One of the big benefits of Bristol Creative Industries membership is the ability to self-publish content on our website. We’ve seen lots of great content published in 2024 including some brilliant business advice.
Here are the 30 most popular advice posts of the year. The list includes some posts from 2022 and 2023 that have continued to attract views thanks to their great tips.
Want to publish business advice on our website and make it into the top 30 in 2025? Become a member of Bristol Creative Industries.
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1. Current landscape for freelancers
Written by Moxie and Mettle
Click below or read the article here.
Current Landscape for Freelancers
2. Mastering the art of pop-up experiences: A guide for experiential designers
Written by Imagineerium
Click below or read the article here.
Mastering the Art of Pop-Up Experiences: A Guide for Experiential Designers
3. Six brand strategy models for focus and structure
Written by Halo
Click below or read the article here.
6 Brand Strategy Models For Focus And Structure
4. How does Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) work?
Written by Varn
Click below or read the article here.
How does Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE) work?
5. How to measure SEO success: 7 key metrics
Written by Varn
Click below or read the article here.
How to Measure SEO Success: 7 Key Metrics
6. Transferable skills in the creative sector
Written by Moxie and Mettle
Click below or read the article here.
Transferable skills in the creative sector
7. The top transferable skills in TV production
Posted by Carnsight Communications
Click below or read the article here.
The top transferable skills in TV production
8. Here are 7 steps to PR yourself
Written by Carnsight Communications
Click below or read the article here.
Here are 7 steps to PR yourself
9. Podcast vs broadcast: Spot the difference
Written by David Sheppard
Click below or read the article here.
Podcast vs Broadcast: Spot The Difference
10. PR touchpoints: what are they and why are they important?
Written by Carnsight Communications
Click below or read the article here.
PR touchpoints: what are they and why are they important?
11. Exploring experiential design trends shaping 2024
Written by Imagineerium
Click below or read the article here.
Exploring Experiential Design Trends Shaping 2024
12. Shopify for SEO: Top 10 benefits and three mistakes to avoid
Written by Varn
Click below or read the article here.
Shopify For SEO: Top 10 Benefits & 3 Mistakes to Avoid
13. What is greywashing and why is it important?
Written by OggaDoon
Click below or read the article here.
What is Greywashing and why is it important?
14. The challenges of crafting a brand story and how to overcome them
Written by Bopgun
Click below or read the article here.
The challenges of crafting a brand story & how to overcome them
15. Leveraging machine learning algorithms in a cookieless future
Written by Superb Digital
Click below or read the article here.
Leveraging Machine Learning Algorithms in a Cookieless Future
16. How organisations can build higher levels of trust
Written by Rich Roberts
Click below or read the article here.
How organisations can build higher levels of trust
17. Apprenticeships? It’s time to bust some myths
Written by Vid Communications
Click below or read the article here.
Apprenticeships? It’s time to bust some myths…
18. 5 ways AI can enhance creativity and engagement in experiential design
Written by Imagineerium
Click below or read the article here.
5 Ways AI can enhance creativity and engagement in experiential design
19. Apprenticeship: Finding your next star
Written by Vid Communications
Click below or read the article here.
Apprenticeship – Finding Your Next Star
20. A creative freelancer’s guide to a mid-year review
Written by Gather Round
Click below or read the article here.
A Creative Freelancer’s Guide to a Mid-Year Review
21. Why TikTok has to be part of your content strategy
Written by Ambitious
Click below or read the article here.
Why TikTok has to be part of your content strategy
22. Greenwashing: Walking the line between authenticity and deception
Written by OggaDoon
Click below or read the article here.
Greenwashing – Walking the Line Between Authenticity and Deception
23. SEO for beginners: Unravelling the mysteries of SEO for up-and-coming businesses
Written by BrisTechTonic
Click below or read the article here.
SEO for Beginners: Unravelling the Mysteries of SEO+ for Up-and-Coming Businesses
24. A comprehensive guide to outbound links for SEO
Written by BrisTechTonic
Click below or read the article here.
A Comprehensive Guide to Outbound Links for SEO
25. How to position yourself as an expert in your field
Written by Blog Write
Click below or read the article here.
How to position yourself as an expert in your field
26. DEI – a quick-sprint guide to inclusive brand language
Written by SIM7
Click below or read the article here.
DEI – a quick-sprint guide to inclusive brand language
27. Spring cleaning 101: how to organise your email inbox
Written by Carnsight Communications
Click below or read the article here.
Spring cleaning 101: how to organise your email inbox
28. How to write copy in the right tone of voice for your brand
Written by Blog Write
Click below or read the article here.
How to write copy in the right tone of voice for your brand
29. To B or not to B? Our journey to B Corp certification
Written by The Discourse
Click below or read the article here.
To B or not to B? Our journey to B Corp certification
30. The ultimate guide to TV advertising costs
Written by South West Film
Click below or read the article here.
The Ultimate Guide to TV Advertising Costs
Want to publish business advice on our website and make it into the top 30 in 2025? Become a member of Bristol Creative Industries.
(Blog written by Joe Abdulgani, Assistant Principal Curriculum – Creative Media, Digital and Project Management at Weston College)
In an era where employers seek creative thinkers, adaptable problem-solvers, and effective communicators, the skills honed by video gamers are becoming increasingly valuable.
While video games are often associated with entertainment, they cultivate a diverse set of competencies that translate directly into the workplace, particularly in high-demand areas like critical thinking, teamwork, and emotional intelligence.
Many employers now recognise that hiring individuals with gaming backgrounds can provide a competitive advantage.
So, what skills do gamers bring:
1. Problem-Solving and Creativity
Video games often present players with complex challenges that require innovative thinking. Gamers must experiment with strategies, adjusting their approach when faced with roadblocks, which fosters an adaptive problem-solving mindset. Creativity is crucial in many games, from building expansive virtual worlds to devising winning strategies under constraints. This creativity can significantly enhance productivity and innovation in a professional setting, where a fresh perspective can lead to new solutions and long-term success.
