Thursday, September 30, 2010

Finders Keepers The Arcade Project launch evening at Gaffa Gallery

The Arcade Project  at the Gaffa Gallery

The Finders Keepers will be launching the "Arcade Project" this evening at the Gaffa Gallery. The Arcade Project is a unique opportunity for emerging designers to have their own small retail pop up spaces for a short term.  The project is hosted by contemporary art space Gaffa in their amazing Gallery space right in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. 

The Finders and Keeper will be co-hosting the project, there are  four small pop up retail spaces that will rotate every month. With each new installation Finders Keepers will be hosting launch evenings and an exciting round of  their first Workshops for designers held exclusively at Gaffa.

Starting off at Gaffa  Finders Keepers is hosting their very own collective space featur1ing 12 emerging designers.
Finders Keepers is also presenting:
- Ginny & Jude Designs Pop up Shop
- Frankie Magazine Reading Room
All items will be available for purchase on the evening as well.

You can read more info on FindersKeepers website here: 
The evening will include refreshments supplied by Jed Wines.


Date: Thursday 30th September
Time: 6pm - 9pm
Where: Gaffa Gallery, 281 Clarence Street, Sydney

If you cannot make this tonight, I encourage you to pay a visit  and see the space in your own time, it will be open from:

The Arcade Project then follows on from September 22nd until 26th October

Mon-Fri: 10-6pm

Sat: 11-5pm

Sun + Holidays: Closed

Information and image are from The Finders Keepers.

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Part 4. Choosing the Right Marketing Approach for your Design Business





Once you've decided and selected the most appropriate marketing strategy (remember our last blog? Chapter 3. Selecting the right marketing strategy for your design practice) to attract your ideal customer you'll need to decide on your plan of action.

Here's how it all works together...

Choosing your distribution channel (Chaprer1. Selecting the best sales distribution for your design practice) is about deciding *where* you’ll be able to reach your best prospects.
Deciding on you're marketing strategy is about choosing*what* you’ll be doing to reach those prospects.
And implementing your specific approach are all about *how* you'll make it happen...
  •  Distribution channel = WHERE 
  •  Marketing strategy = WHAT
  • Marketing aproach = HOW
Here's an example...
You've decided that a direct mail would be the best way to reach your potential clients

You've decided on your message "come and see me at my pop up store and receive a free gift when you purchase..."

Now, there's several options to consider... You could send a sales letter, or send a brochure, or you could even send a postcard.
Let's think about it... A sales letter might work - if it gets opened; and if it gets read. Most people easily recognise business related sales letters and will more than likely throw letters like that straight into the recycling with little consideration.

What about a brochure?
A brochure might work if we designed it as a self mailer - that is, a piece that is mailed by itself rather than being placed into an envelope. Here again though, we may have a problem. A brochure is also easily recognised as promotion and discarded before anyone reads the information.

Would a personal postcard work? Perhaps a hand written invitation? Nice and personal, and not too "salesy"

OK, But what about cost? how much would each option cost? and what about time too? Your time is money after all. So when weighing ups the options we need to consider what the return on our efforts may be. It might be quicker to

So how do we know what works? It's about TEST and MEASURE. With everything we do we need to make sure we keep track of the results and decide what works and what doesn't. That way we can refine and keep doing the things that work for us. And just as importantly, we can stop doing the things that don't work for us.

Ready to try it for yourself?

Refer back to our previous blogs and then complete this exercise...


WHERE
The distribution channels for my business right now are:

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________

__________________________________________


WHAT
Using those distribution channels the best messages for my ideal customers are:

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________

_______________________________________________


HOW
I'm going to get these messages to my customer by doing:

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

______________________________________________


Want to learn more about the right marketing approach for your design business?

It’s as simple as 1... 2... 3...


2: Come along to the ArtSHINE workshops in Sydney: http://quantumcompass.eventbrite.com

3: Contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session on 8060 9321, or 0410 636 138.

Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Close Up with Madeleine Preston

Madeleine in studio
photo by Joy Lai
 
Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
My art practice is often hard to define as the materials I use vary from project to project. I used to say I never make the same work twice, but that doesn’t really explain what I mean. I don’t have a style. My work includes oil paintings, installation three-dimensional pieces and new media; whatever medium or method works with the idea.

Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?
The people who continue to make work over a long and often not financially rewarding period.

Where do you get your inspiration from when you design/paint?
Inspiration is a hard word because I think people often feel that artists and designers have a moment when they are inspired when its much more cumulative.

Tasmanian Guston #1
500x600mm Oil on board 
photo by Joy Lai
 
What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?
I honestly can’t answer that – I would like to say resilient even though it doesn’t sound very much like
  
Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?
First artwork to be exhibited was part of Art Express at the Art Gallery of NSW but job wise I guess if you are talking design it was with the 11th hour advertising and was something of a baptism by fire as I knew nothing about computers.

Describe a typical day in your studio space?
There isn’t really a typical day it depends on the project being created.

As a Solo Artist, what is your biggest frustration?
Juggling the administrative side of my practice with making the work.


 Glenfield Commuter carpark -
Sculptural facade northern wall 3 storey carpark wall
Pic Perf Steel fabrication

Tell us about how you prioritise your studio work.
In the past I didn’t I just hoped it all came together but more often than not it didn’t so now I use a spreadsheet – dull as that - I create a timeline of dates and work to that – exhibitions, competitions and anything else art related all in one spreadsheet – the whole years worth.

Since you are working at home, can you please tell us about how do you connect with other artists, and your customers (i.e. how do you network)?
Networking in an art context is hard as working in the studio on your own used to mean exhibitions were the main means of networking, but now a lot of networking for want of a better term is done through the web – through social networking and artists networks online.

What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions?
I am not sure I am the right person to offer anyone advice other than to say try to avoid the clichés that surround artists, the romanticism.

 Summer Lovin’ – 
Presidential Suite…we the people 
530x720mm Collage (framed) 
photo by Joy Lai

What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?
To be able to keep doing what I am doing and for it to gain momentum so that I could be in a position where I didn’t have to work on anything other than my art practice.

What is your proudest moment so far?
Probably recently, seeing a collaborative work with Desginer Silvija Lomanaite, completed when a 3 storey sculptural façade was built in Sydney’s western suburb of Glenfield as part of the South East Rail network expansion currently being undertaken by the NSW State Government.

Who do you most want to meet and why?
Too many to mention…

 
 Anniversary plates,
from left Wood, Silver Gold 300mm diameter 
each Vinyl on vinyl
photo by Joy Lai

What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?
Autobiography by Barbara Steiner and Jun Yang – it’s a collection of artists talking about how identity plays into their work. The most incredible book I have read recently is The Tall Man by Chloe Hooper about Cameron Doomadgees death on Palm Island but its about so much more. If you want an insight into the legacy of colonialism in Australia.

Where do we find you and your artworks? 
I have a website which has downloadable pdf portfolios of my work at
and a recent autobiographical photographic project blog at
you can find more images at http://www.visualarts .net.au/gallery/mpreston

Monday, September 27, 2010

Inspirational Quote of The Week!

"Choose a Job You Love and You Will Never Have to Work a day in Your Life."

- Confucius

Thursday, September 23, 2010

Part 3. Selecting the Right Marketing Strategy for your Design Practice


Now that you know how to reach your ideal customer it’s time to consider what marketing strategies you might use to get your message across. (And if you missed the last two chapters, please click on the below links)
        
 Marketing Series: Define your Niche  & Ideal customer
  • Chapter1
          Selecting the best sales distribution channels for your design business
  • Chapter 2
          The Farmer & The Fisherman


Here is a list of 19 different, but certainly not exhaustive, strategies you could consider:

  • Advertising (Radio, television, radio, print)
  • Affiliates and joint ventures
  • Affinity marketing
  • Barter
  • Catalogue marketing
  • Collaborative partners
  • Contra
  • Direct marketing
  • Event marketing
  • Frequent buyer programs
  • Internet
  • Newsletter
  • Outdoor media
  • Point of purpose (POP) and point of sale (POS)
  • Place based media
  • Promotions and cross promotions
  • Public relations (PR)
  • Referrals & Word of Mouth
  • Signage
That’s a lot of choice! The great news is you don’t have to use them all. In fact, just as with the seven distribution channels, you’ll usually find that just one or two of these methods will prove to be the most effective for your design practice in terms of both cost and response.

And as you test and measure the effectiveness of each strategy you’ll build the information you need to make that decision far easier. Once you have your lead generating strategy in place you’ll need to develop a tactical plan for the process.

