As we settle into 2025, the ongoing cost of living crisis and economic volatility continue to strain both employees and employers, with many employees facing heightened financial insecurity.
So how can you optimise your benefits budget without cutting value? The first step is to discover how to reallocate wasted spend, secure better pricing, and leverage tax-efficient benefits to maximise impact.
Managing employee benefits, cost control is always on the agenda. But savings don’t have to come at the expense of employee experience. With a smart approach to benefits design, companies can reallocate wasted spend to more impactful benefits – or a better benefits platform to help you manage it all. This makes the most of your existing budget while boosting value for employees.
This practice is sometimes referred to as “cost-neutral benefits,” but the reality is more nuanced. While some companies can identify and redistribute significant savings, others may already be optimising their spend. Either way, a strategic review of benefits is always worth the effort.
Here are three key ways employers can find opportunities to optimise their benefits budget:
A common mistake? Investing in benefits that employees don’t value. Recent key research tells us that there is low appreciation levels from employees for their benefits.
The cause is likely to be benefits that don’t align with employee needs.
For example, a Bristol Creatives startup made up of mostly employees in their twenties might be overfunding its life insurance policy, as employees in this age group are less likely to engage with life insurance. By scaling back the coverage from 10x to 2x cover, they could free up a big chunk of their spend—money that could be reinvested in wider range of more relevant benefits, or a platform that helps manage the administrative burden of benefits.
So how can Business Leaders identify these opportunities?
But before you go cutting less utilised benefits, remember: there are some benefits that few employees might use, but that are highly valuable and even life changing to them when they do, such as reproductive assistance or critical illness cover. It’s important to balance these factors when assessing your benefits. Speaking to a benefits design expert will be your best bet to strike that balance.
Cost savings aren’t just about what you offer, but also how you fund it. Many companies lose money by not negotiating the best rates with insurers or missing out on more efficient financial structures.Here are some key ways to make the most of funding:
By optimising financial structures, companies can often unlock significant savings without compromising on benefits quality.
3. Leverage tax-efficient benefits
Another overlooked opportunity is tax-efficient benefits, particularly salary sacrifice schemes. These allow employees to exchange part of their salary for benefits, reducing both employer and employee tax contributions.For employers, this means that you’re able to offer amazing benefits like electric vehicle leasing schemes and even grocery schemes…at no cost to you!
In the UK, salary sacrifice arrangements can create savings on:
For employers not already leveraging these benefits, the savings can be substantial, especially on National Insurance contributions. Yet many organisations fail to fully utilise these tax advantages, leaving money on the table.
Maximise your benefits budget with expert support
Not every company will uncover huge savings—but almost all can optimise their approach. By identifying low-value spend, negotiating better financial models, and leveraging tax-efficient benefits, Business leaders and HR provide a significantly improved offering without increasing their spend.
Want to find out where your organisation can unlock savings? Book a free benefits audit consultation with me –same budget, bigger results.
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:
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.”
For a full summary of the report, email camilla@jfdi.uk.com
Event in Bristol on 13 March: How to retain your clients
Don’t lose sight of your new business pipeline
10 top tips for getting the pitch over the line
How Bristol Creative Industries members are using AI
What we’ve learned about AI in agencies: Insights from 30 creative leaders
How to prospect for new business without losing your soul
How creative businesses can write the perfect positioning statement
The diligent amongst you may have noticed that recently an AMBITIOUS TikTok hit a million views. If you were part of that viewership, then thank you!
If not, then before you continue reading this. Stop.
Load up TikTok and take a watch… are you done?
Welcome back.
In this blog, we’ll explore the tactics behind getting more views on TikTok, try to break down and explain the TikTok algorithm, lay down some advice on creating engaging content, and emphasize the importance of producing high-quality videos.
But we’ll also tell you why you shouldn’t just go chasing views! There’s so much more to your content strategy than views and views alone.
A view on TikTok is counted the moment a user starts playing your video. This includes replays and views from both your followers and non-followers. However, keep in mind that watching your own video does not count as a view.
The TikTok algorithm is designed to prioritize engaging content that keeps viewers hooked until the end. Even if a user only stays on your video for a second, it will still count as a view. So, focus on creating concise and engaging content that captures attention right from the outset.
If you want to know how to get more views on TikTok, there is one thing you have to have firmly set in your mind first.
There are going to be videos that fail.
Viral videos are few and far between. But the more videos you create and put out into the world, the more chance you have that they will start to fly. It’s really important to not be disheartened, we know how it can be, time and effort for little to no perceived result can be demotivating.
But the reality is, that TikTok is a particularly inconsistent social media platform. One piece of content on one specific day might sink like a stone. But if you post it 6 months later, you could end up with a quarter million views.
