with seven local football clubs across the East End, helping train teams and develop their coaches. Ruddick has invested significantly in developing the business, including a custom website, and turned to Business Gateway's Digital Expert Support grant to make his investment go further. Delivered by Glasgow City Council, the grant offers businesses up to three days of tailored one-to-one support across website development, digital marketing and social media, IT infrastructure, e-commerce and wider digital strategy. Ruddick used his three days to develop a digital marketing and social media strategy, helping the business reach more children and families and expand the team's impact in Glasgow. He was supported by Business Gateway adviser Karen Fotheringham, who has supported with expert one-to-one support and guidance, advising on funding routes, including the Digital Expert Support grant, and signposting to wider support available through the local authority. Bradley Ruddick, owner of Football Focused 1-2-1, said: "Football Focused 1-2-1 is more than coaching. It's about giving young people in the East End somewhere to build confidence, fitness and friendships that last well beyond the pitch. “Karen's support has been invaluable in helping us grow. She's helped us think properly about our digital marketing and social media, and that's meant more families finding out about what we do and more opportunities to build the brand." Karen Fotheringham, Business Gateway adviser, said: "Bradley and his team of coaches do brilliant work in the East End. What started as one-to-one coaching has grown into a business supporting more than 1,000 children, and the partnership with East End Community Carers shows the wider impact it's having on the community. “Through the Digital Expert Support grant, we were able to give Bradley three days of tailored support to develop his marketing and social media strategy, helping him build on that momentum and reach more families across Glasgow." To find out more about how Business Gateway can help your business, visit here.

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