If you you missed the October offer at Gather Round, fear not – this November, for BCI members only we’re extending the ‘First month free’ discount!
Our BCI offer is available across all Gather Round locations and all membership packages. Whether you’re curious about Part Time or Full Time Flexi memberships, or prefer a fixed desk with Flexi Plus, or if you are looking for a studio for your team, we’d love to show you around.
Our co-working spaces at Brunswick Square, Trinity Church and Cigar Factory each have their own unique energy – but it’s the community that truly makes them special. Collaborations between members happen daily, just by bringing creative minds together.
Created by creatives for creatives, Gather Round is more than a co-working space, it’s a growing network of like-minded professionals who go to work every day and sit, write, design, consult and hang out. Soaking up the energy, passion and positivity from the ideas and expertise of others.
For more info on the different options, book a tour – we’d love to meet you.
Terms & conditions:
This offer is for new membership sign-ups and applicable on the following membership packages across all locations: Part-time Flexi, Full-time Flexi, Flexi Plus, Resident and Studio memberships. The first month free offer does not apply to Virtual and Virtual Plus memberships.
New Part-time Flexi, Full-time Flexi, Flexi Plus and Resident members need to sign up for a 3 month minimum term and they’ll receive their first FULL month for free. After the 3 x months contract switches to the standard 30 x day rolling contract.
New Studio members need to sign up for a 12 month minimum term and they’ll receive their first FULL month for free.
For members starting mid month, the first invoice will be charged pro-rata.
Contracts have to be signed between the 1st to 30th November 2025 and start dates specified between 1st November to the 31st December 2025.
The offer is issued only once the contract is signed and deposit received.
Flexi Plus, Resident and Studio Memberships only: includes 4 x hours of free access to our Production Spaces each month as part of the first month free offer. Please note that our production spaces are located in Brunswick Square, Bristol only. Bookings need to be made in advance via our Events Manager.
This offer cannot be used retrospectively. The dates specified above apply.
Gather Round Limited reserves the right to revoke the offer and/or to update the terms and conditions at any time. Final qualification for the offer is at the Community Manager’s discretion.
This offer cannot be applied to previous memberships or contracts, is non-transferrable, has no cash value and cannot be redeemed for cash or combined with any other offer.
EDIT: Tickets flew out in just a few hours, email [email protected] to put your name on the waiting list.
We’re so excited to be back at Brunswick Sq on 25th September for the next instalment of Gather Round Presents. Our free event series aimed at giving something back to the amazing community of creatives that we’re so lucky to be a part of in the South West. We’ll have delicious free pizza from Pizzucci, a fully stocked bar plus some other freebies to give away on the night.
This time around we’ll be looking at all of the incredible benefits nature gives us, creatively, physically, mentally. Creative By Nature will bring you insights from a curated panel of experts across the nature and wellbeing space. You know we like to keep things honest & low key, so expect some free-flowing conversations and gems of advice to help you feel more connected. As always there’ll be plenty of time to meet and chat with other like-minded creatives! So, who’s on the panel…
Jeffrey Bowman – Brand & Creative Director
Based in the Lake District, Jeffrey is a Brand & Creative Director and is an active participant in shaping outdoor culture today, authoring the industry defining books The Outsiders (2015) and The New Outsiders (2019) – his career has been shaped by his love of nature and spending time outside.
With over a decade of experience working in-house as CD at Millican backpacks, to more recently setting up his own studio in 2022 – working with brands like Bergahus, Osprey and Atom Packs. With a deep understanding of brand culture, outdoor and lifestyle consumers and creative storytelling, Jeffrey has collaborated with brands who want to change the world. His mission is to encourage others to spend more time outside so that we form a deeper connection to the world around us and the place we call home.
