Invigorate your 2016 business resolution by joining us in Leighton Buzzard. Our speakers are Tabitha Mary and PlatePeople. Tabitha Mary will offer a +one-year-in perspective and new business PlatePeople will tell you how they approached their first Christmas and beyond. Both will speak about how they get their content right, covering: products, research, channels, collaboration and commitment. Network and explore how to tailor your business behaviour and messages to your audience. Tabitha Mary, the brand of designer Tabitha Wainwright, has a following in Bedfordshire and beyond. Selling own design prints and tea towels, Tabitha Mary has been commissioned by small businesses, Bedford Borough Council and ‘We are Anglesey.' PlatePeople decorate plates and other ceramics. The creative child of Claire and Matthew Rulton, the PlatePeople look is simple and distinct. The character is quirky and personalized, generating sales online and at creative markets and pop-ups. The evening also includes a chance to tell us about your work, and to chat informally. Work will be on display and questions are welcomed. Creative Bedfordshire is a network of creative people and businesses in Bedfordshire and offers regular networking events and professional development opportunities. Sole traders, freelancers and creative businesses of all kinds are welcome to attend. It is funded by the economic development teams at Central Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council and is run by Bedford Creative Arts. For more information email sandrad@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk Follow us on Twitter @creativebeds or join our mailing list by emailing info@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk with ‘Creative Bedfordshire’ in the title.

1. Welcome!
Creative Bedfordshire!
14th January 2016!
Friends Meeting House !
Leighton Buzzard !
7 – 9 pm!
CONNECTING WITH YOUR AUIDENCE hosted by Sandra
Dartnell for Bedford Creative Arts!
Invigorate your 2016 business resolution by joining
us in Leighton Buzzard. Network and explore how to
tailor your business behaviour and messages to your
audience. Our speakers, Tabitha Mary and
PlatePeople, will talk about how they get their
content right, covering: products, research, channels,
collaboration and commitment.!

2. Mentions!
Bedford Creative Arts !
@wearebca!
Business TimeBank
business@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk
Culture Challenge!
@bedfordculture!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
MyIncVentures!
@myincventures!
#MIVReveals!
http://centralbedfordshire.gov.uk/MIV!

3. Mentions!
Sole Traders Tax!
Handout!
Claire !
@AddisonAccounts!
Matthew!
@acuriousjoy!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!

4. This evening includes a chance to shout-out about
your latest work, and to chat informally.!
We encourage you to share your
experience via Twitter, Instagram
and Facebook.!
http://instagram.com/creativebeds/!
#creativebeds #bedfordshire #centralbeds !
http://facebook.com/groups/creativebedfordshire/!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!

5. We encourage you to connect with the people you
meet tonight on LinkedIn.!
Create a profile, connect and create a network
of creative professionals at your fingertips
online. !
http://linkedin.com/company/creative-bedfordshire!
LinkedIn is the hub from which we share event
presentations via SlideShare.!
http://slideshare.net/CreativeBedfordshire!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!

6. Tabitha Mary!
Tabitha Mary, based
in Leighton
Buzzard, is the
brand of designer
Tabitha Mary
Wainwright. !
@Twitter Handle!
PlatePeople!
PlatePeople, based
in Kempston,
Bedford, is a plate
decoration and
ceramics business. !
http://tabithamary.co.uk/! http://etsy.com/uk/shop/PlatePeople!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!

7. Tabitha Mary!
Design brand Tabitha Mary has a following in Bedfordshire and beyond.
Selling own design prints and tea towels, Tabitha Mary has been commissioned
by small businesses, Bedford Borough Council and ‘We are Anglesey.’ !
@tabithamaryuk!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!

8. Studied Mixed Media
Textile Design!
Knew I wanted to work
in graphic design!
Over the past 8 years
I’ve designed surface
patterns for homewares,
sunglasses, Christmas
crackers and licensed
stationery.!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Tabitha Mary!
@tabithamaryuk!

9. My parents asked me
for a map of the
Shipping Forecast!
I started selling the
single print online !
The leap into self
employment occurred
naturally as demand for
my prints grew and my
personal life changed.!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Tabitha Mary!
@tabithamaryuk!

10. Transparent and personal!
Being a sole trader is an
important part in how I
market myself!
People want to buy into
small businesses and help
support you, therefore be
transparent about it!
The personal touch that
comes with this is key to
engaging your audience.
Appear professional but
keep the personal touch.!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
@tabithamaryuk!
Getting your content right
!

