Jack of All Trades, Master of None

I’ve always hated the saying – Jack of all trades, master of none. I can do many things really well, so I almost take it as a slap in the face when I hear this. I know many, many people who are masters of a lot of things. Look at interior designers for instance – not only do you have to be good at designing things you have to be good at rendering, drafting, sourcing, social media, marketing, copyrighting, bookkeeping, administration, customer service, web design, graphic design, coordinating schedules and a number of other things I know I’m missing.

There are several interior designers who are really good at every aspect of their business but the real question is are there several interior designers who are passionate about all of it? Most likely not. So, although I don’t agree with the saying – Jack of all trades, master of none – I do think that as individuals we are more passionate about certain aspects of our business, which in turn shows up in our work.

And even though some of us are masters of a lot, we no longer have time to be. This is exactly why at Elite Design Assistants the virtual design assistants (VDA) can specialize in certain areas. They can work on what they are passionate about and it does make them quicker, more efficient and masters of their niche.

If you don’t want to do it all, maybe you don’t need someone else who can do it all, too. Many of my clients are finding great success using multiple VDAs. They might have one who focuses on photorealistic 3d renders, a second that focuses on administration and a third that focuses on social media.

Some of our VDAs are so niched down that they specialize and prefer to do CAD drawings and renders for kitchens only. While some VDAs focus on construction documents and specs, others focus on website design or SEO or branding or sourcing. Since we offer many services, we have a lot of experts in each area of the interior design business.

If you hire a VDA to do QuickBooks, she very likely will not be the same VDA you hire to do your 3d renders. QuickBooks for the interior design industry is a unique skill set due to the multiple moving pieces in that business. Most personality types who do really well in QuickBooks don’t also do well with creating renders.

These options are what make it possible for you to grow your business. You know you’re getting an expert in the tasks that you most need help with.

Maybe the saying should be changed to - Jack of all trades, passionate about one. I could get on board with that. ;)

** Although I do typically recommend getting a VDA for each niche, I do have a few unicorns on my team so I’m never quick to count anyone out. Just as a designer truly can be gifted enough to do it all and love it– on occasion we find a VDA that can, too.

Get More Clients Using SEO

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase “work smarter not harder” before and this is exactly what SEO does for you. With proper SEO and digital marketing, you will be surprised at how much business you can drive to your interior design business. Clients seeking your services can literally be pointed in the right direction instead of having too much information to sift through and get lost in.

The great news is SEO doesn't take months of work, usually it takes just a few weeks. Over time, procedures will need to be updated but a little SEO can go a very long way. If you are unfamiliar with SEO it is Search Engine Optimization and it uses keywords placed in your online content to find you when potential clients are doing online searches. A great SEO expert will know the common search words used in your niche and make sure those words are strategically placed in your content.

Let’s say you specialize in mid-century modern design in Austin Texas. All those keywords would need to be placed in your content so when a potential client does a google search for mid-century modern design in Austin Texas your business comes up. Your SEO would also include variations of the keywords such as mid-century mod, mid-century modern interior design, mid-century modern style, mid century mod décor, etc.

There are a number of benefits to having SEO in your online content such as it:

1.     Creates a better experience for your potential clients

2.     Becomes a primary source of leads

3.     Brings a higher close rate and higher conversion rates

4.     Builds brand credibility

5.     Promotes better cost management

6.     Increases your social media following

7.     Can take you a head of the competition

Are you ready to look at how SEO can increase your business? We have a couple of SEO experts here at Elite Design Assistants and they are ready to help you! When working with one of our SEO experts they have some very specific questions you’ll answer and then they get to work making your online content work for you.

If you are interested in learning more about working with a SEO VDA please feel free to email me at danae@elitedesignassistants.com for more information.

Enjoy the day!

Danae

20 Fun & Unique Client Gift Ideas

I’ve found client gifts to be a popular topic in many designer Facebook groups and decided to compile a list of some of the most obvious and most unique ideas I have come across. Many designers do give a smaller gift for perhaps an e-design client or a smaller project and then they may give a larger gift for their larger more lucrative projects. What you decide to do is up to you, but if you are struggling with client gift ideas, hopefully the list below will help!

