We often don’t want to talk about it – but as creative business owners most of us would like to increase our profits through closing more sales. But how on earth do we do that without feeling grubby!?

 

My guest for episode 39 is Ian Genius and he believes improving your sales in your business is not about old school techniques and it’s not giving the hard sell. It’s about educating your clients so they make a better choice, getting tangible with numbers and not getting in our own way.

 

This episode is packed full of gems that you can take away and action in your business and ultimately will re frame what it means to sell.

 

Our conversation explores:

 

Focussing on the solution that solves your client’s problem

 

What having effective conversations in our business actually means

 

Working out the ROI of your services and using that information to secure more work

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You can connect with Ian on LinkedIn and through his website at www.iangenius.co.uk

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This episode is sponsored by The Creative Collective – the online networking group for creative businesses. You can sign up here for free! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creative-collective-tickets-299305188877

For episode 38 we have the warm, funny and sage like music composer Michael Coltham!

 

We have a brilliant conversation and touch on these topics:

 

Why everybody needs a battle to fight, an adventure to live and a beauty to save

Learning to love the anxiety that comes from a blank sheet of paper

When to bin your bad ideas and start again

Running a value based business

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You can connect with Michael online here:

@michaelcolthammusic on Insta

www.blacklabmusic.co.uk

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 This episode is sponsored by The Creative Collective – the online networking group for creative businesses. You can sign up here for free! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creative-collective-tickets-299305188877

For episode 37 of Squaring The Circle we have another, but very different Creative Collective Mastermind session. We recorded this during Mental Health Awareness week in May with the focus on how we support ourselves with regards to mental health but it just so happened that for the first time it was an all male group. Even with the seemingly progressive attitude towards mental health, I don’t think it is any secret that men still find it tough to chat openly about the subject. So we saw this as an opportunity to share our thoughts, the difficulties we face and coping strategies we use.

What you’re about to hear is a searingly honest conversation where we all put down the barriers and lend a listening ear to one another. We were hesitant about releasing this episode due to how private some of the shared thoughts were – but feel it is only with these kind of chats – gradually the dial is moved and the mental health stigma can be worn away.

A huge thank you to Martin Whiskin, Michael Coltham, Matt Read, Simon Wells, Quinton Quayle, Sean Anthony and Nick Field for contributing to what I hope is a valuable conversation.

Our chat explores:

 

How we manage our mental health

Getting lost in the process of life

How being employed and self employed alters your mental health

Using a community to aid your mental health

 

*Also, a quick warning – due to the nature of the conversation - attempting suicide is mentioned and discussed*

 

If you're struggling with your mental health at the moment the below charities are set up to help:

https://www.mind.org.uk/

https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

https://mentalhealth-uk.org/

-------------------------------------------------------------------------This episode is sponsored by The Creative Collective – the online networking group for creative businesses. You can sign up here for free! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creative-collective-tickets-299305188877

Fresh from Glastonbury!!!! For episode 36 we have the wonderful duo of Bonnie and Pete AKA Good Habits! 

 

We have a chat that touches on these topics:

 

Making a living purely from touring

The song writing process

Life on tour as a couple

Seeing a band as a micro business

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You can connect with the band on Insta @goodhabitsband or www.goodhabitsband.com

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This episode is sponsored by The Creative Collective – the online networking group for creative businesses. You can sign up here for free! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creative-collective-tickets-299305188877

For episode 35 I’m joined by actor and creative coach Corrie Legge!

 

Topics for our conversation include:

The difference between a goal and a target for your creative business

The benefits of an accountability partner

Prioritising your passion projects

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You can connect with Connie online here: www.creatingwithcorrie.com or on Insta @creatingwithcorrie

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This episode is sponsored by The Creative Collective – the online networking group for creative businesses. You can sign up here for free! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creative-collective-tickets-299305188877

For episode 34 I have clothes designer, artist and owner of The Quarter Masters in Folkestone, Colin White.

 

Our conversation covers:

 

The art of brevity

Trusting your instincts

What you would do if you knew you couldn’t fail

The benefits of giving up alcohol

 

The chat also has a mention of Gordan Ramsey’s Kitchen Nightmares – which is something I never thought I would say in the show notes!!

 

You can connect with Colin on Insta @thequartermasters and you can check out his clothes at www.qm.clothing

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This episode is sponsored by The Creative Collective – the online networking group for creative businesses. You can sign up here for free! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creative-collective-tickets-299305188877

We’re back with another Creative Collective mastermind session -  a roundtable format where creative business owners support one another and talk openly and honestly about the challenges they face.

 

This episode features the powerful Dennis Lewis from Wise on Words, voice over artist Sean Anthony, business videographer Alex Durham, actor Nick Field, Alissia Clifton from Burnt Toast Solutions, Matt Read from Yesseo, Quinton Qualye from Quayle Industries and voice over artist Martin Whiskin.

 

We chat about:

 

The biggest blockers in your creative business

Confidence in your ability - as a creative

Responding to the client that present the ‘red flags’

Outsourcing as a freelancer

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This episode is sponsored by The Creative Collective – the online networking group for creative businesses. You can sign up here for free! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creative-collective-tickets-299305188877

For episode 32 I’m joined by the wonderful voice over artist Liz Drury!

 

Topics include in our conversation:

 

Harnessing natural talent

How to improve your email marketing

How to network successfully

Dealing with the uncertainty of being unemployed

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You can connect with Liz online here:

www.lizdrury.co.uk

Instagram -  @lizdruryvo

LinkedIn – Liz Drury

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This episode is sponsored by The Creative Collective – the online networking group for creative businesses. You can sign up here for free! https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creative-collective-tickets-299305188877

For episode 31 my guest is multi-disciplinary artist Shanel Richardson! 

 

Main topics covered in the conversation are: 

 

The pitfalls of comparison

How to handle the tough times in business

Anxiety about your creativity evaporating

Being a generalist rather than a specialist

Thanks to Shanel for being a positivity powerhouse! I came off the chat feeling like I could take on the world! 

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Connect with Shanel @ shandwich_artist online on all the main social media platforms!

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This episode is sponsored by The Creative Collective – the online networking group for creative businesses. You can sign on here for free!

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creative-collective-tickets-299305188877

For episode 30 of Squaring The Circle I’m delighted to say that Sean Tucker is my guest.

Anybody who has had any interest in creativity and photography will have seen Sean’s videos on YouTube and over the last 8 years he has gained over 500k subscribers for his channel. Sean has also recently released his book ‘The Meaning in the Making’ which explores a philosophy for a creative life.

However, this conversation is so much more than talking subscribers and book sales.

Topics we discuss:

Making compromises in your creative business

Having a ‘through line’ that underpins everything in your life and business

How an artist can make a living from having 1000 true fans

How big numbers doesn’t necessarily mean success

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You can find Sean's YouTube channel @seantuck and his book The Meaning in the Making wherever you find books online. 

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This episode is sponsored by The Creative Collective – the online networking group for creative businesses. You can sign on here for free!

 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-creative-collective-tickets-299305188877