Passive Income Ideas for Interior Designers

Whether you feel like you've hit a financial ceiling, want to scale your business, or are simply interested in making more money, the prospect of passive income is an exciting one. Fortunately, interior design is a profession that offers numerous strategies for generating passive income.

The idea is to establish revenue streams that flow in the background with minimal effort on your part. It's important to remember that there is an initial investment of time to get it up and running and, depending on the strategy, there may be more or less maintenance. But if you set it up correctly from the beginning, you will find it to be quite rewarding.

Here are some effective passive income ideas that you can consider introducing into your business.

Digital Downloads

Selling digital downloads is one of the most popular ways to create passive income. Although it requires a significant time investment, it requires little to no monetary investment. You can create downloadable products such as gallery wall templates, e-books, guides, or pre-made mood boards. Try to opt for content that will stay fresh and relevant in the long term to maximize your earnings.

Courses

Whether you decide to sell a course on your own website or on another platform like Udemy, you will find customers or budding designers who want to know your design tips and tricks. Create a high-quality product with thoughtful content of value and attractive, cohesive graphic aids. If you sell your course on a third-party platform, you may benefit from more traffic. If you sell it on your own website, you’ll have total control over the price you charge.

Affiliate Marketing

The good news is that most major brands have an affiliate program with which you receive a commission for each sale that comes through your recommendation, such as through a link from your blog. This is a passive income opportunity with high earning potential and no need to get involved in the actual sales. The main challenge may be to work on the SEO of your site so that more customers find you in the first place.

Sponsorships

If you already have a large social media following, vendors may offer you their products so that you can market them or simply speak well of them (in exchange for a commission or one-time payment). They may even ask you to become a brand ambassador. Such an agreement may include specific kinds of posts or content, so it’s important that what you’re promoting is in line with your brand.

Online Shops

When it comes to e-commerce as passive income, you generally resell products rather than selling your own. It can take some time to get this set up on your website. Alternatively, you can use an affiliate program like SideDoor or Shopify to add items to your online shop and earn a substantial commission. In either case, you’ll need to advertise and leverage social media to attract customers.

Membership Sites

A membership site offers valuable information for a monthly or annual fee. As an interior designer, you must decide whether your expertise is better targeted to other designers or to consumers. As with digital downloads and courses, you’re sharing your knowledge in an accessible way. It’s one of the more time-consuming methods, which requires excellent marketing and customer service. But once it’s up and running, it can be a highly lucrative source of passive income.

Printable Art

Apart from being an interior designer, do you dabble in drawing or painting? Downloadable, printable art is a prevalent feature in decoration and is purchased by interior designers and consumers alike. Sell your work on Etsy, Shopify, or in your own shop in order to make multiple profits on a piece you created just once.

Hopefully, one or more of these passive income strategies have caught your attention and gotten you excited to start earning more! Looking for more help to get started?

In my eBook, Creating Passive & Multiple Income Streams For Interior Designers, I show you how other interior designers earn passive income in all of the above ways and more. You’ll find in-depth examples, case studies, important considerations, resources, and the steps to take to get these revenue streams going yourself.

xx, Danae

12 Ways To Celebrate National Women's Health and Fitness Day!

Something so vital deserves a day to celebrate and refocus attention on women’s health and fitness. National Women’s Health and Fitness Day is an initiative organized by the Health Information Resource Center. Each year, on the last Wednesday in September, more than 500 groups participate by hosting events across the country in venues ranging from health clubs to schools to community centers. Topics addressed include breast and cervical cancer, family planning and pregnancy, heart disease, and many more.

There is an old Zen saying that goes, "You should sit in meditation for twenty minutes every day, unless you are too busy. Then you should sit for an hour." This idea could easily be applied to any exercise or wellness practice. It's time to make your health a non-negotiable priority. In addition to participating in an official event, here are 12 more ways you can celebrate National Women's Health and Wellness Day:

1. Schedule a medical check-up. When was the last time you went for a routine checkup? Even if you're feeling well, it's recommended to visit your doctor at least once a year.

2. Go for a mammogram. The goal is prevention, so learn how to check yourself, and especially women aged 40 and older or with a family history of breast cancer should talk to their doctor to schedule an appointment.

3. Buy a fitness tracker. Make it easier to be aware of your activity by wearing a smartwatch or activity tracker, which lets you see how much you’re moving from day to day.