2. Decision-Making and Risk-Taking
A defining characteristic of video gaming is decision-making under pressure. Gamers must evaluate options quickly, anticipate future scenarios, and weigh risks—skills that are equally valuable in business, where strategic decision-making is essential. This experience builds a tolerance for calculated risk, as players frequently navigate unknown environments, a skill that prepares them well for industries that value risk-takers who can think on their feet.
3. Communication and Teamwork
Modern gaming, especially in online multiplayer environments, emphasizes clear communication and collaboration. Many gamers work in teams where they need to relay strategies, give and receive feedback, and support each other toward shared goals.
4. Adaptability, Patience, and Perseverance
The dynamic nature of gaming requires players to adjust to new environments, tools, and challenges. This adaptability fosters resilience, an asset in fast-paced or constantly evolving industries. Patience and perseverance are essential in games that require long-term goals or repeated attempts to succeed.
5. Emotional Intelligence and Remaining Calm Under Pressure
Gamers learn to maintain composure in high-stakes situations, enhancing their ability to remain calm under pressure. This ability is a key component of emotional intelligence, allowing individuals to stay focused, think clearly, and manage stress effectively in demanding work environments.
At Weston College, we offer learners the opportunity to turn their passion for video games, into a career, through our Esports course. The course isn’t just about playing games, it is about learners developing key transferable skills through aspects such as live streaming, content creation and branding. Learners are leaving full of confidence, progressing into exciting roles once they complete the course too, we also have alumni that are now at university competing in Esports, as well as degree apprenticeships.
In conclusion, video gamers bring a unique combination of soft skills that can greatly benefit today’s workplaces. As businesses look for employees who can solve complex problems, make critical decisions, and thrive in team settings, the transferable skills from gaming are more relevant than ever. By recognising and valuing these skills, employers can tap into a resourceful and resilient talent pool ready to contribute and succeed in diverse environments.
If you would like to find out more about our Esports programme, or Digital offer, please click here.
If you would like to access support from Weston College for your business, please click here.
Following a competitive pitch, SIM7 has been selected by SNG (Sovereign Network Homes) as a key agency on its framework to supply property branding services over the next four years.SIM7 will work in partnership with SNG’s marketing teams, providing creative, branding and design services to drive the off-plan sales of Shared Ownership and private sale homes. This work will involve branding SNG’s schemes, developing high-profile digital and OOH campaigns, and creating assets across all channels.
SIM7 will join a handful of leading UK agencies, selected to support SNG’s ambitious growth plans.
One of the UK’s largest Housing Associations, SNG will invest £9.2bn in the next decade, building 25,000 new homes – as well as regenerating estates and improving the sustainability and quality of existing homes.
Says SIM7’s Simeon de la Torre, “As an agency with extensive property sector experience, not to mention specific knowledge of the Shared Ownership market, this is a perfect partnership for us. We’re excited about working on some of the biggest schemes in the UK, and empowering property branding by delivering the effective, messaging-driven creative that we’re known for. From property CGIs and video to scheme-specific branding, we’re looking forward to capturing and conveying the essence of the new communities that SNG is building.
“SNG is one of the best names in the industry for sustainability and social value, and the SIM7 team are all keen to help SNG deliver good, affordable homes for all.”
SIM7 is an award-winning creative agency that uses language to empower design. We drive growth by creating brands, campaigns and strategy – for marketing teams around the world. Our experience in the property sector extends to estate agents, national associations, Registered Providers, mortgage brokers and more.
For more information, contact Simeon de la Torre [email protected]
The end of the year is a good moment to pause, reflect, and realign. It’s the perfect opportunity for businesses and individuals to assess the past 12 months and plan for growth in the year ahead. A powerful way to do this is reflective goal-setting – a powerful approach to enhancing clarity, motivation, and success.
Reflective Goal Setting For Businesses
Reflective goal setting is a valuable tool for businesses because it provides an opportunity to assess progress, learn from past experiences, and strategically plan for the future. By reflecting on what worked well and what didn’t, business leaders can identify patterns, strengths, and areas for improvement. This process helps companies become more agile and better equipped to adapt to changing market conditions. Reflective goal setting also fosters a growth mindset within teams, encouraging innovation and resilience by viewing challenges as learning opportunities rather than setbacks. When businesses take the time to evaluate their achievements and failures, they can refine their goals to ensure they are realistic, impactful, and aligned with the company’s mission and values.
Reflective goal setting promotes clarity and focus within an organisation. It allows leaders to prioritise key objectives, ensuring resources and efforts are directed toward the most important initiatives. This alignment drives growth and builds a cohesive, motivated team. Involving employees in the reflection process not only improves transparency but also strengthens commitment to the company’s vision. When everyone is clear on the goals and their role in achieving them, it enhances collaboration, accountability, and performance. Reflective goal setting becomes an essential tool for both short-term success and long-term sustainability in business.
Reflective Goal Setting for Individuals
Reflective goal setting is equally valuable for individuals, as it gives you the opportunity to pause, assess progress, and realign with personal aspirations. By reflecting on past experiences, people can identify what has driven your successes, what challenges you’ve overcome, and where you might need to adjust your approach. This process increases self-awareness, helping you recognise your strengths, weaknesses, and patterns of behaviour that influence their outcomes. Reflection also allows you to take stock of your growth, celebrate achievements, and learn from setbacks, giving you the confidence to move forward.
For personal growth, reflective goal setting ensures that individuals remain focused on what truly matters to them, whether that’s career progression, relationships, or overall well-being. It clarifies values and priorities, eliminates distractions and better allocates time and energy toward meaningful pursuits. By setting specific, actionable goals and tracking progress, individuals can stay motivated and resilient in the face of obstacles. Reflective goal setting encourages intentional living, where decisions and actions align with a deeper sense of purpose, ultimately leading to greater fulfilment and long-term success.
