The Decorating Voice

The Business of Marketing Interior Decorating

Okay, okay....back to work! It is hard to believe that The SDP conference was already a week ago. It was hard for me to get back in the groove. I have not had many days off for years. Although I did understand the sacrifices that I needed to make in order to get this business, Design By DesAnn, off the ground.
Whenever I need to make an investment in my business I try to think of it in terms of, "How many hours do I need to "work/play" to pay for this...how many clients?".
For 2 hours a month of client work I can invest $150.00 towards my marketing. Let me break it down for you. I will GLADLY work for 2 hours a month. Even though I am not being paid personally, my business is being paid. Actually my business is making an investment that WILL make a profit.
If I purchase 2 large window decals from Vista Print with my logo it is only $30.00. Hundreds of perspective clients see these signs every day. Vista Print also now has two sided YARD SIGNS, with my logo for only $60.00 for 4 of them.
A web site can be as little as $45.00 per month through Simplified Websites. Well worth the money. I receive about 20 calls or emails per month due to my web-site. Of those 20, at least 15 will book a date with me for one of my services. Through Constant Contact I can also have a monthly professional Newsletter that will reach up to 500 for $15.00 per month.
Okay, that is $150.00 and I will not be buying yard signs or decals every month.
It amazes me that for the investment of only 2 hours, I can utilize all of these great resources.
I try not to think of the money I need to market my business as money, but as how many hours or clients do I need to pay for it.
I highly encourage you to make the investment in yourself. YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS ARE WORTH IT!

My Best,
DesAnn
Design By DesAnn of Ohio

OOOHHH ARIZONA

Here are some pictures.

Be Inspired!!

My Best,
DesAnn

The sdp in Arizona!

OOOHHHH 

ARIZONA

!

            The sdp conference was amazing!  For those of you who missed it…….”Vision Board” your way to next years! I for one am inspired by all who attended. All these talented folks in one place is truly invigorating.

I’m finding it difficult to put into words how my journey there has touched my life.

            So often we let our fears and having to be uncomfortable keep us from experiencing life’s magic!

Let me tell you….I REALLY DON”T LIKE TO FLY AT ALL and I also DO NOT respond well to HOT WEATHER! So often we find as Entrepreneurs that we need to push ourselves past our comfort zones.

The

Wild

Horse

Pass

resort was the perfect setting. Thank you to the sdp Development Council and our founders

for the choice of venue.                                                                                                                                                As I was looking at my photos I saw so many connections to where we were physically to how many of us feel.

So often I feel that I have been in the desert. Then right there in the harshness we find extraordinary beauty and strength.

            There were so many nuggets of wisdom to learn from my fellow friends & colleagues that I had wished for more time. So many GREAT presenters, so little time. Mary Carol Garrity and Terri Bowersock were so generous to us. Truly amazing women. These two women were in their own deserts, yet they found a way to find strength & beauty.

            My business and myself always grow after attending The sdp conference. I try to put into action the things I have learned as soon as I can.

            I was so happy to be a part of the Accessory challenge. To work with other amazingly talented folks to bring together a room in 30 minutes is great fun. I felt like a kid again.

            For those of you who couldn’t be there, you were truly missed and it is my deepest wish that you will be able to join us next year!

            I’m now going to spend the rest of the day with my “boys”, my hubby & son!

My very best,

DesAnn of Design By DesAnn

Ohio

Marketing Tips for a Decorating/Home Staging Business

Celebrating the "Back to School" Season

The 3 R's of Marketing Your Business

With our great Society of Decorating Professional’s conference of “learning” upon us, I thought that I would share my thoughts on Marketing. To me the 3 R’s are the Marketing foundation of my business. If you are just starting out and feel overwhelmed perhaps these 3 R’s can help you to build your Marketing. For those of you who are “seasoned” share with us your foundation principles. I am ALWAYS looking for new ways to improve my business and eager to learn new strategies. In the Interior Redesign, Decorating and Home Staging business world I believe that we are “plowing the field”. I believe that The Society of Decorating Professionals are setting the pace, laying the foundation.

Marketing Your Decorating Business - Do your printed pieces flip or flop?