Leanne Anyinsah – Founder, Soul Trail Wellbeing
Leanne’s relationship with nature has always been special, bringing peace, connection and joy to her life. During lock down whilst struggling with her own mental health, nature helped Leanne reconnect with herself. As a therapist, she naturally wanted to share the benefits she found during this time, with others. Knowing the huge lack of representation and barriers to nature-based support, she launched Soul Trail Wellbeing CIC – a non profit organisation aimed at improving nature connection, health and helping to make the outdoors more inclusive by offering hikes, therapeutic nature programmes and workshops. Soul Trail Wellbeing is part of the Green Social Prescribing scheme; supporting people to engage in nature-based activities to improve their mental health, physical wellbeing and reducing loneliness.
Mose-Issie, Co-Founder, Sunflower Collective
Mose-Issie is a social entrepreneur, coach and community leader passionate about providing spaces for people to develop, heal and thrive. As Co-Founder of Sunflower Collective C.I.C, a community organisation that helps young people and families thrive in nature, her work focuses on creating safe nourishing and culturally relevant spaces at the intersection of community empowerment, education and social justice. Mo’s work also expands into workshops, mentorships programmes and support for initiatives that centre the lived experiences of young Black African and Caribbean communities in Bristol and beyond.
Nature has always been a stabilising influence in Mo’s life. A place for healing, introspection and rejuvenation. She sees it as a teacher and a mirror, reminding us of the beauty of growth, rest and transition. Sunflower Collective uses outdoor spaces to foster play, creativity, wellbeing and cultural pride, whether through gardening, storytelling or just being together under the open sky.
Maria Fernandez Garcia – Founder, Healing Weeds
Maria Fernandez Garcia is an outdoor educator, student medical herbalist and nature lover. As the founder of Healing Weeds, she is dedicated to reviving traditional knowledge of wild foods and medicinal plants through learning their cultural history and spending time together outside. Although Maria’s connection to nature wasn’t always strong, over the last 10 years it has grown significantly and she now regularly finds moments of peace and stillness when outside. Being able to share different avenues with people, allowing them to experience peace and joy in nature, is something Maria holds close, in particular sharing her knowledge about wild plants.
Charlotte Horler – Founder, Nula
Over the past 12 years, Charlotte’s education and career has blended psychology, behavioural science and sustainability. She’s worked with global retailers such as Boots and ASOS, impact-led creative agencies, and pioneering founders to shift the way we feel about sustainability and embed best practices across the workforce. Charlotte moved back to the UK after living in a forest protection site in south-east Kenya for three and a half years. It was this sudden disconnection from nature and the impact it had on her mental health that sparked the idea for Nula as it is today.
Charlotte didn’t grow up especially connected to nature. It just wasn’t part of daily life in London. But living in a forest reserve, and later walking the Camino after burning out, completely shifted things. Nature’s become not only something she likes, it’s become something she needs which is at the heart of what she’s building with Nula.
Natasha Bergg – Community Arts Facilitator & Producer
Natasha is a creative facilitator and producer, working on programmes and projects that empower marginalised communities through playful participatory theatre and multidisciplinary practices. Natasha is currently part of the national engagement team at WWT, the charity for wetlands and wildlife, and is also producing a disability-led community engagement programme for The Egg theatre in Bath, inspired by the book – The Secret Garden.
Natasha finds peace, healing and new perspectives in wild nature, and moved from London to Bristol two years ago to be closer to green and blue spaces and more easily find wide skies. She is deeply interested in how nature connection can inspire feelings of freedom, playfulness and empowerment, and is starting to explore this in her creative practice.
Natasha will be running a group version of The Artists Way by Julia Cameron from Wednesday 14th January at Brunswick Square, and will be bringing a nature-based twist to the course. If you’d like to know more about the course, sign up to our newsletter for updates!
Bonnie Middleton – Marketing Manager, Enviral
Over the past decade, Bonnie has worked with multiple B Corps, exploring how businesses across adventure, travel, and retail are driving positive impact. This experience has fueled her passion for storytelling, bringing sustainability to life and growing communities both online and in-person.