TikTok users regularly bemoan this lack of consistency in viewer figures. It can make it very hard to predict exactly what will perform well. In truth, there is no silver bullet as to how to get more views on TikTok.
So if you want to get more views on TikTok, creating content consistently is key. Additionally, consider responding to TikTok comments with a new TikTok video to drive traffic between videos and boost engagement.
TikTok is a strange place and TikTok views equate more to what’s trending at any given moment in time.
To capitalise on this, create videos that respond to questions from TikTok comments, enhancing engagement and views. That could be a cap-cut of a cat on a witches broom, mini-mic interviews or any manner of oddity.
From trending sounds and popular audio clips to TikTok Challenges and everything in between. Rule number one in your TikTok Strategy; if you want to create viral videos and make the most out of TikTok, then you’re going to want to lean into these kinds of viral TikTok trends.
Once you’ve accepted and leant into the strange inconsistencies that TikTok can throw up, the next thing you need to do is adopt a mentality of testing and learning.
Be experimental with your TikTok account and try different things. If something doesn’t work right there and then, that doesn’t mean it never will. You can also come back to that idea, or particular piece of content at a later date.
But always keep trying new things and focus on creating quality content.
So, how can you create great video content?
On TikTok you have mere seconds to make an impact. So your TikTok videos need to get straight to the point. Focus on creating videos that grab people and keep them engaged. Short, high-energy content with a clear story arc tends to perform best.
TikTok’s algorithm loves content that’s on trend. Whether that’s emerging challenges, sounds and hashtags. By incorporating these into content you can see massive increases in views and engagement.
But remember, it’s not just about jumping on trends for the sake of jumping on trends. You need to make sure that when you’re creating on-trend content, you aren’t doing so at the demise of your own brand voice and message.
Hashtags are the key to discoverability on TikTok.
Our content strategists research and select a mix of trending and niche-specific hashtags for each post. We’ve also found that using popular sounds can increase a video’s reach. Our approach is to create a blend of trending audio and branded messaging to get the most impact.
Building a TikTok following isn’t just about posting great content – it’s about creating a community.
We encourage our clients to respond to comments, join the conversation and even feature user-generated content. This level of engagement not only increases visibility but also builds brand loyalty and authenticity.
Responding to comments with a new TikTok video can drive traffic between videos and further enhance visibility and potential reach.
In our experience, consistency is key to TikTok’s success. We work with our clients to create content calendars that ensure regular and timely posts. This consistency tells the algorithm you’re an active and reliable creator which can lead to your content being promoted.
You can take a data-led approach, with a strong emphasis on TikTok analytics. Monitoring performance metrics for each post will help you understand and refine your content strategies moving forward.
TikTok success is a mix of creativity, strategy and adaptability.
As a PR and content specialist, we’ve seen firsthand how these tactics can turn a brand’s TikTok presence from invisible to unmissable.
Getting to a million TikTok views may not be immediately straightforward, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible. If you want to bring up your view count while making great short videos for your target audience, then you can follow the tips and strategies outlined above to help you along the way.
But the key to making the most out of your TikTok is to not go arbitrarily chasing views.
Chasing vanity metrics like views is an old-fashioned strategy like trying to put AVE onto PR coverage.
What you need to do is measure the impact your content is having. For example, every time you post a ‘day in the life’ video from one of your employees, you might see a spike in job applications – that kind of impact.
We’re not saying never look at views. You should do that.
But you should be looking at engagement, comments and sentiment. These are the markers that tell you your content has quality, relevance and meaning more so than views.
To make TikTok work for you, you need to strike the perfect balance between what’s trending and what’s right for you. By following these strategies, you’re not just chasing views; you’re building a robust engaged community that can impact your overall brand presence.
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.
Funding news:
The government has announced that the West of England Combined Authority will receive new creative industries funding and extra funding will be provided to the Create Growth Programme, Supporting Grassroots Music Fund, UK Games Fund, Music Export Growth Scheme and UK Global Screen Fund. You can read more details 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:
Apply for small project grants here and large project grants here.
Applications close at 11am on 29 May.
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:
The region is split as follows:
North of the region:
South of the region:
The funding is split as follows:
Businesses can apply for funding directly to the relevant fund managers here.
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.
Applications close at 11am on 2 July.
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.
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 £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:
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.
Applications open on 2 June. There’s a launch event on 4 June.
The fund is an open access programme for arts, libraries and museums projects.
Funding of between £1,000 and £100,000 is available.
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.
Applications close at 11.59pm on
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Most businesses now know about the power of content. But not all content is made equal.
