Best Bags (and more) For Interior Designers

Let’s talk BAGS…and some other fun organizational tools! I know for those of you that do in-person consultations and project installs, it’s important to have a bag that really works well for you.

Having everything you need when you need it, may be one of the most important things when you’re an interior designer.

Here are some common items you may want to have on you during a consult or installation day.

-Tape measure

-pencil, pen, sharpie, furniture staining pens

-paint deck (Benjamin moore, sherwin, Behr, whatever paint you love to use!)

-Design samples (flooring, tile, etc)

-“emergency” supplies like cleaning supplies, bleach pens, etc.

-Ipad/tablet/laptop

-painters tape

-Business cards

-Tools (Hammer, drill, nails, hanging utensils, safety pins, etc)

-Steamer

-Furniture moving pads

-notebook

Can you say prepared? You’ll have everything you need! 

Here are 8 of my favorite bags (and more) that I think may work well for you as an interior designer…

The Bellroy- I love this bag! Not only does it look nice but it’s so functional. You probably won’t be able to fit most of your tools unless they are miniature, but this is still a great bag.

Tumi Bag- This one is a splurge, so keep that in mind. But, it has every pocket you could ever need. Perfect for tools

Toyo Steel Toolbox- This one is pretty self-explanatory. Just a cute little toolbox for all the things! 

Better together pouch- This pouch will not hold your tools, but it can get you organized enough for a client meeting! This bag is perfectly designed for something like that. 

The Canvas Tote-A simple canvas tote with great little storage pockets.

Weekender Bag- A great weekender bag that comes in so many colors and patterns! (The way to my heart)

The Kaya- If you’re more into backpacks

The Rachhel- If you want something that looks a little nicer

View these below!

6 Ways To Keep your Cool as an Interior Designer

Life can get really overwhelming when you’re trying to thrive in your interior design business AND manage your personal life. It feels like there’s just so much going on and it never gets any easier. 

Well, enough is enough! It’s time to feel better. Less anxiety, better health and improved productivity. 

Doesn’t everyone want this? 

I put together just a few tips here to make your life easier and find a little more balance in your life. 

1. Plan Plan Plan -remember this point from my email last week? The more you plan, the better off you’ll be. I suggest google calendar to add both personal and business engagements. You are welcome to put this on separate calendars, but I find it better to keep everything on one, so that I have a full picture of what’s going on in my life. You can also do things like prep meals in advance, get your bag ready for your next client consultation, 

2. Multi-task-sometimes this is just what I have to do to get everything done! I’ll give you an example. Every morning I walk on the treadmill and answer emails. It’s important for me to get my exercise in and of course it’s also important for me to check my emails. So this is a way that I can get both done. And to be honest, it makes walking on the treadmill significantly less boring. 

3. Exercise and meditate-I’m sure both of these things have been suggested to you before. These are probably two of the best things you can do for your health. Exercising is magnificent for both mental and physical health. Adding in even just 15 min of exercise per day and you’ll start seeing the benefits. If meditating overwhelms you because it’s something you haven’t tried before, don’t stress. There are several meditation apps where you can start with something as simple as a 3-minute meditation. Fyi, this will feel like a long time when just starting out. But the more you practice, the easier it gets. Also wanted to mention that meditation is just breathing. That’s the most simplified way I can explain it. You can’t do it wrong, and having thoughts is very normal. It’s a common misconception that the goal of meditation is not to think, but we are humans and being completely devoid of thought is unlikely. The goal is to let those thoughts move through you. And the more you practice, the quieter those thoughts will get. 

4. Stop working at a specific time-I suggest picking a time each night to stop working. I know that can be hard, but it’s absolutely necessary. Every once in a while is fine of course, but you should really try and create some more work-life balance by shutting your computer and walking away early enough to actually have a life, or at the very least, get a bit more rest. I am really good about this, and even stop working at 3pm on Fridays when I can manage it. I do not check emails or work on the weekends. This is a boundary I always stick to and am so glad that I do. I have a family and it’s important for me to spend time with them. I’m a mom! But whether or not you are a mom, you are a  human. And humans need breaks. 

5. Hire a design assistant-were you waiting for this one? A design assistant takes things off your plate. And how could this not be a blessing? A design assistant is also great for those whose businesses’ have grown tremendously but are not quite ready for a full-time employee or long-term commitment. Choose how many hours you want your assistant to work for you and what tasks they can take off your plate. This is a great way to add more balance as an interior designer. 

6. Eat a balanced diet. Research has shown that gut health directly correlates with mental health (including stress). What you put in your body is important. Take some time to pin some healthy recipes on pinterest, plan your meals and build a shopping list each week. This is a game-changer. I suggest putting up some sort of meal-planning board on your refrigerator or on the wall in your kitchen so everyone knows what’s for dinner. Note on meal prep: even just cooking only the protein or only the veggies can save you a lot of time and stress. You can also prep things like rice, quinoa, and oatmeal in advance. Take a look at your meals each week and ask yourself which of those things would be helpful to prep. Also wanted to say, always make time to eat. I know life can get stressful and you forget or you prioritize other things, but seriously, eat! Your body needs it so that you can feel amazing and full of energy. 

Note:    Remember to START SLOW. Just like a crash diet, going too hard all at once is not a sustainable life-change. I like to implement a new habit for a week or two and then add new ones as I feel comfortable. A walk can change your mental health and gets you some exercise. Maybe start with a walk 5 days a week and do 15-30 minutes. Then the next week start planning 3 meals for the week, and make sure you are getting 3 meals a day. Then the next week you could add in something else you’ve been wanting to add, or maybe make your walk or other exercise routine a little longer. What can you commit to this week? 

Would you be interested in more health-related posts? Respond to this email and let us know! Another way to offer your feedback is to take our 2-question survey here. 

XX, Danae

So you’re busy? How to avoid turning clients away by adding them to your pipeline

From what I’ve heard lately, designers are incredibly busy and feel like they need to turn away work. This can be hard, especially if you are sometimes feeling starved for business. And, we’ve all been there. 

So, let’s talk about a few things you can do when a client wants to work with you and you just do not have the hours available to squeeze them in.

1. Walk them through your processes. Go ahead and walk them through the process of working with you, even if you can’t get started right away. If they really love you and want to work with you then they will wait. Let them know how long each typically takes place once you get started. They’ll want to know how much time their project is going to take. And as you know, it’s almost always longer than they think. 

2. Be specific. When you let them know about the delay, don’t say 12 weeks or 6 months…let them know a specific date. For example, “we can start this project on October 1st”. 