So tune in for the next step “Choosing the Right Marketing Tactics for your Fashion Design Practice” in the next Wednesday.

And if you can’t wait till next week...

Come along to these workshops in Sydney this month:

Transition from Full Time Employment to Self Employment

Saturday 25th September 10am Free Event - Book here http://bit.ly/cQir1d

Thursday 30th September 7.30pm Free Event - Book here http://bit.ly/9Npqix

Cash Flow Concepts for Creative Professionals

Saturday 25th September 1.30pm Free Event - Book here http://bit.ly/9gHBuG

Tuesday 28th September 7.30pm Free Event - Book here http://bit.ly/aW8VIK

Co-Working for Creative Professionals & Solopreneurs


Wednesday 29th September 7.30pm Free Event- Book here http://bit.ly/cZowuG

Want to know more about "Co-Working"; how it operates, and what it's all about? Looking to network with other solo small business operators and creative professionals?

You can always contact Vinh for a no cost, no obligation coaching session on  0410 636 138.
Click here:

www.quantumcompass.com.au/free-coaching.php )

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Quantum Compass- ArtSHINE workshops during Small Business September 2010


Don't Miss Out Your Creative Business Workshops

It's Only Two Weeks Left to go!

 


Quantum Compass-ArtSHINE is running  three business workshops/ Seminars for Creative Professionals. There are limited seats available so secure you booking now!.



  • Transition from Full Time Employment to Self Employment
    25 Sep 2010 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
    284 Harris Street Pyrmont, 2009
    Free of Charge
    Are you: * Working full time but not sure for how much longer? * Wondering how to turn your passion, hobby, or skills into real income? * Ready to be your own boss but not quite sure where's the best place to start?

  • Cash Flow Concepts for Creative Professionals
    25 Sep 2010 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM
    284 Harris Street Pyrmont, 2009
    Free of Charge
    Cash Flow - The life blood of any business. Discover the 7 key steps to ensuring the cash flows in your creative art & design practice.

  • Cash Flow Concepts for Creative Professionals
    28 Sep 2010 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    284 Harris Street Pyrmont, 2009
    Free of Charge
    Cash Flow - The life blood of any business. Discover the 7 key steps to ensuring the cash flows in your creative art & design practice.

  • Co-Working for Creative Professionals & Solopreneurs
    29 Sep 2010 7:30 PM - 8:30 PM
    284 Harris Street Pyrmont, 2009
    Free of Charge
    Want to know more about "Co-Working"; how it operates, and what it's all about? Looking to network with other solo small business operators and creative professionals?

  • Transition from Full Time Employment to Self Employment
    30 Sep 2010 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
    284 Harris Street Pyrmont, 2009
    Free of Charge
    Are you: * Working full time but not sure for how much longer? * Wondering how to turn your passion, hobby, or skills into real income? * Ready to be your own boss but not quite sure where's the best place to start?

Tuesday, September 21, 2010

Close Up with Fashion Designer Madeline Tait




 
Effortless Style by Madeline Tait 


Tell us a little about yourself and what you do.
I am originally from New Zealand but have been living in Sydney for the past 2 and half years building my portfolio and experience in the fashion industry. Over the past year I have been building the foundations for my own brand and have successfully completed my first collection in time to show at Fashion Palette on the 8th of October at the overseas passenger terminal.
My designs are about effortless style, mixing and matching and versatility.
Pieces are designed to be worn together or separate depending on the occasion whether it be day or night.
The designs have unique features that help them to stand out above the crowd but still follow trends in colours and silhouettes.
By Madeline Tait Copyright
Who (or what) inspires you to do what you love in your own creative business?
 I have always been inspired by art and films and a lot of my inspiration is pulled from my favourite movies and artists. I am also heavily inspired by the leaders of this industry such as Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood and Gucci.
They inspire me  to be at their level some day. Its like a sort of goal for me to reach.

Where do you get your inspiration from when you design/paint?
 Firstly I get inspiration and ideas from trends and street style then I create my own story that incorporates elements from these trends combined with the things I love.