4. Get your partner or family up and moving. Play a game that requires physical activity as a way to bring your loved ones together and get some exercise in without it feeling like a chore!

5. Get outside and go for a walk or bike ride. Getting some fresh air and having a change of scenery can do wonders for both our physical and mental health.

6. Dance to your favorite song. Let yourself be spontaneous and channel those bursts of energy and good vibes.

7. Grab a friend. Some people find it helpful and motivating to have an accountability partner and enjoy their company while you both benefit from doing some sport or activity.

8. Take care of your mental health. Often more neglected than physical health, but equally important, check in with yourself and consider seeking professional support, even if you don't feel you "need" it.

9. Reevaluate your diet. Step back and have a look at whether your daily diet is generally nutritionally well-balanced, and consider meal planning.

10. Get enough sleep. An undervalued part of health and too often sacrificed, there's a reason doctors insist on 7-9 hours of shuteye per night.

11. Share what you’re doing on social media. If you already enjoy sharing what you’re up to online, why not raise awareness and inspire others to get back in touch with their own health?

12. Make a commitment. Like all holidays that aim to bring attention to a cause, the goal is to organize your routine in a sustainable way so you can take care of yourself and enjoy a greater quality of life throughout the whole year!

With all the crazy demands of everyday life, health and fitness often get pushed to the back burner. But this day serves as a reminder that you deserve to dedicate time to your well-being, and it’s also going to allow you to put your best self forward for your loved ones, career, and other priorities. And while maintaining a healthy lifestyle is vital for both men and women, this day recognizes the unique health needs especially for women.

xx, Danae

It's International Coffee Day!

As one of the most popular beverages in the world, chances are that you consume it too. According to a study conducted by the National Coffee Association, 7 out of 10 Americans drink coffee every week. Coffee is fuel, it's comfort, and it's even a pretext for conversation or the perfect first date. So pour yourself a cup to sip as you read on about the significance of the celebration of International Coffee Day.

Although coffee has been celebrated nationally for decades in countries such as the United States, Nepal and Indonesia, the first official International Coffee Day date was instituted by the International Coffee Organization in 2015 in Milan, Italy. The idea is to pay tribute to this popular beverage, and also to promote fair trade coffee while raising awareness of the dire situation of coffee producers.

Most coffee travels a long way from small-scale farmers in the "Bean Belt" countries and through the hands of buyers, various middlemen, roasters and distributors, before reaching the shelves of your local store. From the cup of coffee you buy at your neighborhood coffee shop, the average farmer receives only 1% of the profits. With such minimal profits, there isn’t enough to reinvest in labor, land, or equipment, and parents often take their children out of school to work on the plantations in order to survive.

On the other hand, coffee production often brings with it environmental problems from deforestation to high use of water and energy resources and water pollution, all on a large scale. However, certified organic coffee is grown without the use of pesticides, herbicides or chemical fertilizers. To support ethical standards of coffee production, opting for organic coffee that comes from a supply chain where everyone is paid fairly is an action you can take.

In the health field, there has been plenty of praise and criticism written about coffee, but every day scientists discover more and more benefits when consumed in moderation. Did you know that coffee contains more antioxidants than broccoli? The Harvard School of Public Health found that people who drink coffee are less likely to suffer from type 2 diabetes, Parkinson's disease and even depression. Just remember to consume it in moderation, as the FDA recommends staying under 400 mg of caffeine, which is equivalent to about 4 cups of coffee.

So how can you celebrate International Coffee Day? Here are some ideas for you.

1. Get free or discounted coffee from one of the many cafés or shops that participate in International Coffee Day.

2. Gift yourself or a loved one a new coffee mug.

3. Look for Fair Trade and organic seals on the package before buying or ask the barista about the origin of the coffee.

4. Try a new brewing method.

5. Sign up for a coffee subscription to sample different varieties.

6. Learn how to order coffee in another language.

7. Try food or drink recipes that include coffee as an ingredient. My favorite is anything chocolate as coffee is known to enhance the flavor of chocolate.

8. Ask someone out to celebrate the day with you.

Drink up and enjoy this wonderful day!

xx, Danae

It’s Time to Break into the Luxury Market with The Interior Design Standard!

I love sharing helpful tips, tricks and information that I learn about the interior design industry with you that will help you succeed in running the most fulfilling and profitable business possible. I’m excited to share with you once again a business program that’s goal is to improve the interior design industry one design firm at a time.