This guide combines the latest research on goal-setting, practical tips, and a personal story about my year’s achievements and lessons learned.
Why Reflective Goal Setting Works
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It Builds Self-Awareness
Reflecting on what you’ve done and achieved this year, sharpens your understanding of what drives you and what holds you back. This self-awareness is a catalyst for breaking unproductive patterns and setting meaningful goals. Research shows that reflecting on past experiences boosts self-efficacy, helping individuals set more ambitious and achievable goals.
2. It Creates Clarity and Focus
When we reflect, we gain perspective, helping to prioritise what truly matters. This clarity ensures that your energy is directed toward impactful actions.
3. It Gets Results
Studies show that writing down specific goals increases the likelihood of achieving them by 42% compared to simply thinking about them. Reflective goal-setting encourages a growth mindset, enabling us to view setbacks as opportunities for growth. Harvard Business Review found that people who wrote goals clearly and tracked progress were 33% more likely to achieve substantial outcomes.
4. It makes us more Motivated
Reflection helps us celebrate our wins and find meaning in our challenges. By tying goals to your personal values and aspirations, you set the stage for sustainable motivation throughout the year.
How to Reflect and Set Goals for 2025
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Reflect on the Past Year
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Start by answering these prompts:
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What were your biggest achievements, both personal and professional?
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What challenges did you face, and what did you learn from them?
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When were you happiest, and why?
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What habits or routines contributed to your success?
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Is there something you wish you had done differently?
2. Shift Your Perspective
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Use the downtime over the holidays to gain perspective. Step away from daily pressures, take a long walk, or journal in a quiet space. Sometimes, a change in environment can reveal new insights.
3. Dream Big and Plan Strategically
Envision where you want to be in December 2025. Consider:
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What do you want to celebrate next year?
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What matters most to you—personally and professionally?
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What habits, skills, or boundaries do you need to develop?
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Write It Down – The act of writing turns ideas into tangible commitments. Use a journal, a vision board, or a digital app to capture your reflections and goals.
4. Set SMART Goals
When setting goals, it’s important to make them SMART which stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
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Specific: A goal should be well-defined and clear, answering the questions to give you a clear direction.
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Measurable: How will you know when you get there? What metrics can you use to track progress and determine when it’s achieved?
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Achievable: The goal should be realistic and attainable, considering the resources, skills, and time available. Don’t set goals that are so ambitious that you’re setting yourself up for failure.
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Relevant: The goal must align with your broader objectives, values, and long-term vision to focus your energy on the right priorities.
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Time-bound: Every goal should have a clear deadline or timeline for completion. This creates a sense of urgency and helps prevent procrastination.
Once you’ve set your SMART goals, the next step is to break them down into actionable steps. Identify the key milestones along the way—smaller, more achievable objectives that keep you motivated and moving forward. By celebrating these milestones, you build momentum and maintain focus.
5. Collaborative Goal Setting
If you’re setting business goals, involve your team. Reflecting and planning as a group creates alignment, boosts morale, and builds motivation and shared accountability.
Collaboration with team members makes them feel valued, and engaged in shaping the future of the business. This boosts morale and encourages a deeper commitment to the company’s objectives, as people are more likely to be invested in goals they’ve helped to create.
Collaborative Goal Setting also builds transparency and trust. People will gain a better understanding of how their roles contribute to the overall success of the organisation. It improves communication and reduces ambiguity, leading to more efficient execution of goals. And finally, when team members are part of the goal-setting process, they can offer insights and perspectives that leadership might not have considered, leading to more innovative and well-rounded objectives.
Collaboration also nurtures a sense of shared accountability. When employees have a stake in the goal-setting process, they feel more responsible for achieving the targets set, for themselves and for the team as a whole. This collective sense of ownership can increase motivation and drive, creating a more unified and high-performing workforce.
In summary
Reflective goal-setting is not just about ticking boxes; it’s about continuous growth As you embrace this process, remember to celebrate progress, adapt to challenges, and always keep your vision in sight.
Here’s to a successful, purposeful, and fulfilling 2025! What goals will you set for the year ahead?
Becoming a member of Bristol Creative Industries brings many benefits. We regularly add new opportunities so here is a guide to the latest benefits you can enjoy by signing up. This post is regularly updated.
Join Bristol Creative Industries from only £4.95 a month.
Appear in the member directory
Showcase your best work and attract new clients with a company profile in the Bristol Creative Industries member directory. The directory receives lots of visits every month from people looking for services from creative businesses.
Self-publish content
Got some business advice or news to share? As a Bristol Creative Industries member you can self-publish content on our website and it will automatically appear on your member profile. We upgrade great content to the newsfeed and homepage, while four posts by members are included in our monthly email newsletter.
To get an idea of the content topics that do well, here are the top 20 most popular posts by members in 2023.
Bristol Creative Industries member Jessica Morgan from Carnsight Communications discussed the benefits of posting content in this interview.
Advertise jobs on the BCI jobs board
The Bristol Creative Industries jobs board attracts thousands of job hunters every month. As part of your membership, you can post unlimited free job adverts, saving you on average £3,500 per candidate.
Piers Tincknell, co-founder of Atomic Smash, is one of BCI’s longest serving members and he told us in a member profile interview how he regularly uses the jobs board to recruit new employees.
Attend members’ lunches
BCI’s monthly members’ lunches are a perfect opportunity for members to catch up with fellow members and the BCI team.
Everyone has a slot of up to three minutes to tell the others a little about who they are and what they do and share any news and/or challenges. You don’t need to fill the full three minutes. We usually find some common themes emerge to discuss over the course of the session. It’s all very informal with no need to stand up and present slides.
The events are free to attend for members. They are a mix of in person and virtual events. The in person sessions are at The Square Club in Bristol and include a free buffet lunch.
Check the events section of details of the next lunches.
