Blog

We write because we love to write

And maybe just a little bit because Aime makes us. It’s also because we love working with small, indie brands and are fully aware that means the people we want to work with can’t always afford our services (just yet).

We still want to help you grow. Our blog content is driven by the work we do, so you’ll find a lot of crossover between our articles and our services, particularly our mentoring sessions.

We also love to write about Bristol brands, so you’ll find that we use plenty of real-life examples to help give context and inspire you with the work of local indies.

And being real with you. Having an active, relevant blog helps us to get higher up in Google’s search results, meaning we reach more awesome people like you.

The Best Workshop Venues in Bristol
Bristol is one hell of a creative hub with craft workshops popping up all over the place. If you’re looking…
AAA: A super easy way to write a killer About page
This blog post has been written following an Ask Aime Anything questions from the very lovely Cat Goudouchaouri of One…
Reaching the finish line: our (almost) 30 top tips for your small business + downloadable list
All throughout September we have posted some baller tips in the form of 5-minute tasks that you can do to…
YouTube for small, creative businesses
If you’ve only ever used YouTube to watch funny cat compilations your Mum sent via email, then this is the…
The 5-minute speed edit, a new sport for Tokyo 2020
STOP! You have 5 MINUTES to upload an image to Instagram before you need to dash to Full Court Press…
Product Photography: Prop Shop like a Pro
Just over 9 months ago I wrote one of our top blog posts ever, Here’s the equipment you need to take…
Small businesses need email marketing, and here’s why.
I freaking love email marketing. Freaking love it. I get asked questions like “do I really need a blog?”, “should…
Welcome emails & ancient Greek hospitality
They’re something we all get but never really talk about. Today we’re breaking the taboo and loading you with email…
Getting organised: Campaign-based marketing for small businesses
What’s you current marketing campaign all about? Well, ours is 30 5-minute tasks for small creative businesses. It’s the first…
39 social media message ideas for small creative businesses
The two most common types of social media content managers I meet fall into two categories, Reactors and Repeaters. Ok…
Get your social media ‘on brand’
I’m gonna help you get your visual content nailed by identifying some common sins you might be committing across your…
Website user testing scenarios for small businesses and their best buddies
Use testing is a redonculously important part of launching and improving a small business website. It also has the added…
How dead end pages can lose you potential customers
I want you to imagine the dream scenario when online shopping. No, not being able to use The Sims ‘motherlode’…
Manipulating the F out of your small business website
Here’s a massive not-so-secret secret about how we observe content online: it’s just a big-ass F. Us humans may be…
Brand Boarding + Freebie Template, for PowerPoint?!?!
Get on top of your visual branding with a beautiful brand board. Download our free template and get creating your dream brand aesthetic. After spending a little time on your brand board; your Insta will be looking fly and your website will be sooo well coordinated.
Sort your brand’s visual style with a photography moodboard
You’re bossing this small creative business branding. If you’ve been following along on our 30 days of 5-minute tips then…
Patterns & textures for brand identities
Do you ever feel like your brand is just a little, well, flat? It’s my nightmare, and also without a…
Brand typography: how to pick what you need.
Let’s talk about fonts baby, let’s talk about brand identity. Let’s talk about all the good fonts and the bad…
How to choose the right file type for your logo
Does your website logo look pixelly, or your email logo is too darn big? Has Facebook turned your white background…
How to tell when someone is using bots on Instagram
What’s up with those “Great pic ??” comments? It’s ruddy Instagram robots. Here’s how to spot Instagram bot users and stop the manic follow/unfollows
5 free tools for YouTube SEO
If you’re reading this you must have a YouTube account or are wondering how to bulk up your YouTube toolbox…
Nailing your brand colour palette with Coolors
Define and refine your brand colour palette in seconds with Coolors. Complete with real life examples and multiple Jonathan Van Ness gifs.
Guest blog: 5 tips for first-time business bloggers
Here at Studio Cotton, we love featuring some expert advice and ideas from our favourite creative Bristolian ladies. For this…
How to host a successful small business event
Last week we had the pleasure of attending the launch of a new Trevor Sorbie hairdressers on Queens Road in…
PeopleMap: My favourite Instagram tool (and how I use it)
Fancy spending £180 on empty digital buckets? I think you should. PeopleMap is my favourite Instagram tool for small businesses.
Three new Instagram tips for Summer 2018
Understand the Instagram platform, not the algorithm and get more success in 2018. Here’s three tips for Instagram that’ll boost your time well spent.
Here’s how to manage images for any website
If you run a website, there’s loads of things you MUST do. You must keep it fresh, you must keep…
A Free & Foolproof HTML Email Signature Template
