The morning after speaking at a women’s event in Bath, I felt the familiar pang of regret. Once again, I’d forgotten to mention anything about the packages I offer.
Absolutely no mention, zilch, nada of the many different ways women can work with me to define their story and be courageous in sharing it. Hell, I never even mentioned the BIG thing I’m in the process of launching; the She Roars Club.
Bugger. Bugger. Bugger.
But then I checked my social media. New connections. Coffee invites. DMs – all from the fabulous ladies I met the night before. And all because I did the one thing that feels natural to me now, I shared my story.
Because here’s the thing: Selling doesn’t have to feel like selling.
When you share your story—why you do what you do, who you help, and the impact you create—people connect. They trust. And that’s what leads them to buy.
It’s the same thing I tell my clients when they confess that selling makes them cringe. When they worry they sound pushy, or desperate, or just plain awkward. When they’d rather do anything—literally anything—than talk about their own brilliance.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that selling is about persuasion, pressure, and pouncing at the right moment with a pitch-perfect offer.
But what if I told you that selling doesn’t have to feel like selling at all?
What if I told you that simply telling your story—why you do what you do, who you help, and the transformations you create—can be enough? That your customer’s stories, their wins, their breakthroughs, can do all the selling for you?
Because here’s the thing: People don’t buy because of slick sales tactics. They buy because they feel something. They see themselves in your story. They connect. They trust. And when that happens, selling becomes effortless.
That’s why my inbox was full the morning after my talk. Not because I pitched, but because I shared.
That’s exactly why I created the She Roars Club, a space for women who want to use their stories to sell in a way that feels natural, authentic, and powerful. No awkward pitches. No pressure. Just stories that attract the right people.
The She Roars Club is for women who are brilliant at what they do but struggle to articulate their value. It’s a place where you’ll learn how to craft your story with confidence, show up with impact, and attract the right people without ever feeling salesy.
If that sounds like what you need, join the waitlist here:
There, phew. I finally remembered to mention the ‘thing’! That wasn’t so bad after all.
Hey, I’m Hilary – I share posts that inspire women to tell their story to attract their dream clients and build a business that’s unapologetically them.
If you know a woman in your network that this post could help, why not share it with them?
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.
The Department for Culture, Media and Sport Create Growth Programme, delivered by Innovate UK, provides targeted support to high growth creative micro, small and medium sized businesses to scale, build investor networks and reach their potential. The funding is designed to help creative businesses explore new innovation projects as a stimulus for growth.
For the latest round of funding, grants to cover 100% of project costs between £20,000 and £50,000 and between £50,000 and £200,000 are available.
The scheme is for businesses based in 12 regions in England, including the West of England and Cornwall.
Your project must:
have total project costs between £20,000 and £50,000 or between £50,000 and £200,000
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:
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.
Innovate UK innovation loans
Micro, small and medium sized businesses can apply for loans of between £100,000 and £2m for innovative projects with strong commercial potential to significantly improve the UK economy.
Bristol Council vacant commercial property grant scheme
Grants of £2,500 to £10,000 are available to help small businesses, sole traders, charities, community interest companies (CICs), community organisations and creative and cultural groups open new premises.
The deadline for applications is 11.59pm on Friday 14 November 2025. If all available funding is allocated before the deadline, the scheme may close early.
Successful applicants must start trading from the funded property by Friday 30 January 2026.
International Touring and Environmental Responsibility Fund
This programme aims to foster relationships between artists and companies based in Denmark, Norway, and England, supporting them to develop new, environmentally responsible approaches to international touring and collaboration.
The deadline for applications is 5pm BST on Wednesday 4 June 2025.
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.
Applications for round one of funding are now closed. Rounds two and three will open in 2025 and 2026.
This scheme from West of England Combined Authority is designed to help small and medium businesses and organisations purchase and install new products and equipment that reduce carbon emissions, cut utility costs and improve energy efficiency.
Grants are available on a first come, first served basis, with a total of £2m available. It is likely the scheme will close for applications in Autumn 2025, but could close early if all funds are awarded.
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 1 April 2025.
With support from South Gloucestershire Council and funding from the West of England Mayoral Combined Authority, small and medium sized digital technology businesses can apply for a share of £70,000 in grants.
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.
Applications are currently closed but future rounds will be announced later this year.
The £5m Supporting Grassroots Music fund supports rehearsal and recording studios, promoters, festivals, and venues for live and electronic music performance.
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.
Grant to provide support towards 75% of the cost of the purchase, installation and infrastructure of electric vehicle chargepoints at eligible places of work.
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.
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.
Applications are currently closed but details of the next round will be announced soon.
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.
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. Applications for the current round of funding close on 29 June 2025.
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.
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.
Grants of up to £5,500 for international export opportunities for UK-based artists, bands, songwriters and producers who have been invited to perform or create new music at international industry facing showcasing festivals, song writing camps or conferences.
Applications close on at 11.59pm on 31 March 2025.
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.
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.
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.
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.
(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.
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.
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
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
Reflect on the Past Year
Start by answering these prompts:
What were your biggest achievements, both personal and professional?
What challenges did you face, and what did you learn from them?
When were you happiest, and why?
What habits or routines contributed to your success?
Is there something you wish you had done differently?
2. Shift Your Perspective
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:
What do you want to celebrate next year?
What matters most to you—personally and professionally?
What habits, skills, or boundaries do you need to develop?
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.
Specific: A goal should be well-defined and clear, answering the questions to give you a clear direction.
Measurable: How will you know when you get there? What metrics can you use to track progress and determine when it’s achieved?
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.
Relevant: The goal must align with your broader objectives, values, and long-term vision to focus your energy on the right priorities.
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?
How Growth Space can help you with Goal Setting?
For Businesses:
If you’re looking to align your team and set strategic goals for 2025, we can help. We can Facilitate a Goal Setting Workshop designed to guide your team through a reflective process, ensuring everyone is on the same page and motivated to achieve shared objectives. With our facilitation, your team will gain clarity and commitment, setting a strong foundation for success in the year ahead. Get in touch about Facilitation for your Strategy Day or Team-Away Day >
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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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 marketing@proctorsgroup.com.
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.
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.
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.
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!”
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”
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.
Hey, I’m Hilary – I share posts that inspire women to tell their story to attract their dream clients and build a business that’s unapologetically them.
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