By Madeline Tait Copyright


What are the five words that people who know you would use to describe you?
 Passionate, Driven, Honest, Focused and Organised

Tell us about your very first job and what path have you taken since then?
I started working in cafes/restaurants when I was 13, it wasn’t until I finished my Fashion Design Degree that I landed a job with a small boutique in my home town. I was sewing, designing and running the shop. It was great experience and I learnt  a lot  in a short amount of time and it kind of prepared me for bigger and better things to come. After 4 months I decided I need to follow my dreams so I moved to Sydney in hope for an opportunity to expand my knowledge. The rest is history…
By Madeline Tait Copyright
 
Describe a typical day in your studio space?
Well I work full time for another designer and that consumes most of my time, but I have managed to create this collection by working in the mornings, evenings and weekends. I get up at 6AM  and work for a couple of hours before heading to work and then I come home at about 6.30PM cook dinner for me and my boyfriend, rest for about half an hour and then get back into it sometimes working until 1AM.
This has been my cycle for the past 8 months.

As an Fashion Designer, what is your biggest frustration?
At this stage my biggest frustration is not having enough time and man power, and from experience working within bigger companies the same things always happen, we are always working down to the last minute with minimal staff.
 
By Madeline Tait Copyright
  
Tell us about how you prioritise your studio work.
 I set out a deadline at the beginning of the season to complete each different stage of the process. I work closely to these deadlines and follow the flow of work as it comes. Each step flows on to the next and its just a matter of continuously working so as not to fall behind.

Jarome Roach & Madeline Tait
Since you are working at home, can you please tell us about how do you connect with other artists, and your customers (i.e. how do you network)?
Facebook is my main point of contact with other creative’s from this industry. I have connected with models, hair stylists, buyers, photographers all through this social networking site. It has been a great way for me to get my name and designs seen by others in the fashion industry. I am also connected with other industry professionals through a few specifically fashion websites like http://www.modelmayhem.com/ and http://www.door121.com/.

Tell us about your next fashion parade with Fashion Palette in October?
I have been selected to be a part of this fashion debut along with 20 other designers from all different sectors of the industry such as jewellery, shoe, handbag and menswear/women’s wear designers. We each have a show allocated to us to have total creative freedom in styling and choreography. The shows are part of a 2 day event run by Director Sonya Mefaddi who’s vision is to share the worldly knowledge of industry professionals with the general public. I volunteered with the event last year and it was a truly amazing experience and the stories that were told by some of this countries best designer’s were very touching and many made the audience weep. Overall this event is about helping undiscovered talent to flourish in an ever competitive industry.

By Madeline Tait Copyright
 
What advice can you offer other creative people who are just starting out and following their passions?
You should never lose sight of your vision, your dreams and personal flair. People will always put you down and tell you cant do it but if you believe in yourself you will outshine them. You also need to tame your creativity to suit current trends and your customer. Get as much experience as you can before venturing into your own endeavours. The more background knowledge you have the easier it will be to start your own label.

What dreams do you still want to achieve or fulfil in your life?
My dreams are to be on par with the industry leaders, my goal is to get as high as I can so that there is know where else to go. I want to be the best and if takes my whole life to get there then that’s what I will do. I want to create a fashion empire, I want to change the way people dress, I want to be responsible for creating a worldwide trend. It’s a dream that I will achieve.
By Madeline Tait Copyright
What is your proudest moment so far?
Every step I have moved forward is a proud moment for me, I haven’t basked in the glory and wont until I have achieved greatness and worldwide domination.

Who do you most want to meet and why?
I would have loved to meet Alexander McQueen but unfortunately he has now passed away. He was my hero and his designs were the most creative and beautiful. His designs were from his heart. Next choice would probably be John Galliano another world great who is so unique and such a leader in his own right.

By Madeline Tait Copyright
What is the most important lesson in life that you have learned?
Never give up, be happy with what you have for the moment because if your dreams are strong enough you know you will rise up. All the little jobs you have before becoming your own boss will help to shape your career. You will always meet people for a reason and they will always share some knowledge with you that will stick with you for ever.

What book are you reading right now, and do you have a book you would like to recommend?
I am not reading at the moment and the last book I read was the Twilight series, I haven’t time to read but I would always recommend the celestine prophecy as a must read for every individual. It will make you more aware of the life around you and what you make of it.
  Effortless Style 
By Madeline Tait Copyright
Where do we find you and your products?
The collection I am working on is to be dropped into stores early next year for Winter 2011. As of yet I do not have buyers but am on the look out and will hopefully be stocked in high fashion boutiques in Australia and New Zealand. I will also be launching an online store to sell this winter 2011 collection. Follow my brand on facebook for regular updates and product information.


