MONDO MARKETING
Marketing is one of those areas that creative people usually dread. Going out into the world, singing our own praises? How vile! Well we here at Creative Plus Business think differently. We think you’re fabulous, and you need to tell the world through the most mondo of means – marketing. Below you’ll find links to people who can help you, places for more information, and free online resources. Enjoy!
A one page Marketing Plan for creative people!
We get it, marketing can be uber-confusing at the best of times and it’s generally not what constitutes a fun time for creative folks. Enter: our one-page Marketing Plan. It’s specifically designed for creative brains and will help you get clear on who your audience is, what your competitors are doing, which marketing channels you’re using, and more. Pin this plan to your corkboard and let it be your North Star as you navigate the ever-changing world of marketing.
Other Free Marketing Plans and Guidance
Business.gov.au Marketing Resources
Business.gov.au is the government’s business unit and this website offers simple and practical tools to help you with your marketing plan – and it’s all free! A plan will help you to coordinate all your marketing efforts and ideas so you can market your business effectively. It’ll also help you with structure, and give you some ideas about what to do.
business.gov.au
Business Victoria
This website provides help with a content marketing plan, which will hopefully bring you new clients and make you some more money! This terrific website also offers loads of additional advice and support.
business.vic.gov.au
Gumroad
Gumroad is a platform where almost anyone can list almost anything. The process is pleasantly straightforward and transparent, allowing creators to sell their products directly to their audience.
gumroad.com
Marketing Creativity by Lisa Jacobs
Lisa is a marketing expert based in the US and specialises in marketing for creative makers. She is an Etsy expert and a keen blogger, and she has a range of terrific free marketing resources, including a business-boosting bundle of tips and tools.
marketyourcreativity.com
Marketing Creativity by Lisa Jacobs
Lisa is a marketing expert based in the US and specialises in marketing for creative makers. She is an Etsy expert and a keen blogger, and she has a range of terrific free marketing resources, including a business-boosting bundle of tips and tools.
marketyourcreativity.com
Free Website Builders and Tools
There are a number of free (or freemium) website builders available that are very user-friendly and provide templates and support for new users. Many of them also offer an additional design service for a fee if design is not your forte! Have a look at these (in no particular order):
Free Social Media Help
Social Media Examiner
Free resources, reports, podcasts, updates, newsletters and more – these guys have it all. An American company, they were the first ones to write about Telescope so they must be all over social media like a rash. A good rash, obviously.
The Beginners Guide to Social Media
A fabulous free book, which you can also download as a PDF, including chapters on such marvels as social media best practice, metrics and ROI, and all the best and most effective platforms.
Social Media Platforms for Business
Blueprint
Learn more about how to use Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Business Manager for your creative business. All courses are free, up to date, and for a small fee you can go through a Facebook Certification process.
www.facebook.com/blueprint
LinkedIn is a tricky platform for creatives, because of its strict layout and ’employee’ focus, but it can be a powerful tool for those of us in Business-To-Business markets. Check out our FREE webinar to help you get the most of your LinkedIn profile.
www.crowdcast.io/e/linkedin-tips-creatives/register
YouTube
Learn how to use YouTube for your business with these simple video tutorials. Courses include everything from content creation to advertising strategies.
creatoracademy.youtube.com
Google My Business
This new digital and social media platform allows you to list your business, easily connect with clients, improve your SEO, add posts, photos and offers AND control your reviews. Available for a small monthly fee and pretty damn powerful!
www.google.com/intl/en_au/business/
Vimeo Enterprise
Vimeo wants your business! Upload heaps of videos, track their progress, and use your content in a more professional way. Expensive — but very useful for content creators!
vimeo.com/business
Pinterest Business
Share your brand with other people in an inspirational way, learn more about creating content and best practices, and track your analytics.
business.pinterest.com
Twitter Business
If Twitter is your jam, learn more about how to create a Twitter strategy, create content and use video, track your engagements and more!
business.twitter.com
TikTok Business
TikTok is the hot new kid on the block and is an uber-effective way of showcasing your creativity and brand to a big audience. Learn how to tap into your brand’s creative side, shoot great video content and find your fans.
www.tiktok.com/business/en-AU
Free Digital Learning
Photography and Video Help
While we would always recommend that you use a fellow creative for your photographic and video needs, we also understand that sometimes budgets don’t allow for that. Here are a few resources we recommend.
Unsplash
Unsplash is a platform fuelled by a photographic community that has generously gifted hundreds of thousands of their own photos. All images and videos on Unsplash are copyright free and you use them as you wish! Attribution is not required, but the photographers appreciate a credit as it provides exposure to their work and encourages them to continue sharing.
unsplash.com
Pixabay
All images and videos on Pixabay are released free of copyrights under Creative Commons CC. You may download, modify, distribute, and use them royalty free for anything you like, even in commercial applications. Attribution is not required. It’s sponsored by Shutterstock.
pixabay.com
Spark
Without the need for any programming or technical skills, you can use Spark’s powerful video maker to create videos the professionals would be proud of. You can also create other presentations, graphics and animations. Very cool stuff!
adobe.com
Motionbox
Motionbox is a drag-and-drop video editing tool that allows you to create engaging and aesthetically delightful video content for your brand. It has a bunch of handy features including slo-mo, GIF editing, meme-making, subtitles and so much more. It’s a good’un!
motionbox.io
Pexels
Pexels is a free stock photo and video website and app that helps designers, bloggers, and everyone who is looking for visuals to find great photos and videos that can be downloaded and used for free. If you see a photo or video you like, simply download it for free (no strings attached!).
pexels.com
Printed Material Help
The days of the printed thing are not over! Brochures, business cards, and even merch like coffee cups – can all help you in your marketing endeavours!