Also, once you decide what to gift, you may want to consider adding questions to your client survey to help you. For example, if you decide you are going to give restaurant gift certificates, ask what their favorite restaurants are in your survey. Or if you are going to give flowers, ask what their favorite flowers are. And depending on what you decide to give, you may just need to be observant while working on the project. You’ll see some great ideas below!

1.       Coffee gift cards – Often paired with a mug or Yeti these gift cards are perfect for your coffee loving clients.

2.       Small accessory – You’ve designed their home so you know their taste – you can probably come up with an awesome accessory they can display. Buy local or search Etsy for some great finds.

3.       Piece of artwork – Everyone loves a good piece of artwork and your local antique store or Etsy should offer some quality, affordable pieces.

4.       Coaster set – Personalize a set of coaster’s with your client’s favorite quote, saying or something meaningful to them and/or their family.

5.       Bouquet of flowers – Flowers brighten every home.

6.       Granite turntable for kitchen – These are beautiful and useful.

7.       Butcher-block cutting boards – This idea came with a self-promo. Have your design logo engraved or burned into the corner of the board.

8.       Wine, champagne, specialty beer or other favorite beverage - Anyone familiar with Crown Royal Peach? In certain parts of the country, you would become the talk of the town if you gifted this highly sought after seasonal beverage.

9.       Design health check – Some designers offer a design health check once a year for five years. It’s often a two-hour limit for questions and changing things up like décor. This is a fantastic way to get repeat business and referrals.

10.   Chocolates – Specialty chocolates are a very special treat.

11.   Indoor potted plant – Potted plants are a great gift for a client that you just designed a space for.

12.   Chef’s apron – If your clients love being in the kitchen, a personalized chef’s apron make a great gift.

13.   Doormats – Personalized or not, everyone needs a good doormat.

14.   Wall signs – Are your clients the wall sign kind of people? These can be personalized as well.

15.   Doorknocker – Doorknockers make a fun and unique gift.

16.   Unique wooden bowls – Wooden bowls make a great accessory and if they are unique, a great conversation starter.

17.   Restaurant gift certificate – Everyone eats, and even if they aren’t going out during these times they could be doing curbside pickup or ordering in.

18.   Cozy throw – A gorgeous throw is perfect for a living room, sitting room, bedroom or even an office or a den.

19.   Set of kitchen hand towels – These are always needed and well received.

20.   BOXFOX – This is a gift box company were you can customize a personalized box of fun goodies for your clients.

If you are doing your own packaging, a great idea to maximize your marketing efforts is to put the gift in a reusable grocery bag with your design logo on it. People love these bags and a quality one can be used as a tote bag.

Any of these gifts would be a great way to show a client how much you appreciate them.

Enjoy!

Hiring Virtual vs. In-House Assistants

As many interior designers are growing their businesses, I’m seeing the need for quality help increase significantly. Many designers are moving towards hiring virtual help for a number of factors but I do still see some designers who desire in-house help. I decided to highlight the differences between hiring virtual vs. in-house assistants as well as the pros and cons of each.

Virtual

Due to technology, virtual assistants are becoming more and more popular. They are often skilled in specific areas of business and are able to do a wide variety of tasks. Specifically for the interior design industry a skilled virtual design assistant can offer services such as 3d renders, floor plans, construction documents and specs, concept boards, presentations, invoicing, vendor management, client management, product selection and sourcing, bookkeeping, social media management, copyrighting, marketing and SEO and so much more!

Many clients work with their virtual design assistant through Trello, Asana or email and find that even if they are needing help with staying organized, scheduling and/or creating and implementing their processes a virtual design assistant can be a huge asset in terms of business growth.

So what are the pros and cons of working with a virtual design assistant?

PROS

·         Typically work on a 1099, as-needed basis.

