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.