Bonnie is now the Marketing Manager (and Nature Champion) at Enviral, a creative agency on a mission to stop global yawning. Bonnie believes creativity and stories have the power to connect people to the climate crisis in a way that sparks action. Purpose and impact are at the heart of everything she does, and she’s dedicated to using storytelling to inspire change.
Bonnie grew up on the wild Welsh coastline, where her family ran an adventure business guiding people through Pembrokeshire National Park’s caves and hidden corners. Her twenties were spent chasing waves across Costa Rica, Indonesia, and beyond. These experiences deepened her love for the natural world and exposed her to both its awe-inspiring beauty and fragility. Bonnie believes that fostering pathways to nature connection is a powerful tool for change. When people feel truly connected to the natural world, they’re inspired to protect it.
We can’t wait to hear from this mega panel in a few weeks time. If you want to be a part of the magic, get your ticket here!
If you’re interested in hiring one of our spaces for an event of your own, get in touch with our Events Manager, Hannah over on [email protected]. Check out a few pictures from our previous events below!
Happy World Entrepreneurs’ Day!
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 redundancies following the pandemic, new working relationships with employers through increased remote working 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 business owners the perfect platform to share skills and build connections.
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 individual and freelancers 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 freelancers 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.
Whether it was the promise of an honest, open conversation about the challenges of working in the creative industries, or a need for the answer to the mutually felt question “Am I the only one feeling the pressure?” – tickets flew out in record time.
At 6.30pm we opened the doors to The Vestry and a new community of creatives flooded in, the vibe was electric. Backlit by a perfect summer’s evening and armed with their own stories to share, we saw people making instant connections, sharing contact details and engaging in deep conversations before we’d even sat down. This is something we all needed to talk about.
After a glass of free prosecco and some delicious free pizza from our partners Bosco, we moved through to The Great Hall bringing an air of focus with us, as our all-Gather Round-member panel took their seats to share their wisdom.
In the face of adversity, be elastic
Bend, stretch, but don’t fold… become elastic. Your business depends on it.
A recurring theme from each of our speakers and touched upon in more depth by Jamie Ellul of Supple Studio, was Covid, a trying time to say the least. Jamie discussed how those turbulent years almost sent Supple down – something that, back then, was easy to take personally. This feeling was only made slightly more manageable due to the fact that his friends, colleagues & clients were all feeling it too. Jamie openly discussed how this felt like a great exercise in cutting the umbilical cord, once he realised how much of his self worth was wrapped up in the business. Something that he has since tackled through therapy and looking inward. This raw honesty was something that fuelled the rest of the evening, with equally inspirational testimony from the rest of our panel.
Admit when something isn’t working
Tim Miness, Creative Director of Osborne Pike, shared a few mantras with the audience that have helped him stay flexible, creative and resilient. A statement that resonated was not being afraid to admit when something isn’t working. Bend the rules. What decision do I need to make in order to change my situation? How can I tap into that magic creativity and find the answer to this problem? Not only that, but how can I ask the right questions? Tim’s advice – hire people that are better than you. Expand that collective creativity, and together, you’ll find the right question.
Honesty is the best policy, and we definitely heard that from our panel. There were murmurs from the audience mentioning how refreshing it is to hear people being open about their downfalls, where they could improve and how they got through hard times. A refreshing perspective on managing a business, compared to older, more traditional ways of thinking.
Tim shared his dislike for the phrase “Fake it til you make it”. Something we’ve all encountered and tried to embody in some way, as we try to make sense of our place in the world. Sharing his love for the sentiment of trying new things, but ultimately landing on, why do we feel like we have to pretend to know what we’re doing? Perhaps one of his mantra’s “Learn it til you earn it” feels like a more sensitive way to approach things, although (in his own words) “…it doesn’t quite have the same punch.”
