The Creative Flow Podcast

Let's talk about three three packaging trends for product-based businesses.

Most retail products will need some form of packaging. Retail packaging tells the customer about the product, the company that made it and most importantly - protects the product!

Packaging can cover everything from boxes to fit the product in, swing tags, hangers, tissue paper, stickers, leaflets and postal packaging.

All of these elements are a way to tell your customers more about your business and brand story.

Your packaging can make your products stand out on a shelf or add that extra element of delight when a customer opens their parcel when they have bought online. So it's always worth considering what your packaging is whether you sell in a brick and mortar shop, wholesale or online.

So today I'm going to discuss three packaging trends to inspire you, consider in your product development process and also factor into your marketing strategy.

As always I have curated a visually inspiring Pinterest board featuring these three packaging trends for you to browse.

Let me know which trend appeals to you the most over on Instagram @arnoldandbird.

Welcome back to the podcast and the first episode is about connecting to your intuition plus it includes a guided meditation!

Let me know your thoughts on Instagram @arnoldandbird

Christmas is a busy time for anyone, especially if you're running a business. Make time for just a few minutes to breathe and clear your mind. It will help to focus your mind, relax you and make you feel able to take on the tasks today and tomorrow.

Take a seat or lie down in a space you can relax in for a few moments for this Christmas meditation.

Let me know your thoughts on Instagram @arnoldandbird

Today I wanted to share more about creating a brand mood board and why doing so helps your business.

Whether you're working with a designer to create your brand, doing it yourself or want some visual clarity on what your business is all about. A brand mood board is what you need!

Mood boards help you get clarity and visualise your style, purpose and direction. It's not about just putting pretty images together but creating a visual story that focuses your ideas in a cohesive way.

Meaning a brand mood board will help the design process. Often meaning less design revisions as you and your designer (even if that is you!) are on the same page visually at the start of the process.

Let me know your thoughts on Instagram @arnoldandbird

Full show notes

Welcome to episode 44 and we're going to be covering mindset advice today and how to show yourself kindness and compassion even when you're busy working away. Be this at Christmas, in the lead up to a launch or during the school holidays.

This is especially important as we can get so busy. Taking time out to check in with ourselves falls by the wayside first. And this is the time it is needed the most!

Let me know your thoughts on Instagram @arnoldandbird

Full show notes

The next Mother's Day is on Sunday 22 March, meaning it's time to start thinking about Mother's Day 2020 trends!

I'll be discussing three overarching themes, key materials & patterns as well as product types you can create.

As with all the trend podcasts there is a Pinterest board to accompany the episode.

www.pinterest.co.uk/arnoldandbird/2020-mothers-day-trends

Let me know your thoughts on Instagram @arnoldandbird

Full show notes

Today on the podcast it's a body scan meditation to help let go of anxiety. So you can ease out any niggles or areas of tension

Take a seat or lie down in a space you can relax in for a few moments and listen to this body scan meditation.

Let me know your thoughts on Instagram @arnoldandbird

Full show notes

Welcome to episode 45 and today I'd love to discuss with you why you need to get to know your ideal customer.

If you're running a business, it's vital to know who your customer is and keep them front of mind at all times. This way you'll understand their likes, needs and wants in life and understand your customer's decision-making process. And what is influencing this outside of interacting with your business.

Your customer is a 360-degree person who is buying from other companies and listening to them too. It's important to remember this when you're competing for their attention.

The benefits of knowing your customer means you will develop products or services that fit their needs and goals in life. You can work out how to solve their problems and improve their lifestyle. And you can talk directly to them in your product descriptions, website copy, marketing messages and branding.

Which is why you need to get specific with this. You don't want to be too broad when creating your customer profile and don't say that 'everyone' will buy your product as they won't. Talking to everyone means that nobody ends up listening or falling in love with your brand. If you get personal and talk to one individual it means more people will listen. Which results in creating true fans for your business.

We'll be covering key questions to ask yourself to help you find your ideal customer!

Let me know your thoughts on Instagram @arnoldandbird

Full show notes

In depth Get to know your customer workbook

Today's is a quickie all about how to easily remind yourself everyday of how amazing you are. Perfect for when you need a pick me up. Whether that be from being in a bit of a funk, suffering from anxiety or you just want to feel really amped up for a new project you're embarking on!

Let me know your thoughts on Instagram @arnoldandbird

Full show notes

It's time to start thinking about 2020 Valentine's Day trends!

If you're a retail business then getting ahead is really beneficial and means you can get some of your product development out of the way before Christmas.

I'm sharing three 2020 Valentine's Day trends with you today that tap into the bigger macro trends that are influencing your customer's behaviour.

And remember you can use these themes for weddings, anniversaries and couple gifts too so there are lots of potential ideas to tap into.

As with all the trends I share on the podcast, there's an accompanying Pinterest board. Look through the board as you're listening to get an extra dose of visual inspiration or go back and see what you love later.

www.pinterest.co.uk/arnoldandbird/2020-valentines-day-trends

Let me know your thoughts on Instagram @arnoldandbird

Full show notes