In an effort to try and drum up business we all start to become more creative.
One of the things that I’m doing is to approach real estate sales people, offering them my services to meet with clients with the purpose of closing a deal for them in offering advice and input on the new property. I’m told that it is a very good way to make connections with prospective clients and I’ve been lecturing in LA and New York to the public, which is another good way of creating job opportunities. I’m also standing on the corner in Times Square with a sign saying “Designer available for large-sized projects”. This has only brought in some loose change thus far, unfortunately.
What ideas are you following to try and get connected to prospective clients? Things to consider are charities, real estate agents or church gatherings – always just be aware that you have to keep looking for that prospective client, whoever you are speaking to. They’re out there somewhere!
#1 by Dawn on April 12, 2010 - 7:12 pm
Vicente, every time I read an entry in which you discuss or elude to drumming up business, I’m just blown away. It’s hard to believe you aren’t deluged w/more business than you can handle. Can ya tell I love your design esthetic??
#2 by Keri on April 12, 2010 - 9:34 pm
What about staging luxury properties (spec or already vacated) that are coming onto the market? “A Vicente Wolf staged home now available for sale…” Buyers might even choose to buy the home as staged (with that fact considered in the selling price of course), or perhaps hire the designer to outfit the subject home (or some other property) from scratch. Too much effort for too little reward? Too desperate?
#3 by Lori on April 12, 2010 - 11:16 pm
Hi Vicente, I want to apologize upfront for being off-topic. I was hoping to get some experienced design advice. I have a small company that does residential design. I just started about 18 months ago and I’ve been doing what I love and what I’m meant to do. Accounting, however, is not one of my strongest assets. Therefore, I researched endlessly to find the best software for my business. And, after spending way too many hours working on diligent bookkeeping, the software is not working for me. Of course, I went with design business driven software… and my question is this: What software do you use? What software do most interior designers use? I will be hiring a bookkeeper and I am willing to abort the old system. (So much for research) But, I can’t afford another error like this one.
#4 by A Gift Wrapped Life on April 13, 2010 - 1:14 am
Hi Vicente,
I tried to email you about doing a blog post on you but email keeps getting returned. Can you email me at sandechase@agiftwrappedlife.com
Thanks
#5 by melissa on April 13, 2010 - 1:53 am
MAYBE YOU SHOULD DO A PHOTOGRAPHY BOOK OR HOW ABOUT PLANNING MORE OF YOUR TRAVEL WITH PERSONS WHOM PAY TO GO ON YOUR JOURNEYS WITH YOU???? HAVE YOU THOUGHT ABOUT GOING IN THAT DIRECTION WHILE YOU WHAT OUT THE DESIGN DOWNTURN???
XXXOO
MELISSA
#6 by Gary Nelling on April 13, 2010 - 2:19 am
Vicente – Thank you for a second view of your great space from the cover of “Crossing Boundaries” and for your sense of humor. I think your ideas are right on, and here’s a few others. Since the corporations bounced back before the consumer in this recession, maybe some executive suites are ready for refreshing. Any boutique hotel group or any chain that wants some high end hotels would go wild for your hospitality work like the Lorien and Westin Hotels. I think some new charity work could open some doors, especially if chaired by corporate folks. Have you lectured on your travels to anthropological or historical societies and museums with well-connected docents? Or exhibited your travel photos in galleries? The only idea I wasn’t wild about was standing in Times Square with a sign. Maybe on a different corner… Gary
#7 by Natasha on April 13, 2010 - 3:11 am
….At least you still have your humor!! I must agree with Dawn, I am surprised by the topic, but I guess the recession hits everyone, not just “the small people”. I think Gary’s idea with showing your travel photos in galleries would be a great new venture, I for one, would love to attend!!
Northern Light
#8 by Carl on April 13, 2010 - 4:43 am
The economy is leveling and it affects us all. Bunny Williams, Vincente Wolf, Carl Barnett. What are you going to do about it. No really. What. What. This is the question and this is the opportunity. Now as always is the time to look at how we do our business and make it work realistically. We all know that. Reinvention, is the evolutionists muse. Stand on the street corner with a pair of tighty whities…singing “love for sale’…sure…my rules…my business..I have my integrity where it needs to be…next to my heart…
#9 by Decor Arts Now on April 13, 2010 - 12:11 pm
I like the sign on the street idea best. LOL.
