The 5 Minute Business Boost®

Creative talent is only part of the equation, artists also need visibility, confidence and practical business skills to grow sustainably.

In this episode of the 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam shares five key lessons artists can learn from creative business workshops delivered across regional Victoria.

From photographing artwork properly and telling the story behind your work, to social media, pricing and building confidence as a creative business owner — this episode is packed with practical insights for artists, makers and creatives.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why storytelling matters in selling artwork
• Simple photography tips for showcasing your art
• How to make social media feel manageable
• The real challenges behind pricing creative work
• Why artists need small business skills too

Perfect for artists, makers, creatives, market stall holders and anyone building a creative practice.

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If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show.

Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session.

New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly.

Follow along on social media @samhickscomau and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

From Search to Success: Elevating Your Business’s Online Visibility

Online visibility has changed — and small businesses can no longer rely on just having a website and hoping customers find them.

In this episode, Sam explores the changing world of SEO, GEO, Google Business, social media and AI tools, and what small businesses actually need to focus on in 2026 to stay visible online.

From Google rankings and reviews through to AI-generated search results and social media discovery, this episode breaks down the practical things businesses can do right now to improve their digital presence without getting overwhelmed.

What You’ll Learn:

• Why Google Business still matters enormously
• The difference between SEO and GEO explained simply
• How AI tools are changing online search
• Why social media is now a search engine
• How to use AI tools without losing your authentic voice
• Simple ways to improve your online visibility this week

A practical episode for small business owners wanting to stay visible, relevant and easier to find online.

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If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show.

Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session.

New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly.

Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible..

In this episode of the 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam shares insights from the 2025 “Artful Engagement: Social Media & Brand Building for Creatives” workshop series delivered with Yea Arts.

This episode explores the realities of social media for artists, makers and creatives — without the fluff, overwhelm or pressure to become a full-time influencer.

From building an artistic brand to sharing process, consistency and using AI tools without losing authenticity, this is a practical conversation designed to help creatives promote their work with more confidence.

What You’ll Learn

• Why your process is often more engaging than the finished artwork
• How consistency beats perfection online
• The importance of building a recognisable creative brand
• Why artists don’t need to be on every social platform
• Where AI can help creatives — and where your voice still matters
• Simple ways to connect with audiences without feeling “salesy”

If your arts group, gallery, council or creative network would like to host an “Artful Engagement” workshop in your region or online, get in touch with Sam Hicks via samhicks.com.au

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If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show.

Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session.

New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly.

Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

In this episode of the 5-Minute Business Boost, Sam talks about the old business saying “stick to your knitting” or is her saying...? And why it still matters for small businesses today.

From competing against nearly 20 ceramic studios within a 20-kilometre radius in the 1980s, to today’s world of endless trends, reels, AI tools and shiny marketing distractions, this episode explores the importance of staying focused on your point of difference.

Because customers don’t need you to do everything.

They need to clearly understand what you do well.

If you’ve ever felt pulled in too many directions by trends, competitors or marketing noise — this episode is your reminder to get back to what makes your business memorable.

If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show.

Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session.

New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly.

Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

Websites don’t need to be complicated to work—but they do need to be clear.

In this episode, Sam breaks down the difference between SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) and GEO (Generative Engine Optimisation) in plain English.

With search shifting towards AI-driven results, it’s no longer just about being found on Google it’s about being understood and recommended by AI tools as well.

This episode walks through what actually matters on your website, how WordPress plugins can support you behind the scenes, and how to use AI to create content that is searchable, useful, and still sounds like you.

If your website feels a bit “set and forget”… this is your reset.

If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show.

Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session.

New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly.

Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible..

AI can write your Facebook posts—but only if you give it the right direction.

In this episode, Sam breaks down the 10 simple questions your AI needs answered before it generates content, so your posts actually connect, sound like you, and drive action.

If your content has been feeling a bit “meh,” this is your fix, less fluff, more strategy, and better results from the tools you’re already using.

If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review, it helps more people find the show.

Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session.

New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly.

Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

Small businesses aren’t going under because of one big expense anymore, it’s the slow bleed of subscriptions.

In this episode, Sam unpacks how $10, $30, and $99 monthly tools quietly stack up and eat into profit, often without businesses even realising it.

From design software to SEO tools, scheduling platforms to AI subscriptions — it all adds up.

The good news? Most businesses don’t need more tools… they need better decisions.

What You’ll Learn

• Why subscription creep is one of the biggest hidden costs in small business
• The shift from owning software to renting everything
• How to decide whether to build, buy, or borrow tools
• Real examples of cutting costs without losing capability
• Practical swaps to reduce your monthly spend immediately
• A simple 10-minute audit to review your subscriptions

If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show.

Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session.

New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly.

Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

In this episode of 5 Minute Business Boost, Sam dives into one of the most overlooked (and underestimated) parts of showcasing your work — framing.

Based on a hands-on workshop series delivered with Yea Arts across 2025, this episode explores how artists, makers and small business owners can better capture their work through photography and video using tools they already have — whether that’s a smartphone or an SLR camera.

The big takeaway:

Framing isn’t about being perfect. It’s about being intentional — so your work is seen, understood, and valued the way it should be.

Want to go further?

This episode is based on a practical, hands-on workshop designed to help artists and creatives confidently photograph and film their work for social media, websites, and marketing.

Want a workshop in your patch? Reach out.

If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show.

Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session.

New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly.

Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

In this episode, Sam talks through what community-led recovery really means on the ground following the 2026 Longwood fires in Murrindindi Shire.

Moving beyond theory, this episode unpacks the reality of recovery in rural communities — from large-scale agricultural losses to the emotional impact of losing homes, landscapes and long-held landmarks.

Key insights include:

• What community-led recovery (CLR) actually is — and why it matters
• The scale of impact from the Longwood fires, including livestock, fencing and economic losses
• Why fencing — not buildings — is one of the biggest barriers to recovery
• The real and ongoing business impact across small communities
• How grief shows up in disaster recovery (and why it’s not linear)
• Why every community recovers differently depending on landscape, demographics and loss
• What recovery actually looks like on the ground — one step, one paddock, one conversation at a time

This is a practical, honest reflection from someone living and working within the recovery — not observing it from the outside.

If you’ve ever wondered what recovery really involves, or how communities rebuild after disaster, this episode gives you a clear and grounded perspective.

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If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, or community group and leave a review — it helps more people find the show.

Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session.

New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly.

Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

After a bit of radio silence, I’m back — and this episode explains why.

From end-of-year burnout to the impact of the Longwood fires, this wasn’t a planned break… it was a necessary one.

In this episode, I share what stepping back taught me, what’s changing this year, and how I’m approaching business differently.

We also talk about the current pressure on small and regional businesses — rising costs, interest rates, fuel, and shifting customer behaviour — and the two paths I’m seeing: knuckle down or have the tough conversations around pricing and sustainability.

If you’ve been feeling stretched or unsure about your next move, this one’s for you.

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If you enjoyed this episode, hit subscribe, share it with another small business owner, and leave a review — it helps more people find the show.

Head to the website to sign up for the 5-Minute Business Boost newsletter, or explore how we can work together across consulting, marketing strategy, social media, workshops, mentoring, or a focused 1-hour session.

New podcast episodes drop weekly every Wednesday at 10 am and newsie now monthly.

Follow along on social media @samhickscomau — and remember, in small business, anything is possible.

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