The Interior Design Standard, created by East Coast interior designer Sandra Funk (House of Funk), is making a huge impact on a number of interior designers’ businesses across the country.

Why is this program making such an impact? Because the Interior Design Standard is House of Funk’s business structure. That’s right! The program includes a variety of modules with templates, processes, tools and tech for designers to implement the structure into their own businesses. Within each module are videos explaining the ‘why’ behind Funk’s processes, with her personal experiences and lessons learned weaved in.  

The program is delivered in a friendly digital format. Designers receive lifetime access, live virtual community events and access to the ultimate design community: the Standard Inner Circle. “Our mantra is ‘Rise, Designers, Rise’. By helping one designer at a time, we hope to see the entire design industry improve,” says Funk.

I want to tell you a little bit more about the designers that the Standard will benefit the most.

·       They've been in business for at least two years

·       They have at least 2 team members

·       Interior design is their calling - they've got the design stuff locked down

·       They're ready to level up and break into the luxury design market

·       They desire to have more confidence, joy, creativity, freedom... and profit

Of course, the Standard is not exclusive to designers that check every box, but their data and testimonials have shown that this is who has fantastic results with the Standard. 

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 joy and passion back into their business.

They give you digestible video explanations accompanied by Sandra’s process, broken down into step-by-step tasks for you to download and customize for your business. Here are a few of the highlights:

·       Interior Design Services Agreement

·       20+ Client email templates

·       Trade Agreement

·       HR Docs galore (job listings, roles, and responsibilities, employee agreements with office policies, onboarding processes, and more) 

·       Full Service Asana template (100+ tasks of our detailed full service and build/renovate process)

·       Potential Client Asana template (detailed tasks outlining and digging into this process from initial outreach to onboarding)

·       And tons of bonuses that will knock your socks off!

Plus, anyone who signs up using my link below will get our Passive & Multiple Income Streams for Interior Designers e-Book for FREE*!

Enrollment only happens twice per year and the next enrollment period starts today, September 28 – October 5, 2022. Don’t wait! Reserve your spot now at:  https://interiordesignstandard.com/danae

*The FREE e-Book will be sent via email 60 days after payment in full for The Interior Design Standard is paid.

As always, please feel free to reach out if you have questions!

I hope you have a wonderful day!

xx, Danae

The Best Social Media Post Ideas for Interior Designers

If you aren’t a fan of social media then one of the most time consuming tasks you have can be social media … unless of course you have a social media manager, in which case your life is much easier.

If you are doing all of your social media on your own, below are some tips for higher engagement but first, a few quick tips!

Block out time each month for social media creation and planning. Treat it like a date! No reschedules.

Create a monthly calendar and implement your posts into that calendar.

Using a planning tool such as Planoly or Tailwind, schedule out the entire calendar one time – then focus on your business until your next date with social media.

Schedule to post at the best times of day– what are those you ask? Below is what is recommended for your region.

• Monday – 12:00 p.m.

• Tuesday – 9:00 a.m.

• Wednesday – 11:00 a.m.

• Thursday – 11:00 a.m.

• Friday – 2:00 p.m.

• Saturday – 9:00 a.m.

• Sunday – 7:00 p.m.

Finally, what you should you be posting for higher engagement.

• Videos – the shorter the better these days. We’ve turned into a society with extremely short attention spans. A max of 60 seconds used to be recommended, now the powers that be are saying 35 seconds! Get really good at creating great content in 35 seconds or less.

• Carousels – No time or desire for videos? Create photos that run similar to a video but they are still images, the movement will catch scroller’s attention.

• Humor – People love funny posts. Be creative, if you are funny let your humor shine! Create posts about what NOT to do as an interior designer, funny things that happen to you in your day or your humorous observations.

• Unique – Post about unique décor, strange things you find in people’s homes or unique connections to your story or your client’s story.

• Pets and/or children – People love animals and children. I understand not wanting to post your children so use your own discretion but animals and kids are attention grabbers.

• Be yourself – Life’s short so now is the time to do whatever you want. Color your hair purple, wear a bedazzled vest or wear funky glasses – people are attracted to those being their authentic selves so get personal. What is unique about you personally? Share it!