A few tears were shed, and then we smiled
We heard Robin Worrall, Creative Director of Rednine open up about his heart-first approach to his work. Something he’s cultivated after pulling his business apart and asking the question, what am I really trying to achieve here? After getting the nudge he needed from a post he saw on LinkedIn, with the sticky phrase “old keys don’t open new doors”, he knew he needed to reposition and rebuild his entire creative offer. Looking at what he needed to keep, what he was prepared to lose and what would be great to add. Robin compounded this with the sentiment that being creative is emotional, and that’s something he pushes through his work, to find the heart of brands and tell their story with authenticity. It’s safe to say, a few tears were shed.
Ask for help, reach out, learn from others, share failures and compare challenges. It all starts with… “Can I chat to you about something?”.
Looking inwards
Robin left us with a perfect segue into Kate Southerby’s interactive section of the evening. Coaching with the brain in mind, Kate is a facilitator of insights. She guided the audience through her 7 step plan, asking everyone to score themselves out of 10 for each section: Sleep, Movement, Focus, Introspection, Daydreaming, Play, Connection. There was an overwhelming consensus that we aren’t looking after our brains as well as we could be, so this was a welcome exercise that left the audience with plenty of food for thought.
The importance of nourishing your mental and physical health was a thread followed by all of our panellists, as each person has faced certain difficulties of their own. As Steven Hore discussed, managing stress has elevated how he works. He and his family made the decision to leave London after more than 20 years in the city. Initially causing more stress than intended due to commutes, but, after Covid eliminated presenteeism, time usually reserved for long car or train journeys was swapped out for more time in nature, exercising and moving through beautiful spaces that nourish his soul.
Something more attainable than moving city that he shared with the audience though, and perhaps the most simple and obvious tip: get a good night’s sleep! Steven shared how implementing this one action has transformed his ability to handle combined stressors such as job insecurity, shifting budgets and demands of 16+ hour shoot days with ease.
It’s not all about work though, as we revisit a comment from Jamie Ellul on not letting your self-worth get too wrapped up in your business, the panel delved into the importance of finding things outside of work to nourish your creative side. Find a hobby you love and indulge in it as much as you can. Hustle culture is dying, now is the time for slow, intentional living.
The elephant in the room: AI
Of course – it wouldn’t be a conversation about the state of the world right now without touching on artificial intelligence. A topic that roused the crowd, unsure on how to feel about this powerful new tool we’ve all been given. But the biggest question on everyone’s lips… What does this mean for creative jobs? Tim, Kate, Steven, Robin and Jamie all steadfast in their belief that creative jobs aren’t going anywhere. A sigh of relief. Steven shared some positive thoughts on how AI is a great democratiser. The barriers to entry now are lower than before, meaning more eyes, more screens and work happening in more places than ever before.
This being said, clients will always want emotional, relatable, human stories. From Jamie’s perspective, AI can only produce more of the same and will never be a match for the way humans think and create. We left that topic firmly closed with his mic drop moment – “AI won’t give you a drumming gorilla for a Cadbury ad”.
Where do we go from here?
After a short break, we resumed the discourse in the form of an intimate Q&A. With questions from a concerned audience, on how positive the panel feel about the creative industries going forward – will we see an upturn? Leaving us with some final gems of knowledge, the panel discussed how being brave will ultimately lead to success. However you view success though, is up to you. Times have been difficult, really difficult, but they ARE changing. There are spaces, like Gather Round, where community is flourishing and people are coming together with ideas and strength beyond what they thought they were capable of, just a few years ago.
In the words of Anthony Burrill, “Work hard and be nice to people” – but most importantly, be brave, nourish your network, ask questions, take care of yourself and the rest will follow. Stay resilient out there!
If you want to get involved in our next event – make sure you’re signed up to our newsletter so you don’t miss out on tickets. They don’t hang around for long.
Earlier this year, Bristol Surf Cinema launched its very first event – a night dedicated to celebrating surf storytelling on the big screen. What started as a small, DIY project to bring people together around meaningful surf films quickly grew into something bigger, with almost 250 people buying for the inaugural screening in April.
The idea was simple: create a space to showcase surf films that go beyond the highlight reels, beyond the big brand edits – stories that dig into the social, political, and environmental threads woven through surf culture.
