James Coutts » Life/Work http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk Arts marketing with infectious enthusiasm Thu, 08 Dec 2011 19:33:58 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Millionth visitor http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2011/11/24/millionth-visitor/ http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2011/11/24/millionth-visitor/#comments Thu, 24 Nov 2011 18:28:19 +0000 jamescoutts http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/?p=199 It is only 119 days since the new National Museum opened its doors. We had thought it would take a year to reach 1m. Video/cute pics.

]]> http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2011/11/24/millionth-visitor/feed/ 0 On the wireless http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2011/07/24/on-the-wireless/ http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2011/07/24/on-the-wireless/#comments Sun, 24 Jul 2011 07:44:02 +0000 jamescoutts http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/?p=168 As long as I’m not on the cutting room floor, I’ll be talking about the launch campaign on Tuesday 26 July at 13:15 on BBC Radio Scotland.

]]> http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2011/07/24/on-the-wireless/feed/ 0 Finding the big idea http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2011/07/19/finding-the-big-idea/ http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2011/07/19/finding-the-big-idea/#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 18:42:19 +0000 jamescoutts http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/?p=158 Here is what I’ve been working on for the past ten months:

]]> http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2011/07/19/finding-the-big-idea/feed/ 0 Edinburgh Jelly http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2009/10/30/edinburgh-jelly/ http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2009/10/30/edinburgh-jelly/#comments Fri, 30 Oct 2009 12:54:13 +0000 jamescoutts http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/?p=124 I’m promoting the first Edinburgh Jelly. Find out what/where/when. I’m booking myself a day off from the office. With my trusty netbook the Jelly will provide wifi, a chair, new people and the chance to finally write about (and do some!) online gambling. Come along if you can.

[UPDATE: We had a good turnout for a first event. In the end I went to Newcastle to pitch a seminar, so didn't make it. Interested in hosting or coming to the next one in January?]

]]> http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2009/10/30/edinburgh-jelly/feed/ 0 Getting an arts marketing job http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2008/12/19/getting-an-arts-marketing-job/ http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/2008/12/19/getting-an-arts-marketing-job/#comments Fri, 19 Dec 2008 18:33:02 +0000 jamescoutts http://www.jamescoutts.co.uk/?p=116 I’m often asked ‘how do I get a job in arts marketing?’.  Some come from the commercial world and want to move into a sector that means more to them. Others think that working in the arts will be a softer option -  less ruthless than the commercial sector. However, most agree that jobs in the arts are harder – you have more responsibility (for less pay), need to do more with less resources and are more accountable.

My tips are:

  • Get work experience in the field (do you have a friend who needs an exhibition organised, or their band promoted? Swap your help for something to talk about on your application)
  • Demonstrate you’re serious about the sector – stay current (do training/get qualifications such as arts/cultural management, read the arts magazines)
  • Make sure that everything you do (paid or unpaid) is strategic – ‘I had this problem, came up with this solution, got this result. This is what I learned, this is what I’d do different next time’. Keep operating like that – write about it in your applications, talk about it in interviews and you’ll get lucky.

After each interview, I write down the questions I was asked that I didn’t expect. The next time I go for an interview, I dig out the questions and rehearse answers. Ones will come up that you don’t know, but you’ll do a whole lot better for having a bank of answers in your head.

My top questions to be ready for are:

  • What do you see are the strengths of this company?
  • What are the key challenges for this company’?
  • What are the key challenges for you in this role?
  • What improvements would you make to our marketing?
  • What is your most significant achievement?
  • Talk to us about our brand
  • Tell us more about our audience – what do you know about them?
  • How would you increase income/attendances at our company?
  • Tell us about a time you used a creative approach to solve a problem?
  • Can you tell us when you have used research findings to influence your marketing activity?
  • How do you compare our brand to X competitor?

The places I look for arts/charity or cause-related marketing jobs are:

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