Multiple Streams of Design Income

Let me give you a little-known secret for protecting your income - no matter what the economic climate: multiple streams of income.

Let's face it. If you have income coming in from various sources, you are less likely to suffer when one or two of them is slow.

As designers, most of us have ONE source of income: working with clients. Yes, we do many things for them and sell various products, but THEY are our only way to make money. Without clients who are willing to hire and pay us, we have no business.

But it doesn't have to be that way!

Designers are finally learning that they can make money from other sources. And I do NOT mean getting another job working for someone else or starting a completely new business. All of your streams of income can be design related.

This is one thing that sets apart the designers who are thriving (and truly confusedabout why everyone is whining) and those who are buying into the overwhelming complaining about how "bad" the economy is.

One of my favorite things to do when I coach designers is look at their current income stream (working one-on-one with clients), and then talk about what they really love about it. Then I help them figure out other outlets for creating income, taking into account their passions and talents. This not only helps guarantee more money for them (even in "tough" times), but they start enjoying what they are doing more than ever. For the purpose of this article, I'll share 3 examples of additional streams of income for your interior design business.

1. Writing: Put your expertise down on paper. You don't have to be a five-star writer to profit from writing. There are many possibilities for income when you write about design. Newspapers and magazines are often looking for a steady columnist. If you are ambitious, publish your own book! The quickest way to make money this way is to create an e-book and sell it on line.

2. Teaching: Even when homeowners aren't spending as much on decorating, they still want to know how to make their homes beautiful. Since you know a lot of tricks of the trade, why don't you share some of them? You can teach live classes at a local college or in your showroom. Or you can make it even easier, and use my favorite way to teach - as a teleseminar.

3. Membership Programs: Large stores have been profiting from this stream of income for many years, and it's time for you to join the bandwagon. What can you offer your clients and prospects as a wonderful convenience? Customers pay you monthly or yearly to receive certain benefits, like upholstery cleaning when needed, service calls on motorized window treatments, carpet freshening, pillow fluffing, etc.

For designers, sources of income are really unlimited. I'll keep sharing more ideas in upcoming ezines. But please get started. Add an additional stream of income now!

Seriously folks. You can sit around complaining (and watch what you are focusing on become a reality in your life), or you can join me and create more streams of income. What is your choice?

Designers: How to Do a Teleseminar

How To Do a Teleseminar to Build Your Design Business, Gain Expert Status, and Make Money

You know that giving classes and seminars is a great marketing strategy, but you want the easiest way to do it. Teleseminars are a fabulous way to gain expert status and make money - without leaving your house (I often do them in my PJ's!).

And your seminar attendees can also listen in from their homes - which means you're more likely to get a big crowd.

In this information-packed, 90-minute class, you will learn:

• How to choose a topic for your class
• How to get sign-ups
• Whether to charge or use your seminar to get leads
• How to get a FREE bridge line for your call
• How to use your seminar to build your design business
• What are the best days to hold a teleseminar
• How to record your teleseminar without purchasing any equipment

More info here

An important message for designers re: the economy

Can you personally affect this economy in a positive way? Absolutely! Don't think for a moment that one person can't make a big difference. And it doesn't take a lot of hard work or time.

I have been studying what makes some designers successful - wildly successful, despite what the outside world / media / friends are saying about the economy. Many of them have doubled or tripled profits this year. They are enjoying the dream businesses that they've worked for, and feeling fulfilled and happy.

And the best part about being successful is that you actually make more people successful - just by being successful!

What do I mean?

Think about it. Designers and decorators who are complaining about the economy, talking about how they don't have enough business, and reacting to their worries and concerns are affecting the economy in a negative way. Negative talk leads to more people worrying and reacting - and spending less! Which, of course, leads to more worry, more complaining, and LESS spending. A vicious cycle.

The opposite is also true. Designers who have made the decision to think positively and focus on what is good about their businesses (okay, I know I'm sounding a bit Pollyanna here, but just go with me), are noticing that they are NOT being affected by the so-called slow economy. They are investing more time and energy into improving their businesses in creative ways, which leads to more publicity and more clients, leading to more positive energy, more profits, more improving, etc.

I have designer clients who have worked with me over the past year on improving their businesses - starting with their mindsets - who say to me," I don't get what everyone is saying. My business is doing better than ever."

Imagine if we could recruit more designers to start thinking more positively? At some point we would reach what is called "The Tipping Point."

Then:
- more people would feel positive and optimistic,
- people would relax and release their worries,
- more money would be spent,
- the economy would improve!

Can you imagine? I know I want to be a part of that! Join me, won't you?

If you want to have more success, model the designers who are having wild success right now. The most important thing to do first is focus on the positive. What are you most grateful for? Now, I am NOT saying to bury your head in the sand. No, you should not ignore what is going on in the world. You NEED to keep current with business and design trends. Which leads me to the second thing you must do...

The second thing you must do is learn how to run your business in the most effective way to create prosperity in current times. Creating success in business is a learned skill. Learn a few techniques, put them into action, and you WILL see improvement.

If you know anyone who needs a boost -in their mindset or in their pocketbook, please let them know about the upcoming Interior Design Summit. This Summit is designed to help designers in both areas - attitude and profits! The more designers who attend, the quicker we will see an upswing in the economy.

You can make a difference. Let's do it together!
Join me next week, and invite everyone you know:
http://www.InteriorDesignSummit.com

To your easy success,
Nika

#24 realtor out of 1.3 millions shares her secrets

I just finished listening to a recorded interview with Edie Marks - the #24 realtor in the country. She has sold over $800 million in real estate. She shared her secrets to networking and creating relationships with the ultra-wealthy.

