BUNGENDORE: Social Media for Creatives
2022-09-16 13:00 - 15:00 (Australia/Sydney)
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTHERN TABLELANDS ARTS

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?Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist and filmmaker. In 2014 Monica completed her Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business at AFTRS, and was appointed as the first NSW Creative Industries Business Advisor by the Department of Industry. Shortly after she founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, which is dedicated to educating creative people about small business and marketing skills. In 2019, Monica was awarded the QUT Creative Enterprise Australia award for being a Creative Trailblazer that “advocates, mentors, donates, educates and advises within Australia’s creative economy”. Monica continues to work as a writer, filmmaker and occasional performer.

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What is Creative Plus Business? We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.comVenue: 10 Majara St, Bungendore NSW 2621, Australia

This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

BERRIDALE: Social Media for Creatives
2022-09-15 13:30 - 15:30
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH EAST ARTS

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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision. Lillie has been the Marketing Manager of Creative Plus Business since 2018, and is invaluable in helping build our social enterprise to a national scale!

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What is Creative Plus Business? We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.comVenue: Alpine Emporium 1/64 Jindabyne Rd, Berridale NSW 2628, Australia

This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

BERRIDALE: Creative's Guide to Marketing
2022-09-15 10:30 - 12:30
PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH SOUTH EAST 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!

Our Creative’s Guide to Marketing workshop is tailored specifically to creative people who are (or want to be) self-employed, from students and start-ups to experienced freelancers and arts organisations.

What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated Creative’s 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 Plus Business. Lillie works with small to medium creative businesses to devise and implement marketing and social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision – including Creative Plus Business!

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.comVenue: Alpine Emporium 1/64 Jindabyne Rd, Berridale NSW 2628, Australia

This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

WEBINAR: Mo' Money, No Mo' Problems with Ladies Talk Money
2022-09-14 18:00 - 19:00
Coin, dosh, moolah; whatever you call it—ladies, we need to talk about it. 8 in 10 women say they feel uncomfortable talking about money, even with their nearest and dearest. This is an alarming stat and is in large part due to sexist financial stereotyping that has been placed upon women for time immemorial. “Women are bad with money”. “Women are big spenders.” “Women don’t understand financial matters.” Get us a bluddy bucket, would ya?!We’re hardline believers that money management isn’t hard, it’s a weird combination of weird and scary, but above all, it is learnable.In this conversation-style webinar, Lillie Brown will be joined by Chandel Brandimarti and Jess Brady from Ladies Talk Money to explore the barriers that keep women from financial equity, give you the lowdown on how to reframe your money mindset, and share ideas about how women creatives and entrepreneurs bolster their financial confidence. Ladies, this one’s for you.What’s Included? A 60 minute webinar with our creative industries experts (which you can access later if you want), plus lifetime access to additional resources on our website containing more resources to support your learning.Who should sign up? Creative and arts practitioners, freelancers, start-ups, students and arts entrepreneurs from beginners to established (International sign-ups welcome!). We also welcome curious hobbyists and people from outside the arts.Who’s hosting? 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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision – including Creative Plus Business!

Having worked for CBA, Macquarie Bank and Zurich, Jessica is fast becoming a pioneering force in financial services. After realising that young people were more interested in planning their meals and holidays than their financial futures, she co-founded Fox & Hare Financial Advice in 2017, with a focus on creating more diversity in the industry – both in those giving and receiving advice. Recently named in the Financial Stand Power 50, the top 50 most influential advisers in Australia, and awarded the 2019 Newcomer of the Year at the prestigious Independent Financial Advisers (IFA) awards, Jessica is passionate about making financial advice more accessible, especially for women.

Chandel is the Director of Strategy + Loan Advisor at Pure Finance, and the Co-Creator of Ladies Talk Money. Having spent her early career working as an actor and in hospitality, she understands the trials and tribulations of living a financially precarious life, and now revels in the chance to help people get (and pay off) a loan in a way that empowers and supports them. An avid feminist, Chandel is unapologetic in calling on the finance industry to do better, especially for women. Passionate about leading the charge to make money more equal and ethical, Chandel is keen to support women to smash stereotypes and have much-needed conversations about money.

What’s Creative Plus Business? We’re an educational organisation dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about entrepreneurial skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will take place on Crowdcast, and it will be recorded.

ONLINE: Social Media for Creatives
2022-09-13 18:00 - 20:00
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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision. Lillie has been the Marketing Manager of Creative Plus Business since 2018, and is invaluable in helping build our social enterprise to a national scale!

