Business skills for creative businesses

What is the course about?

This introduction to financial modelling, business planning and marketing for new businesses in the creative industries will cover: market research, marketing, innovation, incorporation, intellectual property, management structure, financial projections, pitches and presentations.
Starting, growing and managing a small business in the creative industries.

What will we cover?

• Market Research
• Advertising and Marketing
• Incorporation & Reporting Requirements
• Forms of Capital & Intellectual Property
• Management Structure
• Principles of Accounting
• Cash-flow and Financial Projections
• Funding and Investment
• Managing Growth
• Pitches and Presentations.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

• Conduct market research relevant to your business ideas
• Identify market opportunities and target demographics
• Communicate the story of your business to clients and funders
• Develop a personalised business mode and marketing strategy
• Embed entrepreneurial trials and innovative capacity into a business or organisation
• Create a document that will help focus your efforts as a self-employed creative practitioner or entrepreneur.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

Introductory, no specific skills needed. However, students should be confident and competent computer users on a Mac or Windows PC and be proficient with a mouse and keyboard in either a creative software, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint or equivalent and should be able to download, upload, save, open and retrieve files.
You should be able to follow simple written and verbal instructions, demonstrations, hand-outs and health and safety information, and will be invited to take part in group discussion. You should be able to use numbers and be able to do simple measurements and calculations.

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

The class will be delivered through a combination of lectures, workshops, group activities and assigned homework between classes.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

There are no other costs.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

Online marketing: a detailed introduction, Social media for business: introduction, Twitter for business, Facebook for business, Write you own blog using WordPress, Build a website in a day with WordPress. Or you might want to explore one of our digital marketing courses City Lit Pro: Introduction to Mobile Marketing Strategy, City Lit Pro: Introduction to marketing metrics and ROI, City Lit Pro: implementing a content strategy, City Lit Pro: introduction to conversion rate Optimisation, Google AdWords: introduction, Google Analytics: introduction, City Lit Pro: search engine marketing.