March 31, 2009

Email Newsletters Done For You!

Several years ago, when I launched my email newsletter, I was among a small handful of designers to be using this amazing tool. I had the opportunity, early on, to learn from the experts and experiment to find out exactly what works (and what absolutely doesn't). Over the years, I have seen the email newsletter craze really take off in our industry, as designers caught on to the incredible value they provide. It has gotten to a point where it is no longer a novelty or an advantage to have a newsletter - it's become a necessity


These days, if you aren't using email newsletters to stay in touch with your customers, increase your sales, and build your expert status, you are behind the times, and probably losing customers to your competition.

As an expert in email newsletters, I know the latest, cutting-edge strategies for
maximizing the impact of your newsletter, keeping clients interested, and inspiring clients to take action. After helping many, many designers build their own newsletters through my Email Newsletters for Designers book and audio program (and getting loads of emails begging me to “just do it for me!”), I found that there is a need to go a step further. So ..

How would you like to benefit from my 8 years of experience in creating high-impact, relevant newsletters? I am excited to launch a brand new service where I actually create and send the newsletters for you! It could not possibly be any easier. Imagine having a great newsletter - packed with interesting decorating ideas and tips - emailed to YOUR clients and prospects every month, with your logo, photo, website, phone number, and bio included.

Finally – sending a monthly email newsletter will be
effortless.

You have heard about email newsletters for years now, and you have been meaning to get to it one day. This is a perfect opportunity to have it done for you - and done the right way.

Interested in learning more? Log onto: www.nikastewart.com/ezinesdoneforyou.htm to get all the details.

March 11, 2009

Notes from the Interior Design Summit:
How to Start a Giving Program for Your Business

Inspiration from Maggie Keenan's class, "5 Ways Giving Makes A Difference for Your Design Business"


Having a Giving Program is a great business strategy. It creates Win-Win. You get involved in social issues AND boost your image.

How does "giving" helps businesses?
  • enhance your business image
  • increase sales
  • build client loyalty
  • improve employee retention
  • create / boost / enhance your brand
COOL TIP: Giving Program does not have to be about YOU giving money. Get creative. Hold a contest. Raise money. Donate time or knowledge.

Don't treat "giving" as side project. It should be an integral part of business. Otherwise you won't reap the benefits AND neither will the charity!

First thing to do is define your Giving Goals. Then develop your Giving Budget. Then create your Giving Story. Use your Giving Story in all your marketing.

If you are a local business, why not give to LOCAL causes. Help your community & boost awareness of your own business among ideal prospects.

INTERESTING STATISTIC: If price and quality are equal, consumers will switch and recommend a new company based on a Giving Program or Cause. Wow!

Make sure your Giving Program is "authentic, not opportunistic."

Maggie F. Keenan, Ed.D., is the author of Small Businesses Give Big… why charitable giving is a great business strategy. You can find her book at: www.smallbusinessesgivebig.com

March 08, 2009

Notes from the Interior Design Summit:
Everything Designers Need to Know about Staging

Here are some notes and ideas from Craig Schiller's class, "Everything Designers Need to Know about Staging"


When staging, designers need to know that the HOUSE is the star. Not the design. Not the designer. The HOUSE.

What designers need to give up is the need to add flair, drama, personality, ego.

What designers need to ADD is speed.

Staging design is disposable, it's quick, it's all about marketing.


Craig Schiller is the founder of Real Estaging, Chicago’s premier home staging company. He has staged 100’s of homes in the greater Chicago market. His staging work was highlighted in Home Magazine. He writes the #1 blog in the country on home staging. Craig has spoken to numerous audiences about staging. And in November 2006 he founded www.StageItForward.com - with over 2,400 members nationwide it is now the largest FREE home staging industry site providing home staging tips, marketing ideas, and success stories on home staging.

March 06, 2009

Notes from the Interior Design Summit:
Greater Client Attraction by Allowing Your Prospects to KNOW You

This post includes notes and inspiration from Heather Dominick's class, "Greater Client Attraction by Allowing Your Prospects to KNOW You"


Thoughts on the big debate: Should a designer ever do a free consultation? Heather says there is a middle ground between FREE consultations and PAID consultations. It's not black or white. There is a way to have a "Get to Know You" session where you and the prospect can see if you are a good fit for each other.

It's all about CONNECTION.  The intention of all your marketing materials should be to create a connection with your ideal client. You just need to learn simple ways to connect with your prospects:
  • Be more personal in your marketing
  • Ask questions and listen
  • Stay in touch with regular phone calls and newsletters
Make a mindset shift: from "selling" to "SERVING" !!

Heather Dominick is the EnergyRich® Entrepreneur Success Coach to healers, coaches & entrepreneurs around the world: www.energyrichcoach.com


March 05, 2009

Notes from the Interior Design Summit:
Using Technology to Save Time & Increase Profits

Here are some important tips from Will Franco's class, "How Designers Can Increase Profits & Save Time with Technology"

75% of interior designers do NOT have a website!  Yikes!   If nothing else, you must get a blog! No web presence = no business.

A website is a social validation tool. Add testimonials and before & after photos, and you will see results.

You need to connect and stay on top of prospects minds.  How can you do this? With an Ezine.

Designers should be on Twitter.

Video emails allow you to connect with your clients and prospects.  The more you can do to establish a relationship - allow your prospects to KNOW you, the more likely you will create a customer for life.

For more information about launching a profitable ezine campaign, visit:

Notes from the Interior Design Summit:
It's All About Attitude

Today's post gives you a summary of notes from Debbie Green's class, "It's All About Attitude"


"A good attitude is the foundation for a successful design business."

The more you ACT happy, the more you FEEL happy.

Attitude Improvers: 
  • create and stick to a budget for your business
  • clean your desk
  • smile
You must earn a prospect's trust before you can ever expect to get a sale.  Even after you earn someone's trust, they may not buy from you. But if you don't start with creating a trusting relationship, there will NEVER be a sale.

How to earn trust:
  • Never violate your integrity
  • Always be on time
  • Share your knowledge
  • Send a regular ezine
Do what you say you will do. Deliver what you promise. This seems obvious, right? Unfortunately, it's not often done!   (If you go beyond this, you really stand out.)

Thanks for an uplifting class, Debbie!

Debbie Green is the founder of Minutes Matter design software.  You can find out more about Debbie and her products at www.minutesmatterstudio.com


March 04, 2009

Inspiration from the Interior Design Summit

For the next few weeks, I am going to post inspiration from the Interior Design Summit. Using just ONE of these ideas will boost your design business. If you implement a whole bunch, you will be so far ahead of the pack!

We had 12 amazing experts sharing powerful, valuable ideas for skyrocketing your design business in this market. What I loved is that there were many commonalities. When you hear the same thing from so many experts, you know it's gold!

The Most Important Success Strategies for Designers:

1. Blog, blog, blog. You MUST have a blog. Even if you don't have a website, please go start a blog. It is free. It is easy. Do it now!

Then make sure you post at least twice a week. Search engines love updated material, so the more you blog, the more potential clients will find you.

2. Marketing is all about connections and relationships. Don't try to promote yourself or sell your products. Just join a conversation online, share valuable information, or help someone out. It's amazing how much better this works to boost your bottom line!

3. (to be continued...)