Different types of content serve different purposes and audiences. So content, for content’s sake is not the best way to run your content marketing strategy.
What type of content marketing should you be creating? Which formats will work best for your audiences? Where should you be activating it for maximum effect?
These are all valid and common questions when approaching a content marketing strategy… and it all starts with understanding your audience.
Knowing your audience is crucial to building out a strong and effective content strategy.
You need to know a couple of things before you start producing any content.
Firstly, you need to have a very clear understanding of your audience’s habits, behaviours and browsing patterns. What are the things they like? What don’t they like? What are their preferred channels?
There’s no benefit in creating a series of long-form blogs and whitepapers, when you’re audience prefers video content. There’s also little benefit if ploughing resources into channels and outlets that your audience simply does not exist in.
Understanding your business in relation to your audience is also very important.
You need to identify the needs of your audience; their pain points and what motivates them to take action. Then you have to overlay this understanding with content ideas on how you can answer those questions and fix their problems.
When you clearly understand these things, you’re on the first step to developing a content strategy.
Next, you need to understand the buying journey.
Principles such as the 95 – 5 rule outline that only 5% of your audience is ready to purchase at any given time. 95-5 states, that because of this, you should not spend all of your time and efforts trying to convert that 5%. Rather, you should spend it engaging with the other 95.
Now the buyer journey does vary from business to business. For some, it can be days, for others, years.
So what this means, in real terms. Is reducing the amount of hard sales content marketing you produce, in favour of more content that builds relationships, and loyalty and fosters engagement.
Producing high-quality content is great. But if all that content does is try to land a sale, your audiences are going to become very fatigued, very quickly.
Finally, you need to understand and clearly establish your unique value proposition (UVP).
What sets you apart from your competitors? What makes your products or services unique?
By understanding your UVP, you can create content that showcases your unique strengths and differentiates your business from others.
This is what’s going to make you stand out!
With an understanding of your audience’s interests and your own UVP, it’s time to start thinking about what content you can make,
A well-planned strategy will help you create content that resonates with your audience, aligns with your business goals, and sets you apart from your competitors.
Content creation is an extremely helpful way to drive prospects through the buying process, but also an incredible way to build brand loyalty. Rather than think about the quick wins, you should be thinking more in the long term.
Think about ways you can engage, entertain, delight and educate your audiences, rather than just trying to make a sale.
It’s not about conversions… it’s about conversations.
So, the Million Dollar Question… what kind of content should you be making?
Well the answer to that question, should become apparent once you’ve done all the appropriate strategic research and planning.
Depending on the content format and type you choose, you can appeal to buyers at different stages of their journey. From awareness and consideration, through to the final decision, different content types can have varying effects.
At the awareness stage, potential customers realise that they have an issue that needs a solution.
They won’t be looking for answers at this stage but will turn to search engines and social channels to contextualise their problem.
The best type of content that would help generate leads at this stage is top-level informative and relevant content that will explain their problem, concern or situation. It won’t seek to offer immediate answers and solutions or try to push the issue.
It’s about educating and informing… and you can do this in a number of ways.
A blog post or article falls under the category of awareness stage content. Writing blog posts allows a marketing team to target a specific pain point or problem that your audience is experiencing. You may also use search engine optimisation to target keywords that match the search turn. This will assist you in creating valuable content that search engine users may find, in turn potentially generating leads.
White papers are a form of long-form material, similar to blog posts. However, they differ from blogs in that they provide a comprehensive answer to a specific issue. They can be used to inform, clarify and educate prospects during the awareness stage. They are especially helpful for B2B companies because they cover specific issues related to the industry.
For the awareness phase of the buyer’s journey, the following types of video content work best:
Keep these videos short, educating and engaging not hard selling. The goal is to present your best content, as the solution to the viewer’s problem and make them aware of your brand.
This stage of the buying process is when your customer starts to think about which service or product to solve their issue.
With extensive research and careful consideration of all available options, it is regarded as the lengthiest phase of the buying process. During this phase, your content marketing strategy should include quality content that is as informative as possible, but content that also flexes your knowledge and expertise around the question at hand.
Social media can help reveal more about your product and brand.
It can also be the place where your audience can discover more about your brand’s reputation. Social media has an impact on consumers at the awareness stage, but it can also move people from the awareness stage to the consideration stage.
Successful social media marketing, for instance, can show competitive value, increase brand awareness and facilitate decision-making.
For the consideration phase of the buyer’s journey, consider the following types of video content.
These videos should educate the audience about your solution, address their specific problems and differentiate your offering from competitors. The goal is to build trust, give detailed information and convince customers your product or service is the solution to their problem.
