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How to find a venue for your gig
How to find and book the right venue for your live show.
How to approach gig promoters
Understand how gig promoters work and what they expect from you as a band or an artist.
Creative business support and funding
Discover where to find advice, funding and skills support for creative businesses in Northern Ireland.
How to promote your gig
There are many ways to advertise your gig – from traditional leaflets and posters, to social media promotion and email marketing.
Negotiate a gig deal
Find out what type of gig deals are there, how payments work in the gig business and how to negotiate booking arrangements.
How to pitch your music
Follow these simple steps to pitch your music to venues and to gig promoters.
Find an audience for your show
Learn how to increase gig attendance and use simple strategies to help you get more fans through the door.
Booking gigs: the basics
Understand the process of booking gigs, and find out what promoters and venue owners look for when choosing what acts to book.
Business growth: cashflow management
Cashflow issues are common in growing businesses - here's how to control working capital and manage finances for growth
Retail
Guidance on getting started in retail, improving your retail business, running a retail premises, retail and the environment, business finances and the law, and employing people in retail
Types of retail business
The various types of retail business, including convenience store, speciality store, supermarket, discount store, department store, warehouse, direct retailer and online store
Ten top tips for starting a retail business
Ten top tips to starting a retail business successfully and staying afloat in the early days of trading
Measure your financial performance
Use common financial performance measures, such as profit margins and accounting ratios, to review your business finances
Problems with growth: overtrading
Overtrading and lack of finance are common problems in a fast-growing business - here's how to overcome them
Where to set up your retail business
Find the right place to set up your retail business in Northern Ireland by weighing the important options
Grow your business
Browse our key guidance to help you find growth funding in Northern Ireland, and learn how you can scale up your business and grow
Business growth and premises
As your business grows and takes in more staff, you may need to assess your options for larger business premises
Avoid problems during business growth
Common issues that businesses often face during growth, and tips for overcoming these difficulties through proper planning and management.
Business growth: market research
Use market research to drive business growth and innovation and to stay ahead of the competition
Business growth strategy and planning
Maximise the chances of business growth success by carefully planning your growth strategy