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What is Creative Plus Business? We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

This workshop is funded by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

ONLINE: Pricing for Creatives
2022-08-29 14:00 - 16:00
CREATIVE COSTING, PRICING AND SHARING YOUR WORTH

Working out what to charge for creative products and services can be a colossal challenge. Where to even start? Pricing for Creatives is a practical workshop that covers the basics of figuring out the price point for creative work, including calculating costs and understanding what the market can bear. Pricing for Creatives is vital for anyone struggling to understand the value of their own work, and how to share that value with others.

Participants will also discuss the larger issues of:+ Understanding budgets, including the value of time;+ The psychology of pricing;+ Where cost and price overlap and intersect;+ Understanding the marketplace (and market research); + Creating loss leaders and more.

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated Pricing for Creatives 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 in the workshop;+ The possibility of further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.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.

Ideal For: Creative freelancers, established practitioners, arts organisations.

Who is presenting? Wendi Lanham is an actor, presenter, model, and the Business Manager of Creative Plus Business. She has a wealth of experience combining business and creative practice and is well-versed in the myriad ways artists can make money in order to weather the famine and feast of creative income more effectively.

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business? We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

This workshop is funded by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

ONLINE: Being Well
2022-08-25 18:00 - 20:00
Working in the creative industries is both rewarding and strenuous, physically and mentally. How can practitioners maintain a relative balance between flourishing and falling, particularly when artistic output is built with emotion? BEING WELL explores ways that creative professionals can purposely bring well-being practice into their everyday lives. Led by a creative industries and wellbeing specialist, this interactive workshop is a tonic to help practitioners remain creative for the long term.

This online workshop focuses on the following topics:

+ The physical, mental and emotional aspects of Wellbeing;+ The most effective ways to define personal boundaries;+ Understanding imposter syndrome, self-critical thoughts and self-sabotage;+ How business tips can (surprisingly) help with wellbeing;+ Creative practice processes in the modern world, including managing blocks.

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:

+ Lifetime access to a dedicated BEING WELL 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 our creative industries business specialist advisors.

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.

Ideal for: Hobbyists, creative freelancers, established practitioners, arts organisations.

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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple-to-understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision – including Creative Plus Business!

What’s Creative Plus Business? We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

ONLINE: Brand Storytelling
2022-08-24 18:00 - 19:00
Compelling copy can make or break your brand. With more and more brands popping up in the digital space on the daily, it is more important than ever to do something that stops the scroll and connects the soul. Enter: killer copy.Writing with personality, pizazz and purpose doesn’t come easily to every Jenny on the block, so we’ve enlisted the puntastic and professional support of Carmen Hawker from CARMEN GET IT! to share her tricks of the trade to help you craft copy that makes people feel, fall in love and keep comin’ back for more. Carmen will join Lillie Brown in a conversation-style webinar to explore how creative types can better tell their story through copy and campaigns, and how they can refine their unique brand voice to stand out like a zesty zebra in a pack of mules.Together they will dive headfirst into understanding your target market and how to hook ’em in, before splashing around in the deep end of despair that is About pages. You will strut away with more courage and confidence to unleash your inner stripey horse and three things to action right away to zhuzh up your website and social media copy. *Run, don’t walk*What’s Included? A 60 minute webinar with our creative industries experts (which you can access later if you want), plus lifetime access to additional resources on our website containing more resources to support your learning.Who should sign up? Creative and arts practitioners, freelancers, start-ups, students and arts entrepreneurs from beginners to established (International sign-ups welcome!). We also welcome curious hobbyists and people from outside the arts.Who’s hosting? Lillie Brown — marketing expert (and Marketing Manager at Creative Plus Business), brilliant at branding, resident fabulous copywriter, and lover of peppermint tea.

Carmen Hawker — writer of words, wearer of big earrings, teller of stories, and giver of pep talks. She’s a ‘wear your heart on your earlobes‘ kinda gal who worships at the altar of Beyoncé, Jacinda and Roxane. With a chronic book-buying habit and love of all things bright and colourful, Carmen is here to embolden you to be your most colourful and courageous self – because that’s exactly what the world needs right now.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will take place on Crowdcast, and it will be recorded.

ONLINE: Selling Online for Creatives
2022-08-18 18:00 - 20:00
THE BASICS OF STARTING AN ONLINE STORE

Selling online and using e-commerce can be overwhelming at first, especially for creatives – where to begin? This beginner’s course is ideal for any creatives who have products or services ready to sell, but no idea how to get their online sales set up.

With a focus on the arts and creative industries, this workshop will cover:+ The pros and cons of selling online+ Preparing for the basics – bank accounts, cloud accounting and stock management+ Choosing an eCommerce model+ Understanding the Customer Experience+ The legal checklist+ Marketing your Online Store… and more!