As a camera assistant working in film and TV and a lifelong surfer, I (Theo) set out to build something that connected those two worlds. In a time when the industry was unusually quiet, Bristol Surf Cinema gave me a creative project to get stuck into and a chance to pour energy into something that mattered. It was also a way to genuinely support filmmakers, every film we screen is fully licensed and paid for, and £1 from every ticket is donated to The Wave Project to help fund surf therapy for young people in the UK.
But perhaps what stood out most from the first event was how the Bristol surf community (and the wider ocean-loving crowd) showed up. Feedback from the night wasn’t just about the films, it was about the feeling in the room. People supported the event and made it clear they would like to see more. They wanted a space where all surf stories could be told, with better representation, better balance, and an even stronger connection to the community.
The next wave: July 2025
That’s where our second event comes in. On Saturday 12th July at Watershed Bristol, Bristol Surf Cinema returns with a matinee screening of Point of Change, a powerful documentary by acclaimed director Rebecca Coley. The film tells the story of Nias, Indonesia – a surf paradise that was ‘discovered’ in the 1970s and the environmental and cultural impact that unfolded for the local community as surf tourism in that area grew.
It’s a film that makes you think about the consequences of surf tourism — and we’re lucky to have Rebecca joining us on the day for a Q&A to explore those themes in more depth. Rebecca will be answering questions on her filmmaking process, handling delicate themes within documentary and the impact of tourism on the earth and native communities.
Alongside the feature, we’ll also be screening two UK-made short films:
Surfaced by Paul Stevenson, telling the story of Nick Corkill’s journey through addiction and mental health, and the grounding role that surfing and photography play in that journey.
Seb: A Surf Therapy Journey by Matilda Thompson, a beautifully observed short following a young surfer with ADHD and autism as he experiences surf therapy with The Wave Project Bristol.
For those who can’t make the main event, we’ll also be running a catch-up screening on Wednesday 16th July — same films, just without the Q&A.
Both events will offer the opportunity for networking and drinks at the Watershed bar after the event so you can minglew with like-minded film or ocean enthusiasts.
Growing into something bigger
Bristol Surf Cinema was never meant to be a one-off. The ambition is to keep this platform going – to continue curating thoughtful, story-first surf films and to keep building a space where filmmakers feel supported and audiences feel connected.
Looking ahead, there are exciting plans for a national tour to bring these kinds of surf screenings to other UK cities and coastal towns. The vision is to grow Bristol Surf Cinema into a national platform, while always staying true to the ethos: supporting independent surf filmmaking, elevating underrepresented voices, and creating community-led spaces where ocean & surf centred stories, of all kinds, can be seen, heard, and shared.
Want to come along?
Tickets for the July screenings are available now via the Watershed website: https://www.watershed.co.uk/whatson/13320/bristol-surf-cinema-point-of-change
To stay up to date with future screenings or to get involved, follow @bristolsurfcinema on Instagram.
Get your networking hat on in May, June and July! We have some brilliant networking opportunities over the next few months. They are free or discounted for Bristol Creative Industries members.
22 May: Screen industries meetup, Nine Tree Studios in Bristol
Our second screen industries meetup focuses on skills and opportunities for people in the industry, and the challenges for finding work or moving to different sectors.
The event is £5+VAT for BCI members, £8+VAT for non-members. Tickets include food and drinks. Register here.
22 May: BCI members’ lunch at The Square Club in Bristol
BCI’s free members’ lunches are the perfect opportunity to catch up with fellow members and the BCI team which enjoying a delicious Mediterranean buffet lunch too.
10 June: Freelancer networking drinks at The Square Club
Open to freelancers and those who engage with freelancers, join this event to widen networks, make new connections, discuss common problems, and discover potential opportunities for collaboration.
The event is free with a free drink for BCI members, or £5+VAT for non-members.