Functional, free and just pretty enough. Use our free HTML email signature template to create your own HTML email signature.
AAA: Perfecting a creative small business homepage (Part One: SEO)
Libby of Libby Ballard Ceramics wanted to Ask Aime Anything: What changes can I make to improve my homepage to make it more visible in search engines?
AAA: How to master website landing pages
It’s flipping freezing in Bristol today, so I’m wrapping up warm in the studios and answering another great question from…
Improving the SEO of the Chroma Stationery blog (Part Two)
As part of our Ask Aime Anything feature, we’ve been sent a couple of questions by Gabi from Chroma Stationery.…
Chroma Stationery owner Gabi asks “How can I improve the SEO for my blog?” (Part One)
What a great way to kick off our new Ask Aime Anything feature. I love discussing search engine optimisation or…
Free: Valentine’s Day 2018 Content Plan
Tis the season to be romantic. Well, nearly. St Valentine’s Day’s is on the horizon, and a great opportunity…
Free Stock Photo Packs: Geneva
Hey you, doesn’t it suck when you can’t find any good stock pics for a blog post? Or maybe you…
Jump-starting a brand new Instagram account
I created a secret Instagram account, and tried to grow my followers with some tried and tested methods. Things didn’t go quite as expected.
Why Linktree just doesn’t make sense if you have your own website
If you have a website, using Linktree could actually be harming your business. Is that really worth paying up to…
Here’s the equipment you need to take way better Instagram pics
Here’s a list of equipment that will seriously up your brand’s Instagram pics for under £35.
The easiest way to pick and use your brand keywords
So you run a small business with a lovely website, and you’ve been reading up a little bit on how…
The flurry of ultra-cool indie businesses on North Street, between the Luckwell Road and Dean Lane/Cannon Street roundabouts
Catchy headline, right? I write about what I know, and I know this small stretch of North Street on the…
Missions, laziness and how Studio Cotton uses social media.
Create a more effective social media presence by playing to the strengths of each network. And stop cross-posting content (most of the time).
Exhibiting Commitment Issues: Are you failing to form a longterm relationship?
I’m currently sat on a pink bench in the middle of Top Drawer AW17, an awesome exhibition with the best…
Your website menu is all wrong. Here’s how to fix it in 3 easy steps.
The menu on your website is probably losing you money. Don’t worry, it’s an easy fix – follow these 3 steps to create a main website menu that really works. Featuring Carly Simon.
A very scientific analysis of sample packs from professional printers and paper people
Sample packs from print and paper producers reviewed by a stationery addict and brand expert.
DIY websites part 3: 5 easy things you can do right now to help your Google rank
If you’ve built your own website, it can be super frustrating when it isn’t showing up when you search for…
Our 9 super tips for upping your business’ Instagram engagement
Want more Instagram likes and follows? You’re gonna have to work for it. Here’s 9 tips to make Instagram growth a little easier for your indie business.
Marketing agencies are guff at marketing
Marketing agencies consistently sell themselves short, just ask the dogs and suspension bridges on Instagram. Here’s why we must try harder.
My Dad and his Power of “No”
Steve Cox. Business man. Philosopher. My Dad. My dad taught me to say “no”, and you should say “no” more too. For you, your business and success.
DIY websites part two: Why you should NOT do it yourself
Designing a DIY website for your small business can be creative, rewarding and, well, cheap. Here’s the cons to help you decide if DIY web design is for you.
A super, super easy checklist for small business bloggers
Here’s 15 snippets of super blogging advice that can immediately improve the blog posts from your small business.
How to work with stock photography
A few tips and tricks to make stock photography work for your blog and website. Because although it often does, stock photography doesn’t have to suck.
3 Bristol businesses who are nailing Instagram
Is your business looking Instagram stardom? Follow the lead of these three Bristol brands and start your social domination
Should your small business have a blog?
Probably. Committing to a blog isn’t always a simple decision. Find out if it’s right for you.
DIY websites part one: Why you should do it yourself
A new series of the pluses and perils of creating your own website. We examine the benefits of DIY websites.
Creating a new website for Bristol & Wales Cat Rescue
We created this rehoming charity website using WordPress and some clever WooCommerce adaptations.
The risks of using exclamation marks in marketing copy
Exclamation marks are powerful tools in marketing, but are you using them to their fullest effect? Find out with examples from some of my favourite Bristol businesses.
What makes a great coffee shop website, and why?
We take a look at some of the websites from the best coffee shops in Bristol.
Satisfice for your small business
Many customers choose the first product that’ll do the job. Use this to your advantage when buying and selling.
Why be nice to your local competitors?
Working with other local businesses can make reaching your audience easier and cheaper.

Practical advice for brand owners from brilliant Bristolians