3. Do something for them. Get part of the project started, if possible. For example, have them send their inspiration photos to you or have them go ahead and fill out any questionnaire or other necessary paperwork. Just to get things started. Do something for them so that they can start to get excited about working with you. 

4. Send them something. A lot of designers wait until the end of the project to send the client a bottle of wine or some sort of small thank you gift. But if your client is waiting on you, it might be cute to send them something that lets them know that they are on your mind, and that you can’t wait to work with them! A few ideas could be a little card or note with a bottle of wine or some fun swag with your business name on it. Maybe even a cute little goodie bag that has a note saying “I can’t wait to get started on your project on October 1st!” Maybe even add something about what they can do to prepare in the meantime. 

5. Hire a design assistant (Not so shameless plug). Design assistants can help you with whatever you need help with. Think of them as your personal assistant. If it can be done virtually, your design assistant can help you with it. Some of our clients choose to just have social media taken off of their hands. Some need help with a variety of tasks from sourcing to project management to admin work. A design assistant is a tool and you can use them in a way that works best for you. Think of all the time you could save and how many more projects you could add to your plate if you didn’t have to worry about weekly subscriber emails, social media posts, order tracking, and client style boards! I mean….wow! You are paying them and whatever you can take off your plate - travel plans, online shopping, scheduling hair appts, ordering flowers, holiday cards, etc. 

6. Work on your processes and tighten them up. If you’re wasting time printing out materials for your client meeting when it’s the same for each client, take a Sunday or another day off and PREPARE yourself for your week. Just as people that are in-shape meal prep and set out their workout clothes, you can do this for your business. If you do client binders, prep those binders as much as you can so all you have to do is grab a new one on your way to see a new client. What can you do right now to prepare yourself for next week? Or next month? You NEED to have a system to set yourself up for success. If you want to have time for more clients and also experience less anxiety, plan plan plan plan plan plan plan plan. Are you getting what I’m throwin’ down?

7. Add them to your email list so they continue to hear from you while they wait! This is another great way to keep them excited and engaged.

8. Breathe. From a manifestation perspective, you can actually energetically propel clients when you feel like you may not have time for them. Why not create a pipeline that will be there when you’re ready? That way you feel prepared and available for more clients. Do yourself a favor and GET ORGANIZED and prepared for all your future clients. You got this. 

Next week we have a follow up to this post coming called “5 Ways To Keep your Cool as an Interior Designer”, so stay tuned for that!

Need to contact me about a design assistant? You can sign up for a time to chat by visiting the contact page of our website. I can’t wait to hear from you!

XX, Danae

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Have you taken our 2-question survey yet? I would love if you could share any wants or needs you have for this blog! You can take it below.

How To Use Instagram Ads To Get Business

Have you ever considered using Instagram ads for your business?

I’ve heard from several designers that they’ve been interested in trying Instagram ads to bring in some more business, but that they are overwhelmed by the task. I had one of our assistants write this up for you guys!

Instagram:

>Gets your name out there and helps you to build a following

>Gets your offers in front of more people

>Attracts your ideal client

>More

Check out how to build your ads below!

UPLOAD

When starting your Instagram promotion, you want to select an image or short clip that sends clear message, don’t leave anything open for interpretation.  Make sure to leave your caption short and sweet.  When creating your ad strategy, the goal is to capture the attention of your audience, keep in mind social media has become an outlet for mindless scrolling (aka, unconsciously scrolling through your Instagram feed out of habit, not out of interest).  With that in mind, there is that fine line of attracting attention but you don’t want to overdo yourself!  It’s important to stay true to you.  Social media trends come and go, it’s fun to partake in the current hypes and trends through posts and stories.  But when it comes to running ads, remember to stay authentic to your brand and your brands messaging.

GOAL

So now that you have selected your ad media, it’s time to launch your promotion!  The first thing Instagram is going to ask is to Select a Goal, giving you three options.  While they may seem limited, these three options do have their benefits.  What you select depends on you, your brand, and you messaging. 

Goal Option 1: More Profile Visits.  This option is great if you are looking to get more views, more likes, more follows, and to bring people to see your insta-stuff! 

Goal Option 2: More Website Visits.  This is a great option to bring people directly to your business.  You want to view your website is your online “home base” for your business.  This option virtually brings your audience directly to your business. 

Goal Option 3: More Messages.  If your ad is sparking conversation or seeking feedback, this is the option for you!

AUDIENCE-

Instagram will give you two options to help Define Your Audience. If you select Automatic it will target your followers, plus similar users who follow them, etc.  For a more successful Ad Campaign it is sometime more beneficial to select Audience Option 2: Create Your Own. This allows you to pick a target location, pick the age group of your audience, and pick the interests of your audience (This is key!) You can pick as many interests as you want.

For Example: Interior Design • Interior Design Pro • American Society of Interior Design • International Interior Design Association • VDA, Designer • Home Design • Home Décor • Design & Interior • DIY Home • Etc. –There is no such thing as too many interests.

BUDGET & DURATION

The next step is to select your budget and the duration of the ad campaign. 

Side Note: If it’s your first time running a promotion on social media, don’t be afraid to run a “Test Week.” Give your ad campaign one week to run with your selected ad graphic, goal, and target audience.  Once the test week is up you will have analytics and feedback to either continue with what you have, or to change things up!

LAUNCH

Instagram will ask you to review everything before launching your promotion.  Make sure to double check everything! From spelling and grammar to the resolution of your ad graphic. 

Then press Create Promotion!

WATCH

Watch analytics and feedback.  Breathe! Don’t forget to enjoy the process!  

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Need help creating ads for Instagram? Reach out today.

XO, Danae

Have you taken our 2-question survey yet? We would appreciate your answers so that we can better serve you!

Sourcing Made Easy

As you are aware, being an Interior Designer means juggling a multitude of things from client meetings, to sourcing, invoicing, proposals, dealing with contractors and the list goes on and on. Streamlining processes are crucial to building and maintaining a successful interior design business and so today I’m going to write about sourcing.

Sourcing can be as simple or as complicated as you like, but to simplify things I’ve got a few great tips and tricks for you below.

1.       Narrow down a list of key vendors. I know many interior designers that only work with their favorite vendors … you know the ones. They are easy to work with, offer great commissions and their shipments come on time and intact. Keep this list in your computer or better yet go to each of their websites and save them to your favorites. This way you can have tabs across the top of your website browser that you can get to easily and quickly. If you need help with a list of key vendors … let me know as this could be a blog post entirely on its own.

2.       Keep an ongoing list of your favorite products. I realize you don’t want all your clients’ homes to look the same but there are a handful of items that even the most successful interior designers’ source for multiple clients. For example, I follow a popular interior designer on the east coast who has a very popular blog and from her portfolio I can tell that she loves tulip tables, X benches, anything leopard print, trays and popular design books.