13 June: Walk & Talk outdoor networking in the Cotswolds
A great opportunity for members to make new connections whilst getting some much needed fresh air! This event is for BCI members only and costs £10+VAT.
Liz Gadd – Helping business leaders recruit people in marketing, PR, digital, communications, creative, events & social media | Moxie and Mettle | Rustic and Rural | Training in recruitment with Recruitment Bootcamp – 07377 400413
LinkedIn remains a mystery and a challenge to so many people, including those in our sectors (marketing, PR, social media, digital, events, communications and creative)
Moxie and Mettle place candidates into permanent and freelance roles in these roles and disciplines, and we work in the UK. Personally, I’ve been using LinkedIn since it was launched in 2003, and I have nearly 17,000 connections and 14500 followers. But then I’m a recruiter, so you’d expect me to be visible and active on LinkedIn.
Moxie and Mettle has a business page with around 3700 followers, a minimal amount compared to mine and Rebecca Hodgson‘s connections and followers. However, company pages on LinkedIn are not as well used as individual pages, and we are still delighted and grateful for all our followers, wherever they may be.
In 2025, we have only a few freelance roles, as clients are tending to go directly to the candidates rather than using a recruiter at the moment, which is understandable. This is what happens when you send a CV to a client, whether directly or through a recruiter.
So, 99% of the time, when we send a CV to a client for a candidate’s application for a role, the client will go straight to LinkedIn to review the profile, it’s standard practice. They are looking for additional information about the candidate, maybe to find out more about the company that the candidate works for, and to fill in any gaps that there may be on the CV (which there shouldn’t be) or if there is different information on the LinkedIn profile to that on the CV.
Likewise, when a candidate applies for a job with a particular person and organisation, the candidate will generally go to LinkedIn as one of the places to look for information, make connections, find out about recent news at the company. LinkedIn often offers much more information on people and businesses than websites do and is a massive source of information for all.
So I’ve pulled together some observations, hints ,and tips about how to get the most out of LinkedIn, whether you are searching for a new job, or more freelance opportunities, want to promote your brand or business, or just want to expand your professional network.
If you want to find out even more and get my expertise on creating the best LinkedIn profile possible, to go alongside your CV if you are looking for a job, or to complement your website if you are promoting your brand or business or as a freelancer, please visit here.
This Social Shepherd article gives loads of interesting facts and figures if you like to know the numbers!
LinkedIn – information, hints and tips
Here are some ways you can enhance and improve your profile on LinkedIn, whether you are promoting yourself as a job seeker or freelancer or are employed within a business.
LinkedIn is an excellent source of leads and customers, whether you sell a service or a product. Obviously, it’s super helpful in sharing all your content and for personal brand promotion for business owners and leaders. One of the most important areas for the creative sectors is our freelance community, which can be well served by LinkedIn and find new projects and clients.
Here are some ideas of the best ways to get the most visibility and get the platform working for you.
The banner at the top, above your photo (which should be a professional headshot by the way) is the first thing anyone sees when they click on your profile.
You can use Canva to quickly create a banner appliable to your circumstances, which could be promoting your brand or business, or could be a few words about your skills and experience or special area of interest, or why you are on LinkedIn.
Don’t just leave it blank, as that’s a waste of opportunity to create impact and show off your talents or the brilliance of your business or service.
Then, the headline, which is immediately below your name.
220 characters, which you can create yourself and which can clearly state your skills and what your service offering is.
If you don’t change this, LinkedIn will use your current job title and company, which is okay, but better to use the characters available in a more impactful way
e.g marketing manager with 10+ years experience in financial services specialising in mortgages and investments.
is better than
Marketing Manager, XYZ Insurance
When your content is shown in the feed on LinkedIn, your name and this headline are the two parts of your profile that people see.
About You
2600 characters to showcase your talents, or the services of your business or a mixture of both. The best way to use this space is to describe your skills and experience and how that benefits your audience, and you can really use the available characters to make that work for you.