At the completion of the workshop you will have:+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with resources+ A One-Page Creative Business and Marketing Plan+ The option of more one-to-one advice from a creative business specialist.

All questions are welcome in this relaxed, safe and inclusive webinar. Participants are also encouraged to share their own experiences and network with their fellow practitioners.

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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision – including Creative Plus Business!

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you to start, run, adapt or grow. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.This workshop is funded by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

DARLINGHURST: Artselerate Cohort 3
2022-08-06 09:00 - 17:00
Artselerate is a unique combination of business incubator, start-up accelerator, creative collaboration, and networking opportunity that creates a fast and practical approach to business and strategic planning specifically for creative practitioners and arts organisations.

Artselerate helps participants complete their strategic business and marketing plans, with practical actions ready to be implemented, and creates a continued connection with other creative professionals through a guided peer mentoring program and ongoing connection to experts.

Artselerate is a program designed for creative practitioners at any stage of their professional development — it’s a melting pot of experiences, attitudes, and ideas to get your planning done!

You could be…

An individual artist or maker from any area of the creative industryA recent graduate or fledgling freelancer just getting startedSomeone representing a small creative organisation or arts not-for-profitA leader from a mid-sized arts or screen organisation who doesn’t have the financial resources to hire a consultant or participate in a more expensive program.

Plus you must be over 18, and live and/or work in the City of Sydney LGA.

We welcome keen beans from any area of practice, including screen, music, performing arts, design, fashion, visuals arts, writing, and multi-arts.

Ideally, you are committed to improving your professional and creative capacity and developing your business and marketing skills in an accelerated way, through a practical approach.

You also need to be engaged, enthusiastic, and willing to commit to participating in the whole program. That means BOTH weekends and in-between meetings. It’s compulsory!

We actively encourage applications from people of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, people with disabilities, people who identify as LGBTQIA+, and people of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander descent. We also welcome people of all genders.

Venue: East Sydney Community and Arts Centre, 34–40 Burton Street, Darlinghurst 2010

Artselerate takes place over two weekends (Saturday the 6th and Sunday the 7th August from 9am—5pm, and Saturday the 24th and Sunday the 25th September from 9am—5pm). If you have any questions, please email tess@creativeplusbusiness.com

ONLINE: LinkedIn for Creatives
2022-07-25 18:00 - 20:00
LINKEDIN IS NOT FOR CREATIVES…

Actually, that’s where you’re wrong. LinkedIn is a fantastic tool for creatives but it does take a little bit of manipulation to make it work for you – and help you connect to potential clients and customers! In this interactive online workshop, creative practitioners can learn as a group about how to make the most of LinkedIn for their career.

We’ll work together to:+ Finish your summary and experiences;+ Add media and info to your categories;+ Learn what makes a great photo and banner;+ Use a format for previous work that’s ideal for creative workers and freelancers;+ Discuss the strategy: posting, blogging and more.

Come and join us for some light learning, a virtual glass of wine and the opportunity to work together get to know each other. You’ll also get to work together in a practical way on your own LinkedIn profile with the help of a professional!

What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Hands-on help with their LinkedIn profile;+ Additional resources, including a free webinar to remind them of key pointsYou also get free advice! All NSW participants are entitled to 4 x 1-hour CHAT sessions, with a creative industries business advisor, 100% subsidised by Business Connect and therefore at no cost to you (no, there’s no catch!).

Who should enrol?This workshop is ideal for creative professionals who know they need to be ‘better;’ at LinkedIn, but have no idea how to start.

Who is presenting?Award-winning creative industries expert Monica Davidson, a writer and filmmaker by trade who founded the Creative Plus Business Group in 2016. Monica is a skilled facilitator who has helped literally thousands of creative practitioners through the process of starting and building their creative businesses.

What is Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

ONLINE: Creative's Guide to Marketing
2022-07-12 18:00 - 20:00
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!

Our Creative’s Guide to Marketing workshop is tailored specifically to creative people who are (or want to be) self-employed, from students and start-ups to experienced freelancers and arts organisations.

What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated Creative’s 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 Plus Business. Lillie works with small to medium creative businesses to devise and implement marketing and social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision – including Creative Plus Business!

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

This workshop is funded by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

ONLINE: Five Tips for Freelance Creatives
2022-07-06 18:00 - 20:00
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 in the workshop;+ The possibility of further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.