3.       Organize your favorite products in libraries on Pinterest, Excel or another area of your computer. This way when you have a client looking for a kitchen table you can go to your kitchen table cheat sheet to see if there is a great kitchen table there. I realize these lists will always be changing but it’s a great time saver if you spend a few minutes updating it as needed.

4.       Outsource your sourcing. I realize this is hard for some people but when you find someone great who understands your clients’ style and what you are looking for it can be such a huge benefit to your business. Working with a trusted virtual design assistant can be a huge asset to your business.

Hopefully you’ll find these tips helpful in creating a system for sourcing that will save you time and headaches!

Fashion For Interior Designers and how to feel more confident in client meetings

Hello and Happy Saturday from Elite Design Assistants! 

I’m sure you’re thinking “but we usually don’t hear from you on Saturday’s?!” 

Well...remember a few emails ago when we announced we are transitioning into a lifestyle brand? This is our first step. 1 to 2 times a month, you’ll be receiving tips, tricks, advice around more lifestyle related subjects like fashion, health, finances, travel, our favorite products and brands….and MORE, all coming at you via email and all specifically for interior designers. 

For those of you who filled out our 2-question survey, we appreciate it so much. It’s because of you we are able to make this transition and share even more exciting stuff with you. If you have not had a chance to fill it out, don’t worry! You can do it at any time. Just click here. 

Now, let’s get into the fun stuff, shall we? 

I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but how you dress and present yourself is important. This has nothing to do with your clients, although, of course, they are important too. But this is really about YOU feeling confident in the way you look. 

Have you ever put on an outfit, looked in the mirror...and thought WOW I look good. Then you go to your client meeting and you just carry yourself in a different way? And of course, the client starts the project. 

That is no coincidence. Your confidence is everything! And if you dress well, you will appear more competent and powerful. 

Because of this, I decided to put together this board of some mix and match outfits that I think interior designer’s will not only love, but will feel amazing in. This board is designed so that you can mix these pieces however you want. 

Beyond fashion choices, here are a few extra tips for feeling confident when headed into a design meeting. 

1. You are the expert: Never forget this! This person decided to book a consultation because they know that you know much more than they do about this subject (or let’s hope they do….we’ve all had “those clients.”)

2. You are worth the price you charge: If you’re struggling with this one, just remember those projects where you charged too little for your services and it felt like your soul was aching. We’ve all been there. Maybe we’ll do another email on how to figure out what to charge for your services. hmmmm….

3. Plan: If you are just starting out OR if you are a seasoned designer, plan out some talking points. How will you bring up your processes? In what order will things be discussed? Is there a way you can make the verbiage easier for your client to understand? Is there anything you would like to change from your last project? Can you provide visuals for them so that the process is more exciting? 

Did you love this post? We appreciate any feedback! And if you haven’t taken the 2-question survey yet, I would love it if you would do that for me. 

Survey

XO, Danae

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Need More Business? Here’s how to get it!

I realize that at the exact time I’m writing this blog … 10:47 a.m. on Thursday, July 8, 2021, (yes, I’m supposed to be on vacation but I still need to do my treadmill and checking emails and working while treadmilling is the only thing that gets me through my treadmill. Ha!) many designers out there are drowning in work. Which is why we are here – to throw a life vest to those designers and not only help them from drowning but to help them grow and scale their business – and did I mention our contract is on an as-needed basis?

Anyway, enough of the shameless plug, if you are one of those designers I see in groups still trying to get business and in utter shock as to why everyone around you is getting work here are some very helpful things to try!

Give your brand a good hard look. Have a friend or colleague give your website, social media, portfolio and copy a once over as if they are a potential client. Is there a disconnect in your messaging? Are you to vague? Can people easily find your contact information? What do you images look like? Your brand is you, this is why people want to work with you.

• Can people find your website? You may want to check your SEO and make sure you that are able to be searched based on your location, services, uniqueness, style, etc.

• Stay busy! You’ve heard the saying, when it rains, it pours. Keep busy improving your brand, your portfolio and your networking and the work will come.

• Create videos in your down time. I realize half the design industry is saying you MUST do video to stay relevant and the other half would rather eat liver and onions and spend the entire day on the toilet than do video but if you have time … try it. Do something quick and fun and if you need ideas for video, I’ll include some below.

• Network, network, network. Network with realtors, contractors, painters, mortgage lenders … you never know where you might get business. Try Facebook groups, hand out your business card and local business events, think outside the box and put yourself out there.

• Try niching down into one specific group. Again, the riches are in the niches, is a popular saying so maybe you are trying to reach everyone and it’s not working – narrow down your target market and go after them. Some designers have a target market of families, empty nesters, singles, luxury clients … and some break it down by style such as coastal, farmhouse, mid-century mod, minimalists, environmentally friendly, etc. who are you most passionate about working for? Who do you resonate with and most connect with? That’s who you want to target.

• Advertise. You can always try Instagram or Facebook ads. I realize this costs money and to get the most bang for your buck you’d want to work with an experienced social media ad expert.

• Try a new platform. A lot of designers notice the bulk of their business comes from one main social medium. For example, I hear designers say they are getting most of their business from Pinterest OR Facebook groups OR Instagram OR word-of-mouth referrals. Are those word-of-mouth referrals lucky! The reason they get word-of-mouth referrals is most likely because of the niche they serve. I know a few designers that don’t even have a website!!! That is unheard of and almost absurd in today’s world, however, they got in a niche and showcase all of their work and info on another platform such as Instagram and have been so busy they never had a chance to build a website … or in some cases update and old outdated one. You never know, maybe your target market is waiting for you on a platform you either aren’t spending enough time on or aren’t even on yet.

• Manifest. I know some people might think this is crazy but I truly believe in manifesting what you want. Envision yourself having all the work you want, believe it, live like you have the business of your dreams and it will come.

• Collaborate. I have always found that interior designers with a collaborative mindset instead of a competition mindset are way more successful and happier than designers who view every other designer as competition. Reach out to other designers and ask for advice or maybe partner on their overflow work.

As promised, here are some ideas on what to do in videos….

Showcase your strengths – what makes you unique? Maybe you specialize in organization for growing families or luxury items that are also practical. Showcase a few of your favorite design or products.

• Give a quick tutorial on how to style a coffee table, end table, dresser, shelf, etc.

• Give a quick tutorial on how the flow of a room should be set up in regards to focal point, etc.