Edie is one of the 14 experts sharing valuable techniques and strategies for thriving during tougher times - at the Interior Design Summit, October 28 - 30.

This is a first-of-its-kind Tele-Summit for the home design industry. I am giving a class - talking about how I tripled my design business using email newsletters, and showing you how you can do it, too.

If you want timely, valuable, effective strategies for creating a more successful desgin business, please join us!

http://www.interiordesignsummit.com/


To your success!

Prosperity Plan Provides Hope To Interior Design Industry During Economic Crisis

Groundbreaking Interior Design Summit unveils progressive marketing strategies and inspiration so interior design firms thrive during the Recession. 13 top marketing gurus, renowned business coaches, best-selling authors and media-savvy interior designers share success secrets in inaugural tele-summit October 28, 29 & 30, 2008. Find out why third largest design firm CEO thinks it is a perfect time to start an interior design business.

Design Success University and Wealthy Decorators co-host content-packed tele-summit event that interior designers attend from the comfort of their homes, offices or cell phones. No travel required to learn cutting-edge marketing strategies to grow and manage a successful design firm in spite of the economy. It's not business as usual.

October 28, 29 & 30, 2008
1:00 pm - 7:00 pm Eastern
(12:00 pm - 6:00 pm Central / 11:00 am - 5:00 pm Mountain / 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Pacific)

Top speakers teach powerful, innovative, proven strategies:

• "How to Get Free Publicity" with Kathy Peterson, national design expert, host of Lifetime TV's The Balancing Act and best-selling design author
• "Book Your Design Practice Solid" with best-selling author & speaker Michael Port
• "Go Global with Social Networking" with David Bassett-Parkins, founder and CEO of Ava Living - social networking site for interior designers and interior design enthusiasts
• "Identify Your Passion and Become a Design Celebrity" with Keith Granet, top consultant to architects and interior designers
• "Affluent Client Psychology - What You Need To Know" with nationally known "Design Matchmaker" Karen Fisher of Designer Previews & author of six books
• "Building a Great Team" with Beth Silfer, CEO of Slifer Designs, third largest design firms in the United States
• "Attracting Dream Clients Effortlessly" with Fabienne Frederickson, millionaire creator of the Client Attraction System
• "Build Powerful Relationships & Watch Your Business Grow" with Edie Marks, #27 Realtor in the US with over $800 million of residential real estate sales
• "Branding for the 21st Century" with Liz Pabon, CEO and Branding Maven of Liz P. Communications
• "Boost Your Design Business with an Email Newsletter" with Nika Stewart, Designers' Success Coach
• "Connecting the Dots" with Gail Doby, ASID, Author, speaker and Chief Vision Officer of Design Success University
• "Five Laws of Stratospheric Success" with Bob Burg, Author of The Go Giver and Endless Referrals and International Speaker
• "Simple Profitable Systems for Designers" with Debbie Green, Systems Expert, national speaker, & creator of Minutes Matter Solutions, Inc.

Hear 13 world-class speakers in the first Interior Design Summit with no travel required. Early-bird tuition before October 14th is $249.99. After October 14th, tuition is $299.00 for the three-day event. Designers who register for the tele-summit also receive downloadable audio recordings after the event and several free bonuses.

For more summit details visit:
www.InteriorDesignSummit.com

The Interior Design Summit is here!

Could you be the next celebrity designer?

Well, even if you are not looking to become a "celebrity," I'm sure you'd love to have more affluent clients beating down your door wanting to hire you.

My colleague, Gail Doby of Design Success University has put together an amazing line-up of best-selling authors, renowned business coaches, and wildly successful designers to reveal how you, too, can be running a thriving design business.

(in a hurry? click here: http://www.interiordesignsummit.com/)

Imagine if Beth Slifer, CEO of one of the largest interior design firms in the country, showed you how to grow your firm, find great employees, manage your business, and keep your sanity?

Or if Karen Fisher of Designer Previews - who works with the country's most affluent homeowners - exposed the secrets about what the wealthiest homeowners are REALLY looking for in an interior designer?

Or if best-selling author Bob Burg revealed the simple, natural way to get more referrals and clients - without any struggle?

Or if Kathy Peterson, host of Lifetime TV's The Balancing Act, gave you easy ways to get free publicity and loads of national visibility - fast?

Attending the Interior Design Summit may be the best thing you could do for your success. Oh - and the best part is... you don't have to go anywhere! That's right - no travel expenses. No hotel rooms to book. Just relax in the comfort of your own office or home, and listen on the phone. You can even invite your whole office to join in for one low price!

I can go on and on about how innovative this Summit is, and how powerful it will be for your design business, but you can get all the details here: http://www.interiordesignsummit.com/

I hope to "see" you there!

Money-tudes

Money Talk and The Business of Home Fashions Design

New Designer Success Teleclass:
Thursday, September 4, 8:00 PM Eastern

Are your attitudes around money making you rich...
or keeping you stuck?

You've learned a little about the law of attraction. You know that your thoughts create your reality. You want to manifest your dream business. But you need more specifics on how to create your ideal life.

SPEAK the New Language of Wild Success!
Register for Money-tudes

In this new class, you will:

• See how the power of your thoughts and your beliefs about money affect your business bottom line
• Discover the ROOT of your wrong money thinking (and learn how to break free once and for all!)
• Create a new “money awareness” that will propel your life and boost your business, both immediately and in the future

With your new thinking, your design business will make money for you. You will gain the clients who WANT to pay you for your offerings. You will develop new strategies to grow financially, and embrace new thoughts that will serve to improve your life in every area.

Say goodbye to the old mentality and embrace a new, exciting, and abounding way of thinking and believing.

This class is an INVESTMENT in yourself. A must if you want to make more money!
click to register now for $29