Discounts for keynotes, workshops and other events
Our flagship keynote events and workshops feature world class speakers sharing their expertise. It’s a unique opportunity to access valuable insights for growing your business. Bristol Creative Industries members receive a ticket discount.
An example of a keynote event is the brilliant presentation on social media trends delivered in March 2024 by Drew Benvie, founder of global social media consultancy Battenhall.
He returns for the 2025 edition on 25 February. Early bird BCI member tickets are £25 +VAT until Tuesday 31st December, and £35 +VAT after that.
Our first keynote event in 2025 is an amazing one! Join us at Bristol’s Amazement Park on 28 January to hear the amazing story behind Wake The Tiger. Early bird BCI member tickets are £30 +VAT until 30th November, and £40 +VAT after that. Register here.
Our regular freelancer networking drinks are free with a free drink for members. In 2025, they take place at 5.30 – 8pm on 4 February, 1 April, 10 June, 9 September and 11 November. Register via our events section.
Keen an eye on the events section for the latest events. You can also sign up to the monthly BCI Bulletin to be notified of events.
Attend and host Wake Up Call
Wake Up Call is a member exclusive live webinar that takes place every other Friday at 8.30-9am. The content is delivered by members for members.
Attending the free event gives you access to valuable insights from your fellow members and if you host a Wake Up Call, you can share your expertise and attract potential new clients.
See details for upcoming Wake Up Call events in our events section.
If you’re a BCI member and you’d liked to deliver a presentation on a topic of your choice during Wake Up Call, email Dan Martin.
Equity, diversity and inclusion training
Research shows that diverse teams are more creative problem solvers, bringing fresh perspectives to solutions, against the echo-chamber effect that results when people in a business come from too-similar backgrounds. With a strong focus on diversity and inclusion, employees feel valued and that they belong.
To help Bristol Creative Industries members achieve this, we have partnered with The Hobbs Consultancy to provide on demand equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) e-learning.
The CPD certified online course consists of modules to help you bring about positive change in your business, understand the key challenges in the way for different groups, and explore your own biases and how to overcome them.
The training modules take an in-depth look at different diversity and inclusion topics: race, disability, LGBTQ+, neurodiversity, gender (split into female leadership, masculinity, gender identity), age and social mobility in the workplace.
The price of the training for BCI members is £120+VAT. All profits will be ploughed back into our youth engagement activity.
To access this brilliant training opportunity, log into your Bristol Creative Industries account and click on the ‘members’ training’ section.
Join outdoor networking events
The regular BCI Walk & Talk networking sessions are for a group of 12 BCI members who don their walking boots and explore the stunning countryside around Bristol and Bath.
It’s a great opportunity for members to make some new connections whilst getting some much needed fresh air!
Keen an eye on the events section for details of the next outdoor networking event. You can also sign up to the monthly BCI Bulletin to be notified of events.
Attend exclusive roundtables
We host regular roundtables for agency leaders to discuss strategic challenges. These events are vital for us to hear from the member community about the key issues you are facing and how we can help. A roundtable on funding led to us creating this popular and regularly updated guide to the latest finance on offer to creative businesses.
If you are interested in getting involved with future roundtables, email Sian Pitman.
Discounts on workspace, hotels and more
Reductions on co-working spaces, meeting rooms, hotel accommodation, a recruitment strategy review and a coffee subscription are just some of the many discounts and offers we’ve negotiated for members.
Other benefits
We regularly deliver other member benefits, such as a free people strategy surgery in January, March and May 2025.
To stay updated on the latest benefits, sign up to the monthly BCI Bulletin.
Join Bristol Creative Industries from only £4.95 a month.
If you have any questions about membership, email Alli Nicholas
Working closely with agencies every day, we’ve had a front-row seat to the start of one of the most significant transformations our industry has ever experienced – the transition to a world with AI. Through our recent research holding detailed interviews with 30 creative agency leaders, and working alongside more than 20 agencies in their AI journey in 2024, we’ve seen firsthand how AI is reshaping not just how we work, but what’s creatively possible.
Moving past the AI anxiety
Let’s be honest – when generative AI first emerged as a serious tool for creative work 2 years ago, many of us had concerns. Would it diminish the value of human creativity? Could it compromise the quality of our work? Will it make our hard won skills redundant? These were natural reactions. But what we’ve discovered through our research and hands-on experience is something far more nuanced: while the potential for semi-automating some tasks is there, the more impactful use of AI is as a powerful creative amplifier.
What we’re actually seeing
The most inspiring moments in our research came from agencies that have moved past the experimental phase. These AI Pioneers – about 20% of the agencies we studied – are building new ways of working that combine human creativity with AI’s ability to condense and recombine huge amounts of information to deliver more impactful results for their clients.
One agency leader put it perfectly when they described how AI allows creatives to “more easily access their creativity.” We’re seeing teams explore more creative directions, push boundaries further, and deliver higher quality work – not because AI is doing the creative thinking, but because it’s removing barriers to expression and expanding what’s possible.
The real opportunity
The efficiency gains for certain tasks are real (think content localisation, for example). But the real win for agencies is using AI to help them what they do best – strategic thinking and creative innovation. When creatives can quickly explore multiple directions and “get all of their crap ideas out quickly,” as one leader put it, they have more time and mental space for the kind of deep creative thinking that leads to breakthrough ideas.
What this means for agency leaders
From our conversations we’ve learned that successful AI integration isn’t just about having the right tools – it’s about having the right approach. Here’s what’s working:
1. Skills Before Tools
The agencies seeing the best results are those investing heavily in their people. They’re equipping their teams not just with AI tools, but with the skills and confidence to work with AI as it evolves.
2. Strategic Integration
Rather than making AI a point solution for doing a handful of identified tasks, the AI Pioneers are weaving it throughout their core processes. They’re rethinking workflows, team structures, and even their business models to leverage AI’s strengths.
3. Client Partnership
The most forward-thinking agencies are bringing their clients along on the journey, having open conversations about how AI enhances their creative options and encouraging their clients to take advantage of them.