11. My business plan has
always remained the
same, say “YES” to all
opportunities, no matter
how scary. It’s the only
way to drive demand,
awareness and grow a
name for yourself.!
Tabitha Maryis a finalist
in the Bedfordshire
BusinessWomen
Awards 2016,
nominated in the Best
New Business category!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
@tabithamaryuk!
Getting your content right
!

12. Trial and error!
You’ve got to try
something once to be
confident in deciding
whether to repeat that
experience. This is
most true for me
when attending craft
markets, choosing
ones with the right
audience and
demographic of
customers.!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
@tabithamaryuk!
Getting your content right
!

13. Listen to your
audience!
I am constantly
responding to
demand which is
forever changing
direction. It’s about
being adaptable.!
Feedback is crucial
too, some prints don’t
work, but that’s ok.
You just try again.!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
@tabithamaryuk!
Getting your content right
!

14. Social media: a driving force, but
time consuming !
Be selective: Pick what works for
you!
Use different channels in
different ways: Local audience
vs wider audience!
Measuring the success of
social media: Simple and hard at
the same time!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Where to talk to your audience
!
@tabithamaryuk!

15. PlatePeople!
Claire and Matthew Rulton, owners of new business PlatePeople, Bedford,
will talk about how they approached their first Christmas and beyond.!
@platepeople!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
PlatePeople decorate plates and
other ceramics. The creative child of
Claire and Matthew Rulton, the
PlatePeople look is simple and
distinct. The character is quirky and
personalized, generating sales online
and at creative markets and pop-ups.!

16. Why did we start: We
started PlatePeople as we
wanted a creative outlet. !
What are we about: We
work as a team designing
ceramics to bespoke
specifications and also
personalising our designs
and selling online. !
Partnership: Matthew is
the creative. I run my own
accountancy practice and
our skills come together to
create the business.!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
PlatePeople!
@platepeople!

17. It is a part time business
but we haven’t approached
it in that way. We have a
business plan, a budget
and do have a social media
presence.!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
PlatePeople!
@platepeople!

18. Experiment!
Learn from your
mistakes: Not adding a
link, a price, a picture!
Be patient it takes time!
Ask your audience:
Market research!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Getting your content right
!
@platepeople!

19. Social media is meant to
be social: You need to
interact with your audience
and treat it as a two way
interaction!
Plan 50% respond 50%:
This will make you standout!
Different content for
different channels!
Use tools!
Tone: Personal or business!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
@platepeople!
Getting your content right
!

20. Online:!
Twitter !
Etsy !
Facebook!
LinkedIn!
Tweethours, tagging, pictures,
links, shorten links, timed tweets!
Newsletters!
Analytics: Etsy, Facebook &
Twitter, Newletters!
Face to face and family &
friends are still important!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
@platepeople!
Where to talk to your audience
!

21. Connecting with your audience!
Listen to your audience – what are
they asking for?
TM!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
@Twitter Handle!@Twitter Handle!@tabithamaryuk! @PlatePeople!
Make it personal!
PP!
Plan but be flexible!
Respond to audience
trends!
Don’t sell yourself short!
PP!
PP!
PP!
Don’t be scared to amend and adapt.
You’ve got to in order to succeed and to
respond to your customers needs.
TM!
It’s a journey, don’t feel pressured
to do everything’ the right’ away.
TM!
Say “YES” !
TM!

22. Tabitha Mary!
@Twitter Handle!
PlatePeople!
http://tabithamary.co.uk ! http://etsy.com/uk/shop/PlatePeople!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Facebook/PlatePeople/
Twi2er
@platepeople
Twitter @tabithamaryuk !
Instagram/tabithamaryuk!
Facebook/tabithamaryuk !
https://uk.linkedin.com/in/tabithamaryuk! https://uk.linkedin.com/in/clairerulton!

23. News from Bedford Creative Arts !
@weareBCA!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
All Roads Lead to Rome, by
Chris Dobrowolski!
Dunstable, 28th Jan 2016 !
Handbag by Geraldine Pilgrim!
Leighton Buzzard, 15th April 2016 !
Follow BCA on Facebook !
https://www.facebook.com/
Bedford.Creative.Arts!

24. @CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Over to the room. Who wants to say something
about their creative business or creative need?!