·         You don’t have to worry about taxes, benefits or layoffs.

·         They provide their own office equipment, software and workspace.

·         During COVID times, there is no need to worry about social distancing since they work from their own home.

·         The great ones require no training.

·         They can do a wide variety of tasks including some tasks you may think only in-house people can do such as put together material binders, schedule appointments, answer phones or attend meetings.

CONS

·         They are not in-house to run errands – however, I have found some of my clients local virtual assistants that are open to running local errands and doing in-house tasks on an as-needed basis.

·         Not able to communicate face-to-face.

·         May work for more than one interior designer and not have the ability to work with you full-time if that’s what you desire.

In-House

In-house assistants are still desirable to those designers who need a face to welcome clients into a studio or prefer to work with their assistants in person. The most common struggle I see among designers today regarding hiring an in-house assistant is finding quality local candidates. Many designers have to train college interns or people with little industry experience and most designers don’t have time for taking on that type of commitment.

However, there are obviously some positives to hiring in-house if that’s what you prefer.

PROS

·         Able to run errands.

·         Able to communicate face-to-face.

·         You have more control over their time, especially if you are hiring a full-time employee.

·         Able to train an intern or inexperienced assistant if that’s what you desire.

CONS

·         Must provide a workspace, office equipment and supplies.

·         In most cases, must guarantee a certain number of hours per week whether they are part-time or full-time.

·         In most cases, they are hired as an employee and provided benefits.

·         Increased worry about layoffs during our current climate of uncertainty.

·         Is often difficult to find quality local candidates with industry experience.

As you can see there are a variety or pros and cons no matter which route you decide to take. I suggest you take a good look and your business and your goals in order to determine what type of assistant will be best for your business.

As always, feel free to reach out with any questions you may have regarding the subject. I’m always happy to help!

Danae

How Popular Is Sustainable Design?

Sustainable design has been a topic in the interior design and construction industries for the past several years. As more and more consumers, builders and designers become concerned with our environment, the more popular sustainable design has become. Depending on where you live, you may not be aware of how popular sustainable design is becoming so I decided to do some research.

Sustainability was named the most popular global trend for 2020. Interest in the environment is becoming a priority and so is using natural materials, buying local, refinishing, repurposing and buying secondhand.

Within sustainable design, here are a few other popular trends.

1.       Minimalism – We’ve seen tiny homes and barely there décor. As people focus more on making memories with experiences they are letting go of material things creating a minimalistic space. Not only is this less is more approach better for the environment, it’s better on the pocket book and for some – their mental health.

2.       Biophilia – Biophilic Design is about incorporating natural materials, light, plants, landscapes, smells and textures into design. It’s becoming very popular as people are looking to surround themselves in nature. Think plants, living walls, banana leaf rugs and lampshades made of grasses such as tobacco or even grown mushrooms.

3.       Energy efficient – Using less energy and taking advantage of sunlight is not only great for the environment, it’s great for your health. Many people have switched to LED lightbulbs, solar energy and are paying attention to their window treatments whether they are used to block out heat, let in heat or let in light.

4.       Low VOC – Clean air is a must to stay healthy and consumers and industry professionals have been trying to eliminate as many toxins in the home as possible. Non-toxic paint and low VOC finishes such as wood floors instead of carpets are becoming the new norm.

If you have a passion for sustainable design and are doing all you can to reuse, repurpose and conserve, yet are curious about the most sustainable way to buy new – remember, buy local and/or watch for certifications.

Sustainable products will be marked with special certifications such as Forest Stewardship Council, Energy Star, OEKO-TEX or Greenguard.

Although, you may not think you have a need for knowledge of sustainable design today, there is a growing population of consumers passionate about the environment. In my research, I tried to find what the most eco-friendly generation is and to my surprise, there is some contradictory information.

One articles says the Baby Boomers are the most eco-friendly generation; they range in age from 74-56. Other articles say consumers in the mid-forties, while others say the Millennials which range in age from 39-24 are the most conscious about the environment. And yet another resource claims Generation Z is also called Generation Green, this age group is 25-5 so not many of us working with that generation yet.