I recently saw a real estate investor influencer who was just bored and started dying his hair different colors for fun. His Instagram followers started asking him why he kept coloring his hair and if it was a marketing ploy. He decided he should start looking at the analytics. He found that he had the most engagement on posts when his hair was dyed red or green but overall, he’s had more engagement and made more money this year with dying his hair a different color every few months then he had in all of his previous years of business. Maybe it was a coincidence or maybe it become a fun thing for followers to see what color he’d die his hair next. Or even yet, maybe people were more likely to do business with him become he seemed relatable. No matter the reason, this has worked for him.

At the end of the day if you need social media help, please feel free to reach out by replying to this email.

We are always happy to help!

xx, Danae

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THE INTERIOR DESIGN STANDARD

Don’t Miss Open Enrollment Begins for the Interior Design Standard by Sandra Funk - September 28!

This program is perfect for any designer who needs organized processes, wants to learn more about a thriving and successful design practice does it and wants to bring the joy and passion back into their business.

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Get The Most Bang For Your Buck With Value-Add To Property

In a sense, any improvement to your or your client’s property will result in a higher property value. But that doesn't necessarily mean you're going to get your money back or make a return on the investment. And, as you will see, it's not just the type of remodeling you do, but the scale and strategy of the remodeling that determines the return on investment. Here are some of the top value-adds that can get you and/or your clients the most bang for the buck.

Improving Curb Appeal

The buyer experience begins well before stepping foot inside a home, and so does the property’s value. Consider some simple landscaping, such as re-mulching, pruning shrubs, and adding a few colorful plants, with potential to recover up to 100% of the investment. According to studies, it is possible to recover roughly 93% of the cost of installing stone veneer and 91% of the cost of a new garage or entry door. New siding or exterior paint also drastically improves first impressions. While not the first place some buyers may look, a restored roof adds significant value to a property, particularly if it has suffered water damage or is simply worn out. Outdoor spaces, such as a deck, patio, or pool, acts as a sort of extension of liveable area, which brings us to the next point.

Increasing Liveable Square Footage

One of the most important factors that determine the value of a property is the liveable square footage. If you have the space and budget, adding to the footprint of your property is a sure way to drive up its value. In particular, additional bedrooms and bathrooms are valued. If that is not possible, you can still increase the value by optimizing the space you do have. This can be accomplished by opening up common living areas, as the new generation of homebuyers generally prefers open floor plans. You can also remodel neglected areas, such as the basement, in order to add to the total area that is truly liveable.

Strategic Kitchen and Bath Remodels

Kitchens are known to be one of the focal points of a home, but note that a basic makeover gives an 87 percent return on investment while a major kitchen redesign only yields about 80%. A light makeover for your kitchen could include painting cabinets or putting in new doors, upgrading large appliances and countertops, or installing more modern cabinet hardware. Bathroom remodels work similarly. A superficial bathroom remodel can mean up to a 102% return on investment! Prioritize regrouting tiles and replacing mirrors, fixtures, and caulk around the shower, tub, and toilet areas.

Updated Systems and Energy Efficiency

Make sure that your electrical and plumbing installations are working properly so that they don’t detract from the sale value. While not necessarily an aesthetic improvement, upgrading HVAC, water heaters, and windows will provide the highest returns. Between the growing interest in more environmentally friendly options and the long-term savings associated with more efficient energy, buyers are increasingly attracted to these types of upgrades. Be sure to detail the benefits when marketing your property so buyers understand what they are getting.

Fresh Paint and New Floors

One of the most effective and budget-friendly upgrades is a fresh coat of paint. Opt for light neutral shades. It will work wonders for brightening up darker areas and breathing new life into not only walls, but cabinets, trim, and exterior. On the other hand, hardwood flooring is highly valued by many buyers today, and when installed properly, it can increase the selling price of a home by around 2.5%.

Home Staging

The objective of home staging is to make a property more appealing, thus increasing its value. Professional home stagers strategically organize and furnish the property in such a way that viewers can project themselves in the space and better see its potential. According to a recent study by the International Association of Home Staging Professionals, staging can contribute to a 20% boost in the sale price. Besides that, staging accelerates the sale of homes by three to 30 times compared to unstaged competitors.

Determining exactly which upgrades will get you the most bang for your buck requires a study of your property’s weak spots and the local market and demand. Working with a local realtor can help you to decide what upgrades make the most sense to invest in so your home or your client’s home meets the expectations of buyers in your market.