Email can be utilised at any point during the buying process, but it’s most effective during the consideration stage.
Your customer might not be prepared to make a purchase at this time. But any queries they might have can be addressed in your emails. Email also allows you to learn more about your audience. Click-through-rates, web traffic, bounce data, email opens and behaviours on your site can provide valuable insights.
To move buyers through the process, you can start introducing your product or service in more detail.
This is the most valuable stage of the consumer buying process.
It’s where the buyer will evaluate all of their options and decide on the right provider for a solution. At this stage, your buyer knows about your brand through reading your social media network, digital content and high-quality blog posts, and now intends to make a purchase.
Here’s how you can make a difference at this stage
Offering a trial is the best method to address any last-minute queries your customer may have about your service. It’s like how car dealerships give test drives. Many software companies free trials to potential customers to give potential customers increase their customer base and widen their market appeal.
Because it appeals to your customer’s fear of missing out, a coupon or voucher is an excellent marketing strategy for the decision stage. Your customer is already fully informed about your company or product at this point in the process. They are now seeking an excuse to make a purchase. At this point, a short-term offer or deal can frequently earn their business.
A case study can be used in both the consideration and decision-making stages of the buyer’s journey. They’re essentially a kind of research report that focuses on how your solution helped business at another company. They’re excellent for demonstrating how and why your good or service is superior to those of your rivals. By analyzing these case studies, businesses can identify gaps and areas of improvement which can then be utilized to enhance their own strategy.
For the decision stage of the buyer’s journey, the following types of video content work best:
These should be high quality, short and focused on getting the prospect to buy your product or service. Get them to take action.
Creating content is always designed for the personality and interests of your target audience segments.
But always remember the 95-5 rule, not everyone is ready to buy from you right away. Warm up your audiences and work hard to endear them to your brand during this incubation period.
Wherever you post your content, be it on YouTube, LinkedIn or Facebook use proprietary analytics to monitor the reception of your content. Different channels often have different windows of opportunity for the most effective posting.
Test and learn with this, mix up your posting schedule and try to learn what times work best for you and your audiences.
Now, you’ll likely have noticed the repeat mentions of various types of video content throughout the buyer journey.
Video is more than just a useful tool for conveying information. Video is one of the best ways to tell a story It also has the highest interest level out of any other content form. Making it one of the most valuable and effective parts of your content marketing efforts.
Video content is incredibly versatile and offers a wide variety of creative opportunities for video marketers. A YouTube video, for example, can educate customers on how to use a product, while also entertaining and engaging.
But, there can often be some confusion and concern about producing content like this. You want to be producing quality content. But a lot of people correlate quality content, with extremely high production value and an associated high cost. That’s not always the case.
For example, TikTok can be a very effective source of video content throughout the buyer journey. But TikTok videos don’t need massive production value… if anything, lower production value content works far better here, than something slick and shiny!
YouTube, is becoming increasingly important and quality is important here. It has to look great and something people always overlook, it has to sound great too!
If you’re committed to making video content, know also that sweating the assets is a good thing. Just because you’re making a YouTube video, doesn’t mean it should just be a YouTube video. Consider how you can slice and dice your assets to be used on different channels.
The greater your format variety, the greater your chance of cutting through.
Measuring and improving performance is critical for content marketing success. By tracking your performance, you can identify what’s working and what’s not, and make data-driven decisions to improve your strategy.
To measure performance, you need to track key metrics, such as:
By tracking these metrics, you can identify areas for improvement and make adjustments to your strategy.
To improve performance, you need to analyze your data and identify opportunities for growth. This may involve:
By continuously measuring and improving performance, you can optimise your website content creation and activation, ultimately driving better results.
Content marketing isn’t about creating content for content’s sake – it’s about strategic storytelling that resonates with your audience. The key is knowing your unique value proposition and your audience’s journey, and focusing on the 95% who aren’t immediately ready to buy.
In the vast world of content creation, video content is king, it’s versatile and highly engaging across all stages. Remember, it’s about conversations not just conversions.
The ultimate goal? Content that educates, entertains and connects with your audience!
Let’s be honest, the answer to that question depends entirely on who you ask… and when you asked it.
If you’d asked that question before May 2024, you’d have gotten an answer about domain authority, keywords of all shapes and sizes and various other technical seo aspects.
After this, things got a little hazy. As you may remember, Google suffered quite a large leak of indexing data and ranking factors. There were a lot of things in there, that gave people pause for thought… and more. The big thing was E-E-A-T.
Now we’ve covered E-E-A-T, what it is and what it does extensively, so you can find out more about it here; but essentially, E-E-A-T is a trust and authority ranking from Google’s Search Quality Raters.
