"creative ways to help" seems to be a euphemism for telling someone just how wonderful they and their product might be when, in fact, it's dreck. My lack of interest in "creative ways to help" approaches total.
I do not always have something harsh to say. Most of the time I say nothing at all. An example of journeyman work does not need praise or comment, it's the quality one should expect of a competent
sign writer. I can't recall the last time I saw something really exceptional on this sand pile. Rest assured that when and if that should occur I might be moved to give praise.
It seems that this business attracts dilettantes like a corpse attract flies. The most of the people in this business continually demonstrate that they have little or no aptitude or ability for it. Anyone calling for "creative ways to help" is suspect.
If you'd drop the word 'nice' then you'd have "If you don't have something to say then say nothing at all". That plays much better, don't you think?