Ideal For: Creative practitioners at every level, from students to professionals.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist and filmmaker. In 2014 Monica completed her Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business at AFTRS, and was appointed as the first NSW Creative Industries Business Advisor by the Department of Industry. Shortly after she founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, which is dedicated to educating creative people about small business and marketing skills. In 2019, Monica was awarded the QUT Creative Enterprise Australia award for being a Creative Trailblazer that “advocates, mentors, donates, educates and advises within Australia’s creative economy”. Monica continues to work as a writer, filmmaker and occasional performer.

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

This workshop is funded by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

WEBINAR: The Future of Social Media
2022-07-04 18:00 - 19:30
Do you ever feel like you can’t keep up with the constant changes on social media? When you’re trying to market your business, the constant changes on social media can feel overwhelming and disheartening. The social media landscape is constantly evolving—change is the only thing that is guaranteed.

In this webinar, Lillie Brown will be joined by digital marketing expert Jordan Lomax for a conversation-style webinar to discuss what the future of social media looks like and how artists and creatives can leverage this landscape to their advantage and build an engaged and committed following.

We’ll explore:+ The evolving nature of social media+ How content types are changing and what you can do to minimise your content creation load+ What creatives need to do on social to achieve their business goals+ Trends—friend or foe?+ Predictions for social media+ The reality of censorship and shadowbanning

We’ll share a bunch of resources to help you stay up to date and keep track of changes and you’ll have the opportunity to get your questions answered by our expert presenters.

What’s Included? A 90 minute webinar with our creative industries experts (which you can access later if you want), plus lifetime access to additional resources on our website containing more resources to support your learning.Who should sign up? Creative and arts practitioners, freelancers, start-ups, students and arts entrepreneurs from beginners to established (International sign-ups welcome!). We also welcome curious hobbyists and people from outside the arts.Who’s hosting? 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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision – including Creative Plus Business!

Jordan is an experienced Digital Marketing Manager, as well as graphic designer, with a broad portfolio of previous clients across many different industries, including fashion, tech, music, travel, e-commerce and food. She has worked on both client and agency side for the likes of Spotify, Shopbop and OMD, as well as freelancing for many other high profile brands, developing and implementing their digital marketing strategies. Jordan now runs The Social Lab—a social, web and design agency servicing a range of clients, big and small. Outside of this, she is a freelance designer, digital strategist, teacher and is both Lead Instructor for General Assembly’s Digital Marketing courses and a member of their Distinguished Faculty program.

What’s Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will take place on Crowdcast. You will receive the Crowdcast link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the webinar. This webinar is funded by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

ONLINE: Cashflow for Creatives
2022-06-30 18:00 - 20:00
UNDERSTAND THOSE DOLLAR DOLLAR BILLS, Y’ALL

Understanding how to manage the flow of money in and out of a creative business is always a challenge – and in a pandemic, even more so. The roller coaster of income and expenses, the ‘famine and the feast’, can be managed – but only with some expert advice and real-world examples to help.

Cashflow for Creatives is an interactive online workshop that guides participants as they learn more about the irregularity of income that accompanies creative business, and how to manage their cash flow through practical tools and steps (NOT formulas).

With a focus on the arts and creative industries, this workshop will cover:+ The reality of managing the Famine and the Feast+ Understanding and creating your budgets+ Tips from a pro to help ‘regularise’ your cashflow+ Getting organised – and staying that way

At the completion of the workshop you will have:+ Lifetime access to a Cashflow for Creatives Dropbox folder jam-packed with resources+ A workbook to help with the practical elements of the workshop+ The option of more one-to-one advice from a creative business specialist

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.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist and filmmaker. In 2014 Monica completed her Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business at AFTRS, and was appointed as the first NSW Creative Industries Business Advisor by the Department of Industry. Shortly after she founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, which is dedicated to educating creative people about small business and marketing skills. In 2019, Monica was awarded the QUT Creative Enterprise Australia award for being a Creative Trailblazer that “advocates, mentors, donates, educates and advises within Australia’s creative economy”. Monica continues to work as a writer, filmmaker and occasional performer.

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you to start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.This workshop is funded by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

WEBINAR: Tax Time for Creatives (Auslan)
2022-06-27 18:30 - 20:00
It’s almost the end of the financial year, which means it’s time to get your money stuff in order. It’s not much fun, but a few simple tips and tricks (and a friendly face) can help.

This FREE webinar will help you get organised in time for EOFY and take the terror out of tax. Creatives, you are not alone!

NOTE: This workshop will be Auslan-interpreted.

We’ll be looking at:

+ The key creative tax rulings you need to know;

+ Are you a hobby or a business?

+ How to work out your deductions;

+ Easy tips and tricks for record-keeping;

+ Cloud Accounting suggestions;

+ Preparing for TAX (eugh!);

+ Better financial habits for next year.