I guess no matter what one things for sure – people everywhere and every age are showing more concern for our environment. If you are passionate about the environment as well and looking to get into a specific design niche, sustainable design may be just the thing for you.

Mastering The Delegation Process

I often hear from people that they aren’t sure how to delegate tasks. The easiest way to do this is to write down what you need help with. What are you struggling with, what do you dread doing?

The most popular tasks I see delegated are 3d renders, CAD drawings, social media management and marketing, sourcing, bookkeeping and administrative tasks such as proposals, invoicing, tracking shipments, emailing updates to clients, scheduling appointments, uploading product into database, etc.

After you’ve decided what you want to delegate create a list for what you’d want your assistant to do.

If you are currently working with assistants or plan to work with one or more in the near future, define what everyone’s responsibilities are so things don’t fall through the cracks. Communication is key! The more everyone is on the same page, the better.

Now that you know what you want to delegate, how do you go about keeping everything organized? I’ve seen several ways that interior designers assign tasks to their assistants, especially when working virtually.

1. Asana or Trello. Some use free project management programs like Asana or Trello to create To Do Lists and Task lists where all communication is kept for an easy to find place of assignments, tasks and emails. Nothing gets lost in the shuffle in these programs.

2. Google Drive. Others use Google Drive and share documents to keep everything in one location that is also updated in real time. You could share a calendar of tasks to be completed and your assistant could mark when they have been completed and sent back to you.

3. Weekly To Do List. I know a few designers that will send their assistant a To Do List via email along with deadlines each week. On Monday, the assistant knows what projects she needs to work on and when they need to be completed.

4. What works for you. I have other designers who tend to fly a bit more by the seat of their pants and are assigning tasks as they come in and the assistant is making sure everything is getting done on time.

5. Ask your assistant. Since my team is full of seasoned interior design assistants some of my clients just ask their assistant what they find to be the most efficient way to communicate and receive tasks. No need to reinvent the wheel if you are open to working with your assistant in the manner she/he has found to be the most effective.

As you can see, I match my clients with people who can work in the style that my client already has in mind. I’m sure you organized your business very different from the interior designer down the street. What works for you may not work for someone else and that’s okay!

This is why we match for work style and personality as well as expertise.

I hope you had an amazing 4th of July holiday and as usual, feel free to reach out if you need anything.

Have a great rest of the week!

Danae

Drum up More Business This Summer!

Are you trying to grow your interior design business? The world is a crazy place right now so you need to let your target market know you are still out there if you are still working.

*Email your subscriber list updates and news on your business. Need ideas on what to send them? We have a couple brand new emails in the email template shop on our website. One is in reference to letting them know you are still working and the best ways you will be working with clients moving forward – New Standards of Working Together. The other is an email regarding current design trends due to quarantine – Latest Design Trends for Current Times. Both are located at https://www.elitedesignassistants.com/eda-emails-for-purchase. Ongoing, your email subscriber list should become one of the easiest ways to drum up business.

*Share any news and/or updates on social media. I realize sometimes social media is a hard place to get people’s attention but beautiful photos and consistency really do work!

*Engage. Make sure you are engaging with people who comment on your posts. This is how you build relationships with people that may want to hire you either now or in the future. Get them to sign up for your email.

*Facebook groups. I know many designers who are having success getting business in Facebook groups, either local groups or groups they’ve created.

*Facebook ads. I have a few clients who are using Facebook ads with great success, too. There are so many ways to drum up business if you want to.

*Local engagement. Have you considered writing an article for a local magazine, contributing to your local chamber of commerce’s welcome packets for new residents, being interviewed on a local program or radio show or speaking for a local group? There are many ways to get noticed in your area.

*Create a plan! The easiest way to stay in front of people and to grow a business is to create a plan, implement that plan and be consistent.

I hope these ideas have helped and as always feel free to reach out if you have more questions.

I hope you have a wonderful and safe 4th of July weekend!