• Talk about pros and cons of certain materials such as flooring, countertops, lighting

• Do a fun video about reveal day vs real life

• Do a day in the life sort of video – use a project in your own home if you have to

• Go to your favorite home décor store and pull some things together to show how to put together a look

• Be real, be honest, be yourself and just talk about your business and how you help others

• Show how drastic a look can change just by swapping out a few materials

• Review the most popular questions you get and answer them in a series of videos for example – how to choose a paint color, what size of rug do I need, what kind of window treatments should I purchase, etc.

Hopefully, by trying some of the tips above you will see an increase in your business in no time. If you are still struggling and need help, please reach out. We are always happy to help!

XX, Danae

Have you had a chance to take our 2 question survey from last week’s email? This would really help us out. You can find it below. Thanks!

Multi-Vendor Affiliate Programs

I’ve written about affiliates before. They are a great way to make some passive income. If you are already writing blog posts about your designs or posting pins on Pinterest with a ‘Shop the Look’ sort of pin then affiliate vendors are the perfect way to makes some extra money.

How does an affiliate work? You sign up for your favorite vendors affiliate program and then you include your affiliate links for your favorite home décor on your social media. When someone clicks on your affiliate link and makes a purchase, you get a commission! Affiliate links are the perfect way to monetize blog posts, Pinterest pins and social media posts.

Although you will get the largest commission going directly to the vendors to get an affiliate link if you are trying to do this on your own it can get very time consuming. Another, easier way to use affiliate links is by signing up with multi-vendor affiliate programs. These programs allow you to have one affiliate account but use multiple vendors. The commission is typically at a lower rate with these programs but for busy designers the simplicity can trump higher commission rates.

Some of the most popular multi-vendor affiliate programs among interior designers are the following:

1.       Share a Sale

2.       Shop Your Likes

3.       Pepperjam

4.       Amazon

5.       Rakuten Marketing

6.       VigLink

7.       CJ Affiliate

8.       Shop Style Collective

Start making more money today! Please let me know if you have any questions or if you’d like information on how you can work with a virtual design assistant to get your affiliate programs set up for you.

What else would you like to learn from us?

Happy Wednesday, everybody! We’re doing something a bit different this week and we need your help….

Our business is growing quickly and our goal is to continue to accommodate all of our client's needs.

We are currently in the process of transforming Elite Design Assistants to be so much more than just a virtual design assistant service for busy interior designers. We are slowly becoming more of a lifestyle brand, helping interior designers with whatever they need to THRIVE in not only their interior design business, but in life. 

We are currently offering the following services:

• 3d renders

• Drafting

• Sourcing

• Admin

• Marketing

• Social media

• Web design

• SEO

• Bookkeeping

• Copyrighting

• Client management

• Vendor management

• Project management

• And help with creating courses, shop the look boards, affiliate marketing, passive income ideas, ecommerce

• Templates for e-newsletters, Client Questionnaire, Welcome Packet, etc. Shop templates

• And resources for courses, legal templates, vendors, etc.

What else can we help you with? How can we make your life easier? Our goal is to become your go-to for all things you need. Are you interested in resources and/or help with fashion, travel, fitness, wellness, recipes, finance, real estate, legal or other?

We would love it if you could take our quick survey below, so that we can better serve you. 

We greatly appreciate your feedback!

XX, Danae

Tiny Offers to Create Passive Income

I’ve been doing a lot of research on ways to generate passive income by selling digital downloads and some of the research I’ve come across has been very interesting.

One leading digital marketer has been teaching her clients NOT to offer freebies. Yes, that’s right. Even though the popular rule of thumb is to offer a freebie in order to get in front of your target market, this particular digital marketer has found that by offering freebies we are just attracting consumers who are online collecting freebies.

She suggests that we offer tiny offers, whether they be $17 or $27 or $37 … I’m really not sure why they all end in 7 but this is what she recommends. She said that we are more likely to attract our ideal client when we offer them something of value at a small price. They are more likely, than someone who grabbed our freebie, to purchase more from us in the future.

So why does she believe this? When we offer something for free we are potentially attracting way too many of the wrong type of prospects … if someone isn’t willing to spend $27 with us they most likely won’t be willing to spend any money with us. Now I realize that all interior design firms are different and depending on your target market and if you are looking to offer digital downloads this may not pertain to you.

I did find it ironic that she was teaching me about her practice on a Masterclass that she offered for FREE, but that is a discussion for another day. I do know people who have built a successful business offering freebies … offering tiny offers is just an alternative approach to generating more income.

So how does this work? Let’s say you have some valuable information that you are just giving away on your website as a digital download, now you attach a price to it and sell it. I’ve seen designers sell pdfs of design plans, choosing the right paint colors, tips on how to design a room and tips on how to manage their own construction. There are a lot of DIYers out there looking at interior design websites every day and some of them might just purchase your download. After purchasing your download they may just decide to do business with you, and if they don’t, well you still made a bit of cash from their download purchase.

For those of you looking to create passive income, creating valuable downloads and selling them is a great way to increase revenue, increase exposure and increase interest in your business.

Are you ready to start offering a tiny offer? Shoot me an email and let me know how we can help!

XX, Danae

Start offering E-Design Services

2020 and 2021 have been....interesting to say the least...

With spending more time at home, designers have been forced to adapt the the changing world. With e-design being one of the safest options during the pandemic, it has become more popular than ever.

Are you offering E-Design services?

Marketing your e-design service should be an easy sell at the moment. Sign up for my weekly e-mail at www.elitedesignassistants.com and I’ll send you a FREE client/prospect email you can send to your current clients, prospects and email subscriber list regarding your e-design service.

Need more information on e-design for your own business? Here you go!

How does e-design work? (This is a very high-level overview of the process.)

1.       Offer your clients/prospects an intro call and/or zoom meeting to see what their needs are and review your e-design packages. Be sure to explain that in e-design everything is done remotely, so it will not include on-site visits, installation, construction, etc.

2.       Once they choose to work with you, email them your LOA (you may need to adjust this for e-design services) and once it’s received email them a modified version of the questionnaire you normally would in your business. Ask them to include inspiration photos as well as pictures and measurements of the space they want you to design.

3.       Let the designing begin. You can create concept boards, 3d renders and a shopping list for your clients. The shopping list can include links to your affiliate sites for self-ordering or you can offer trade options that you’ll place orders for them as you normally would.

4.       Send your clients the package (concept board, render, shopping list) along with instructions on how to order products and install the design.

5.       Once they’ve implemented your design, ask them to provide after photos so you can use them in your before/after portfolio for e-design. I know a lot of e-designers struggle with getting the after photos so maybe offer some sort of incentive to get those. 😊

6.       Send them a thank you and let them know you’re happy to help them again in another space.

Pricing – Just like in regular design, pricing is very different for all e-designers. Many of them offer a variety of packages. Some ideas of pricing and options I’ve seen are as follows:

1.       Full design per room includes concept board, floor plan, paint palette, shopping list, render, written instructions for installation and a 60 day follow up. Priced anywhere from $700 - $1,000.