Now Google had been telling people for a long time that E-E-A-T was not a direct ranking factor. The information within these leaks, was quite the opposite.
E-E-A-T was far more important than people realised.
Before this leak many experts had extolled the value of E-E-A-T and how it can be used to build a brand – personally and professionally.
In the financial sectors, where practices and information are highly regulated, E-E-A-T is far more prolific. To the point where, we are seeing organisations with far inferior technical SEO, outperforming their competition in the SERP.
Case and point, when running the search ‘who can I go to for financial advice.’ At the time of writing, the two top-of-the-fold results, are Citizens Advice and MoneyHelper… and the latter is particularly interesting.
Digging just a little deeper into MoneyHelper, it soon becomes apparent that its ‘ranking factors’ are beyond inferior, bordering on non-existent. So why is it so high?
The answer to the question lies in the foundations of MoneyHelper itself.
It is a free-to-use resource, created by the Money and Pensions Service. A statutory organisation formed to develop and coordinate a national strategy to improve people’s financial capabilities.
This statutory obligation makes it a fundementally more trustworthy resource, in the eyes of Google.
It outranks Natwest, Which.com, any and every investment business going… and it does this because the basis of its ‘brand’ is that strong.
In recent years, our online spaces have become awash with misinformation and more sinister disinformation.
By rating the quality of the source, Google essentially inhibits the flow of what it deems to be not relevant, helpful or harmful information. Creative something not dissimilar from a backstop.
A growing distrust amongst the general public, for online information is a big factor here.
It could be a news outlet, a social media channel, or an everyday business. There is a growing level of scepticism towards what people see online. Also, it’s well known that the younger generations are far more discerning when it comes to the brands and businesses they associate with.
The knock-on effect means that people have their tribes. They know the things they like, they know the things they don’t.
Their affiliations are built more on trust, than ever before.
So, to combat this, businesses need to see their online presence not as one-dimensional. But as a multi-transactional opportunity.
Experience, Expertise, Authority & Trust…. we’re back at E-E-A-T again.
But only briefly, and just to talk about one of those four letters.
Trust.
You can hire experience. You can train and develop expertise. Which, logically, ultimately builds authority. The more experience and expertise you have on a subject, the more authority you have on that subject. Because you have all the experts!
But trust… that’s different.
You can’t hire it, you can’t coach it…. you can only earn it. Trust and brand go hand in hand.
Ultimately, trust is built through authenticity. If your content and your communications are inauthentic, disingenuous, or outright false. Then it’s way more likely you’ll alienate your audience over time.
The knock-on effect here could be negative reviews & hostile responses, creators putting out content against your business and online community abandonment.
In turn, this translates into fewer branded searches, a damaged reputation and the loss of an existing and prospective customer base.
Whether you’re looking for a local plumber, trying to hire a lawyer or buying a pair of Air Jordans. Everyone wants the same thing.
A fair price from someone they can trust. Trust is everything!
In the case of financial information, this is a clear-cut. Businesses are bound by organisations like the FSA. Therefore the information they put out, has to follow a certain set of protocols.
But there are still some areas where it’s a little murky… and consumers can get stung by ‘false brands’
The world of ticketing is where this happens quite a lot.
There are businesses out there which use black hat SEO strategies and sponsored SERP placements to game their way to the top of the search engines. So that when you search for tickets to your favourite act, they appear top…
And because consumers have been conditioned to search engines top of the fold functionality, the automatic assumption is, that if it’s top of the search, then it’s the right thing.
Because of this people have been extorted by online touts. Only to have their show tickets turn up at their door, under a different name, and printed with a face value cost that is far, far less than what they paid.
So it’s not fully perfect science. There are those out there, manipulating a false brand. But as Google’s updates broaden and deepen, we’d hope these kinds of tactics become harder to achieve.
Dovetailing brand into SEO Strategy
SEO strategy shouldn’t be just about long tail keywords and clusters.
Technical SEO is important, but so is building out content threads that show your quality and authenticity.
This can be achieved by creating valuable and trustworthy content that mirrors your values and your mission. Have the right people, speaking – or writing – on the topics they know best. But most of all make sure this comes from a place of authenticity.
Don’t veer from this path.
Focus on consistency across all your platforms. This will ultimately help you engage with your audience and build your tribe. Try to show your E-E-A-T as much as you can and where possible, lean into user-generated content as this can be a great trust signal.
Ultimately, this is about building trust… and it’s always good to remember that trust is hard earned and easily lost.
Brand and SEO are connected. As search engines get smarter and prioritise trustworthy and authoritative sources, businesses need to focus on building a strong brand that matches E-E-A-T.