25. Shout outs!
Circus of Illustration!
Love Conquers All Exhibition and Drink and Draw at Pavilion at the Park!
http://www.circusofillustration.com/!
http://pavilion.attheparkbedford.co.uk/!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Tabitha Mary!
Bedford Proms!
http://www.bedfordparkconcerts.co.uk/!
ThinkingCX!
Leighton – Linslade Children’s Trail!
https://www.facebook.com/ChildrensTrail/ !
Addison Accounts !
Accounts Workshops !
http://addisonaccounts.co.uk/!

26. Shout outs!
Evie and Lola – Crafty Social Events!
http://www.evieandlola.co.uk/!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Jih-Wen Yeh – Music in Detention!
Artist call out. jihwen@BedfordCreativeArts.org.uk!

27. Next up: Finding Your Voice!
@princestrust!@BedPopScience!
4th February 2016!
Ent.Shed at The Gordon Arms!
118 Castle Road, Bedford, MK40 3QY!
7 – 9 pm!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Join us creative networking. Our speakers this month represent spoken
word, and online self-publishing. Lee Nelson of Utter Lutonia and
WordFest, and blogger Alice Smith will give short talks telling us how they
found their voice and developed their audience, creative practice and
reputation in these areas. !
Erica Roffe will tell us about the Bedpop ScienceLab, and other exciting
Bedpop productions planned for 2016. !
Funding advice for businesses, including freelancers, will come from Sue
Hughes, Arts Council England.!
We have news about information sessions for The Prince’s Trust Explore
Enterprise happening in Bedford.!
The evening also includes a chance to tell us about your work, and to chat
informally. Our creative networking is free. No registration is necessary. All
are welcome.!
@ace_national!@alice3LS!

28. Next up: Rural Business !
@CardCrush!@Semlep!
3rfMarch 2016, Jordans Mill, Langford Road, !
Broom, Bedfordshire, SG18 9JY!
7 – 9 pm !
http://www.bedfordcreativearts.org.uk/index.php/events/creative-
bedfordshire-rural-business/!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Our focus for March creative networking is rural business. What are the
needs of rural creative business? How is rural funding accessed? How can
rural businesses and creatives collaborate? The evening will be an open
discussion of these questions and more!
Steve Mackie, Business Development Manager, Jordans Mill will speak
about how rural funding restored the property and redefined the business,
and about collaborating with local creative business!
Paul Bylass, founder, The Design Orchard, a product design consultancy
based in Clophill, will talk about how a Rural Development Programme
transformed an agricultural building into a creative studio!
Jane Roemer, business advisor, SEMLEP will be available to answer rural
funding questions!
Bridget Lewis, founder, Card Crush Greetings, based in Stotfold and
Network Leader at WIRE BEDS will join the conversation on behalf of her
business and Women In Rural Enterprise Bedfordshire network. !
@DesignOrchard!@JordansMill!

29. Our ‘Grow your Creative Business’ conference!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Creative Bedfordshire ‘Grow your creative business’ conference
Friday 4th March 2016, from 9:30am – 3:00 pm at Gateway, University of
Bedford. !
For 2016 the focus of our annual conference is Growth. Join us at the University
of Bedfordshire for a day of inspiration, peer-led business support and
networking. Guest speakers will cover introductions to key business topics
across Pricing, Finance, IP, Briefing Social Media, Pitching a Business
Collaboration. There will be an afternoon panel with interactive audience
discussion covering important business Growth considerations and opportunities
such as taking on your first employees and funding for efficiency and expansion. !

30. Grow your Creative Business!
@CreativeBeds !
#CBNetworking!
Creative Bedfordshire annual conference
Friday 4th March 2016, from 9:30am – 3:00 pm at
Gateway, University of Bedford. !
Booking essential. Tickets £20!
For full event details and tickets:!
www.cbconf2016.eventbrite.co.uk !

31. Thank You!
Creative Bedfordshire is a network of creative people and
businesses in Bedfordshire and offers regular networking events
and professional development opportunities. Sole traders,
freelancers and creative businesses of all kinds are welcome to
attend. It is funded by the economic development teams at Central
Bedfordshire Council and Bedford Borough Council and is run by
Bedford Creative Arts. For more information email
sandrad@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk!
Follow us on Twitter @creativebeds or join our mailing list by
emailing info@bedfordcreativearts.org.uk with ‘Creative
Bedfordshire’ in the title.!
Creative
Bedfordshire