2.       Design per room includes everything above EXCEPT render. Priced anywhere from $500 - $650.

3.       Refresh per room – this would be refreshing what they have and styling it, you could still offer a small shopping list of items. Priced anywhere from $300 - $450.

4.       You can also offer online consultations, furniture layouts or shoppable boards for specific styles. And honestly, you can charge whatever you want, of course. This is just what I’ve noticed is the most popular pricing.

There are a lot of resources now on e-design. You can try the Facebook Group called edesign Tribe as a great place to start.

As always, please let me know what you need as I’m happy to help!

XX, Danae

Client Processes For Interior Designers

It’s going to be a crazy, busy summer so let’s get organized!

I’ve heard from many of you that are getting very busy which is very exciting but can also be very overwhelming so I thought I’d give you some ideas on things you should consider to help you get and stay organized!

First of all, take some time to write down everything you need to do in the coming days, weeks and months. Then crumple up that list and throw it in the trash. I’m so sorry! I’m totally kidding. Please dig that list back out of the trash and from here on out I promise I’ll be serious. J

Block out some time and let’s get to work!

Guidelines

Do you have an operations manual? Have you written down or typed out your business process from start to finish? Creating processes help you stay organized, prevent important details from being overlooked and are very beneficial when delegating tasks.

Write down your business processes and create a manual or guideline that you can use as a reference for all clients you work with and assistants you hire. Include processes for working with clients, marketing, hiring, purchasing, bookkeeping and anything else that is a major part of your business that you feel needs a detailed guide.

I have found that interior designers organize their businesses a little bit differently. Some of them are paper, binder, folder people and others are computer, software, techy people. Do what works best for you!

Today I’m going to write more about client processes and what you should consider having in place, if you don’t already.

Create binders or folders either hard copy, on your computer or in your favorite software program for each client. Now create a To-Do list and schedule for each client. Color code each client and merge the schedule into one master calendar so you have a clearer picture of what needs to be done. But before any of this can be done perhaps you need to take a look at your client processes.

Communication:

Do you have an outline for how communication is handled with clients? Do you have email templates ready to save you time since you most often are sending some of the same emails, whether it’s a response to an inquiry or a welcome email, next steps email, update email or invoice email.

Consultations:

Do you have guidelines on how quickly you need to respond to inquiries and set up consultations? Do you have certain days/times blocked off for consultations only? Do you have a client qualifying process you go through before booking a consultation with an inquiry?

Proposals:

Once you’ve qualified a candidate, had a consultation and are ready to create a proposal, do you have proposal templates on hand? Do you use a formula for figuring out a project timeline and budget? How long do your clients have before they need to respond to your proposal?

Working with Tradespeople/Vendors:

Do you have a list of your go-to contractors, tradespeople and vendors? Do you have a process for connecting with them and lining them up for projects and/or placing orders? How do you schedule installations? Communication and follow up is key and guidelines on these processes are going to eliminate time, headaches and costly errors in the future.

Site Visits:

These processes may have changed due to COVID-19 whether it be the frequency of visits or the manner in which they are conducted. Be sure you have a clear idea of how to schedule and coordinate these as well as how many of these you need for each project. Do you block out time on certain days for site visits?

Reveal Day:

Do you have a checklist and processes for the completion of the entire project? Do you also do styling or take photographs? How do you then present your client with the final invoice?

Running an interior design business is no easy feat! There are multiple moving pieces and a lot of things to coordinate, order, install and consider when working on one project let alone several at one time. Writing down every process and procedure may seem like an overwhelming task but spending a little time now will save you loads of time, money and headaches in the future.

Hopefully, this has given you some things to consider! If you are really struggling with your processes I do know there are courses on this very subject that you can take to really help you get your entire business organized and running in a more efficient manner! Or, I know people who hire an assistant to help get their processes in order as well.

Have a great week! Danae

Best Project Management Software For Interior Designers

I work with a lot of interior designers and they use a variety of project management software including Ivy, Mydoma, Studio Designer, Design Manager, Designdocs and self-hosted.

Which one is best for you? Hopefully the information below will help.

Ivy
Ivy’s website states - Our platform is designed to take the pain out of administrative tasks and allow designers to focus on the work they love. You don’t just get access to the Ivy platform, but also to our incredible industry resources, and the most powerful and supportive design community.

I’ve been told that Ivy has a low learning curve and is the user-friendlier version of Studio Designer. Ivy works well with direct integration with QuickBooks online including easily accepting credit cards. Ivy allows you to view project timelines without added data entry because estimated ship dates automatically go on the Project Calendar. Ivy will continue to add functionality to make it a strong candidate for the interior designer’s use.

Although it may be user friendly, it does take two programs to do what Studio Designer can do in one. Studio Designer is more customizable; however, Ivy is still very popular among interior designers.  

Pricing: Basic $59/month or $599 paid annually

Essential $99/month or $999 paid annually

Unlimited $149/month or $1,499 paid annually

Plus, QuickBooks fees $40 per month

Try it: Ivy offers a 30-day refund.  www.ivymark.com/

As of March 2018, Ivy sold to Houzz and has some designers questioning their partnership and ethics.  I suggest doing your research on this before taking the plunge into Ivy.  

Design Manager

Design Manager is an all in one software for project management, purchase order tracking, accounting, reports, inventory. Since Design Manager isn’t super user friendly it is often used by established design firms. Their website claims 70% of interior designers prefer Design Manager over QuickBooks.

Design Manager is the leading project management and accounting software for interior designers. Created in 1984 to respond to the requests of local interior design firms, it expanded into a nationwide software company and became one of the first providers of cloud-based design software. Because design firms have specific needs that cannot be answered by conventional software, it is our mission to provide a product that is dedicated to serving the design community. We deliver software that saves time, money, and frustration, while eliminating countless hours of paperwork.

Pricing:

DM Cloud $39.99/month

Pro Cloud $54.99/month

Save 10% by paying annually

Try it: They offer a free trial at https://designmanager.com/

Mydoma

Mydoma is a great organizational tool for your interior design projects.  Many designers love the systems and processes and creating automations so that your business runs easier and Mydoma helps with this.  The Mydoma platform helps with the onboarding process, a place to keep project info (ex: space info, before images, measurements, inspiration images), and a place to collaborate with your clients.  Using Mydoma you are creating an online design studio/project binder to collaborate with your clients.  You can have new clients sign contract, fill out onboarding questionnaire, and send initial payment all within the program.  Great if you do e-design or smaller design packages.