Who should sign up? Creative industries professionals and business people from start-up to established (Australia only, sorry!). We also welcome creative freelancers, soloists, students, start-ups, and curious hobbyists.

Who’s the host with le most? Monica Davidson, director and doyenne of Creative Plus Business, teacher of tax and record keeping, lover of financial organisation, and super fun at parties.

What’s Creative Plus Business? We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will take place on Crowdcast, and it will be recorded.

WEBINAR: Financial Confidence for Creatives
2022-06-23 18:00 - 19:00
Financial confidence is the feeling that you can make effective decisions about your money, and have the knowledge and willpower to take control of your financial life. It’s challenging to learn, and even tricker for creatives who may not have a natural affinity for maths and the world of money.

This webinar outlines the importance of financial confidence, the effect it can have on your business life, and some practical tips and tricks to help you build your overall feelings of courage and certainty when it comes to money.What’s Included? A 90 minute webinar with our creative industries experts (which you can access later if you want), plus lifetime access to additional resources on our website containing more resources to support your learning.Who should sign up? Creative and arts practitioners, freelancers, start-ups, students and arts entrepreneurs from beginners to established (International sign-ups welcome!). We also welcome curious hobbyists and people from outside the arts.Who’s hosting? Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist and filmmaker. In 2014 Monica completed her Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business at AFTRS, and was appointed as the first NSW Creative Industries Business Advisor by the Department of Industry. Shortly after she founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, which is dedicated to educating creative people about small business and marketing skills. In 2019, Monica was awarded the QUT Creative Enterprise Australia award for being a Creative Trailblazer who “advocates, mentors, donates, educates and advises within Australia’s creative economy”. Monica continues to work as a writer, filmmaker and occasional performer.

What’s Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will take place on Crowdcast. You will receive the Crowdcast link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the webinar. This webinar is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

ONLINE: Creative's Guide to Marketing
2022-06-22 18:00 - 20:00
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!

Our Creative’s Guide to Marketing workshop is tailored specifically to creative people who are (or want to be) self-employed, from students and start-ups to experienced freelancers and arts organisations.

What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated Creative’s 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 Plus Business. Lillie works with small to medium creative businesses to devise and implement marketing and social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision – including Creative Plus Business!

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

ONLINE: What's it Worth?
2022-06-21 18:00 - 20:00
CREATIVE COSTING, PRICING AND SHARING YOUR WORTH

Working out what to charge for creative products and services can be a colossal challenge. Where to even start? What’s It Worth is a practical workshop that covers the basics of figuring out the price point for creative work, including calculating costs and understanding what the market can bear. What’s It Worth is vital for anyone struggling to understand the value of their own work, and how to share that value with others.

Participants will also discuss the larger issues of:+ Understanding budgets, including the value of time;+ The psychology of pricing;+ Where cost and price overlap and intersect;+ Understanding the marketplace (and market research); + Creating loss leaders and more.

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated What’s it Worth? 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 in the workshop;+ The possibility of further one-to-one business advice, mentoring and support from one of our creative industries business specialist advisors.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.

Ideal For: Creative freelancers, established practitioners, arts organisations.

Who is presenting? Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist and filmmaker. In 2014 Monica completed her Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business at AFTRS, and was appointed as the first NSW Creative Industries Business Advisor by the Department of Industry. Shortly after she founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, which is dedicated to educating creative people about small business and marketing skills. In 2019, Monica was awarded the QUT Creative Enterprise Australia award for being a Creative Trailblazer that “advocates, mentors, donates, educates and advises within Australia’s creative economy”. Monica continues to work as a writer, filmmaker and occasional performer.

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business? We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

ONLINE: Wellbeing for Creative Business
2022-06-16 18:00 - 20:00
Working in the creative industries is both rewarding and strenuous, physically and mentally. How can practitioners maintain a relative balance between flourishing and falling, particularly when artistic output is built with emotion? WELLBEING FOR CREATIVE BUSINESS explores ways that creative professionals can purposely bring well-being practice into their everyday lives. Led by a creative industries and wellbeing specialist, this interactive workshop is a tonic to help practitioners remain creative for the long term.

This online workshop focuses on the following topics:

+ The physical, mental and emotional aspects of Wellbeing;+ The most effective ways to define personal boundaries;+ Understanding imposter syndrome, self-critical thoughts and self-sabotage;+ How business tips can (surprisingly) help with wellbeing;+ Creative practice processes in the modern world, including managing blocks.

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:

+ Lifetime access to a dedicated WELLBEING FOR CREATIVE BUSINESS 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 our creative industries business specialist advisors.

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.

Ideal for: Hobbyists, creative freelancers, established practitioners, arts organisations.

