This Financial Times article reports on a new initiative to fund arts projects by crowd funding / crowd financing. The ‘We Fund’ website enables individuals to donate small amounts of money to arts related projects in return for credits, perks and other benefits. In return for pledges of amounts of cash between £1 GBP and …
Category: Development Strategies
Time Management for Creative People
Time Management is an issue that comes up frequently when I’m advising creative businesses. It seems there’s always too much to do, and not enough time to do it. In my view, time management is both a strategic issue and an operational challenge. If we are unrealistic about what can be achieved with finite resources, …
Creative Industries Urban Regeneration
The creative industries have the potential to be a significant factor in economic growth in the UK and other countries. The potential to create jobs and wealth in the digital and creative sectors has been recognised by national governments and local authorities for some time. Creative Industries Urban Regeneration is seen by many local authorities …
Business Models for Creative Enterprises – a Starting Point
A Facebook friend called Phil sent me a message asking for advice about creating an effective business model for his creative enterprise. I didn’t have much time – but I didn’t want to ignore it either – so I sent a quick answer. This is what I wrote: Here’s the starting point of a business …
Raise your Prices!
Thanks to Leslie Burns for highlighting an article in the MIT Sloan Management Review about pricing. All of the issues it raises about pricing strategies and pricing mistakes are relevant to the creative industries, whether you are selling products or services, even though the examples are from big manufacturing firms. I think some of the …
iPhone App from T-Shirts and Suits
Coming soon! The iPhone App from T-Shirts and Suits. “Getting the T-Shirts and Suits iPhone App is a no-brainer. Bite size chunks of great thinking and advice right there in the palm of your hand. Most content is around three to four minutes, so however busy you are, this is cool. Anyone in creative industries …
How to make business enemies
Here’s a great way to make business enemies, ie how to multiply the number of commercial competitors you’re up against – if you really want to! (OK, maybe the word ‘enemies’ is a bit strong.) Many early stage businesses that haven’t yet found their specialist niche sometimes offer a very wide range of creative services …
Design, Pricing and Profitability
Here’s a fascinating article in Wired magazine about the graphic design of restaurant menus. And here’s another menu analysed in terms of design and pricing. These are essential reading not only for graphic designers but for anyone in the creative industries interested in marketing and pricing. So that’s everyone then. Amongst other things it includes …
Think inside the box
I’m often asked what I believe the year ahead holds for creative industries, and this is often followed by a second question – what can be done to remain strong in the tough economic climate we are experiencing? It may sound rather absurd, but my advice is to think inside the box during hard times. …
Don’t hide from customers!
Why are you hiding from potential customers?! That’s what I think when a website invites me to contact “[email protected]” instead of a named person. Are there real people in there? If so, why are they hiding? Customers want to do business with people, not with a website. As a potential client, I want to know …