This software is limited if you run a full-service interior design firm.  And the accounting is in QuickBooks, so it requires double entry for products.  

Pricing: $59 per month for Pro, plus QuickBooks fees $40 per month

Try it: Free 30-day trial. www.mydomastudio.com

Studio Designer

Studio Designer claims to be the leading application for interior design professionals. It provides project management and accounting systems for its users. In 2016, it created a Vendor Portal and Client Portal. In 2019, version 2.0 is a new streamline look and efficiencies.

It is a very robust and extensive program for every operation a design firm could face.  This is a one-stop-shop for all your interior designer application needs.  Because of this Studio Designer can feel overwhelming for a novice designer.  It is an accounting program and project management program wrapped up in one.  You can manage your entire business from this program.  Accounting, Expediting, Ordering, Timelines, Reminders, Logistics, Inventory and so much more. 

This program is very technical, and you may need an accountant that specializes in the program.

Pricing: Basic - $35/month

Professional - $45/month

Try it: Studio Designer does not offer a free trial, but they do offer pro-rated refunds, if you wanted to try it for a few days for a few bucks.  www.studiodesigner.com/

DesignDocs

DesignDocs is a total project management and online accounting solution for the interior design industry. Founded by a husband and wife team (a Chartered Accountant and a Designer), DesignDocs provides a full suite of business management tools for interior designers. Additionally, the system gives access to valuable financial reports so designers can gain a strong understanding of their profit margins and identify areas in their business where they can increase revenue. 

The software is ideal for full-service design firms who are looking to increase profits, improve their operational processes, and/or scale their businesses. Pricing: Solo $69/p month or $708 paid annually

Professional: $98/p month or $1,056 paid annually (minimum of 2 users)

Try it: Free 14-day trial. www.designdocs.com

Self-hosted

I know more and more interior designers that are going to a self-hosted type of program. They use landing pages on their websites, Pinterest, spreadsheets and processes to stay organized and on top of their businesses. This isn’t for everyone but if you are looking for a cost-effective way you may be interested in checking out a self-hosted system. Next week, I’ll be writing about how the self-hosted system works and why it might be beneficial to you!

As always, feel free to reach out if you have questions!

Create an online dropshipping store

Dropshipping has become a very popular way for people to run online stores. It enables you to create a site and sell products without having inventory or even paying for the products until they are sold. Interior designers are creating their own online stores using dropshipping.

How to start a dropshipping business:

1. Find a supplier. You will need to find dropshipping suppliers to work with. Oberlo is a marketplace that allows you to find products that you can sell online with dropshipping and according to them the home décor industry will be a $664 billion dollar industry by 2020.

Other dropshippers to consider for home décor: Eastwind Wholesale Gift Distribution, Koehler Home Décor, Park Designs, Wholesale Interiors, Sage Brook Home, Aspire Home Accents, Classic Touch Décor, Designs Direct, LLC, Home Spice.

2. Build your store. You can use Shopify, Squarespace, Weebly, GoDaddy or BigCommece. If you decide to use Oberlo (mentioned above) they work hand in hand with Shopify.

3. Market your website. Create a marketing plan and post your website on social media, your blog, email subscriber list and anywhere else you can to gain exposure.

When looking at marketing your dropshipping business some trends for 2020 to consider are:

*Mobile sales are significantly increasing which means people are using their phones more than ever to purchase products. Make sure your site is mobile friendly!

*Business owners are optimizing their website’s home pages and turning them into product pages. Sell the products front and center instead of having a Shop tab.

*Video descriptions of products are going to start showing up more and more on websites.

*Another random note that may or may not help with creative brainstorming when trying to figure out what to sell on your site – subscription boxes and personalized products are on the rise. Consumers love personalizing items and millennials love subscription boxes. Stay tuned in December for a post about creating subscription boxes for the interior design industry.

A dropshipping store can be as lucrative as you like if you do the marketing, social media and get the word out there. It’s a huge undertaking and if you don’t have the time … well you know where to go :)

To learn more about all things dropshipping, check out this awesome article by Dropshipping Tutor.

https://www.dropshippingtutor.com

VA vs. OBM. What's the difference?

The post-covid world is increasingly virtual and ever-evolving. Perhaps one of the areas of expertise that has skyrocketed during this time is the remotely-based strategy professional known as the Online Business Manager. The role has been around for many years, but is increasingly popular in a virtual world. 

The more commonly known role of a “Virtual Assistant” generally works in tandem with the Online Business manager (“OBM”) but the roles are distinctly different. While a VA is focused on getting tasks done and providing relief, the OBM is focused on improving the “how” you get things done and  managing those processes so the CEO can ultimately remove themselves from the manager function. 

Some organizations are a better fit for the Virtual Assistant support, while other organizations are senior-enough (6 and 7 figure businesses) where they feel the need for a higher level of business support. There are five distinct indications that point to needing a Online Business Manager support your company:

1. You are consistently missing deadlines. If you or your team are struggling to meet quotas, provide excellent customer support, or not move your business forward as quickly as you would like, likely you are in need of an Online Business Manager. The OBM is a master project manager and holds the CEO and their team to deadlines, individual responsibilities, and incentivizes the work needed to move the mission of the business forward. 

2.You do not have enough time for “big picture” tasks. This is perhaps the most common reason business owners bring on an OBM. They find their day to day is swamped with tedious operational tasks and they do not have enough time to dedicate to their CEO role. The OBM will come into your business to implement processes and systems so that your tasks are more streamlined, clear and easy to understand. This should also provide mental clarity and peace of mind knowing everything you need to get done is clearly completed. 

3.You have a team of 2-15 people. While the OBM can still provide relevant support to a solopreneur, there is additional expertise you receive when you have a small team that the OBM can manage and support. Likely your OBM will come into your business and run team meetings, upkeep project management software, provide metrics and reporting, etc. You then can completely remove yourself from the team’s day to day function while relying on your expert communicator to provide you all relevant information that you need. 

4.You have to turn away opportunities because you are so busy! This often happens to very talented business owners. Your business is growing, while your free time is shrinking. An Online Business Manager focused on equal parts high level and granular tasks. Because they will be focused on the implementation of your visions, they can help manage the growing pains associated with more clients, expanded services and growing ventures. 

5.You’re feeling overwhelmed or are not a systems person. Especially for creatives, this seems to be a common pain point for the successful business owner. Some people are not systems-minded individuals, and that IS OKAY! That’s why you may need an OBM. They will help you create processes, implement those processes into the right system for you, and help you and your team manage that system to serve you. You know you have a good OBM when they tell you all about different functions your technology can help you with and support you (without having to do anything manually) that you didn’t even know existed!

