Events

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PORT MACQUARIE HASTINGS COUNCIL I Hate Networking is a surprisingly fun event designed to encourage creative people to get to know each other while acknowledging the horror of networking and sharing a few tips at the same time. While it’s a vital skill in the creative industries, many practitioners consider networking to be the stuff of nightmares. I Hate Networking combines education with the opportunity to practice in a safe and friendly environment while embracing the discomfort of the whole process and having a laugh. Tips that will be shared include:+ Success is before you start – preparing before the event;+ Mastering the art of the introduction;+ Overcoming shyness, awkwardness and the urge to run away;+ Dealing with wankers and other difficult people;+ Getting the all-important follow-up right. You’ll learn how to network in the first half of the session, and practice your skills in the second half. What do I get? All participants in this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated I Hate Networking Dropbox folder full of additional resources and workbooks to help continue the learning after the workshop is over;+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the […]

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH PORT MACQUARIE HASTINGS COUNCIL The starving artist is a pervasive idea, and in reality many creative people struggle in self-employment because money is a constant battle. This isn’t always just due to lack of funds. Creative practitioners sometimes need the basics of business money and financial literacy explained in a way that is easy to understand. This workshop helps to bridge that gap in financial literacy with an entertaining and real-world discussion of money that makes sense to the artistic brain. The most common financial questions that creatives have are answered, including:+ How do I weather the ups and downs of creative income?+ Do I have to keep working for free?+ What should I charge? How do I work that out?+ What’s the deal with cash flow and budgets?+ How do I invoice? How do I enforce an invoice?+ What’s the deal with tax, and what is cloud accounting?+ Where can I go for more help? This workshop will be relaxed and informal. You can ask all the questions you have never been able to ask before and will have ample opportunity to network and get to know each other. Ideal for: This workshop is tailored specifically […]

THERE ARE SOME (PRETTY FABULOUS) DIRTY WORDS OUT THERE, BUT MONEY IS NOT ONE OF THEM The starving artist is a pervasive idea, and in reality many creative people struggle in self-employment because money is a constant battle. This isn’t always just due to lack of funds. Creative practitioners sometimes need the basics of business money and financial literacy explained in a way that is easy to understand. This online workshop helps to bridge that gap in financial literacy with an entertaining and real-world discussion of money that makes sense to the artistic brain. The most common financial questions that creatives have are answered, including:+ How do I weather the ups and downs of creative income?+ Do I have to keep working for free?+ What should I charge? How do I work that out?+ What’s the deal with cash flow and budgets?+ How do I invoice? How do I enforce an invoice?+ What’s the deal with tax, and what is cloud accounting?+ Where can I go for more help? This online workshop will be relaxed and informal. You can ask all the questions you have never been able to ask before and will have ample opportunity to network and get […]

DOES SOCIAL MEDIA HURT YOUR BRAIN? Social media is a complex and challenging marketing tool for a lot of creatives, who find it hard to strike the balance between constantly talking about themselves and ignoring the platforms entirely! This friendly and up-to-date workshop covers the basics of how to kickstart marketing using social media, with a focus on the main tools at your disposal and the strategy behind the socials. We’ll also cover:+ Understanding your Brand online+ Understanding your Tribe+ Choosing the right platform for your clients+ Tips and tricks on staying up to date … and much more! What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Printed materials to help in class;+ Lifetime access to a dedicated Social Media for Creatives dropbox folder full of additional resources and help;+ Access to a website full of links and resources to help you get ahead in their creative business. Who should enrol?This workshop is ideal for recent graduates, freelancers and anyone struggling with the business aspects of their creativity. Who is presenting?Lillie Brown is a freelance marketing strategist and Marketing Manager of Creative Plus Business. Lillie works with small to medium creative businesses to devise and implement marketing and […]

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH EASTERN RIVERINA ARTS Marketing is one of the most despised and least understood aspects of running a creative business and being an arts entrepreneur. Most creatives hate to sell, and would rather be making than hustling. There is a simple secret to making marketing more palatable – understanding the strategy behind the sales will make a huge impact on your creative career. This down-to-earth and enjoyable workshop explores the mystery behind the marketing magic, specifically for creative professionals. We’ll also examine:+ the key elements of a successful marketing campaign;+ how to understand clients, customer and competitors;+ the deeper meaning of word-of-mouth marketing;+ the importance of social media;+ how to make a website with impact … and much more! What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated Beginners Guide to Marketing Dropbox folder full of additional resources and help;+ Access to a dedicated webpage full of links and resources to help them get ahead in their creative business. Who should enrol?This workshop is ideal for recent graduates, freelancers and anyone struggling with the marketing of their creative practice. Who is presenting?Business advisor and creative industries expert Monica Davidson from the Creative Plus Business […]

