Tips for expanding a creative business

Editor’s Note: Here at Dispatches, we are always looking for ways to help our readers do things. For some of our readers, that means helping navigate the working world, for others, it means assisting in the ever challenging question,“what’s for dinner?” For still others, it means figuring out how to balance family life with everything else. In an effort to aid in all of these endeavors, we have collaborated on this article written specifically for our readers.

Advertising and marketing are important to businesses of all sizes. If you are considering expanding your creative business to include advertising and marketing below are four tips to help you get started.

1. A Collaborative Workplace: Collaboration is vital when you are trying to run a creative agency, even if you’re a solopreneur. Make sure you find people you trust to bounce ideas and collaborate if necessary. If you have the space available try to arrange your office in a non-traditional way. Allow yourself the freedom of movement to give you the ability to change your perspective if necessary. If you have an employee (or more than one!) encourage each person to make where they work individualized and give each person the space to be creative.
2. Precise Focus: Each area of advertising and marketing takes a slightly different skill set and writing and visual style. Start with the area you are most comfortable working in and expand from there. Make sure you know the costs of advertising and marketing for all markets you plan to work in. The advertising rates for print, radio and television vary greatly between Mid-Missouri and New York City. 
3. A Strong Website:  With the ability to create a website in a few moments, consumers are skeptical of businesses that don’t have a website. A website is a great way to showcase your work, attract new clients and ultimately lends an air of credibility to the business. When creating your website make sure the information is accurate and up to date (especially your contact information!), provides details of the services you offer to companies, is easy to navigate and free from spelling and grammar mistakes. If you don;t want to do it yourself, consider hiring a company that offers white label web design . 
4. Creative Individuals: The people whom you rely on to help you grow your business and any employees will help you succeed or fail. Constantly and consistently generating new ideas and fresh approaches takes time and discipline. Try to create strong team of creative individuals helping you grow your business.