Need your own OBM? Contact us today…

XX, Danae

Clubhouse For Interior Designers

Have you heard about Clubhouse? If not, I’m honestly shocked! It has really taken off since its debut in 2020.

This invite-only platform is an auditory-only app that is for iphone users only. You can hardly scroll social media these days without hearing about it. 

I believe it’s a bit easier to find invites now but when it first came out, you really had to hunt. Rumor says that Clubhouse will be creating a version for Android phones and potentially won’t require an invite but we’ll have to check in on that in a few months and come back with an update.

You can find live conversations on Clubhouse from topics ranging from Health and Fitness to Interior design and anything you can think of in between. Some of the most popular conversations I’ve found are about business, manifestation, and basically any talk given by a celebrity! 

If you have no idea what Clubhouse is, don’t stress. We’ll give you a brief breakdown here:

-Think of Clubhouse as a live podcast system. Nothing is recorded but presenters show up audio only and discuss their topic in front of a listen-only audience.

-Presenters (called Moderators) can invite audience members onto the virtual stage, giving them the opportunity to share their own experiences or ask the moderators any questions they might have.

So how can you utilize Clubhouse as an interior designer? 

1. Collaboration is key: Similar to a podcast, Clubhouse is a great place to grab a few fellow designers or tradesmen and do a podcast about a specific design subject. So put out your feelers and find someone who wants to join in an online convo with you! The more moderators you have, the better the potential turnout. 

2. Create a great profile: Put time into this! You have quite a bit of space to tell about your story. Who do you serve? What kind of projects do you like to work on? What subjects around interior designer do you love to talk and teach people about? 

3. Add a great picture to your profile: Pretty self-explanatory, right? Always pick a professional photo that shows your personality! 

4. Engage in the app! Join other rooms and participate as much as you can. Share your story in other rooms that are not related to interior design. Share valuable and helpful information whenever you can. I’ve joined rooms before and have had people follow me just for being inside of the room. If you get on stage and talk, everyone will be able to easily access your profile. 

5. Start your own room: Just use the “create a room” button and then click “add a topic”. Pick something broad so that you can host chats based on many topics. 

Play around with the app and discover all it has to offer! This is the best way to get to know how to use it and all the knowledge you can share through it. 

Have a fantastic day! 

XO, Danae

How To Build Stronger Relationships With Your Clients

Happy Wednesday!

There is nothing more important than your relationship with your client.

There are several reasons why you should strive to build the best possible relationship with your client, from the experience being awesome for both of you, to them possibly hiring you again when they have a new project or get a new home. And also, referrals! Referrals are the best!

Sometimes it can be hard to call in the right client and if you’re struggling with that, please read our blog from a few months ago called 3 things you can do connect with your ideal client online.

We all know the horrors of having a nightmare client that you just DON’T mesh with, and I do not want that for you…

I want you to be SO excited to work with them and even just spend time with them. They respect you and see you as the expert, but also really just want to hang out with you too!

Here are a few tips for building stellar relationships with your clients.

1. It’s possible I’m repeating myself here but that’s ok because it’s so important. Find aligned clients that you want to work with! People you would want to spend time with outside of their project. If you don’t like who they are as a person it’s probably not going to go well...hard truth! If your personalities clash, then you are setting yourself up for a tough project with less than stellar communication.

2. Be straightforward and honest in the beginning: Be very upfront about your strengths and what you will be hiring out for their project.This is a good time to explain all of the rules and boundaries about working with you. If you don’t want your clients texting you, make sure you communicate that you only respond to emails and how long it will usually take you to get back to them. Boundaries are important.

3. Explain the process and pricing in detail: Explain how pricing works with them. There are lots of opinions on whether you should disclose product markups and no matter what you decide to do that’s completely fine, but make sure to let them know how you do things in as much detail as you feel comfortable. If you will be doing the buying, make sure to inform them that items will be bought through you and should not be purchased outside.

4. Get a clear budget: I know I’ve had clients express that they don’t know what their budget is. If that’s the case, give them an idea of what it might cost to furnish their space. I suggest giving a range and explain that you will keep them updated, but getting a firm number from them is really the best for everyone involved. If their budget is too low, be honest and clear about how it won’t be enough for the quantity and look they are going for. The last thing you want is a misunderstanding involving money.

5. Talk to them about their style: And get to know it well. If you only do a particular style then you’ll want to let them know upfront so they know what to expect. Most likely if you are an established designer then they probably hired you because of your style and this won’t be an issue. If you do all styles and just need to know what they like, make sure you are both on the same page with that and you fully understand their style. If you don’t understand or if their inspiration photos are all over the place, let them know that you need more clarity.

6. Listen: Listen as closely as you can to everything that they say and find out what is important to them. This goes beyond just filling out a questionnaire but really listen to their emotional needs so that you can fulfill them.

7. Mid-project check in: Check in frequently and ask them how they’re enjoying the process and if they have any hang ups, address them so that you are on the same page before continuing on. The last thing you want is to find out they are unhappy about how the project progressed when you’re at the end and it’s too late.

8. Exit-interview: Similar to someone leaving a corporate job, it’s a good idea to do an exit interview with your clients to tie up any loose ends and ask them what they liked and didn’t like. This is not only great for them but you will know what went smoothly and what didn’t which can help you with future projects.

9. Client gift: Give them a special gift at the end. It can be the same thing for each client, but the more personal you can make it the better. What would be most meaningful for them? For ideas, check out a past blog, 20 fun and unique client gift ideas.

I can’t wait to hear how your client relationships improve!

XO, Danae.

Tips for creating video for social media

Whenever I talk to clients about getting on video all I get in response is pure panic...

And I get it! It can be scary to get on video and share it online.

BUT, I want you to understand the importance of showing up on video if you can. Do you HAVE to in order to be successful? NOPE! Will it help? Absolutely!

Videos are watched way more than posts are read, therefore, social media platforms are prioritizing videos with the algorithm. If you want to be seen more than you are now, try video!

Video is a great way to let clients get to know who you are and what you believe in and establishes you as THE EXPERT. Which is something we really want.

We all know it’s probably not the best idea if they do things by themselves and creating videos is going to show them that you are definitely the one (or not) for them. I mean… we also want to weed out the clients that are not a good fit for you. Am I right?

Here are a few tips for dropping the fear and creating videos that are great for your brand, how to get started, and types of videos you can create.

