Interior Design Marketing Tips - 4 Basic Business Tips

In an age of internet marketing and online sales, we sometimes forget the basics of face-to-face encounters with potential clients. Since we experience such interactions almost daily in the design business, it seems a good idea to remember some of the basic business tips for success. As a designer, you can never forget that you're dealing with human beings, not some anonymous online entity.While these tips may seem obvious, they are rarely top-of-mind for most business owners today. We hope this reminder will help you keep them there, for your benefit – and the benefit of your clients:

• Be professional – It should go without saying but, in an age where civility and simple courtesy seem to have gotten lost, a bit of decency and graciousness will go a very long way. In fact, because such behavior seems so rare today, displaying your professionalism will make you stand out from the crowd as unique, considerate, and dedicated to your craft. These are all characteristics of the most successful interior designers.
• Open communication – A little bit of effort goes a very long way here – and is also a sign of your professionalism. Being patient and willing to chat with a client, even when busy, is a hallmark of a dedicated designer. Perhaps more important is your willingness to call back when you miss a client inquiry. Do this in a timely fashion even if it’s just to say, “I haven’t had a chance to look at that issue for you yet but, I will just as soon as I can, then will call you back with your answer. Thanks for your patience.”
• Improve your listening skills – What’s that old saying from our favorite design business coach, Epictetus? "We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak." In a service industry that is as personal as interior design, the ability to listen well could not be more important. Listening is the key to understanding your client's vision for their space(s). If this talent is not among your skill set, you’d best take some classes – pronto. Can you hear me now?
• Close the deal – Hard to overemphasize this one; in fact, we’ve mentioned it in many posts. It remains a weak spot in the skill set of many independent designers – a reluctance to ask for the sale. Perhaps it’s best to think about it like this; before making a deal and beginning work, the client owes you nothing. Regardless of how much work you may have out in measuring, sketching, and estimating a job, she owes you absolutely nothing for your work – until you ask her to buy and she says, “Yes.”

In other words, if you hope to get paid for your efforts, it is your responsibility to close the deal – asking the client if she is ready for you to implement your proposals. It is not the client’s responsibility to ask you to work for her.As a designer, you can never forget that you're dealing with human beings, not some anonymous online entity. Keeping these four basic business tips in mind will help.Looking for more new design trends, marketing tips, and ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.