What does your business collateral say about you?

We all know how important it is for your business materials to reflect you and your business. Most people design a logo and website to match their project their company’s style, but don’t necessarily follow that same look through onto their business cards, letterhead, flyers, postcards, thank you cards and ads.

Marketing Your Decorating Business - Are You Sending Newsletters

Hi Everyone,

I'm wondering how many of you are sending out newsletters?  I have been sending newsletters for 3 years.  I collect email addresses any chance I get.  I always mention to visit my website and sign up for my newsletter.  I have over 1500 email addresses, and more sign up each week. Why would it matter?  It gives me credibility.  It keeps my clients informed. 

Over the years, I have found what works and what does not work, and I still find something new almost each month.  I also pay close attention to newsletters that are sent to me.  I thought I might mention some quick facts that have helped my newsletters be successful.

• Did you know that your sign up box needs to be visible.  The best placement is the right corner of your web page.  An email address and name is really all the information that is needed, otherwise, you will run the risk of no-one signing up.

• Did you know that different web browsers will display your newsletter differently?  So what you are seeing may not be what your readers are seeing.  Why is this important?  You could have big gaps, spaces and odd color combinations that could be a turn-off for your readers with a guaranteed opt-out.  Check your newsletter using different browsers and always send it normal and HTML.

• Did you know that some words will automatically send your newsletter into junk mail?  Always  check the Spam filter to make sure you have good words.  Some bad words are Free, buy, purchase, and sale.

• Did you know that some days are better than other days to send your newsletters?  Be wary of Holidays no-one will read it.  I was once a firm believer of sending them out on Tuesdays, but have found that Friday afternoons work for my clients.  How do I know this?  I look at the stats often for about 3 days after each newsletter is sent.

• Keep it simple.  Don't use the word "I" it gets really boring.  Keep it to 250 words per topic if at all possible, and feature articles less the 750 words.  Use bullet points and  bold lettering for the skimmers, as well as photos or clip art.

How about trading articles from other decorators?  This will help take the pressure off you and get your name more visible on the web. If anyone is interested I've got plenty.

By the way, please visit my website at www.remixedrooms.com  and be sure to sign up for my newsletter.

Marleen

Dangerous Designers

The Wall Street Journal carried an article today by Mr. Clark Neily, a senior attorney at the Institute for Justice that almost made you think he was celebrating April Fool's Day.  You can google "Watch Out for That Pillow" by Clark Neily, April 1, 2008 to read the full article.  Here are a few interesting tidbits:

"Imagine you were a state legislator and some folks asked you to pass a law making it a crime to give advice about paint colors and throw pillows without a license. And imagine they told you that the only people qualified to place large pieces of furniture in a room are those who have gotten a college degree in interior design, completed a two-year apprenticeship, and passed a national licensing exam. And by the way, it is criminally misleading for people who practice interior design to use that term without government permission.

You might stare at them incredulously for a moment, then look down at your calendar and say, "Oh, I get it -- April Fool!" Right? Wrong."

Near the end of the article, Mr. Neily gives insight into how some states are voting on this legislative issue, and why:

"In vetoing interior design legislation last May, Indiana Gov. Mitch Daniels explained that the "principal effect" of the law would have been "to restrain competition and limit new entrants into the occupation." Mr. Daniels noted that interior designers were "hardly the only profession" seeking government protection from potential competitors.

The numbers certainly bear him out. Fifty years ago, only 5% of the American workforce was licensed; today it is nearly 30%. We're not talking about brain surgeons or airline pilots, either. Louisiana requires florists to be licensed (yes, florists), and in several states -- including Louisiana, Oklahoma and Virginia -- only licensed funeral directors may sell caskets, a state-sanctioned monopoly they use to jack up prices anywhere from 400% to 600%, a fact established in litigation by the Institute for Justice in Tennessee and Oklahoma."

I'd love to read what you think! 

Blogging, Jogging, and Clogging

Isn't blogging a great way to connect?  It takes much less time or energy than jogging or clogging.  I have noticed since I began blogging, my fingers are much thinner and more toned.  Keyboard pilates really works out my core muscles. I wear a smaller ring size and notice when I lift my food to my mouth that my fingers look 10 years younger.  Now this is an exercise group I can keep up with! 