Looking Ahead
We are at the beginning of the AI transition. The agencies that will thrive aren’t those using AI to simply work faster – they’re the ones using it to push creative boundaries and deliver ideas that were previously too complex, too expensive, or too time consuming to be possible.
The future we’re seeing emerge is one where:
- Creative teams are much less limited by time or resources in their exploration, allowing them to investigate many directions simultaneously, quickly test which ones have legs, and uncover truly breakthrough ideas.
- AI tools simply become part of the ‘way things are done around here’ and seamlessly blend into the way they work
- Traditional divisions between roles become blurred as skilled individuals can work across a broader range of tasks
- Clients benefit from more innovative ideas, leading to better performing work and creating deeper engagement with their customers.
A call to action
To our fellow agency leaders: this is our moment. The technology is ready and the opportunity is clear. Yes, there are challenges to navigate – from skill development and agency growth, to client education to data privacy. But the rewards for those who get this right are many.
As the creative industry embraces AI, we’re constantly finding new ways to augment creativity and increase the value we can add to brands. But it’s not enough to just give people the tools – it’s about equipping people with the skills and confidence to work with AI as it evolves.
The question isn’t whether AI will transform our industry – it’s already happening. The real question is how will you integrate AI in a way that augments the value to bring to your clients, and aligns with your agency’s creative vision? Every agency’s journey will be unique, shaped by their particular strengths.
Moving forward
For those ready to embrace this change, the path forward is about building teams that are confident with AI, developing processes that leverage its strengths, and creating work that shows clients the enhanced value we can deliver.
The future of creativity is human + AI, and for those of us willing to embrace this change, the creative possibilities are exciting..
To dive deeper into how creative agencies are successfully navigating the AI transition, download our full report. Drawing on conversations with 30 creative agency leaders and our experience helping over 20 agencies embrace AI throughout 2024, it offers practical insights on everything from building AI-confident teams to developing new client service models. Whether you’re just starting your AI journey or looking to accelerate your adoption, you’ll find actionable strategies and real-world examples to guide your next steps.
Visit wearespark.ai to access the complete research and join the conversation about the future of creative work.
In summer 2021 we ran an event discussing funding for creative businesses with the south west team at Innovate UK EDGE and a group of Bristol Creative Industries members.
During the discussion, attendees said it would be useful if we could provide regular updates on the finance schemes that are available for creative companies in the south west and beyond. This guide is our response.
The guide is one of Bristol Creative Industries’ most popular ever blog posts. We keep it updated with the latest funding schemes for creative businesses so check it regularly. We also include the post in our monthy email newsletter, BCI Bulletin. To sign up, go here.
Latest funding for creative businesses:
£200m South West Investment Fund
The British Business Bank, the government-owned business development bank, has launched the £200m South West Investment Fund (SWIF) “to help address market failures by increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for UK smaller businesses, providing funds to firms that might otherwise not receive investment”.
Aimed at businesses in Bristol, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Devon, Dorset, Gloucestershire, Somerset and Wiltshire, the fund provides:
SWIF is managed by four fund managers:
- SWIG Finance for the £25,000 to £100,000 loans for the whole South West.
- FW Capital and Maven for the debt (£100,000 to £2m) and equity (up to £5m) funds for the north of the region.
- The FSE Group for the debt and equity for the south of the region.
The region is split as follows:
North of the region:
- Bristol
- Gloucestershire
- North and North East Somerset
- Wiltshire
South of the region:
- Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly
- Devon
- Dorset
- Somerset (excluded North and North East Somerset)
The funding is split as follows:
- £11m: Smaller loans for south of the region
- £9m: Smaller loans for north of the region
- £23m: Debt for south of the region
- £19m: Debt for north of the region
- £46m: Equity for south of the region
- £38m: Equity for north of the region
- £54m: Investor reserve
Businesses can apply for funding directly to the relevant fund managers here.
Immersive Arts
A funding and support programme for UK-based artists, designed to help them develop their art by using immersive technologies. The partners of the scheme include Bristol organisations UWE Bristol, Watershed and University of Bristol.
A total of £3.6m in funding is available through three rounds until 2027. Immersive Arts expects to fund over 200 artists.
There are three strands which are designed to support artists at different stages in their creative development. Eligible artists can apply to ‘Explore’ for £5,000, ‘Experiment’ for £20,000 and ‘Expand’ for £50,000.
The round one application deadline is 2 December 2024.
More details.
Innovate UK Creative Catalyst
Businesses can apply for grants of between £150,000 and £200,000 for projects that develop new innovative products and tools for the UK creative industry.
To lead a project, an organisation must:
- be a UK registered micro or small business
- collaborate with other UK registered organisations
- fall within one of the creative industries subsectors
- involve at least one grant claiming business from outside the Greater London area
Applications open on 9 December 2024 and close at 11am on 29 January 2025.
More details.
Innovate UK Smart Grants
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25m for “game-changing and commercially viable R&D innovations that can significantly impact the UK economy”.
Applications for the latest round of funding close at 11am on 25 January 2025.
More details.
Creative UK Creative Growth Finance II
This £35m Creative UK and Triodos Bank investment fund provides loans of £100,000 to £1m.
Finance is directed to post-revenue creative businesses presenting promising growth potential and who:
- bring change, disruption and new IP to the creative industries
- harness creativity with technologies and supporting businesses
- are talent led
More details here.
Locally Unlocking Culture through Inclusive Access (LUCIA)
UK research organisations eligible for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding can apply to form a community-driven research network to enhance access to culture. Funded networks will create partnerships across communities, researchers, and policymakers, to promote urban cultural renewal.
The full economic cost of your network can be up to £100,000 and AHRC will fund 80%.
The deadline for applications is 4pm on 10 April 2025.
More details.
UK Games Fund Prototype Fund
Grants for established UK-based companies with a game development project at an early stage in the pipeline.
