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We had our first party in the new house, and although we aren't decorated or furnished, it was a blast to have friends and family over. Now the house really feels like a home. It's amazing how the energy of a home changes when friends come to visit.
Here are some photos from the weekend:
 Me and Hubby Rob My friend - and genius webmaster, Michael
Best friend Karen - revealing that her gift to me is a playmate for Ellie (she's pregnant - yippee!) 
Everyone's reaction to Karen's news
Rob performing a game show skit in my honor
Karen and Kelly - my two preggie friends
A special report for Interior Designers, Decorators, and other Home Fashion Specialists
Are you feeling like your clients and prospects are getting more wary about spending money? Are they taking longer to make decisions? Are you struggling to convince homeowners to purchase from you?
If not, great! You are one of the lucky few. Although "official" statistics do not yet show that consumer spending has dropped, many designers have seen a slow-down in spending on home furnishings.
So what do we do? Many small business owners stick their heads in the sand and ignore it, hoping that what they've done in the past will start working again... soon. But studies show that if you keep doing the same type of marketing and selling while the economy changes around you, you very well could be out of business before things pick up. If you want to be a design professional who thrives despite the challenging economy, there are many proven methods you can use.
Here are a few ideas:
- Spend more time and energy on short-term marketing
Long-term strategies, like branding and website optimization, are extremely important for creating a strong, profitable business, so you can't give that up. BUT - in a slower economy, you need to apply strategies that create immediate revenue. Hold a promotion, offer a limited-time special, try pay-per-click advertising. - Highlight your less expensive products
Okay, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying to sell cheap things, or to sacrifice your high-end image. But there are homeowners who want to spend right now - if they can get something less expensive. If you can offer a fabric line, for example, with lower cost fabrics that are still of a quality you are proud to sell, everyone wins. - Go virtual
Is there a way you can offer any of your services online or over the phone? Businesses that are working this way are seeing overhead costs go WAY down, and profits go way UP. - Increase online product sales
Most designers have a hard time imagining selling online. We are artists, for goodness sake! And our services are personal and customized. How can we sell over the Internet? Well - with rising gas prices, homeowners are shopping online more than ever. These homeowners, who once only wanted customized service (and who will want this again in the next few years), will more likely purchase something now because it is quick, easy, and inexpensive. Make sure you have products for this market. - Ramp up your client retention
It is always harder and more expensive to acquire a new client than it is to get business from a past one. But during a slow economy, the cost of acquiring new customers is even higher. Remember to exceed your existing clients' expectations, and keep in touch with past customers through your email newsletter and by calling them on the phone.
When the market seems tough, you just need to be smarter with your marketing. Fortunately, you now have some effective tactics to use so that you can not only get through the tough times, but actually flourish!
And make a lot more money, while working less
My next program designed to help you skyrocket your income - while working LESS hours - will be starting in June. It is an intensive course that includes lots of one-on-one time. I am going to show you specifically how to use the Internet to leverage your business - and create extra money every month. (This program requires a substantial investment, and if you think it is for you, email my assistant Scott for more information)
I'm thinking up ways to help you work less. I got lots of emails asking for more information after I sent my article on creating sources of passive income (see below). So I'm creating a program to help you design your own passive income product. But I need your help! If you are interested in creating an e-book or doing teleseminars from home, would you take a moment to answer a few questions for me? Your answers will help me design a program that meets your needs.
Take the survey here.
(Create Passive Income)
Once again, I'm actually writing this article from my bath. You have to try this! It's so much fun to get work done while soaking in the tub.
This is a perfect example of what you can do if you learn how to leverage your time and create passive sources of income for yourself (I explain all this in the article below).
How Designers Can Make More Money in Less Time
How did I turn my struggling 7-day workweek into a thriving, successful design business (where I work only 4 days a week, make lots more money, and enjoy my life more than ever)?
Well, of course it wasn't from applying one single technique. But I want to share one of the best things I did to create more income AND more free time.
I created a source of passive income.
What is passive income? Basically it is something that brings in money even after you are done doing the work. The traditional business model for interior designers is working with clients one-on-one. Well, even if you had a completely full practice, you still have a ceiling on how much you can make. You can't work more hours than there are in a day (although many designers often try!).
But what if you finished doing work for a client, and then other people kept paying you for the job you did? Sound like a fantasy? Well, when I created my first e-book and saw sales come in while I was sleeping (literally!), it did feel like a fantasy.
Yes, an e-book is a source of passive income (and designers and decorators are finally joining in on this incredible source of profit). Here are some other ideas for generating income when you are not actively working:
- Customer Care Membership Programs
Be creative and offer a service that your clients pay for monthly or annually - Recorded Seminars
These can be delivered digitally or on CDs - Live Seminars or Teleseminars
Not exactly "passive," but a great way to leverage your time, by presenting to many people at once - Rentals
If you have an office or showroom, you can rent a part of your space to a complementary (but not competitive) business - Advertising
Yes, YOU can make money on other people advertising - on your website, your newsletter, etc.
I'm not saying that it doesn't take work to create these passive income sources. Good products take a lot of care, energy, and commitment (and sometimes quite a bit of time) to create. But once the work is done, it's done. Yet the money keeps coming in!
Instead of the traditional model of:
Work for a client, get paid.... Work for a client, get paid.... Work for a client, get paid
You can transform your business into:
Work... get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid, get paid...
So come join me (there's room in my bathtub for everyone)!
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