So you finally decided to take a plunge and wanted to step up your game when it comes to setting up your own interior design business. But the question is, how can you grow your business and turn it into a smashing success?
You know how the market these days is hugely saturated, and it might be quite hard to stand out from your competitors. Therefore, as an interior designer, you have to be incredibly creative to attract the right clients. Here are some essential tips on how to take your business to the next level:
Market your Business to Potential Clients
Even in an ever-growing digital world, never underestimate the power of a little slip of paper. Having a business card in hand doesn’t only allow you to meet new acquaintances, but it also helps you reconnect with the old ones, too ‒ your existing contacts. It still comes in handy at the end of the day.
See to it that whenever you’re handing out your cards, your email signature line is consistent with the one printed on the card. It should reflect every appellation you have earned such as the PMP, NCIDQ, LEED as well as the list all the professional memberships who have.
Keep your Social Networks Updated
Everyone is on social media these days. That’s why, more than ever, it’s crucial to maintain a strong social media presence.
Regularly refresh your social media accounts and keep it up to date. Take advantage of your online presence by updating your followers with your recently completed projects. But don’t just concentrate on the social media platforms most of your clients are using either. Instead, try to think of ways to connect and reach out to colleagues, peers, and various influencers in your niche and see to it that they always link back to your website.
Remember, you don’t have to be everywhere all the time. Just pick out a few strategic people and brands that you want to be associated with and be consistent with your efforts.
Get your Website a Facelift
Updating your website gives you the chance to reinvent your image. It also dramatically improves your website’s overall appearance and functionality. Websites need to be regularly updated every few years, or else it runs the risk of looking outdated. Also, make sure that your site is mobile-friendly since a lot of prospective clients are using smartphones and tablets nowadays.
As much as possible, make your website clean and easy to navigate. Ideally, visitors should find your contact information quickly, and your site should link to your various social media accounts. Doing so simply shows your visitors how you’re a modern, forward-thinking business.
Also, don’t forget to have an updated digital portfolio wherein you can showcase your work and how much you’ve grown as a business.
Keep on Learning
In today’s industry wherein new products and technology are continuously evolving, you must never stop learning. Therefore, you should acquire new skills to become better in your craft.
The good news is, there are plenty of events out there that can help you be just that. You can schedule your calendar ahead of time and attend annual or quarterly conferences. Better yet, take an interior design course online. It’s always crucial to plan ahead of time so that you can attain the goals you have set for yourself.
Invest in Quality Photography
Your work as an interior designer is highly dependent on stunning visuals and photography. There’s no better way of creating an impressive first impression with potential customers than showcasing your work through compelling imagery.
If you’re not extremely good at this field, you can always hire a professional photographer to do the work for you, capturing excellent photography that can potentially draw in your target audience. Although, it’s worth noting that you discuss with the photographer the exact purpose of having those images so that you’ll have the same goals in mind.
Stand out from the Competition
For you to stand out from the rest of the competition, do some research on your competitors as well as the types of services that they provide. It allows you to invest in the right activities that are valuable to your business. As a result, you’ll be in a much more better position in providing clients with unique and excellent services that will help them save both money and time.
For example, investing in 3D services with a team of subcontractors can help you finish even the most arduous tasks on a given timescale. As an interior designer, you may also need to compete with furniture retailers who offer various design services for clients. But by proving your skills and by satisfying your clients’ needs, you become an indispensable force in the industry ‒ propelling your business to long-term success.
