For more business development events, advice, resources and training please visit: Talent Development, Crafts Council UK craftscouncil.org.uk Culture+ at theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk

the ARTs DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

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HOW TO USE THIS PLANNERWhatever stage you are in your practice it is always worth reflecting on how far you have come and what you still need to put in place to enable your practice to grow. We recommend you utilise this planner each year to set some achievable targets

TOP TIP!Keep these planners for future years so you can reflect back on your goals and see how much you have achieved.

We recommend setting immediate; short and long term goals. Setting goals can always be done at any time of the year. Our recommendation to any planning is to do a quick review of your practice; establish elements that are missing or need development; then as an outcome set some short and long term goals to help you focus and get to where you want to be with your business.

SET GOALSDon’t plan ahead for planning sake; make sure you set targets that will help you achieve your short (and long term) goals. Make sure these targets are manageable within your own time and resources; and be responsible for instigating them.

Make sure the targets are time bound and set actions to do throughout your plan to help you reach your goals.

BE REALISTIC TAKE ACTIONIf you need help with motivation, chat to friends; family or fellow makers to help you navigate and create your actions for the next few months. We recommend you set up an accountability partner with another maker (this could be a maker in your studio group or a member of an organisation you are joined to); this helps support you with your practice and helps you stay focused.

Documenting information on your business operation will help you plan short and long term and compare progress year on year e.g.

• Associated costs to your practice• Time to produce a new design• Potential marketing opportunities

and selling outlets.

RECORD DATA

Remember your brand is what people say about you and your business when you are not in the room. Focus on two crucial points:

• Your story (who you are and what you make)

• Your target audience (who will buy and sell your product).

BRANDING

Your online profile is your digital business card.

• Do not overcrowd it with irrelevant information

• Create a simple and professional profile for selectors, journalists and e-commerce.

HAVE AN ONLINE PRESENCE

(e.g. galleries; retailers or online) to reach your audience.

• Are you presenting your brand in line with the outlet you have chosen?

• Are your prices competitive?• Research first and ideally

visit before applying.

TARGET THE RIGHT MARKETS

Good images are crucial for presenting your creative practice. Three basic rules:

• Keep background plain and consistent

• Introduce scale such as props or models

• Include image captions.

TAKE GOOD PHOTOS

Whether considering IP (Intellectual Property) or contracts;

• Date your images • Follow up face to face or phone

conversations with an email • Keep copies of correspondence.

KEEP A PAPER TRAIL

Having a deadline to work towards whether it’s a training event; selling opportunity or networking event, can help keep you focused and motivated.

SIGN UP TO AN EVENT

Good event project management is all about planning backwards. Set a date and plot what needs to be done and when.

PLAN BACKWARDS

• Think of creative ways you can entice your target audience to choose you over another maker?

• Work with fellow makers or industry experts to help you overcome a creative or business block.

WANT TO BE NOTICED? THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX

It is hard to say no to opportunities when they come along, especially when starting out. If unsure, take time to think and look back at goals.

• Will it benefit your business growth or your creative development?

• If an opportunity sounds too good to be true, it often is!

YOU DON’T HAVE TO SAY YES TO EVERYTHING

Follow; tweet; attend; chat!

• Get to know those that talk and influence decisions in the marketplace

• Don’t forget other makers; learn from their experiences and career pathway.

BROADEN YOUR CONNECTIONS

PRICING RIGHT

So many artists and makers do not include profit when working out their artist (wholesale) price; without profit your business cannot sustain or grow.

Costs (overheads + materials + time) x 2 (your profit) = wholesale price x 2.5 = RRP (recommended retail price).

Overheads = all operating costs for your business except materials, such as rent, equipment or business cards.

the ARTs DEVELOPMENT COMPANY

Funded by:

CREATIVE YEAR PLANNER craftscouncil.org.uk theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk

MARCH

FEBRUARY

APRIL

JANUARY

JULY

JUNE

AUGUST

MAY

CREATIVE YEAR PLANNER craftscouncil.org.uk theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk

NOVEMBER

OCTOBER

DECEMBER

SEPTEMBER

CREATIVE YEAR PLANNER craftscouncil.org.uk theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk

JANUARY FEBRUARY MARCH

APRIL MAY JUNE

OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

JULY AUGUST SEPTEMBER

CREATIVE YEAR PLANNER craftscouncil.org.uk theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk

TOP Drawer/CRAFTLondon, Trade onlywww.topdrawer.co.uk

Maison et ObjetParis, Trade onlywww.maison-objet.com/en

JANUARYNew York NowNew York, USA, Retail & Tradewww.nynow.com

CollectLondonwww.craftscouncil.org.uk/ what-we-do/collect/

FEBRUARYThe Spring Knitting & Stitching ShowLondon www.theknittingandstitchingshow.com

Design MarchReykvik, Iceland, Trade onlywww.designmarch.is

MARCH

Ceramic Art LondonLondonwww.ceramicartlondon.com

British Craft Trade FairHarrogate, UK, Trade onlywww.bctf.co.uk

APRILLondon Craft WeekLondonwww.londoncraftweek.com

PulseLondon, Trade onlywww.pulse-london.com

MAYCraft FestivalBovey Tracey, Devonwww.craftsatboveytracey.co.uk

Design BaselBasel, Switzerlandwww.designmiami.com

JUNE

Great Northern Contemporary Design FairManchesterwww.greatnorthernevents.co.uk

Dutch Design WeekEindhoven, Netherlands www.ddw.nl

OCTOBERSOFA ChicagoUSAwww.sofaexpo.com

LustreNottinghamwww.lakesidearts.org.uk

NOVEMBERPremiere Vision Blossom Paris, Trade onlywww.blossompremierevision.com

Design MiamiUSAwww.designmiami.com

DECEMBER

Hampton Court Flower Show Londonwww.rhs.org.uk/shows-events/ rhs-hampton-court-palace-flower-show

Home & GiftHarrogate, Trade onlywww.homeandgift.co.uk

JULYFestival of QuiltsBirminghamwww.thefestivalofquilts.co.uk

Celebration of Craftsmanship Cheltenham www.celebrationofcraftsmanship.com

AUGUSTLondon Design FestivalLondonwww.londondesignfestival.com

Goldsmiths FairLondonwww.goldsmithsfair.co.uk

SEPTEMBER

NOTABLE NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE & CRAFT FAIRS TO ATTEND OR EXHIBIT

CREATIVE YEAR PLANNER craftscouncil.org.uk theartsdevelopmentcompany.org.uk