Avoid using “I”, “me”, and “my” too much and instead use first person implied as the tense for the description. Although this section of LinkedIn is called “About” it’s not about you except for how your skills and experience can benefit your clients or your next employer, or the customers/stakeholders of your employer if that’s how you are using your LinkedIn profile currently.
Remember, your LinkedIn profile is your own; it doesn’t belong to your employer; although you might have a clause in your contract relating to the use of social media or how you represent yourself online while you are employed or on contract, do check!
Experience
This is your CV, but within LinkedIn. But it’s not a cut-and-paste of your job description per role! Just like in your CV, the profile on LinkedIn should tell the story of your career, your accomplishments, successes, outcomes and results as well as your skills and experience. LinkedIn asks for months and years for each record within the experience section. Your CV and your LinkedIn profile need to match in terms of where you’ve worked and/or your career history to date.
Hope that’s helpful, do let me know if you have any queries.
Chemistry, trust and authenticity are key ingredients in agencies winning new clients.
That’s the finding of jfdi and Opinium‘s annual New Business Barometer, a comprehensive survey of agency business development professionals, across disciplines including creative, digital, experiential, content and social.
The report, of which Bristol Creative Industries is a partner, found that generating strong chemistry with the client is the most important factor in converting prospects. It was cited by 74% of respondents, up 5% on last year’s report.
The study said:
“Chasing an increased number of opportunities coupled with hybrid working practice and pitch team stretch is making agency chemistry harder to sustain.”
Trust also plays a key role with connections and referrals the most popular prospecting strategies, highlighted by 86% and 74% of respondents.
jfdi said:
“Trust and authenticity has become a superpower in an anxious world fuelled by misinformation and uncertainty.”
When asked about the key internal challenges, time was the most popular highlighted factor, The report said time saving AI tools are one solution, with “speed of adoption over the next 12 months” potentially leading to “a significant competitive advantage for your agency”.
Five and a half months is the average lifecycle of a new business project from initial contact from pitch to client billing, the study said, and the “ghost pitch” continues to rise with 45% stating budget withdrawal as the reason for pitch loss, a 2% increase on last year.
“Agencies can safeguard their interests by activating tighter qualification of budget ‘status’ within client organisations: is it real, speculative or ‘tbc’?,” the report advised.
Additional findings from the report:
Revenue targets increased significantly compared to last year’s report. Large agencies up 7%; medium agencies up 13%; small agencies up 31%. Agencies are placing more pressure on new business to fulfil their business plans.
Conversely, marketing spend has not increased at the same rate and has decreased for large agencies. Large agencies down 32%; medium agencies and small agencies up 11%. Citing ‘marketing as sales engagement’ as a top three prospecting strategy, the report found that agencies continue to struggle with the nature of the role, and optimal levels of spend.
Agencies are pursuing more, higher value opportunities, the report said, which is resulting in large and small agencies seeing a decline in conversion from opportunity to pitch, whilst medium sized agencies indicate successful management of this strategy by achieving close to their highest score ever [44%] on this metric.
Jon Goulding, CEO at Atomic, said:
“The industry has never been more dynamic than it is today. With so many brands reviewing agency relationships and looking for such a diverse mix of specialisms, your new business strategy and approach is arguably the most important ingredient for modern agency success.
“Over nearly eight years, the New Business Barometer has become the go-to insight resource for the new business community. It always offers a fascinating snapshot into the new business community and this year is no different. While automation and AI may be improving the efficiency of new business processes, the continued importance of trust, personal connections, and chemistry really stands out.”
The photo above shows the Bristol WordPress team at WordCamp Bristol in 2019 – a moment when the community was thriving. By less than a year later the World had changed and, despite best efforts, Bristol WordPress People had ceased to operate. There has been a void in the city’s WordPress community since.