The funding allocation has now been fully committed, but you can express interest in case any further funds are provided for projects from 1st April 2025.
More details.
National Lottery Project Grants
The fund is an open access programme for arts, libraries and museums projects.
Funding of between £1,000 and £100,000 is available.
More details here.
Developing your Creative Practice
This fund from Arts Council England supports individual cultural and creative practitioners in England thinking of taking their practice to the next stage through things such as: research, time to create new work, travel, training, developing ideas, networking or mentoring.
Grants of up to £12,000 are available.
The latest round of funding closes for applications at 12pm on 12 December 2024. Funding decisions will be announced on 6 March 2025.
More details here.
Supporting Grassroots Music
The £5m Supporting Grassroots Music fund supports rehearsal and recording studios, promoters, festivals, and venues for live and electronic music performance.
More details.
Travelwest sustainable travel grants
Travelwest provides match-funded grants for initiatives that improve sustainable travel provision in a business.
The aim is to provide financial support and incentives to employers to enable them to encourage sustainable modes of commuting or in-work travel (including site visits and meetings) amongst their staff.
The grants can be used for the implementation of physical measures, promotional events or any other measure that will encourage mode change amongst staff.
Grants are currently availables for businesses in Bristol and North Somerset.
More details.
BridgeAI funding and support programme
Innovate UK’s £100m BridgeAI programme aims “to help businesses in high growth potential sectors such as creative industries, agriculture, construction, and transport to harness the power of AI and unlock their full potential”.
The programme offers funding and support to help innovators assess and implement trusted AI solutions, connect with AI experts, and elevate their AI leadership skills.
More details.
AI solutions to develop AI competencies in key sectors
As part of the BridgeAI programme, UK registered organisations can apply for funding of between £50,000 and £100,000 for artificial intelligence solutions to support AI upskilling in:
- construction
- transport and logistics
- creative industries
- agriculture and food processin
Applications open on Monday 11 November 2024 and close at Wednesday 29 January 2025 at 11am.
More details here.
Paul Hamlyn Foundation Arts Fund
This fund supports organisations who work at the intersection of art and social change. It offers grants between £90,000 and £300,000 over three years.
The next round of funding is open for applications from 4 November 2024 until 31 January 2025.
More details here.
Arts & Culture Impact Fund
This new £23m social impact investment fund is for socially driven arts, culture and heritage organisations registered and operating in the UK. It offers loans between £150,000 and £1m repayable until May 2030.
More details here.
The Elephant Trust
The Elephant Trust says its mission is to “make it possible for artists and those presenting their work to undertake and complete projects when frustrated by lack of funds. It is committed to helping artists and art institutions/galleries that depart from the routine and signal new, distinct and imaginative sets of possibilities.”
Grants of up to £5,000 are available.
More details here.
Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants
Grants of up to £100,000 are available for arts, libraries and museums projects.
The grants support a broad range of creative and cultural projects that benefit people living in England. Projects can range from directly creating and delivering creative and cultural activity to projects which have a longer term positive impact, such as organisational development, research and development, and sector support and development.
More details here.
UK Global Screen Fund: International Distribution
This fund aims to grow exports and global demand for UK independent film by supporting the UK film industry to achieve measurable results which would not have been achievable without the support.
Applications close on at 11.59pm on 31 March 2026.
More details.
UK Global Screen Fund: International Distribution Festival Launch Support
This scheme supports the festival launch of UK films in order to enhance their promotion, reach and value internationally.
Applications close on at 11.59pm on 31 March 2026.
More details.
UK Global Screen Fund: International Distribution Film Sales Support
This scheme supports UK sales agents to increase their international promotion and sales of UK feature film projects.
Applications close on at 11.59pm on 31 March 2026.
More details.
Locally Unlocking Culture through Inclusive Access (LUCIA)
Apply for funding to form a community-driven research network to enhance access to culture. Funded networks will create partnerships across communities, researchers, and policymakers, to promote urban cultural renewal.
You must be based at a UK research organisation eligible for Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) funding.
Applications close at 4pm on 10 April 2025.
More details.
Start Up Loans
A Start Up Loan is a government-backed unsecured personal loan for individuals looking to start or grow a business in the UK. Successful applicants also receive 12 months of free mentoring and exclusive business offers.
All owners or partners in a business can individually apply for up to £25,000 each, with a maximum of £100,000 per business.
The loans have a fixed interest rate of 6% p.a. and a one to five year repayment term. Entrepreneurs starting a business or running one that has been trading for up to three years can apply. Businesses trading for between three and five years can apply for a second loan.
More details here.
UnLtd funding for social entrepreneurs
If you’re running a creative social enterprise you may be able to access funding from UnLtd.
Finance of up to £5,000 is available for starting a social enterprise and up to £15,000 for growing a social enterprise.
Successful applicants also get up to 12 tailored business support plus access to access to expert mentors and workshops.
More details here.
Gigabit Broadband Voucher Scheme
Businesses can apply for up to £3,500 to cover the costs of installing gigabit broadband.
Check if the scheme is available in your area here.
Workplace Charging Scheme
Grants to provide support towards the costs of the purchase, installation and infrastructure of electric vehicle chargepoints at eligible places of work.
The scheme covers up to 75% of the total costs of the purchase and installation of EV chargepoints (including VAT), capped at a maximum of £350 per socket and 40 sockets across all sites per applicant.
The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on 31 March 2025.
More details.
Know of more funding and support for creative businesses?
If you know of another scheme that we haven’t listed and you’d like to share it with other creative businesses, email Dan to let us know.
How to make your B2B website stand out
In the U.S. there are over 3 million B2B businesses, 86% of which use their website as their primary source of lead generation.
Yet, 48% of customers have described B2B marketing as ‘boring.’ So where does that leave your site? And what can you do to stand out as one of the interesting ones?
According to a Forrester report, 94% of survey respondents use at least one search channel for consideration/purchase, so the importance of having an engaging and appealing website should never be underestimated.
