Week 4 Blog by Taylor Carey

improving, adapting and learning how every detail contributes to achieving better results.

One of my key tasks this week was revisiting a series of graphics I had previously created and designed. I refined the existing designs to make them feel more cohesive. This involved reducing gaps, improving alignment and ensuring each element of the graphic worked together rather than apart. While updating the graphics, I explored some of Canva’s advanced features. I used the AI image expansion tool which allowed me to extend the photographs I collected previously, which made the designing session more effective and efficient. I made use of the eyedropper colour tool to sample colours directly from the images to make the photos bring the sense of belonging within the graphic. These small adjustments made a noticeable difference in quality. It amazed me how subtle improvements can significantly enhance the design.

Alongside my creative work, I completed 3 courses that expanded my understanding of different areas of marketing and business growth.

The first course I completed this week was ‘How to WIN grants’. This introduced me to the fundamentals of grants and the three main types of grants available. Understanding the specific rules, eligibility criteria and expectations is a very important concept that is fundamental for the chance of winning. It became clear that successful grant applications had a similar process to bid writing: they both rely on careful preparation, attention to detail and demonstration of how a project aligns with the objective. This course highlighted how valuable grants can be for businesses and organisations.

I also completed the ‘Digitally Marketing yourself to recovery’ course, which explored how businesses can respond positively during periods of uncertainty or economic challenge. One takeaway was that smaller businesses often have the advantage of being able to adapt quicker than larger businesses. The course emphasised the importance of setting realistic, achievable goals within a defined timeline to maintain momentum. This encourages ambition from both employees and customers and to remain positive. I found this concept valuable as maintaining a good mindset usually leads to even better outcomes.

Finally, I completed the ‘Build your online course’ course. This course explained how creating an online course is an excellent way to showcase your knowledge and talent. I learned that the most successful courses are those that help their audience with the niche problem and also supporting business growth. One framework that stood out was the 4 key steps for launching a course:

• Presell your course
• Build an audience before launch
• Create a waitlist
• Offer a launch promotion

These strategies demonstrated that a successful course begins before the content is published and relies on thoughtful planning and effective marketing throughout the process.