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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple-to-understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision – including Creative Plus Business!

What’s Creative Plus Business? We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

ONLINE: Social Media for Creatives
2022-06-15 18:00 - 20:00
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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision. Lillie has been the Marketing Manager of Creative Plus Business since 2018, and is invaluable in helping build our social enterprise to a national scale!

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What is Creative Plus Business? We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

VIVID SYDNEY: Slashies!
2022-06-02 15:00 - 17:00
Juggling multiple jobs to support your creative practice? You’re amongst friends here! Slashies! is your go-to panel-slash-support group for creative professionals pursuing more than one avenue of work. Meet maestros-of-multiple-hats as they discuss their peripatetic careers and discover the innovations that can help you manage the business challenges so you can live your best #slashlife.

Artists have long supported their creative practice by holding down a second or third job, and a ‘portfolio career’ is nothing new for freelancers, however it’s time to lift the lid on the realities of a ‘slashie’ life. Is this juggle a passionate journey towards multi-skilled creative and financial fulfilment? Is it a life of business bewilderment and financial exploitation where you’re destined for burnout? Or is it both?

Come along for the chance to meet, talk and learn from each other as we share the honest stories of expert ‘slashies’ about how they juggle their own careers, navigate the pitfalls and celebrate the benefits. You’ll also meet experts from the world of creative business and arts enterprise, and receive extra resources and support to help ‘slashies’ continue onto entrepreneurial success.

Slashies in the arts rarely have a chance to talk together about the challenges they face, or the tricks and tips that help them live their best #slashlife. If the ‘gig economy’ and the portfolio career are here to stay, slashies need to work together to ensure they survive and thrive on their pioneering paths.

Meet maestros-of-multiple-hats Jeff McCann, Chika Ikogwe, Travis de Vries, and Dr Kate Smith as they discuss their peripatetic careers and discover the innovations that can help you manage the business challenges so you can live your best #slashlife.

We’ll be taking over the UTS Great Hall on Thursday 2 June from 3pm. Tickets are free—scribble down your panellist questions, tell ya friends, and claim your seat ASAP!

WEBINAR: Make Friends with Failure
2022-05-30 18:30 - 19:30
When it comes to navigating your business and creative practice, there is one F-word so dreadful, so terribly un-funky, that it brings a chill to your very bones… and that word is… (let’s hear it from the perfectionists in the back) FAILURE!However, we also know that failure is an inevitable part of any process that involves creativity, collaboration and risk. Learning to fail sounds absolutely terrifying, but it’s exactly what you need when it comes to figuring out how to succeed!In this webinar, our hosts with the most will discuss failure honestly and openly, the challenges and pitfalls of negotiating defeat, and practical ways to make friends with failure and turn a negative experience into a positive outcome.What’s Included? A 60 minute webinar with our creative industries experts (which you can access later if you want), plus lifetime access to additional resources on our website containing more resources to support your learning.Who should sign up? Creative and arts practitioners, freelancers, start-ups, students and arts entrepreneurs from beginners to established (International sign-ups welcome!). We also welcome curious hobbyists and people from outside the arts.Who’s hosting? Monica Davidson, fearless and fabulous Director and Doyenne of Creative Plus Business, certified knower of things, and lover of all F-words.

Charley Sanders is a theatre and contemporary performance maker and producer whose practice includes directing, dramaturgy, performance and creative producing. She is Co-Artistic Director of award-winning trans-tasman contemporary performance company House of Sand, and has worked freelance across the industry, mostly in Sydney and Adelaide, including for Opera Australia, State Theatre Co. South Australia, The Old 505, RUMPUS, and Paul Lucas Productions (NYC).

Jeff McCann‘s work ranges from community engagement projects, public art, workshops and collaborations through to illustration, props and fashion. Their practice strives to create inclusive work that encourages his audience to get involved and have some fun!

Stavroula Adameitis is a Sydney-based artist known for her bold and bombastic Pop Art fashion designs, neon light artworks and immersive installations working under the alias FRIDA LAS VEGAS. Inspired by the signs and symbols of Australia, Stavroula’s FRIDA LAS VEGAS universe remixes nostalgia with a graphic sensibility to create an explosive visual statement across mediums.What’s Creative Plus Business? We’re an educational organisation dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about entrepreneurial skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will take place on Crowdcast, and it will be recorded.

ONLINE: How to Start a Creative Business
2022-05-23 18:00 - 20:00
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

Curious about turning your creative practice into a fully-fledged small business? This fun and friendly workshop will cover all the essentials you’ll need to get the basics right and avoid some of the most common pitfalls for creatives as they enter the world of self-employment and freelancing.

