Hiya Tess! Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do. I'm a graphic designer specialising in book and website design. Most of my clients are small business owners, authors who want to publish their book or people who have a side or passion project they want to see come to life. My clients span a wide range of industries, but I love working with fellow creatives on their product or service businesses. I also run Creative Minds, where I publish books and resources for creative professionals. I love my job!Tell us more about Creative Minds. What kind of books do you publish and why? Creative Minds is a publishing company that provides oodles of information and advice for solo and small business owners, particularly creative ones. For over 10 years I have enjoyed publishing books and digital resources for creative small business owners because I am one, and I identify with all the struggles and successes that come with being a business of one! Running your biz can be isolating, and sometimes you want to get advice from others who have been there, done that. I love sharing tips and advice that I have learned, or learned from others, in my books. 

Resources I have published over the years include Graphic Design Speak – a book about how to work with a graphic designer or DIY graphic design for your business – and DIY SEO; a digital resource to learn how to optimise your website and get more traffic.

What’s the most fulfilling part of your job as a designer and publisher? Problem-solving – especially when the problem is around communication or perhaps an absence of information. And just making something better (either visually or functionally) is a huge driver for me. I love collaborating with a client to launch or refresh their business’ website, or branding, or even publish their book. Using my expertise to help another small business owner down a new path with a reinvigorated outlook on their business is exciting. My books are an extension of my work with clients. I like to share what I have learned with others who I may never work with one-on-one but have the same challenges we all face. And I love seeing my books in real bookstores, gallery shops, and boutique retailers. It’s a thrill to have that connection with a fellow business owner and help them on their journey.What inspired your new book, Self-Promotion Without Social Media? It’s part practical information, part workbook and very empowering to get off the social media hamster wheel and start enjoying marketing your business again. About five years ago, I decided to put my energy into making sure people come across my work on platforms that aren’t social media. I felt like coming up with content ideas and throwing them into the algorithm wasn’t bringing me closer to my ideal clients. I had forgotten that the people who I work with find me through places like my website, my Google profile, my newsletter, my books, other projects I’ve been involved with – even my email signature! As I’ve grown more tired of social media, investing in lots of other activities that I find more fulfilling (and take less time overall) has brought me lots of clients and a sustainable business I’m proud to work in every day. Self-Promotion Without Social Media was inspired by all these activities and more that I have seen work for clients and colleagues.

Any other advice for readers running their businesses? If you’re stuck for inspiration or in a rut, get off your phone and open a book – whatever book you have nearby (a non-fiction book, a novel, a notebook or a journal). Paper has the power to focus our minds and get creative ideas flowing.

Grab Self-Promotion Without Social Media over here for $49.99.