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Leaving a Mark: Personalising Fundraising
How can personalising the act of giving build stronger relationships with our audiences? With so many museums and heritage organisations...

Paul Baker
7 days ago4 min read
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Case Study #2: When Witch Marks Went Global
This is the second in an occasional series of case studies drawn from my professional experiences. The first can also be found on my...

Paul Baker
Jun 26 min read
24 views
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The Museum Shop: Time for a Counter-Cultural Revolution?
What could be more straightforward than a museum shop? The formula is well established: place it by the exit, stock it with souvenirs,...

Paul Baker
May 265 min read
180 views
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Social Media: “Who Do You Think You’re Talking To?”
Social media has been a tremendous asset to museums and heritage sites. I remember how substantial marketing budgets used to be—and how...

Paul Baker
May 194 min read
32 views
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Come Together: Could Sharing Resources make us Stronger?
We all work in partnership with other sites—it's best practice. But could formalising these relationships bring greater efficiency...

Paul Baker
May 123 min read
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Review #3: Masson Mills - A Giant Re-Awakening
When you are part of a World Heritage Site and located alongside one of the UK's most popular National Parks, and the Matlock Bath...

Paul Baker
May 76 min read
34 views
1 comment


The Brand Dilemma: Visitor Attraction or Alienation?
We live in an age where brands permeate every aspect of our lives. Brand loyalty and values are deeply embedded in our choices—often...

Paul Baker
Apr 303 min read
22 views
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Strategic Moves: Why Good Governance is a Game of Chess
Good governance is about more than just passion and commitment. I’ve had the privilege of working with many museum Boards made up of...

Paul Baker
Apr 234 min read
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Is your cafe part of your audience strategy?
At Heritage Thinking Differently , we’re pouring another coffee, ordering dessert, and turning our attention to a subject that’s often...

Paul Baker
Apr 165 min read
36 views
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Reimagining the Relationship Between Museums and Academia
In today’s Heritage Thinking Differently blog , I reflect on a vital yet faltering relationship: that between museums and academic...

Paul Baker
Apr 94 min read
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Parklife: The Engagement Space Beyond the Museum Walls
Many municipal museums and art galleries are nestled within pleasure gardens, originally conceived as an integrated public leisure...

Paul Baker
Apr 24 min read
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My 'TED Talk' Toolkit
Do you take time to listen to or watch TED Talks? If not, you might be missing out on an opportunity for personal development. I’m a big...

Paul Baker
Mar 264 min read
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We need more wet weather destinations
Holidaying in the north of England, Wales, and Scotland has shaped my perspective on this topic. Despite the UK’s well-earned reputation...

Paul Baker
Mar 193 min read
20 views
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How does Digital storytelling improve access?
How familiar are you with ‘Lidar’ 3D scanning in the cultural sector? Is it on your radar yet? My own experience with this technology is...

Paul Baker
Mar 123 min read
18 views
0 comments


Are you a big fish in a small bowl? Or…
How well do you understand your target audience and catchment area? For some cultural sites, this is straightforward—particularly if they...

Paul Baker
Mar 43 min read
34 views
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If you don't have a Strategy, that IS your strategy!
Many organisations operate without a formal, written strategic plan. Sound familiar? It’s understandable—we’re all busy. While most...

Paul Baker
Mar 33 min read
32 views
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How many museums need be sacrificed?
Will we see a bonfire of museums? How many must close before we collectively say, "No more"? And if some survive while others disappear,...

Paul Baker
Feb 253 min read
128 views
0 comments


How to Turn Your Commercial Offer into a Destination
Have you ever visited a museum and been drawn in not just by the exhibits, but by the inviting café, the well-curated gift shop, or the...

Paul Baker
Feb 234 min read
56 views
0 comments


How does your cultural site sound?
Does your life have a musical soundtrack? Is every moment of drama or beauty accompanied by your personal playlist? This isn’t a new...

Paul Baker
Feb 183 min read
22 views
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How Can a Mentor Help You Thrive?
Everyone, no matter their experience level, can benefit from a mentor or coach. The form this relationship takes and the goals it serves...

Paul Baker
Feb 163 min read
38 views
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Can cultural sites out-run AI?
This could be my shortest blog ever because the simple answer is unfortunately: no. If you think otherwise, you may be fooling yourself....

Paul Baker
Feb 115 min read
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Why Your Heritage Site Needs a Commercial Review (And How It Can Help You Thrive!)
So, your site is a well-oiled machine? Your commercial areas are performing at their peak, your fundraising strategy is rock solid, your...

Paul Baker
Feb 103 min read
50 views
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The Fear of Admission Charges
I know this blog may alienate some of my colleagues in the sector. The debate around admission charges often feels polarised—either...

Paul Baker
Feb 54 min read
142 views
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Shhh!, this blog is about, Museums we don’t speak of…
Keep this to yourself. Scattered across the country are museums that few people mention. When we discuss how museums are embracing new...

Paul Baker
Jan 294 min read
54 views
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