You will learn all the following, with a focus on the arts and creative industries :+ Making a plan for your start-up journey+ Understanding ABNs, structures, business names and licences+ Getting ready for the money+ Preparing for the market+ Where to go for more (free) help.

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with resources+ A Creative Business Start-Up Checklist+ A One Page Creative Business and Marketing Plan+ The option of more one-to-one advice from a creative business specialist.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.

Who’s presenting?Emmie has one foot planted firmly in each world – the arts and small business- and loves helping people turn their creative work into a business reality. She has been an educator for 15+ years and is focused on delivering practical, actionable training where you walk away knowing how to do things, not just why you should.

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

Attending this event will consolidate your thinking about starting a creative business in NSW. You’ll then be eligible to book an advisory session to test your business idea.

ONLINE: Money Management for Creatives
2022-05-19 18:00 - 20:00
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 to know each other.

Ideal for: This workshop is tailored specifically to creative people who are (or want to be) self-employed in some capacity. It is ideal for recent graduates, freelancers and small arts organisations.

What do I get?All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Printed materials to help during the workshop;+ Lifetime access to a dedicated MONEY dropbox folder full of additional resources and help;+ Access to a web page full of links and resources to help you get ahead in their creative business.

Who is presenting?Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist and filmmaker. In 2014 Monica completed her Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business at AFTRS, and was appointed as the first NSW Creative Industries Business Advisor by the Department of Industry. Shortly after she founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, which is dedicated to educating creative people about small business and marketing skills. In 2019, Monica was awarded the QUT Creative Enterprise Australia award for being a Creative Trailblazer that “advocates, mentors, donates, educates and advises within Australia’s creative economy”. Monica continues to work as a writer, filmmaker and occasional performer.

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you to start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

ONLINE: Understanding Branding
2022-05-19 18:00 - 20:00
HOW TO LAY THE FOUNDATIONS OF A COMPELLING BRAND

Branding can be a tricky concept to comprehend and many creative freelancers and arts organisations don’t understand how to make it work. In a marketplace full of mixed marketing messages, a compelling brand can help a creative practitioner or organisation stand out from the crowd. Creatives who make the most of their branding can build a loyal community of clients and customers that are engaged and interested, willing to spend money, and happy to spread the word.

In this down-to-earth workshop, participants will learn about:+ The basic concepts of branding, and why it’s so important;+ Personal and professional branding, and how it applies to creative practitioners;+ The ingredients that make a compelling brand;+ Practical steps to help participants bring their branding A-Game

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a dedicated Understanding Branding 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 our creative industries business specialist advisors.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.

Ideal For: Creative freelancers, established practitioners, arts organisations.

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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision. Lillie has been the Marketing Manager of Creative Plus Business since 2018, and is invaluable in helping build our social enterprise to a national scale!

What is Creative Plus Business? We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.

ONLINE: Selling Online for Creatives
2022-05-18 18:00 - 20:00
THE BASICS OF STARTING AN ONLINE STORE

Selling online and using e-commerce can be overwhelming at first, especially for creatives – where to begin? This beginner’s course is ideal for any creatives who have products or services ready to sell, but no idea how to get their online sales set up.

With a focus on the arts and creative industries, this workshop will cover:+ The pros and cons of selling online+ Preparing for the basics – bank accounts, cloud accounting and stock management+ Choosing an eCommerce model+ Understanding the Customer Experience+ The legal checklist+ Marketing your Online Store… and more!

At the completion of the workshop you will have:+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with resources+ A One-Page Creative Business and Marketing Plan+ The option of more one-to-one advice from a creative business specialist.

All questions are welcome in this relaxed, safe and inclusive webinar. Participants are also encouraged to share their own experiences and network with their fellow practitioners.

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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision – including Creative Plus Business!

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you to start, run, adapt or grow. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help by sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop will take place on Zoom. You will receive the Zoom link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the workshop. Note: this workshop will not be recorded.This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

WEBINAR: Hiring and Retaining Freelancers
2022-05-16 18:00 - 20:00
In uncertain times, hiring freelancers can be the solution to challenging projects and business uncertainty, especially in creative business. Freelancers are independent contractors and experts in their field, but how do you find the good ones? More importantly, how to retain them when you can’t offer them stable employment?

This fun and informative webinar covers the marketing challenge of finding good people, the legal and financial aspects of hiring freelancers, and offers tips on how to keep excellent freelancers happy and loyal.

What’s included?A 90 minute webinar with our creative industries experts (which you can access later if you want), plus lifetime access to additional resources on our website containing more resources to support your learning.

Who should sign up?Creative and arts practitioners, freelancers, start-ups, students and arts entrepreneurs from beginners to established (International sign-ups welcome!). We also welcome curious hobbyists and people from outside the arts.