By combining brand with SEO you can have an online presence that ranks well and resonates with your audience. Remember, trust is the foundation of a brand and is built through consistent, authentic and valuable interactions with your audience.
As you go through the ever changing world of SEO, keep your brand top of mind and you’ll be ahead of the game.
If you’d like to find out more about the role of brand identity and why brand-building is a non-negotiable in 2025, download our Insight Report here: https://www.ambitiouspr.co.uk/our-insight/
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.
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.
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 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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 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.
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:
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
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.
Happy Global Entrepreneurship Week!
The UK’s creative industries are jam-packed with small businesses and self-employed individuals.
Government data shows 95% of the sector’s companies are micro-businesses, while self-employment accounts for 32% of employment, compared to 16% for the economy more broadly.
With that in mind, Dan Martin asked individual and startup members of Bristol Creative Industries to share their tips for running a successful freelance or small business. We received some brilliant responses which we’ve highlighted below.
Become an individual and startup member of Bristol Creative Industries for only £4.95 a month or £49+VAT a year and enjoy many business-boosting benefits. Sign up here.
Bristol Creative Industries members share their tips below. Click their BCI profile links to find out more about them and to see if there are opportunities for collaboration. We love to see members working together!
Build a network
Working for yourself can be a solitary pursuit and the idea of networking can be intimidating. But it starts with making friendly connections. That can create the basis for future partnerships, referrals and support.
We’re lucky to be spoilt for choice with a wonderful community in Bristol and the South West and Bristol Creative Industries is at the heart of that. I’ve enjoyed every minute of making like-minded connections and friends in the process.
Sell yourself with confidence
Don’t be shy. Remind people of your experience and expertise – don’t assume they know that already. Make it an easy choice for them to buy your services. If you keep it authentic and make a personal connection, selling doesn’t have to feel awkward.
Take time to contract with a clear brief
Over the years I have been eager to make it as easy as possible to get started on a scope of work by writing a proposal from a loose verbal brief. That means doing a lot of the scoping myself which, as well as a lot of time and effort unpicking the client’s needs, can leave room for (mis)interpretation. I find the most successful partnerships involve the client putting an equal amount of work in up front to shape a really clear brief.
Having a good support network is key. In my experience, this goes beyond family and friends. Of course, you need people around who love you unconditionally. You also need those people who, being self-employed, just get it. People who understand the ups, as well as the downs, and who can give you a boost with some sage words of advice. You never know when you might need to call on those freelance friends – whether it’s celebrating a big win or simply asking, ‘How do I do that thing on Mailchimp, again?!’ Don’t go it alone, you’ll travel farther with trusted, supportive people at your side.
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The freelance life is full of many highs and lows, and it can be easy to focus on the negative, worries and stresses. When things have felt stressful or a bit bleak, which I know it has done for the freelance community over the last 6 months or so (everyone is feeling it, it’s not just you!), then put the work in, get your head down, send out the emails, chase the leads, get back in touch with previous clients and trust the process. It works. Work comes in, clients get back in touch, and those invoices (finally!) come through.
Being part of a community of likeminded freelancers and solo workers really helps. I created a Slack community for freelance and solo workers in the South West, which has been a great place for us to share briefs, get advice. We also share the wins. It feels great to celebrate your milestones with others as they know the importance of them too!
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Work out who you are before you offer services
The creative industry is becoming more and more specialised, so we (as companies or individuals) need to move with that trend ourselves. It’s good to have multiple offerings and skills but you open yourself up to more competition. So when it comes to marketing yourself, it’s better to be amazing at a couple of things than being ‘just good’ at too many things. Maybe you focus on editorial design or you might be an illustrator in the sports sector. This doesn’t mean turning away work that doesn’t suit your marketing; it’s just simply good to have a focus. This makes branding your company far less complicated and helps with consistency.
Create a content strategy
It’s important to show up to work. If you don’t, you get fired. The same thing happens if you’re freelance or a small business but instead, the clients forget about you. Building a consistent content strategy keeps you at the forefront of your audiences’ minds. Write short blogs about your sector, interact with your audience by having competitions or you could even do peer shout-outs. Just make it relevant and consistent.
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Invest in your own brand
There are so many businesses out there doing the same or similar to you, so make sure you are really clear about who you are. Not just your services, but really what makes you tick, what makes your business individual and why clients should come to you. Look at what you are incredibly skilled at, knowledgeable about, understand and enjoy. Then build on it.
Keep moving forward
Stay relevant, understand the market, keep talking to people to learn more. Just don’t get caught up in the jargon and hype. Your customers and clients won’t understand it, or care.