Happy Value-Adding!

xx, Danae

Celebrate International Literacy Day Coming Up on September 8th!

The cooler season approaches, evoking images of crisp air and curling up with a book and a hot drink. Is it any coincidence that this month marks International Literacy Day? Celebrated since 1967, UNESCO established this day, September 8 each year, “to remind the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights.”

Surprising as it may seem, there are an estimated 750 million adults in the world who cannot read: not this blog post, not a road sign. Nor are they capable of holding a simple text message conversation, since literacy also encompasses the ability to write. In other figures, there is 90% literacy in the world for all males, and only 82.7% for all females.

In an impactful dialogue photographer Brandon Stanton held as part of his acclaimed Humans in New York project, a young Pakistani recounts, “My father used [his] knowledge to teach me how to read. I started with local newspapers. I learned that our village was part of a country…And I learned that there was an entire world around this mountain. I learned about human rights. And now I’m studying political science at the local university. I hope to be a teacher one day.” His story is just one example of the powerful ripple effect that learning to read and write makes on someone’s life, at all stages of development. It makes all the difference, both on a personal level, and when it comes to moving up the socioeconomic ladder.

Reading is also important for our health. Reading books, in particular, can improve concentration, attention span and memory. It has also been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer's and dementia later in life by maintaining brain health as we age.

So let's use the day to raise awareness of this issue and appreciate our own literacy, which can be so easy to take for granted. Here are some things you can do to participate in International Literacy Day.

INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY ACTIVITIES

Donate books. Round up a box of books that you or your kids don’t read anymore and hand them off at your local library, a US organization such as Kids Need to Read, or an organization that benefits African children, whose overall literacy rate is the lowest in the world, such as Books for Africa. These types of organizations also often accept financial donations in lieu of books.

Start a community lending library. These adorable mini-libraries are popping up all over and foster a love for reading, as well as a sense of community and goodwill. In fact, there is an official network of over 100,000 locations, so check on Little Free Library’s map for one near you, or find tips for building your own and register it for others to find!

Gift a book. Pick out a book for a special adult or child in your life that shows you were thinking of them. Books make great gifts for birthdays and holidays, but you don't have to wait until then. International Literacy Day or any other day is the perfect opportunity.

Create your own reading haven. Make it a priority to enjoy reading or writing by setting the perfect scene for yourself. Start by refreshing your personal library with a new book or notebook, get cozy in your favorite sweater, light a candle, and prep a mug of your favorite drink.

So get out there and celebrate International Literacy Day! Also, check out our Shop the Look for International Literacy Day for fun book-related items to treat you and your loved ones with.

xx, Danae

How Can We Help You?

Elite Design Assistants Wants Your Feedback on What You Would Like!

Are you super busy and overwhelmed? Do you feel like you are spinning in circles and need to take some time to get your business in order?

As you know, each week I love sending you valuable information regarding popular topics in the interior design industry and lifestyle topics that pertain to interior designers. Today, I’d love to hear from you. What topics would you like to learn more about? What types of things are you interested in but don’t have time to research? What are your pain points?

Are there other templates, prewritten content or other digital downloads you’d like to see? Do you need help with marketing, organization or streamlining processes? Are there services, courses, software programs or other things you’d like to see and/or learn more about?

Whether you use my services or not, my hope is that the weekly emails are beneficial to your business and that you are able to continue to learn and grow.

I want everyone to be successful, so please feel free to reply to this email and let me know what you need! And it doesn’t all have to be business related. Maybe you want to learn more about fashion, food, travel, fitness, self-care, whatever it is, let us know!

I hope you are taking some time to relax and enjoy the summer! It’s going fast!

Take Care!

Danae

Tips For Handling Difficult Clients

You might already have a recent clash in mind. As with any profession that deals directly with clients, it’s simply inevitable that friction will arise at some point. A problematic client is the last thing we want, because it can cause a once-promising project to fall apart, result in a horrible experience for everyone involved, or even damage your reputation as a designer. Given that, it’s crucial to have some tools in your belt that will help you to defuse tensions and move forward with these clients, if it’s meant to be. Let's look at some types of difficult clients and essential tips that will help you the next time you encounter such a case.