Canva
Canva is just incredible – a free tool that helps you create stunning designs for just about everything. It also includes an array of templates, from social media graphics to business cards and book covers. They also have a design school, which includes blogs, teaching resources and more.
VistaPrint
These guys have been around for a while and can do everything from super cheapy business cards to window decals and clothing! The shipping can sometimes be expensive, but they really do have a huge range.
Moo
Moo are new to the marketing scene and specialise in gorgeous and creative printed work. Sometimes more expensive than their competitors, their shipping costs can be quite low and their templates are lovely.
Snap Printing
With over 120 years in the printing industry, nobody knows or understands printing better than SNAP. Your local Snap Centre will deliver an awesome personalised service! Woohoo!
Worldwide Printing Solutions
The local printers are being priced out of the market, but these guys are still excellent and although a little more expensive really deliver on a wide range of printed materials. Also, shop local!
Jukebox Print
Jukebox strive to offer the most rarefied products, newest and most groundbreaking materials and most extensive customer service of any online print company. They really are cool, check out their unique stylings!
Officeworks Print and Copy
Officeworks can help with pretty much everything, with a range of personal and business print services. You can use their online DIY products or talk to a print specialist about your needs. They even have a video!
Gelato
Print on demand, everything from tee shirts to stationary to wallpaper! No upfront fees or commitment.
Real People who can Help You
Below are some of the friends of Creative Plus Business that help us and our clients with their marketing needs. We don’t necessarily endorse them, but we do recommend you get in touch with them and find out more for yourself.
Wild Honey Creative
Wild Honey is a small design studio based in the Northern Rivers of NSW, led by Creative Director and designer, Jasmine Phillips. They specialise in branding, graphic design and web design for small business and creative entrepreneurs from all over Australia, helping them tell their story in ways that are authentic, professional and beautiful. They are also our preferred web designers and they are doing a wonderful job for many of our clients!
wildhoneycreative.com
Hustle & Heart
Hustle & Heart online group coaching program is run by Brook McCarthy, a digital marketing trainer and business coach with more than 10 years’ experience. Hustle & Heart teaches digital marketing, public relations and sales to entrepreneurs who want to make more money without compromising their integrity. It’s built on the premise that twenty-first century business is values-based, generous-spirited, lean and agile. The program includes one-to-one coaching, group calls and individual feedback.
hustleandheart.com.au
Lisa Reidy
Lisa is a graphic and book designer with almost twenty years experience, who specialises in branding and visual identity, print or digital, catalogues, brochures, advertising, environmental graphics, web or book design … whatever you need! She can work to a variety of budgets and deadlines, and we at C+B will always use Lisa for our print and publishing needs. She’s amazing!
lisareidy.com.au
Ali Strachan
Ali Strachan isn’t just any ol’ creative marketer. As an arts copywriter, she lives and breathes the arts–working with big and small organisations, councils, and businesses to support all kinds of artists. Her clients have toured the globe, won grants, built amazing online businesses, and grown their profiles off the back of her words. Let her copy do the work, so you can spend more time creating, making your mark and selling more art.
alistrachan.com
Rachel’s List
Rachel’s List is a community of over 7000 journos, copywriters, editors, subs, content writers, designers, PRs and other creatives from around Australia. For over 15 years, they’ve been helping job-posters find approved freelance content writers, copywriters, journalists, editors, sub-editors, proofreaders, photographers, social media managers, PR consultants and other creatives. For full-time, part-time, freelance or contract roles, it’s $100 for a 30-day listing. If you have an urgent one-off gig or short project, our short gig job posting costs $39 for a 10-day listing. Try them out!
rachelslist.com.au
Other Bits and Pieces
SourceBottle – www.sourcebottle.com
SourceBottle is a free and easy-to-use platform that connects journalists and bloggers with knowledgeable sources. The basic tool is free to use – it’s a bit hit and miss, but worth a try!
Flying Solo – www.flyingsolo.com.au/marketing
We love Flying Solo, it’s an absolute wonderment of help for solo entrepreneurs. And since getting to grips with small business marketing is an essential element of solo success, you can find the support you need here!
HubSpot – blog.hubspot.com
HubSpot is a software development company that helps with inbound marketing, but apart from their priced offerings their daily marketing blog is really good. Just ignore the sales rhetoric!
Key Person of Influence – www.keypersonofinfluence.com
A little evangelical, but still – KPI are the go-to guys for expert strategy and using your own skills and knowledge as a marketing tool. They have an interesting book that outlines their method, and a free Scorecard to help you measure your ability to influence.
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