Be inspired by your own creativity
It’s your business so you should be excited by it. If you’re not then you’re probably on the wrong path. Look for the type of work you want to do and reflect it in your work. Talk to businesses that hold similar values. Follow people, brands and businesses on social media that give you fire in your belly.
Care about what you do
Actually give a damn. Care if you get back to someone, care if it is right, care if you think it could be better. Care about what you do and others will too.
Face reality
Running your own show isn’t easy. Always be ready to change the plan, surround yourself with people that are genuinely on your side and want you to succeed. Above all, have the right mindset, stay positive and believe in your own ability. Then just when you’re about to give up, that’s when you need to push even harder.
Give back
It may be a portfolio review, your time, your advice, your energy, but give back when you can and do it genuinely and generously.
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Find yourself an accountability partner. When you’re running your own small business it’s important to have someone to talk to. When you don’t have a team of your own, find someone that understand’s the highs and lows of running a similar business. I have a weekly Friday afternoon Zoom call with another marketing consultant and we use it to share what we’ve been working on, what we’ve seen on social media and what we’re planning to work on next. Setting this up during Covid lockdowns, and continuing it since, has been one of the most valuable things I’ve ever done for my business and me personally.
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Actively and regularly seek out your ideal clients
Sometimes money can overrule your decisions, whether on a practical basis of needing more of it, a big project that sounds too good to be true or it doesn’t quite feel like the right fit with your values and expertise. Working when you feel any kind of conflict (internally) can be really hard work for all involved. Don’t underestimate the strength of a long-term client that you align with and have trust and respect on both sides. Working with the career mentoring charity Ablaze for five years has been my biggest reward in terms of the value of the work they do and I support them with, and in being so consistent long-term.
Be alive to all opportunities
You never know what opportunities are behind someone’s ask for help on social media such as LinkedIn. I stepped in to some really interesting research work with Projects by IF through answering a last minute call for help when a team member got Covid. Plus chatting to a client via an introduction (thanks Constance Fleuriot!) at the Data Science Conference last year turned out they wanted help with a project researching the mental health ecosystem for their mental health app. Keep exploring and don’t miss opportunities on your own doorstep.
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Climate/environment: Often an overlooked part of the business, it is important for you and your team to know where you stand. We are not talking about addressing global climate change, but rather what approach your business takes. Using something like the UN Global Sustainable Goals (SDGs) can be a useful tool to measure and monitor on-going improvement. Delegate this to one of your team who is passionate about climate and the environment.
Finance: Keep a close eye on financial health. Are you equipmed to do this yourself or should you delegate this and get someone to oversee this for you? Regularly analyse cash flow, manage expenses, and invest wisely to maintain stability and fuel growth.
IT/tech/web: Embrace technology to improve productivity and customer experience. An effective online presence and streamlined IT systems can enhance efficiency. Again, this can often be delegated to specialist that will advise, set up and keep your system safe. Don’t wait for the headache, scam, fraud, breach to hit you – anticipate and get an expert in to set you up.
Marketing: Develop a targeted marketing strategy to reach your ideal customers. Will you do this? Will one of your team? You know your business best, but are you best equipped to deliver this? Focus on cost-effective digital marketing channels that yield a high return on investment and consider whether you should do this internally or delegate it.
Mindset/culture/vision: This is so important and your team (and partners/freelancers) should be fully briefed on this. Keep an eye on it and cultivate a growth mindset and a clear vision for the business to share across your business, peers and clients.
Sales: Nurture a strong sales team and develop effective sales strategies. Consistent revenue generation is vital for business sustainability and expansion, and, a with ops and delivery, this is key to business growth. But should you be doing sales, or one of your team or outsource this? Only you can decide.
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Be true to yourself, and be authentic. Take small steps if needed, celebrate all your successes, and try not to compare yourself to others. Set realistic goals, build a support network, and consider finding an accountability partner – someone who will listen impartially, remind you of your goals, and help you stay on track.
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The key to doing what I love and building great creative relationships is forging a true connection at a personal level – getting as close as possible is where I do my best work because then I’m fully invested in both head and heart.
Time and time again it’s over a coffee or a wine that the no holds barred honesty chats happen and reveal the truth of what is on the table and why you are the best person to help bring it to life. People love to talk so offering them the opportunity to be heard is where the magic happens. I’ve often thought I should list in my proposals: two, three, four hour coffee chats as a key stage in the creative process.
As human beings we love to find connections and then tell a story about how that relates to us – and as designers that’s how we create beautiful solutions by listening, understanding and simplifying the story to make it easier to understand.
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Always deliver on time or slightly early.