Disgruntled Clients

Disgruntled clients can range from disappointed to combative. It’s likely that their energy stems from a fear of losing control over their time, finances or control in general. Or perhaps there has been a misunderstanding about your services and they feel dissatisfied or even cheated. If a client has a reasonable complaint and respectful approach, they’re not included in this category.

HOW TO DEAL:

Take a deep breath, don’t take it personally or get defensive, and let them express their grievances in full to understand the root of their concern (unless they become outright aggressive). It’s better to resolve issues over the phone or in person than by email. Despite the saying that “the customer is always right”, you don’t necessarily have to agree with them. Be assertive, but do proceed constructively, it’s important to really listen and acknowledge their sentiments so they feel you care. Show you understand by saying “I’m hearing that you are concerned about X. Is that correct?” Don’t make promises you can’t keep, but offer a solution if at all possible. You may tell them you need 2-3 days to work out a solution that they’ll be happy with. If they continue to protest, it may be necessary to reiterate the limitations and part ways once you’ve followed through on your end.

Overly Demanding Clients

These clients may not realize or respect the time and resources involved in satisfying their numerous requests. This could mean them asking for one revision after another or for accommodations that aren’t included in your agreed scope of work, or having unrealistic budget or timeline expectations.

HOW TO DEAL:

Much of this can be prevented by being meticulous from the very beginning about the terms of agreement. This means detailing every step of every phase of the project, specifying the scope of work as well as responsibilities. That way, when the client comes to you with an exorbitant demand, you can kindly remind them that this is not included in your agreement (and be able to show them these terms in the paperwork they signed if it comes down to it). However, you should always try to accommodate clients’ requests if possible. You want a reputation for going above and beyond for your clients, but you also need to be compensated fairly. So, if you can, tell them, “Yes! We can absolutely do that for you. That service will come at a surcharge of X amount."

Know-It-All Clients

Despite hiring you for your expertise, we can occasionally come across clients who feel compelled to finish your sentences or outright explain to you how to do your job. For whatever reason, they may be under the impression that you are unqualified or inexperienced, or perhaps they just enjoy an audience to flaunt their knowledge.

HOW TO DEAL:

In any case, it’s not worth getting into a battle of egos. Stay patient and cordial, and don’t let them wear you out. It’s important to get your word in so you can be thorough in walking them through your own professional process. Use sentences that begin with “Our design firm…” because it instantly neutralizes the relevance of how they or other firms do things. You can refer to your portfolio and respond with “In all my years of experience in…” to reaffirm your position. At the end of the day, the client has to decide whether they want to trust you with their project or not, so let them know how you work and see if you’re a good fit for each other.

Uncommunicative Clients

Getting to know your client (and vice versa) is essential to avoid surprises of any kind when you are further along in the project. Clients who have difficulty expressing their wants or needs make it hard to help them effectively. Uncommunicative clients also might take too long to respond and cause delays in the timeline.

HOW TO DEAL:

When it comes to people of few words, it’s important to take those words seriously. But in order to gather enough information to carry out a successful project for them, you’ll need to start with a very detailed intake questionnaire. If their answers are vague or incomplete, print it out and go over it with them in person to fill in the gaps you need. If they say things like “You’re the expert, you decide,” they’re probably not clear on what they want. So propose an option or direction, but always get the client’s approval before moving forward. As part of the onboarding process, be explicit about the commitments needed from the client in order for you to be able to stick to the timeline. Your contract should include terms that protect your company from negligence on their part. Finally, send friendly reminders leading up to things like meetings and payment deadlines.

Prevention and Damage Control

Issues can easily arise that aren’t your fault, but you can still learn from these experiences. For example, your process or contract may have been crystal clear and gone smoothly with other clients, but you may find that there are certain steps or clauses that are worth fine-tuning and emphasizing more with future clients - just in case - so that expectations are clear from the get-go.

You can improve client relationships by avoiding impersonal templates in email communication and responding in a timely manner. Make sure your team is trained and equipped to handle these kinds of clients, as well. And if you do end up with a negative comment that could tarnish your name, be sure to respond publicly with a polite explanation so that prospective clients can see your attentiveness and your side of the story.

Finally, since dissatisfied clients are more likely to take the initiative to leave a review, always ask your happy clients to write positive reviews in order to bolster your company’s reputation. Fortunately, there are plenty of people who notice and appreciate quality customer service, so do everything you can and don't let difficult customers get you down.

xx, Danae