Monday, September 20, 2010

Inspirational Quote of The Week!

"Faith is Taking The First Step Even When You Don't See The Whole Staircase."

- Martin Lurther King Jr.

Friday, September 17, 2010

Tips for creating paid search advertising on line

Image from Multi streams marketing

1.Decide on the keywords- see document on “Tip for creating keywords for your website” for help on this step.

2.Create a grabbing headline

If using a paid search program such as Google Adwords, you will be given 25 characters to create a headline that grabs attention quickly.

The headline should include one or more of the keywords you are bidding for as this will increase relevance to the person searching and hence the likelihood they will click on your ad.

3.Descriptive text should have a strong call to action

4.When you are writing your ad text, it’s very important to be specific, clear and relevant to the keywords. Use the 2 lines pf descriptive text (35 characters per line) to sell your offer and encourage the visitor to click through to your website or webpage.

5.Provide an appropriate URL

The URL is where you want people to land when they click on your ad. This may be not always be your homepage. If your ad promotes a discount offer, it would be better to direct people to a particular page relating to that offer or product. This page is generally referred as a “landing page’ or a “squeeze page”.

For best results, the ad should have the actual keyword near the beginning, then perhaps a special offer or feature, the company name, and a link to the page on your site that you want customers to visit.

To increase leads or sales, you may wish to make it easier for visitors to request a quote, make an inquiry or purchase directly from the page where you have chosen to direct them.

6.Measure and track performance

Finally, no activity is worth doing unless you measure its results against your set objectives. Most paid search advertising providers have readily available data on your paid search campaign including which adverts or keywords are performing better. This also gives you an opportunity to refine your adverts to maximise result



Thursday, September 16, 2010

Gmail Mail "Priority Inbox "



Are you sick of looking at you inbox and you have so many unread emails. Are you overwhelmed with the whole thing? and don't know which email to read first?

Email is great, except when there’s too much of it. Priority Inbox automatically identifies your important email and separates it out from everything else, so you can focus on what really matters.

To learn more about "Priority Inbox Beta". CHeck out the video below  courtesy from Gmail by Google.

Enjoy the video!

Wednesday, September 15, 2010

Tips for creating keywords for your Website




Getting  traffic and increasing traffic to your website are  on going  processes that usually  involve Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and Search Engine Marketing (SEM).

So what is SEO?

Search Engine Optimisation is a marketing technique of assisting a website to enhance its chances of being ranked in the top results of a search engine once a relevant search is undertaken. 

And what is SEM?

Search engine marketing, is an Internet marketing that helps to promote websites by increasing their visibility in search engine result pages (SERPs) through the use of search engine optimization, paid placement, contextual advertising, and paid inclusion

Whichever marketing tool you have selected, it is best to begin with set of search phrases or keywords.  You may already know that there are many providers and free online tools available to assist you to do this.On line tool like "Google" has one of the best tool to help you to get start. However, for a successful marketing campaign you will still need to  personally select the keywords  that are most appropriate to your design business. Those Keyword you have selected need to specifically described the nature of your business.

Here are some tips on creating and selecting keywords:

1.  Decide on the marketing objective-this may have an impact on how your structure your keywords

For example, if the objective is to simply generate more leads, you may create a list of generic keywords that you know are popular for your design practice.

However, if the objective is to generate more qualified leads or sales, then the list might be more specific and targeted to a specific customer type.

2.    Create an initial list
Firstly, identify phrases and terms that describe the main categories of your design business.

Write down every relevant keyword under each category you’ve defined. Remember to think like your customers so wear "the customer hat" on and start listing. What terms or phrases would your customers use to describe your product or service?

3.    Group similar keywords

Group your keywords based commonalities such as product type, services, location, customer type or other categories.

4.    To ensure the traffic coming through to your site is a closer to match to your offering, it is best to delete any genetic keywords on your list that could relate to a wide spectrum of products or services.

For example, the keyword “fashion” for a fashion store is likely to be too generic to generate genuine sales leads. 

Also eliminate keywords that are irrelevant or obscure from your list.




Pure Leverage

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