By creating a memorable digital experience, you can ensure your website users will remember and return to your website when they’re ready to buy a product or service.
Effective B2B web design
The term ‘website design’ has 49.5k searches monthly in the U.S. according to Semrush. Clearly this is a topic on plenty of people’s minds – and for good reason.
In fact, it’s reported that first impressions of a website are 94% design-related. And to top that off, these impressions can be formed in as little as 50 milliseconds.
People often see B2B website design as corporate, outdated, or just plain boring. Whether it’s because the products B2B companies sell are more specialist or niche or because of complex sales cycles.
But times are changing. With digital designers and web design evolving hand in hand, website design has never been so full of possibility.
However, it goes deeper than designing for appearance alone. The most successful websites also apply user experience (UX) best practices to ensure their functionality matches.
Peter Morville, President of Semantic Studios, coined the 7 principles of UX. These principles outline what affective UX should be:
- Useful
- Desirable
- Accessible
- Credible
- Findable
- Usable
- Valuable
If you can make your B2B website tick all these boxes, your site is much more likely to succeed in the marketplace.
This is because you should always be thinking about the user when it comes to your digital presence. This is how you make your audience feel valued and provide them with a stress-free digital experience.
Many business-to-business companies aren’t aware of the capabilities of their website, so they haven’t made moves to update their digital presence. This means if you take these steps, you’ll be setting yourself apart from the competition, and will stick in the mind of your customers.
After all, if 38% of consumers will bounce from a website if they find the design unattractive, ensuring yours is top-notch can help secure more business.
What’s more, user experience is a big factor in Conversion Rate Optimisation – meaning the better your UX design, the more likely people will take actions that benefit your business. That could be booking a call or product demo, filling in an enquiry form, or making a purchase.
Outstanding content for a stand-out website
The content that sits on your website is important for so many reasons. If the content on your site isn’t clear, relevant or well thought out, you stand to lose customers.
Your website content also reflects who you are – your personality as a business. It gives you the opportunity to add a personal touch to your buyer’s journey and build a connection with your audience.
It also tells prospects exactly what you do and the services you provide. So, ensuring your website content is optimised is key.
Your content may include headings, body copy, blogs, product descriptions, reports, whitepapers/ebooks, videos, and an array of other assets.
SEO
Content isn’t just about entertaining and informing your visitors. It’s also key to boosting your search engine optimisation (SEO) score.
As Google Search Central puts it, SEO is ‘about helping search engines understand your content, and helping users find your site and make a decision about whether they should visit your site through a search engine.’
One of the main aims of boosting your SEO is to rank higher on search engine results pages (SERPs). This means your website will appear higher on the google search page when people search for certain terms.
The terms you want to rank for could be down to your industry, your services, your location, and more. These terms are known as ‘keywords’. The higher you rank for your chosen keywords, the more likely you are to get page visitors.
A hurdle that many B2B companies face is getting ahead of competitors who may be operating in the same industry or selling similar services. But, by harnessing the power of SEO, you can increase your chances of outranking them and being discovered by more potential customers.
When deciding on the keywords you want to rank for as a business, it’s important to look for words that have a high monthly search volume, but low competition. This means people are actively searching for it, but not many other businesses are focusing on ranking for this term.
Unique content
Ensuring your website content is helping your site stand out isn’t purely about technical optimisation and analytics.
Making your content engaging and unique goes a long way when it comes to differentiating yourself. And with the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT, originality is set to become even more important (and more rare, perhaps).
When planning the content you want to include on the website, you need a strategy. This strategy should consider elements such as:
- Your audience
- Your competitors
- The value you can provide through your content
- Tone of voice
- Visuals
- Calls to action (CTAs)
By combining these personal aspects of your business, you are creating a recipe for a one-of-a-kind content plan.
Having unique content is so important because 40% of all final decision makers in the B2B marketplace say there is more thought leadership content than they can manage.
So, you now must work even harder to capture the attention of your prospects without drowning in the sea of generic thought leadership.
Time to differentiate your B2B website
Business-to-business companies get an unfair reputation for being overly corporate and boring. It’s time to change that perception and start bringing more innovation and design flair to these markets.
Your website says so much about you as a business, so you can’t afford to let yours simply be ‘middle of the road’.
Using a combination of outstanding design and groundbreaking content, you can get ahead of the competition in a saturated market and gain new customers.
So, if your B2B website is looking like it needs a boost, get in touch with us at [email protected].
In the recent UK Autumn Budget announcement, various measures were introduced to support both large corporations and small businesses, with a particularly valuable opportunity in the area of apprenticeship hiring.
The government has rolled out a key financial incentive: employers hiring apprentices under 25 are now exempt from paying National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on their wages.
This exemption offers significant cost savings for businesses facing rising expenses and increased tax obligations, particularly the higher National Insurance secondary threshold, which will raise employment costs.
Hiring apprentices under this NIC exemption is a strategic decision for businesses aiming to achieve growth while managing budget constraints. This exemption is especially beneficial for smaller businesses, as it makes hiring more affordable in regions facing skill shortages. It offers a straightforward way to onboard new talent without the extra NIC costs. Additionally, degree apprentices under the age of 25 are also exempt from NIC, providing an added incentive for businesses to integrate degree apprentices into their workforce.
This financial benefit comes at a crucial time, as the recent NIC increase from 13.8% to 15% applies broadly across employees but excludes apprentices under 25. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) stand to gain the most, as they can redirect savings into other investments or workforce development initiatives without the strain of additional taxes.
Furthermore, the increase in the National Minimum Wage, which includes a rise in the apprentice minimum wage starting in April 2025, means that companies must prepare for higher payroll costs even for entry-level positions. However, National Insurance Contributions (NIC) relief can help alleviate some of the financial burden caused by these wage increases, providing some relief to employers. By taking advantage of apprenticeships, companies can develop a skilled workforce while benefiting from reduced tax obligations and utilising government-supported talent pipelines.
