A year in three parts

So 2020 is nearly done. And we got through it. Here at the end of the year, this is the Becolourful round-up. It's a tale in three parts. They sum up the good bits, of which there were quite a few, in between and sometimes at the same time as the bad bits, of which there were also quite a few.

– Part 1: Resilience –

Stunning image isn't it? Claire Westwood created this magical scene for our Christmas message. (Season's Greetings by the way.) To me, it speaks of strength in a fragile world, and feels just right for now.

I have to thank Claire because she inspired me to take up painting again, something I've not done for years. And it was one of a few hobbies that filled the void in lockdown (ok, sea swimming, takeaways and poetry since you ask, more on the latter later). She's also part of #artistsupportpledge, a platform for artists worth checking out. But proceed with caution – it is addictive.

All this is about resilience – something critical for us as individuals and businesses. I've certainly seen mine challenged. And (yes, unsurprisingly) when it comes to business, I think your brand really can make the difference. It helps you weather the storm. So it's been good to see several clients making the most of this unusual year to get theirs ready for the next chapter.

Brand messaging and web copy for Vault49 – building a bold positioning for a creative agency

Website copy for the National Association of Sessional GPs – new offering with a confident tone.

 – Part 2: Collaboration –

In a year when we've been starved of social contact, I wonder if we've all learnt to value colleagues a bit more. Maybe teamwork really does make the dream work? 2020 has been the year that Becolourful became more of a team effort.

I've thanks to dish out to talented fellow scribblers – Tony Gamble, Sonja Jones, Rebecca Magnus, Catherine Jones and Jonathan Wilcock. Working with them has been a delight and an inspiration.

Ah but collaboration doesn't stop there. We owe much to our design partners because seeing our words look that good makes our quills quiver. Big block-capped shout-outs for Filthy Media, Lost & Found Creative, Supafrank, James Walker and Jason Bradberry. Tip top types for tip top type.

Naming and web copy for One Garden Brighton – a historical garden with a contemporary twist

Oh but the most important collaborators of all have been our clients. (Really. You rock.) We've powered through, delivering quite a bit of work, particularly in tech, B2B and nonprofit. And as always, the best results have come from the closest working relationships (or best WiFi connections).

Respect to Damo in deepest Devon who Zoomed from a neighbouring chicken farm to get a better signal. Commiserations to Very Own Studio's Mark Ferguson who severed his broadband cable gardening at the very start of lockdown. Ouch. But regardless of the obstacles, collaboration has been where it's at. 

Brand messaging for Very Own Studio – a clear brand purpose reaching out to innovators

 – Part 3: Poetry –

It's been an emotional one. Maybe that's why this was the year I was grabbed by poetry (see my blog). And I'd no sooner got under the bonnet of my first sonnet when it seemed to be everywhere.

Harry Meakin of Clout studio invited me to take part in his lockdown book of poems Beyond the Pane, a beautiful project. Soon after, social media coach Debbie Ford asked me to write the script for Ode to Chichester, a grassroots film bigging up indie businesses. I tried to write something upbeat but seem to have brought many to tears. Sorry about that.

All this inspired me to set up The Brand Poet, a service for those interested in a more lyrical approach. Do get in touch if I can help float your metaphorical boat with less literal words. And I'll be on it like a... (enough).

Beyond the Pane created by Harry Meakin – a limited edition anthology of lockdown poems

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That was my year in three parts. The bad bits? Yes they happened too, for all of us they did. But hey, it's nearly Christmas. Let's find all the strength we need in this very fragile world to be jolly. 'Tis the season.

Very best wishes for 2021, from Emily Penny

 BRAND STRATEGY | NAMING | VOICE

Becolourful.co.uk

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