Be clear and proactive with the client, especially about what they said they would do/by when. If their lateness impacts you, say so right away – in writing.
Always assume there will be some fallow months. Take out money that you need not what you want!
Build a nest egg – the bigger the better.
If buying in services, such as print, get payment from the client upfront. Always mark up such services.
Keep personal drawings and money separate from business revenue – they are not the same.
Always keep money in the business account for a rainy day – cash flow is king/queen and the tax authorities will need paying!
Consider a limited company but understand the differences versus self employed.
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If you come up with a great name for your creative business, you must do due diligence to make sure it’s available. Check on Google, check domain names, check Companies House and, most importantly, check at the Intellectual Property Office as a trademarked name trumps a limited company name. If it is available, trademark it.
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Become an individual and startup member of Bristol Creative Industries from only £4.95 a month and enjoy many business-boosting benefits. Sign up here.
By Tracie Leahy, Assistant Principal for Apprenticeships, Weston College
In the evolving landscape of workforce development within the creative industries, businesses are constantly seeking innovative ways to attract, develop, and retain top talent. Degree apprenticeships have emerged as a powerful solution, offering a unique blend of practical experience and academic learning. At Weston College and University Centre Weston, we have witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that degree apprentices can have on businesses. Here’s why integrating degree apprenticeships into your talent strategy is a game-changer for the creative industries.
Secure the Best New Talent
In a competitive job market, securing top talent is more challenging than ever. Degree apprenticeships provide an opportunity to attract high-calibre candidates who are eager to learn and grow within your organisation. These individuals bring fresh perspectives and are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge from their academic studies, combined with practical skills honed through on-the-job training. By investing in degree apprentices, you are investing in the future leaders of your industry.
Upskill Existing Employees
Degree apprenticeships are not just for new hires. They offer a valuable pathway for upskilling your existing workforce. Many employees have untapped potential that can be unlocked through further education and training. By supporting your employees in pursuing a degree apprenticeship, you are fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. This not only enhances their skills and job satisfaction but also improves overall organisational performance.
Build a Culture of Learning and Development
A learning-oriented culture is a cornerstone of innovative and resilient organizations. Degree apprenticeships instil a commitment to personal and professional growth within your team. Apprentices bring new ideas and approaches, inspired by their academic learning, and share this knowledge with their colleagues. This creates a dynamic environment where learning is valued, leading to increased engagement and retention.
Reduce Recruitment Costs
The traditional recruitment process can be costly and time-consuming. Degree apprenticeships provide a cost-effective alternative by allowing you to train and develop talent tailored to your specific business needs. Apprentices are often more loyal to the organizations that invest in their development, reducing turnover and the associated recruitment costs. Furthermore, you can evaluate an apprentice’s fit within your company culture and operations throughout their apprenticeship, ensuring a smoother transition to a permanent role. Also, we do all the advertising, shortlisting, and recruitment support for your vacancies – saving you time and expense.
Maximise Government Funding
One of the significant advantages of degree apprenticeships is the availability of government funding. This financial support can substantially offset the costs of training and development. By leveraging these funds,
you can invest in your workforce without straining your budget. It’s a smart financial decision that benefits both your business and your employees.
Meeting the Demand
Weston College and University Centre Weston offer a diverse range of degree apprenticeships tailored to meet the needs of modern businesses, including those in the creative industries. Our programs include:
Attracting the Best: The Appeal of Degree Apprenticeships
There is a growing trend among students to choose degree apprenticeships over traditional degrees. This pathway allows them to avoid substantial tuition fees and student debt while gaining practical experience and earning a salary. As a result, employers have the opportunity to access ambitious, motivated individuals who are eager to start their careers sooner. By offering degree apprenticeships, you can attract the cream of the crop—talented individuals who are ready to contribute to your business from day one.
A Proven Pathway: From T Levels to Degree Apprenticeships
We are seeing a growing trend where employers begin by offering T Level student placements, which involve 315 hours of work experience annually, before progressing these students to degree apprenticeships. This approach allows employers to identify and nurture talent early, providing a seamless transition from education to full-time employment. It’s a strategy that not only ensures a steady pipeline of skilled workers but also strengthens the bond between the employer and the apprentice.
Speak to Us
Investing in degree apprenticeships is a strategic move that delivers long-term benefits for businesses. By securing new talent, upskilling existing employees, fostering a culture of learning, reducing recruitment costs, and making the most of government funding, you position your business for sustained success. We are committed to supporting businesses in unlocking their potential through our comprehensive T Level and Apprenticeship programs.
Discover how degree apprenticeships can transform your business. Learn more about our offerings here or give us a call at 01934 411594 or email apprenticeships@weston.ac.uk.
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