Ever get fed up of watching the bottom line constantly and thinking about your market and margin?
Karin Mear is a successful artist and co-edits FYI Brecon. I asked Karin how we might use artistry to perhaps enjoy running a business a bit more, and to take time off from the figures and percentages. Here's what she suggests:
*You'll no doubt be aware of the huge popularity in colouring books for adults over the past few years. With Julia Blazer, my business partner at Little Bird Creative, I created a colouring book with the theme of Legends of the Brecon Beacons. As a child I doodled constantly and still do so in meetings. It's very relaxing and can help you concentrate on one thing singly, which in these days of maximum distraction is most useful.
*Doodling activates the creative part of the brain and can often help shed a new light on problems. Forget any ideas that you can't draw - who cares anyway? - and just sketch out the problem. Leave it to simmer overnight maybe and there could be a solution in your brain,
come morning.
*There's plenty of scope for artistry in how you display products in a shop window, or online. When we had a guitar shop we stocked an amp brand called Orange. So we filled the window with oranges, with one or two amps which caught the eye and drew people in.
It helps to use good close up photos of products, maybe taken at an unusual angle with pepped up colours. People pics always attract views and comments also - especially when a clever caption or question is applied. Alternatively businesses could use an intriquing image which has nothing to do with their business - Benetton uses this concept with great affect.
* Where you want to strengthen your business brand...
In the first instance it's worth thinking of your business as a character/person and thinking of words which describe their personality. For example a holiday cottage company's personality might be welcoming, friendly and inspiring whereas a solicitor might want to appear as welcoming and friendly but also strong and efficient. Once the 'personality' of the business is decided on images and colours can then be chosen which reflect this. Some businesses require a direct and personal approach whereas others can convey a feeling or aspriration. A good example of a company which uses aspirational imagery is Brecon Beacons Cottages, who use imagery to good effect on their website with photos of dogs, stunning views and families. https://www.breconcottages.com/
Thanks Karin, and off to grab that sketchbook now...
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