Not long ago I thought that business coaches were for people who run, like, ‘proper’ businesses. Not like me. You know, little old me, who used to work from the spare bedroom, being a creative, and trying to make ends meet. Business coaches, I didn’t even have a clear idea of what they did. I imagined that they’d be talking about stuff like sales projections, the budgets of the company, the targets, whatever, blablabla. Not for me, anyway. But now I am a coach myself. And you know what? It’s not like that at all. I am just like you.
Author Archives: The Creative Business Coach
Have people ever told you to get a ‘proper job’?
Has anyone ever told you that “you’ll never earn money like that”, or “it’s better to find a ‘proper’ job”? I’ve been on the receiving end of such comments multiple times! I chose to study Art History at uni. I remember the laughs and sniggers of classmates (who all chose business economics) and even eyebrow raises by family or friends of the family, asking whether there was any work in that. Basically, they all thought I was stupid to pick a subject that was destined to lead me to poverty. Does this sound familiar?
When shifts happen in times of crisis
What a year it’s been. What a journey we’ve all been on. What has been the best thing that’s happened to you or your business since the lockdowns started 12 months ago? I talk to so many friends, peers and clients, and it seems that 2020’s shit show turned out to be a game changer for many. We were faced with a crisis, and we turned it around. At least, many of us did. Did you? My income plummeted in spring 2020. I lost 50% of my clients. I felt deflated. Anxious. Hopeless. I started getting stressed out about being able to pay for my monthly outgoings.
How I hated marketing but became an expert
I never meant to be a marketing expert. I studied Art History, for goodness’ sake. Anything corporate or sales-y made me run a mile. It’s just not me. I loved, and still love, arts and culture. The creative industries. I always worked in this sector, and that is where I belong. I was born with a pencil in my hand, picked up a guitar on the way, and always have a head full of ideas. I am an artist at heart, really. So how on earth did I end up being a marketing expert?
Why marketing your business can be fun and easy
Do you ever feel like you want to throw your computer out of the window because you’ve had enough of posting content on your social media? So many creative entrepreneurs feel like they are wasting so much energy at promoting themselves online, but without any real results. It is such a familiar story. Stop beating yourself up, or feeling guilty about it. Marketing is a skill, and it doesn’t have to give you a headache. In fact, it can even be fun! I’ll tell you why.
Why I give so much of my knowledge away for free
I get people asking me sometimes: “Why do you give so much information away for free in your Facebook group, and in your blog posts?” It is true, I share a lot of knowledge and tips on how to market your business, and I don’t ask anything in return (well, a few likes are always welcome!). Why do I do this? Doesn’t that mean that nobody will buy from me, because they can get it for free? Sharing my expertise online for free, is something I do on purpose. I tell you why, and how you can use this too in building your audience.
How and why your brand should feel like ‘you’
How and why should your brand feel like you? In today’s guest post, London-based designer Jane McGrath shares her expertise on branding, and how we can do this best for our small business. If you are a small business, or solopreneur – you have a huge advantage over large corporations. Your Uniqueness! You have the ability to connect with your audience on a personal level and engage with them in a way huge companies can’t.
How to write a clear marketing message (watch my Masterclass on video)
How clear is your offer? What are you telling your clients? How do you describe what you do in only a few sentences? I will teach you which ingredients to include to write a clear and targeted message, which you can use in all of your marketing, so you attract the right people. In this 30-minute mini Masterclass for creative entrepreneurs, you will learn about the main ingredients to remember when writing down your offer.
Five tips on how to increase your profits as a creative business
Money is dirty…and artists are poor Creatives and money…artists and money…they make such an odd couple, don’t they? We all claim to run a creative business, but I bet you most of us have (or had) big money blocks to overcome, in order to start earning a good income from doing what we love. WhyContinue reading “Five tips on how to increase your profits as a creative business”
Your guide to marketing your art without being pushy
Explaining to someone why they should buy your art… the horrible feeling you may come across as “salesy”, pushy, or desperate. Do you recognise that? Unfortunately, your work doesn’t speak for itself. You need to learn how to explain your work and connect it to your audience in order to make the sales you want.