1. Baby steps: I’m not asking you to go live on Instagram because I think that can be intimidating for even people who make videos all the time! So please don’t freak out and think that’s what I mean :) Maybe start by just sharing a couple of tips with your followers. Create a short 3 minutes (or less) video on your smartphone. Feel free to make edits if you need! Example: Share your tips for helping them nail down what their style is..

2. Be confident! There is nothing to worry about. You are a professional! You help your clients in consultations and you can share those same tips online. And before you say it, no you are not too fat, no your voice is not annoying, and NO you are not going to embarrass yourself. Yes, I’m calling you out because I know we all tell ourselves these ridiculous things that are not true! Put on an outfit that makes you feel fierce, write a script and give it a shot. I don’t suggest reading from the script or even memorizing it, it’s just a great way to organize your thoughts and remind yourself of the things you would like to talk about. Keep it in front of you in case you need to take a peek.

3. You don’t have to be fancy: Don’t feel the need to go out and buy a bunch of fancy equipment. You totally can, but clients are going to be just as impressed if you just film something on your smartphone. You are a human, afterall! Another thing to mention is you don’t have to have the perfect face of makeup on or the perfect outfit. Show up messy vs. not showing up at all.

4. IGTV: This is a type of video offered on Instagram. It must be less than 60 minutes and can be filmed vertically or horizontally, whichever you prefer. As soon as your clients open it up it will start to play. This is a good space to provide tips and tricks.

5. Reels: I’m sure you’ve heard about reels as they have been all the rave on social media for the last year. These are 15 or 30 seconds long depending on what setting you put it on! If you haven’t watched any of these yet, I suggest going to this section of Instagram and checking a few out for reference and inspiration. Great spot to share tips, tricks, and styling videos.

6. Go live: If you feel comfortable, try going live! Pick a specific subject and talk about it freely online. The consultation requests will be rolling in!

7. Add a video to your website: Adding an about me video or a video to the page with your list of services could be a great way to showcase your personality and talk a little bit about how working with you would work. Walk them through the process so they can get to know you and see what working with you is all about.

8. Make a plan: No matter what type of video you decide on, definitely make a plan like I mentioned earlier. Pick a topic, write a script, and share freely about it!

9. Content: Browse the internet for content ideas, or better yet, repurpose your own content! For example, if you made a post about your favorite paint colors and it did really well and got lots of responses, maybe make a video about how you like to select the best paint colors. You can also ask your audience what they want to learn! Make a feed post about it or add a question box to your stories and let people input topics.

Were these tips helpful for you? I would love to hear!

XO, Danae.

Exciting News! The Interior Design Standard is OPEN

I am so excited to share this with you!

As the interior design industry continues to explode, a common theme I’m hearing from interior designers is “I need to get organized. Do you help with processes and systems?” For those of you needing help getting organized and developing your systems and processes have I found an amazing resource for you!

Sandra Funk (House of Funk), is making a huge impact on a number of interior designers’ businesses across the country with her course The Interior Design Standard.

Why is this program making such an impact? Because The Interior Design Standard is composed of modules that outline Sandra’s entire business. Within each module are resources that you can start using right away.  She walks you through how to implement all of these templates via videos along the way. Enroll here now!

This program is perfect for any designer who needs organized processes, wants to learn more about how a thriving and successful design practice does it and wants to bring the joy and passion back into their business.

Highlights of the Standard include:

-      The design fee calculator - finally a formula that removes the fear of flat fees

-      The design agreement that both clients and designers love

-      The exact process that each interior design project follows, from the first potential client contact to completing photo worthy projects

Enrollment only happens twice per year and is open now starting TODAY April 21st thru April 28. The program begins on May 3.

If you are interested, you can enroll here. The Standard is only open for enrollment twice a year so that they can create the most amazing experience possible for the current members who are currently transforming their businesses.

As always, please feel free to reach out if you have questions!

XX,

Danae

What to do when you're running out of photos for social media....

Has this happened to you? You post like crazy for a few months and then all of a sudden…..OOPS! I’m running out of photos!

Even when you have a lot of projects it can be hard to have enough photos to be showing up on social media every single day...and not run out.

So here are a few tips for what you can do to stretch your photos longer.

1. Use 3d renderings: 3d renderings look SO realistic these days, that people are using them on their social media. They are a great way to add to your portfolio. If you don’t know how to create renderings or don’t have the time to put them together, just gather a list of items you want to use in a space, and send them over to one of our assistants

2. Share more of your process: As busy designers, you’re always surrounded by paint samples, materials samples, or you’re in furniture stores. Share these things with your audience. Not every photo you share has to be perfection. People want to see the behind the scenes! If you want your photo to look better on your feed, just add a filter. They are inexpensive and will make your photos look great.

3. MoodBoards/Concept Boards: You’re probably already making these for your clients to express your design ideas, so why not share them on social? And if you don’t make these for your clients, you can just throw a few pieces of furniture or accessories on a board and share it. If you offer personal shopping or buying for your clients, this can be a great way to get new people to reach out to you so they can purchase one-of-a-kind items through you!

4. Color Palettes: Take your favorite paint vendor and choose 5 or 6 colors you want to feature. Write a cute little caption about why you chose those colors and BAM! New post.

5. Construction behind the scenes: As I mentioned earlier, clients want to see your process and it can be exciting for them to see the construction process and how things come together. Share photos or video of a kitchen renovation mid-process, or a video of construction.

6. Before and after: Take the photos you’ve already shared and share them again but do a before and after post where they swipe from the after to the before. You want the best photo to be showing on your feed even if you have used it before. Your clients will get to see what the space looked like before which, as you know, can be very exciting!

7. Product features: Instead of a whole product board, just share photos of one photo you like. It can be a professional photo from the vendor’s website or it can be something you found at market and snapped a photo of. Market is a great place to collect photos of things to share throughout the year on Social. This helps clients get in touch with your style and gets them excited about buying cool products through you.

8. About me: Share a photo of you and a little about you! This is a great time to talk about how you became a designer, your background and experience, what inspires you, what kind of projects you like to work on and what kind of client you serve!

9. Share install day: You know install day is the most exciting part of working with a client. Why not share the process? Stories is a great place to do this but you can absolutely create a swipe-able post where you share part of the process, before photos and photos and/or videos of you pulling everything together. This will get clients excited about the possibility of working with you and having their project come together.

10. Share photos again: There is absolutely nothing wrong with sharing photos you have shared before. You will have new followers and new eyes will be seeing it. Even if someone has already seen the photo, I don’t think anyone is going to be upset about seeing it again ;) Try and make sure you don’t use the same post within 18 posts

Were these tips helpful for you? I would love to hear!

If you need help creating content or curating a beautiful social media feed, reach out to us today!

XO, Danae.