There are loads of digital marketing resources, guides, workshops etc available to museums and galleries already, why do we need another?
Lets start by looking at whats already available:
Museums Next:
https://www.museumnext.com/events/
An online resource that covers the latest trends, developments, and best practices in the museum world. It features articles, podcasts, and webinars that explore topics such as museum technology, visitor experience, and community engagement. They also host an annual conference that brings together museum professionals from around the world to share knowledge and ideas.
DigiPathways
https://digipathways.co.uk/
Provides free resources and training for individuals in museums who are interested in digital marketing and related fields. It offers a range of online courses, webinars, and resources designed to help individuals develop the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in the digital marketing.
Culture24
https://www.culture24.org.uk/
UK-based digital platform that connects people with cultural venues and events throughout the country. It features a comprehensive directory of museums, galleries, and heritage sites, as well as a calendar of events and exhibitions. The website also offers resources and tools for cultural organisations to increase their digital presence and engage with audiences.
Digital Culture Network
https://digitalculturenetwork.org.uk/
A platform that offers free support and guidance to arts and cultural organisations in the UK on the implementation of digital technologies. It provides access to expert advice, training, and resources to help these organisations improve their digital capabilities, reach wider audiences and enhance their online presence.
Digital Culture Compass
https://digitalculturecompass.org.uk/
A digital platform that features news, insights, and resources for the UK’s cultural sector. It covers a wide range of topics related to the digital transformation of the industry, including digital strategy, audience engagement, and data analysis. The website provides expert advice and practical guidance to help cultural organisations navigate the challenges of digital transformation.
Arts Marketing Association
https://www.a-m-a.co.uk/
Provides support and resources to professionals in the cultural sector. It offers training, events, and networking opportunities for individuals and organisations involved in cultural enterprises, including museums, galleries, and heritage sites. The website features a directory of suppliers, a job board, and a range of resources related to fundraising, marketing, and retail operations in the cultural sector.
The Audience Agency
https://www.theaudienceagency.org/resources
A UK-based consultancy that provides research, analysis, and strategic advice to cultural organisations. It specialises in audience development, helping cultural organisations to better understand and engage with their audiences through data analysis, evaluation, and audience research. The website features a range of resources and tools, including training courses, webinars, and reports on audience engagement in the cultural sector.
Art Fund
https://www.artfund.org/
A UK-based charity that supports the acquisition and preservation of art in the country’s museums and galleries. It raises funds through the innovative Art Pass memberships, donations, and grants to support art acquisitions and conservation projects. The website offers a range of resources for art enthusiasts, including a directory of museums and galleries, art news, and events listings.
Museums Association
https://www.museumsassociation.org/
A UK-based membership organisation that represents and supports museums and galleries across the country. It provides advocacy, training, and resources for museum professionals, as well as promoting best practices and standards in the sector. The website features a job board, events calendar, and a range of resources related to museum management and operation.
Association of Independent Museums
https://aim-museums.co.uk/
AIM (Association of Independent Museums) is a UK-based membership organisation that represents and supports independent museums and heritage organisations. It provides advocacy, training, and resources for museum professionals, as well as promoting best practices and standards in the sector. The website features a job board, events calendar, and a range of resources related to museum management and operation.
Association for cultural enterprises
https://culturalenterprises.org.uk/
A UK-based membership organization that represents and supports cultural enterprises in the country, including museum and gallery shops, cafes, and other retail operations. It provides training, resources, and networking opportunities for professionals working in these areas. The website features a directory of suppliers, a job board, and a range of resources related to retail and commercial operations in the cultural sector.
All of these platforms, projects and organisations are run by amazing people, with a passion for them supporting Museums & Galleries and all of them are doing an amazing job. But there are significant crossovers, for example:
If a team member at a museum or gallery is looking for
Our aim is not to compete or conflict with any, just make it quicker and easier for them to manage the advice
Then make it easier for the Museums and galleries to take the advice and act upon it by providing the tools they need to break it down.
Feedback
Requesting feedback after a workshop, training session, or webinar is a valuable practice that enables organisers to enhance their offerings, boost attendee satisfaction, foster engagement and loyalty, and evaluate the success and impact of their events. Automated feedback requests make this process faster and more efficient. However, if each organisation in the sector implements a unique feedback solution, several drawbacks arise:
1: Duplication of spend
At its most basic level, if each organisation spends money on implementing a feedback solution separately , even if its the same platform or approach, accumulated cost of implementing this a number of times is far greater than it would be if a common solution was implemented and maintained collaboratively.
2. Duplication of effort
If each organisation develops their own feedback system, there may be duplication of effort and resources, deciding on the right questions, what the KPI’s should be, how to measure the feedback etc, then implementing and managing the solution.
3. Data inconsistency
Each organisation may collect feedback in a different way, which can lead to inconsistent data and difficulties in comparing results across events or workshops. Using the same data structure allows us to collectively identify patterns or trends, and to determine which areas need improvement.
4. Usability
If attendees are asked to provide feedback using different systems for each event or workshop, with a different dataset, even if the feedback is made available to them, there is no commonality which makes it difficult for them to assess the usefulness of one event over another based on their individual level of knowledge, needs or experience.
5. Benchmarks and impact
Accessing and comparing all feedback data in one place makes benchmarking possible allowing each organisation to evaluate the quality of their activities relative to others in the sector, rather than relying solely on their own feedback. Additionally, consolidating feedback data across the sector facilitates a combined assessment of the impact of events on the industry as a whole.