Employers seeking sustainable growth can benefit from budget changes that support apprenticeships. This allows businesses to invest in future talent without the operational costs of other hiring categories. By using National Insurance Contribution (NIC) savings, companies can manage their tax liabilities and enhance their financial resilience, fostering long-term employment growth in the UK.
At Weston College, we offer apprenticeships ranging from Level 2 to Level 6 (degree level) across various sectors, including animal management, business and management, computing and digital technologies, construction, creative arts, education and early years, electrical and plumbing, engineering, hair and barbering, health and social care, hospitality and catering, law, motor vehicle, public services, and sport.
To accommodate our diverse apprenticeship offering, we have a dedicated apprenticeship team who offer our employer partners comprehensive support and guidance, helping them navigate every step of the apprenticeship process. This support can range from helping with the free recruitment process, creating a diverse and inclusive workforce or helping to upskill existing staff via apprenticeships.
To find out more about how to bring an apprentice into your business, click here.
The UK has experienced profound economic change over recent years which has brought challenges and new opportunities to the creative sector. As a result, many individuals have set out on the freelance and small business path for the first time.
Reasons include the natural result of redundancies due to the pandemic, new working relationships with employers following Covid-19 and a desire to achieve a better work/life balance.
Whatever the reason to go it alone, Bristol Creative Industries (BCI) is here to give freelancers, startups and small businesses the perfect platform to share skills and build connections.
There are many benefits of a Bristol Creative Industries freelance membership. See what some members have to say below.
To meet fellow freelancers and companies that employ them, join our freelancer networking drinks on 19 November at the Square Club in Bristol. It’s free including a complimentary drink if you’re a member.
Essential to the creative community
Heather Wright, co-chair of Bristol Creative Industries, said:
“The trend in the creative sector is to have small and agile agencies relying on a bank of specialist freelance talent. We have seen the freelance sector grow year on year in the last decade.
“The benefits are that, here in Bristol, we have a huge pool of freelancers covering a spectrum of creative disciplines, from coding, filmmaking, music composition, animation, illustration, copywriting to recording and directing podcasts, to name just a few. Name a niche creative service you need for your business and, chances are, there will be someone to help right here on your doorstep.
“And these freelancers and startups are key to Bristol’s vibrant creative community; it means small businesses can use a wide range of professional creative talent. Freelancers are providing the resource of a conglomerate for the SME and Bristol Creative Industries can really help with these connections.
“All individual, freelance and startup members get a profile in our online member directory where you can showcase your work. Freelancers can also take advantage of discounted tickets to BCI events, plus the opportunity to self-publish content on our newsfeed. And don’t forget the membership perks, including restaurant offers and money off business support. The real value however is in the business connections you can make.
“But don’t take my word for it, here are a few comments from our members on their experiences.”
Carys Tait, independent illustrator and designer
“I’ve been a member of Bristol Creative Industries for a good number of years now. I joined mainly to be included in the directory, for which I think the cost as an individual is very affordable. It makes absolute sense to be listed in a directory where clients search for creatives, outside of their own sector or network.
“In terms of other benefits of membership, I have attended various events and they have been very good. These include evening drinks meet-ups and the members’ lunch.
“I’d say that as a creative freelancer in any field, joining BCI is a great thing to do if you have the chance. Additionally, the team at BCI have always been very friendly and supportive!”
View Carys Tait’s profile.
Lara Candido Porter, copywriter
“When I worked in an agency, we used the BCI member directory to find the best regional talent. I always felt that I could trust the freelancers we found there – they had an added credibility, took their specialism seriously, and added value to projects. So when I started out as a freelance copywriter I knew I had to be listed as a member myself!
“The events are also really insightful and enjoyable – members’ lunch, sketchnoting workshop, and the ‘simple tips, smart ideas’ talk with Erica Wolfe-Murray to name a few. Plus, still to this day it’s a lovely feeling to receive an email that starts with: ‘Hi Lara, I found your details via Bristol Creative Industries and…’.
“What would I say to freelancers thinking of joining BCI? To quote one of my favourite taglines: Just do it.”
View Lara Candido Porter’s profile.
Oliver Edwards, photographer
“I joined Bristol Creative Industries many years ago looking for a list of potential new clients. In my first year I got two new clients, one a national charity. Every year I regularly get new jobs via the website and these mostly turn into long term relationships. I now work with many of the major agencies in Bristol who are also members and actively involved with BCI. The work I generate covers my BCI freelance membership costs so joining was a no-brainer.”
View Oliver Edwards’ profile.
Luke Maitland, Animated Magic
“I initially joined Bristol Creative Industries as a way to network and get to know other creatives in the Bristol area. Regular members’ lunches allow members to meet, providing a friendly, informal opportunity to connect. The team running BCI are passionate about helping to support the creative community; always friendly, and they have been a great help in connecting my business with potential creative partners and business contacts.
“I believe just being part of BCI has provided my animation studio with additional credibility.
“Overall, Bristol Creative Industries is extremely well run, positive and a joy to be a part of; the membership offers amazing value for money.”
View Animated Magic’s profile.
Jenny Johnson, freelance designer
“Within two weeks of signing up I had my first enquiry from a new client”
“I regularly get contacted by new clients thanks to my listing in BCI’s member directory. Freelance membership is great value for money!”
View Jenny Johnson’s profile.
Get noticed with a Bristol Creative Industries freelance membership
If you’re a freelancer or startup business owner and want to raise your profile to get the work you want, find out more about a individual and startup membership to Bristol Creative Industries
You have the option of paying a one-off annual fee of £45+VAT or a rolling subscription of £4.50+VAT per month. What are you waiting for? Sign up today and be a real part of Bristol’s creative network.
To meet fellow freelancers and companies that employ them, join our freelancer networking drinks on 19 November at the Square Club in Bristol. It’s free including a complimentary drink if you’re a member.
