How to win a national TV ad for your brand worth £300k

New digital marketing strategies are emerging every day to help entrepreneurs build their brands. But while mobile screens have become the modern-day billboards, nothing matches the impact of TV ads on the silver screen.

Small Business, Big Break is a new competition that will give three lucky small businesses the chance to get their name on national television. 

Backed by Enterprise Nation, Constant Contact, and Channel 4, it’s a rare opportunity to promote your business in the living rooms of your future customers.

In this article, we’ll cover what the competition involves, who’s behind it, and what winning could mean for a small business like yours.

What is Small Business, Big Break?

Small Business, Big Break is a competition organised by Enterprise Nation, Constant Contact, and Channel 4 to offer small businesses the chance to create a professionally produced TV advert to be broadcast on Channel 4. 

Three small businesses will be selected to win:

• The opportunity to work with a professional crew to create a TV ad
• A share of £300,000 of Channel 4 ad space
• Consultation with a team of experts to determine how best to reach your target audience on Channel 4 live and streaming services
• An additional package of marketing tools and expertise

A further ten small businesses will win a marketing package worth £4,000, including:

• Mentorship and expertise from industry leaders
• 12-month premium subscription to Constant Contact’s digital marketing tools
• Access to a marketing consultant, worth £500
• £2,000 to be spent on marketing efforts

Lights, camera, traction

Advertising may have developed beyond TV into formats such as social media ads and influencer marketing. But TV remains unrivalled when it comes to getting your business’s name out there in front of millions. 

Many startups, such as Graze, Made.com, and Hello Fresh, have broken into mainstream markets thanks to successful TV campaigns, 

That said, the cost of producing and running a TV advert can make it unrealistic for small business marketing. That’s why this competition offers such a valuable opportunity. 

Lucky winners will be able to reap the benefits of TV advertising, without having to invest thousands. 

How to enter and what to expect

There are a few eligibility rules to follow. First, your business must have been trading for at least three months, have no more than 50 employees, and hold either a Companies House number or a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), along with a UK bank account.

If you meet the criteria, you can complete a short application form outlining your business goals for the next 12 months and explaining how the prize would help you achieve them. You’ll also need to make it clear how your business is unique.

After submitting your application, you’ll need to post on your social channels such as Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok to announce your entry. Five posts using the hashtag #SmallBusinessBigBreak will be randomly selected to win a £50 gift card.

From there, ten businesses will be shortlisted. These finalists will be invited to a pitch day, where they’ll present their goals to a panel of industry experts and entrepreneurs, which is valuable exposure in itself.

Finally, three winners will be chosen to have their TV adverts professionally created and broadcast on Channel 4. Entries close on 15 May, so be sure to apply in good time and share the opportunity with your network.