Take care!

Danae

Client Processes

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 weekend! Danae

Are You Ready to Hire a Virtual Design Assistant?

I have heard from more and more designers that things are opening back up and things are getting busier than ever! Now that you’ve had several weeks to review how you were running your business and how you chose to run your business moving forward, are you ready for a virtual design assistant?

Have you decided that moving forward you are going to hire virtual assistants instead of in-house employees? Are you looking to work with professionals who offer an as-needed contract instead of a set number of hours per week? Are you looking to work with a professional who has experience, understanding of the interior design industry and would make a great long-term partner in your success?

Virtual design assistants are a great resource for any interior designer looking for help. They are able to provide a variety of services such as 3d renders, CAD drawings, presentations boards, sourcing, social media marketing, administrative tasks, content creation, graphic design and a whole lot more! Imagine working with someone who is available when you need them and you only pay for the hours they are actually working.

Imagine being able to offer new services that maybe you currently are not offering such as 3d renders or e-design services. A virtual design assistant can help you get 3d render and e-design services set up for your business and provide the service for you! When working with a virtual design assistant through Elite Design Assistants for the e-design services we offer a client onboarding guide created specifically for you in your branding, we offer the client questionnaire, the package offerings that you mark up to fit your pricing, the installation instructions, shopping list, 3d renders, concept boards, floor plans, etc. It’s virtually a turnkey service, one you can start offering even if you’ve never offered e-design services in the past.

So how do you get started? Either reply to this email or go to my website at https://www.elitedesignassistants.com/scheduleyourcall and schedule a time to chat. Once I get a clear picture of the exact type of virtual design assistant you need, I match you with an assistant that you can visit with to make sure it’s a great fit. All of the virtual design assistants have interior design education, years of experience and are matched based on their strengths and passions.

If a virtual design assistant is an option for you, I hope you reach out! Whether you use my service or not, I’m happy to help.

Have an amazing day!

Danae

COVID Considerations for Interior Designers

During & Post COVID Work Considerations

As states are starting to open up and interior designers are resuming somewhat normal activities, depending on where you live, there are a few things to think about when getting back out into society.

Safety recommendations – Be sure to research the safety recommendations in your state. I’ve noticed a wide variety of recommendations just to get a haircut or eat at a restaurant so be sure to research what your state is recommending when it comes to in-person meetings, in-home visits, site visits, shopping, etc.

Be respectful – The mask/no mask debate is happening everywhere but it’s important to be considerate of your clients. I know many business owners who don’t wear masks unless their customers/clients are wearing a mask. As a sign of respect they, will to, wear a mask. Ask your clients their preference if you aren’t typically a mask wearer and feel free to let your clients know your preference if you are.

Liability insurance – Have you checked with your insurance  provider to see what kind of coverage there is if any in the event that you, your client or contractors contract COVID during your working relationship? Again, all insurance coverages are different so call your provider.

Legal Waiver – The legal waiver is going to be something we could be seeing a lot of moving forward. Whether it’s from a school, sporting event, business or contractor (again, depending on where you live) organizations and businesses are going to want people to understand the risks involved in attending an event or working together and are going to want people to waive liability in the event they contract COVID. Ask your attorney if you should consider a legal waiver.

Contracting – Do you have a force majeure clause? Now that we all know what a force majeure event looks like it’s worth looking into. What happens when you can’t complete a job due to factors out of your control? Do you have a refund policy? Or is there a policy in place where the work will resume when safe? These are definitely some things to discuss with your attorney.

The interesting thing about the pandemic is that every state has slightly different policies for things. As I’m seeing some states are still shut down, others are proceeding with softball and baseballs seasons, restaurants are open for inside dining, malls are open, events are happening and people are gathering in larger crowds.

The best thing to do is research your state, the safety recommendations and policies and come up with a plan that best suites you and your clients for today and in the future. And for extra measure, consult with your attorney. It’s always better to be safe, than sorry.

I hope you have a beautiful day!

Danae