* How do your clients see you?
* Have you gotten passed over on the large, lucrative projects?
* Does your image help you or hurt you?
* Are you sure you want to make more money?
* Send a message of success, strength and confidence!
In today’s market interior designers are ferociously competing for fewer projects than ever. There’s no doubt that competition is getting tougher and tougher every day. However, those large, lucrative dream projects are out there. Are you getting them? Are you bidding on them? What’s the key to success in landing those big-budget projects?
Image Envy - As an interior designer no one needs to tell you how important image is. The way we present ourselves, our company and the services we provide, all contribute among other things, to whether we win a project or not. Take the time right now to think about how you can fine tune your personal image.
Do you have an updated wardrobe?
Is it current and stylish to today’s trends or are you comfortable and frumpy?
When’s the last time you had a new haircut, color or style change?
These all matter to new clients, as they’re part of your overall image of success. They reflect that you stay up to date with colors, trends and styles in our industry. If you are outdated personally, your clients will think you are outdated professionally. Designers that put effort, energy and money into their image (which is all a part of their marketing) will have the most doors open to them for bidding on new projects.
Looking Large – One sure way to refine your image is to look large and look professional! When you look large, you land those big juicy contracts because your clients have confidence in you and the success you have made of your business.
When’s the last time you reviewed your business cards, website and advertising materials? Consider getting those updated and use a professional graphic designer. Don’t try and do it yourself (unless you were a graphic designer in your previous career). I’ve seen too many interior designers with ‘mom-and-pop’ type, ‘do-it-yourself’ logos, only to wonder why they weren’t landing the big-budget, sophisticated clients.
Are you a solo-preneur? - That’s the buzz word for business owners with no employees. Many interior designers are solo-preneurs, and it’s very common in our industry. One way sure way to look larger and more professional is to get an answering service to answer your phone. When your client calls, it appears that you have a receptionist, or are super busy and successful enough to have employees working for you. After they answer the phone, they forward your calls to you, but only when you are available to talk. Otherwise they take a message. This insures you don’t have kids crying, or dogs barking in the background when talking with big time clients.
Set yourself apart! Today it’s more important than ever. Take a good hard look at your complete marketing picture, your image and see what kind of impression you are making on your clients. Do you appear polished, professional and successful? Should your prospects trust their hard earned, big-budget dollars to you?
Take your business image to new heights and win those big-budget clients! Take the time right now to upgrade your image and marketing materials. You’ll be glad you did when you’re swimming in new, lucrative projects!
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