It’s time to reignite the spark
The exciting news is that a small group of us have been meeting to discuss how we can reignite this once-thriving group. I’m happy to announce that Janice Tye, one of the original organisers of Bristol WordPress People has re-instated the official Meetup and scheduled some networking events at the King William Alehouse, 20 King St, Bristol BS1 4EF. Whether you’re an old friend or a new face, you’re invited to join us:
At its peak, Bristol WordPress People was a hub of inspiration – hosting expert talks, lively networking sessions, and delicious food thanks to sponsors like Atomic Smash and 34SP. This was more than just a meetup; it was a friendly, creative community where people shared knowledge, learned new skills, and helped each other thrive.
Now, we need your help to bring it back to life.
Whether you’re a seasoned WordPress pro, someone curious to learn, a website owner in search of advice, or someone with tips and stories to share, we need your help to revive our once-loved group.
Let’s rebuild this community together. Join us at the King William Alehouse and help shape the future of Bristol WordPress People.
See you soon!
Halo has launched it’s event series – Halo Revelations.
Hosted by Nick Clarkson, the first Halo Revelations event, “Putting AI to Work,” was eye-opening to the many possibilities Artificial Intelligence brings to branding and marketing. The event promised to reshape approaches to these crucial aspects of business, and it did not disappoint.
Kerry Harrison (Content Generation with AI, Essential Toolkit Strategies)
Kicking off the talks, Kerry Harrison, shared insights into the groundbreaking tools shaping the future. From creating the world’s first AI gin to utilising tools like ChatGPT Bard, Bing, and Claude Co-Pilot for writing, Kerry emphasised the role of AI in saving time on research and planning. AI, according to Kerry, is a powerful ally that generates ideas and information quickly, allowing for the creation of first drafts and structures.
One key takeaway was the importance of understanding what AI can and cannot do. Kerry stressed that while AI is a valuable tool, human intelligence is essential for strategy, creative thinking, and research. The message was clear:
“AI is a Collaborator, not a Successor.” – Kerry Harrison
Neil Collard (Adopting AI, A Mindset Revolution)
Neil Collard delved into the adoption of AI, citing Moore’s Law and Martec’s Law as foundations for understanding the rapid evolution of technology. His presentation centered on the AI Maturity Model, emphasising the importance of alignment, commitment, and ambition.
Neil urged businesses to be ahead of the curve, stating that delays in adopting AI could result in being left behind. He presented a thought-provoking idea: the alignment-adoption-ambition framework, encouraging businesses to sacrifice the sacrosanct and be open to change for success.
Tanya Sharma (Enhancing the customer experience with AI)
During her talk, Tanya Sharma focused on the transformation of customer experience through AI. She emphasised the importance of the client and customer relationship:
“Customer is King.” – Tanya Sharma
AI, when used, introduces new opportunities in customer experience, offering personalised interactions at scale, enhancing customer support through chatbots, and optimising marketing strategies through data analysis and predictive modelling.
Hannah Strickland and Paul Bailey (Navigating the Intersection of AI and Brand Dynamics)
Stepping in for Nick Ellis, Hannah Strickland, and Paul Bailey demystified the hype around AI integration. They revealed that Halo has seamlessly integrated AI into their workflow. During the talk, they gave a case study on a recent branding project they completed for a client, in which they used AI-generated images for the brand. The pair emphasised how AI can provide longevity and quick delivery for a client when on-brand images are created, through the use of AI and specific image prompts
AI can be used in agencies for numerous areas from social content to strategy planning. In practice image prompts can be used as a distinctive asset for a brand. ChatGPT was praised as a valuable collaborator, a partner in ideation that provides a fresh perspective.
“Think of AI as the other person in the room you are bouncing ideas off.” – Paul Bailey
Both Hannah and Paul encouraged a simplified approach, suggesting that AI is like having a parent with infinite patience, allowing strategists to think freely.
From content creation to customer experience, the event showcased AI as a catalyst for unlocking success. The key takeaway was clear: AI is not here to replace but to empower, and adopting it responsibly is the key to staying ahead in the ever-evolving landscape of business and creativity. Don’t be left behind – It is time to Integrate and experiment with AI.
