FAQs

What is Creative Boom?

Creative Boom is an online magazine run completely on a voluntary basis and designed to celebrate, inspire and support the creative industries throughout the UK and beyond.

Launched in July 2009, Creative Boom gets over 600,000 hits each month, around 9,000 visitors per day and aims to promote freelancers and businesses, both large and small, across a wide range of creative sectors including Arts & Crafts, Design, Digital, Marketing & PR, Music & Performing, and Photography & Film. It also hopes to offer inspiration and encourage creativity.

Furthermore, there are 26 regional e-zines called 'Creative Boom Hubs' which include local news, events and information on all things creative in different pockets of the UK, including Birmingham, Glasgow, Manchester and London.

Who's behind Creative Boom?

The team at digital PR agency, Boomerang are the people behind Creative Boom.

One of their directors, Katy Cowan, came up with the idea in early 2009 after speaking to other businesses on Twitter. She realised there was a need for an online resource for the creative industries.

Katy and the Boomerang team put together the main content for Creative Boom but the site also has a number of dedicated contributors who really help to make the magazine a success.

I've got some news or an event, how do I get it published?

Simply send us a press release and accompanying Jpeg image to news@creativeboom.co.uk. If you haven't heard anything back from us, don't panic! Due to a high volume of emails, we can not personally respond to everyone. Just keep checking the site to see if your story has been published. Please note, we'd prefer it if you sent images as attachments. We also do not accept screen shots of websites nor do we use logos. Photographs of people, products or settings that help tell your story are best.

How do I take part in your Features section?

We run regular interviews, reviews and spotlights within our Features section. If you'd like to be featured - or you've got a book, film, event or exhibition you'd like us to review - simply send us an email to features@creativeboom.co.uk and we'll be in touch.

What's the Directory? And how do I get in it?

The Directory is a free national directory for creative freelancers, small businesses and organistions across the UK. It's completely free and there's no catch whatsoever.

If we add your details, all we ask in return is that you add a link back to Creative Boom on the home page of your own website, blog or online portfolio. It's as simple as that.

To appear in our Directory, simply email your name/business name; the category in which you'd like to appear; a short bio about yourself and a link to your website, online portfolio or blog to directory@creativeboom.co.uk.

Please note, we've created some lovely software to ensure our friendly relationship is maintained. As long as you link back to us, we'll list your business for free.

Don't forget each regional Creative Boom Hub has its own free directory as well. To be added to your local Hub, email the relevant hub. Simply place the town or city in front of @creativeboom.co.uk.

What's the LookBook?

The LookBook is a section where we showcase the work of everyone from artists, designers and photographers to advertisers, illustrators and architects.

Everything that appears in our LookBook also features in our new Gallery page.

If you're a creative individual and you want Creative Boom to showcase your work, then please don't hesistate to get in touch. Email us at lookbook@creativeboom.co.uk and include a short bio, a link to your website or online portfolio and up to four images of your latest work.

What is Boom TV?

Boom TV is a new and improved section of Creative Boom that offers exclusive video interviews and lots of different features for your viewing pleasure.

We include interviews with top creatives as well as regular 'Tips & Advice' videos, designed to offer support to creative freelancers and businesses throughout the globe. Recorded by editor Katy Cowan and various contributors on a regular basis, the videos cover a range of different subjects from 'How to Market Yourself Online' to 'Getting Started in Business'.

Boom TV also includes your own contributions, that's whether you want to show off your digital, media, animation or film skills or you've got a music video you'd like to share. Simply email the Creative Boom team at tv@creativeboom.co.uk.

What is Boom Basics?

Boom Basics is a section dedicated to graduates, start-ups and up-and-coming creative professionals. Its aim is to share advice and top tips to help people build up their businesses or secure their dream creative job.

If you'd like Katy and her team to talk or write about anything in particular then please email your ideas to features@creativeboom.co.uk.

How do I design a banner and background for Creative Boom?

On a fortnightly basis, we give you the chance to redesign our web banner. If you'd like to have a go, then you will need a copy of the original logo for the banner. You can find the AI file here. If you're having trouble downloading this, please email us.

Dimensions are 1000 pixels wide by 200 pixels high. The brief is - there is no brief. Be as imaginative as you like! You're also welcome to design a background but it's not compulsory.

Once you're done, email your completed design in Jpeg files to banners@creativeboom.co.uk.

What about Freebies?

Creative Boom advertises regular competitions and prize giveaways on its website. Prizes are supplied by third parties only therefore Creative Boom has no control over prize distribution.

Prizes are simply advertised on Creative Boom under the 'Freebies' section and once winners are chosen, the responsibility to distribute these prizes lies entirely with the third party provider. Creative Boom can not be held responsible for any wrongdoing with regards to prizes.

What is the Daily Fix?

The Daily Fix is a regular topical cartoon series focusing on current affairs.

It is created by famous cartoonist James Whitworth from Sheffield. James also runs Creative Boom Sheffield where he provides regional 'Daily Fix' cartoons.

What are Social Booms?

Social Booms are informal networking events taking place around the UK, giving creative freelancers and businesses the chance to meet up and chat. They usually take place on the last Wednesday or Thursday of every month. Check out our Social Boom page to discover the latest Social Booms happening near you.

If you can't find a local Social Boom - why not start one yourself? All you have to do is find a venue, i.e. a pub or bar, get their permission to act as the meeting place and we'll sort the rest. There is no funding available for Social Booms. We just aim to keep things simple.

I'd like to advertise. What next?

Creative Boom is run on a voluntary basis by Katy and her team at digital PR agency, Boomerang along with a range of voluntary contributors.

The site has grown significantly since its launch and running costs have inevitably gone up. Whilst we're keen to keep the site 'advert and spam free', we have to find ways to keep the site going and that's where our Sponsors come in.

Creative Boom has available Sponsor slots on its home page, on its Creative Boom Jobs Board and across all of our regional magazines, also known as Creative Boom Hubs.

We currently get on average around 9,000 visitors each day and more than 600,000 hits per month. Our readership covers all of the creative industries including everything from PR and marketing, design and digital to animation, film, fashion and textiles.

Sound good? If you'd like to advertise, simply get in touch at advertise@creativeboom.co.uk or you can download our latest advertising rates card here.