Who’s hosting? Monica Davidson is an award-winning expert on the creative industries, who began her professional life as a freelance journalist and filmmaker. In 2014 Monica completed her Masters degree in Screen Arts and Business at AFTRS, and was appointed as the first NSW Creative Industries Business Advisor by the Department of Industry. Shortly after she founded the social enterprise Creative Plus Business, which is dedicated to educating creative people about small business and marketing skills. In 2019, Monica was awarded the QUT Creative Enterprise Australia award for being a Creative Trailblazer who “advocates, mentors, donates, educates and advises within Australia’s creative economy”. Monica continues to work as a writer, filmmaker and occasional performer.

What’s Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will take place on Crowdcast. You will receive the Crowdcast link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the webinar. This webinar is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

ONLINE: How to Start a Creative Business
2022-05-12 18:00 - 20:00
LET’S GET READY TO RUMBLE!

Curious about turning your creative practice into a fully-fledged small business? This fun and friendly workshop will cover all the essentials you’ll need to get the basics right and avoid some of the most common pitfalls for creatives as they enter the world of self-employment and freelancing.

You will learn all the following, with a focus on the arts and creative industries :+ Making a plan for your start-up journey+ Understanding ABNs, structures, business names and licences+ Getting ready for the money+ Preparing for the market+ Where to go for more (free) help.

What do I get? All participants of this workshop also receive:+ Lifetime access to a Dropbox folder jam-packed with resources+ A Creative Business Start-Up Checklist+ A One Page Creative Business and Marketing Plan+ The option of more one-to-one advice from a creative business specialist.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.

Who’s presenting?Ann Niddrie balances creativity with a love for data and strategy. From early beginnings as a photographer she expanded her skills into online marketing and producing and directing public art projects. More recently she has worked in creative industry development and is a passionate advocate for investment in creative industries.

What is NSW Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

What’s Creative Plus Business?We’re a social enterprise dedicated to educating creative people and arts organisations about business skills. We help through sharing practical knowledge in a fun and irreverent way, and everything we do is designed to help creatives to feel more confident and comfortable about the entrepreneurial aspects of their creative practice. We believe that a bit of naughtiness, tempered with a kind heart and a big dose of professionalism, is the key to helping creative people understand the boring basics of business.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This workshop is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.

Attending this event will consolidate your thinking about starting a creative business in NSW. You’ll then be eligible to book an advisory session to test your business idea.

WEBINAR: How to Craft a Killer Marketing Campaign
2022-05-11 18:00 - 19:00
Thoughtful marketing campaigns create a seamless brand experience across all of your touch points—aka your website, social platforms, and beyond. They make your clients actually *feel* something and foster a genuine connection with your brand.

We’re bringing back Campaign Queen Mia Fileman to explore the key ingredients of a great marketing campaign and how you can craft a powerful campaign with limited resources. Mia brings a wealth of no-bs marketing expertise to the table and focuses on tactics that will genuinely improve the bottom line of your business.

In this webinar, we’ll explore:+ The advantages of campaign marketing+ What an integrated marketing campaign is and how to do it well+ How to create a powerful campaign with limited resources+ How to come up with a great campaign concept

What’s Included? A 90 minute webinar with our creative industries experts (which you can access later if you want), plus lifetime access to additional resources on our website containing more resources to support your learning.Who should sign up? Creative and arts practitioners, freelancers, start-ups, students and arts entrepreneurs from beginners to established (International sign-ups welcome!). We also welcome curious hobbyists and people from outside the arts.Who’s hosting? 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 social media strategies that are easy for creative brains to digest. She walks clients through a comprehensive planning process to create simple to understand and actionable strategies to help them fulfil their vision – including Creative Plus Business!

Mia Fileman is a professional marketer with 21 years of experience as a Brand Manager, Agency Director and Creative Strategist. She’s the Founder of Campaign Del Mar, a marketing education platform for entrepreneurs and emerging marketers. Mia is the host of the Got Marketing? Podcast and a widely published marketing expert. She has written for Social Media Examiner, Mumbrella and Smart Company, among many others.

What’s Business Connect? Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business. Creative Plus Business provides confidential, independent business advice and skills training for small and medium creative businesses across NSW as part of the NSW Government’s Business Connect program.

Accessibility: if you have any access requirements, please email hello@creativeplusbusiness.com

This webinar will take place on Crowdcast. You will receive the Crowdcast link in an email from Creative Plus Business prior to the webinar. This webinar is sponsored by NSW Business Connect, a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted independent business advice and events to help you start, run, adapt or grow your small business.