HOW TO PRODUCE A SELF-DEVISED PROJECT FROM BEGINNING TO END How often are creatives told to ‘make their own work’? And what exactly does it mean? MAKE YOUR OWN WORK takes a tough love approach to the job of producing a self-devised project, from the initial ideas stage through to completion. It’s suitable for all practitioners, regardless of experience or creative practice. Filmmakers, theatre practitioners, performers, visual artists, writers and musicians – all are welcome to learn the essential steps to getting self-devised work into the world.  The steps that will be outlined and discussed include:+ Making sure the idea for self-devised work is feasible and achievable;+ The magic of cost-benefit and risk analysis;+ Finding helpers, funding and resources to get the project started;+ Managing the legal aspects of producing;+ Structures, budgets, and the basics of business.  What do I get?  All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated MAKE YOUR OWN WORK Dropbox folder full of additional resources and workbooks to help continue the learning after the workshop is over;+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered in the workshop;+ The possibility of further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of […]

FREELANCING IS TRICKY – AND INEVITABLE Freelancing in the creative industries is a fact of life. Even curious hobbyists and serial employees will need to understand the basics – not to mention those who have chosen to freelance professionally in their craft. Five Tips for Freelance Creatives is a fast, funny and practical presentation specifically designed for creative practitioners with absolutely no business skills, to help them get the five most important elements of creative freelancing just right. Participants will learn more about:+ Setting goals and planning the self-employment journey;+ Understanding and handling money matters;+ The key to managing time better;+ The basic beginnings of marketing, and+ Fostering a cheer squad and juggling the realities of combining art and business.We’ll also share more resources and tax, superannuation, and business registration. All questions are welcome in this relaxed, safe and inclusive workshop. Participants are also encouraged to share their own experiences and network with their fellow practitioners. What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated Freelance Five Dropbox folder full of additional resources and workbooks to help continue the learning after the workshop;+ Access to additional free webinars to supplement the material covered […]

HOW MANY WAYS CAN YOU THINK OF TO MAKE MONEY? Creative businesses often need help to brainstorm all the possible ways to diversify their income streams (especially now!) and become more financially sustainable. Diversify Your Creative Income is an interactive online workshop that allows participants to discuss the various general ways that creatives can make money (including services, goods and passive income), and includes practical exercises to help brainstorm those ideas. This workshop examines:+ Identifying your Core and Complementary Skills;+ The Minimum Viable Offering;+ Using a Skills Audit to inspire ideas;+ How to identify a ‘good’ idea;+ Helpful resources and more! What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated Diversify Your Creative Income Dropbox folder full of additional resources and help;+ Access to a dedicated webpage full of links and resources to help them get ahead in their creative business. Who should enrol?This workshop is ideal for recent graduates, freelancers and anyone struggling with time, work and creativity. It’s also relevant no matter what your profession – filmmakers, writers, designers, visual artists, musicians, composers, dancers, performers – everyone can benefit from a quick introduction or refresher to the basics of time management and […]

HATE SELLING? TRY STRATEGY INSTEAD. Marketing is one of the most despised and least understood aspects of running a creative business and being an arts entrepreneur. Most creatives hate to sell, and would rather be making than hustling. There is a simple secret to making marketing more palatable – understanding the strategy behind the sales will make a huge impact on your creative career. This down-to-earth and enjoyable workshop explores the mystery behind the marketing magic, specifically for creative professionals. We’ll also examine:+ the key elements of a successful marketing campaign;+ how to understand clients, customer and competitors;+ the deeper meaning of word-of-mouth marketing;+ the importance of social media;+ how to make a website with impact … and much more! What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated Beginners Guide to Marketing Dropbox folder full of additional resources and help;+ Access to a dedicated webpage full of links and resources to help them get ahead in their creative business. Who should enrol?This workshop is ideal for recent graduates, freelancers and anyone struggling with the marketing of their creative practice. Who is presenting?Lillie Brown is a freelance marketing strategist and Marketing Manager of Creative […]