So think about, start your new exercise regimen today! Studies have shown that people who blog just 10 minutes a day are wittier, younger and better looking.  Well, this is my post and I can say whatever I want.   

JoAnne

JoAnne Lenart-Weary

Professional Brain Stormer

Queen of Decorating

www.onedaydecorating.com

www.thesdp.com

March Marketing

As spring approaches, we begin to see renewal everywhere   look. No matter how tough the winter, spring always comes and the earth comes alive again. The trees and flowers break into bloom, the birds begin singing a new song, and anything seems possible.  Does your business need the same sense of renewal that spring brings? Have you lost some of your enthusiasm for the business of growing a business and need a rebirth yourself?  Let's talk about some ways to give you and your business a rebirth.

Begin by looking at all the dates in the coming months that may require gifts or entertaining.

There is Easter, Mother's Day, Graduations, Weddings, just to name a few.

Here are some ideas for a card or mailer to create a demand for your services.

Don't just give your room a spring cleaning

"Give it a One Day Room Makeover."

Give Mom something she really wants for Mother's Day,

"A One Day Room Makeover"

Looking for that unusual wedding or graduation gift

"Give a One Day Room Makeover"

A few more ideas:

• Contact past clients and offer to come and ready their houses for spring. Put away the throws, and brass candlesticks and put shinny crystal out instead. Pick up the rugs and expose the nice cool wood floors. Change the floral arrangements to includespring flowers like tulips or forsynthia.
• Submit an article to the local paper about preparing your home for spring
• Send a press release about the GREEN element of redesign by recycling what they already may have.
• Send a press release about spring is the peak season for selling a home.  Share simple tips to renew the house so it shows at its best.
• Great time of year to schedule those kindred spirit presentations.
• This might also be the time to take a look at your business look.  Is it time to update your website, your business card? Do your colors need a fresh look or maybe your logo doesn't tell your story as well anymore.  Renew your look and be ready to make money this spring.

Carol Bass

One Day Decorating 2

www.onedaydecorating2.com

Are you an Industry Expert?

Do you want to be known as the Expert?  Do you want to boost your Credibility?  Then audition NOW for your chance to be a conference speaker at "Prospecting for Gold...in the Wild, Wild West"2008 SDP Conference, August 6-8 in AZ!  Last year's success was built on a blend of speakers, so in addition to our exciting Guest Speakers, we will be showcasing a limited number of our successful members' talent and expertise. Share your gold nuggets of information with your peers and gain credibility as an industry expert. Choose to speak during a break-out*session or lunch and learn*.  Speakers may be part of a panel.

Apply Today!

Audition Package:submit all six requirements

NOW!  If you are not contacted within 48 hours of e-mailing, please call 866-737-4737.  Speaker selections will be announced by March 7, 2008.

1. Short Bio
2. Headshot (jpg)
3. Contact Information
4. Three learning outcomes from your presentation
5. What makes you qualified to speak on this topic?
6. Topic of Choice :1* Breakouts (60 minute)-select from topics list below, or  2* Lunch & Learn (20 minutes) -state your topic

All materials must be returned via email  on or before Friday, February 15, to [email protected]

Selected Presenters will receive:

Professional Press Release

Business Card Sized Ad in New SDP Publication

Customized  Presentation Skills Webinar

Presentation Certificate

Select from these Break out Session Topics

• Decorating beyond Redesign
• Creating your Golden Board of Success-dream/vision boards
• There's Gold in them thar Hills (alternative revenue streams, event planning, over 55, etc)
• Successfully Sifting Colors
• Morphing your Talent, when you're too tired to move the sofa
• Eureka-Attracting Attention and what to do with it
• Taking your Business to the next Level...is it time?
• Striking Gold in any Room-10 pieces that never go out of style
• Trash to Treasure-one man's dust is another man's gold
• Creating Clients for Life...with Golden Service
• Fearless Marketing with Techie Tools
• Empty Teepees Never Sell-products, props and profit
• Fabulous Forms and Pricing