Can’t believe drumming up business is a problem for YOU, but hearing it does make me feel a bit better……….
Best, Lynn
#10 by Alexandra on April 13, 2010 - 4:03 pm
I have a company in Caracas- Venzuela called Proyectos Escala Cuatro. We’ve been applying exactly the same strategy, with real estate agents, with a small variable: If the client chooses us for their project we give 5% of our earnings to the agent. This has brought in and some clients, but most of it is just letting people know of your services and your work, I’m pretty confident in time we will see the real results. I was pleasantly surprised when I read the post, no matter where we are I think us designers are in the same tune…. globalization.
#11 by Christine Schwalm Design on April 13, 2010 - 9:46 pm
I think working with realtors is one good way to go. I’m working now to establish a relationship with a management company to handle their stagings. I feel like people still want luxury items but can’t afford it (or aren’t entirely comfortable doing it even they can with so many people still out of work). So it’s a good idea to try some scaled back design services. Maybe just the accessories for a space to finish it off. Or the DIY design that’s become pretty popular. And yes, telling people that you’re “always looking for the next exciting project” says you’re available without coming off as desperate. I encourage friends to take a look at my site, read the blog (which gives a few helpful bits of advice and establishes my expertise) and take a look at my portfolio. I’ve gotten referrals from friends of friends/coworkers that way.
#12 by tlc on April 15, 2010 - 1:30 am
Vicente,
I am saddened beyond measure that you have had to stoop so low for new business. You are so much better than that. Perhaps you could curtail your frequent travels and focus on fewer but more profitable clients that truly value you and your enormous talents?
#13 by melissa on April 15, 2010 - 3:33 pm
TIC, YOU ARE SAD THAT VICENTE IS TALKING ABOUT HOW MUCH TROUBLE HE IS HAVING WITH THE DOWNTURN IN HIS BUSINESS, AND YOU BELIEVE HE SHOULD TRAVEL LESS AS THAT IS NOT WHERE HE SHOULD BE PUTTING HIS ENERGY AND HE SHOULD FOCUS ON BIGGER JOBS WHERE HE WILL FEEL THE CLIENTS VALUE OF HIM????
I FEEL THAT WHEN THEIR IS CHANGE OFTEN WE EXPERIENCE “THE SEDIMENT AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POND” SOMETHING WE HAVE NO IDEA OF UNTIL THE STORM COMES…. SO, PERHAPS HE IS JUST EXPERIENCING THE SEDIMENT AND IT IF GOES THERE HE COULD MOVE SOMETHING THAT WOULD SHIFT HIS ENERGY AROUND THIS UNCOMFORTABLE TIME…
WHEN TIME ARE SMOOTH DO WE EVER EVOLVE AS PERSONS IN OUR PROFESSIONAL OR PERSONAL LIVES…..
I SAY THAT THIS IS THE BEST PLACE FOR VICENTE TO BE RIGHT NOW AND TO VERBALIZE IT SHOWS SOME VULNERABILITY ON HIS PART WHICH WILL ONLY BRING HIM CLOSER TO HIMSELF….
XXOO
MELISSA
#14 by jan a duffy interiors on April 16, 2010 - 1:22 pm
Saw your bathroom on HDTV this AM. Seeing all top nine bathing areas was a wonderful entree to why yours was chosen as #1. Clean, and modern with the perfect scale of classic texture to satisfy all design styles That is true talent in my book!
#15 by RebeccaN on May 10, 2010 - 7:36 pm
Hi Vicente,
I just came across your site and saw the question from Cynthia. First of all let me say that your site is wonderful! I enjoyed seeing all the great designs and photographs. I wish I had the talent you do! I did want to chime in and let Cynthia and anyone else know about a great resource for any small business owner If you have not already done so, you might want to take a look at the Microsoft SMB site. No registration is required and you can have access to informative videos as well as other SMB owners who have found ways to increase sales..
You can find, as well as a under the Learning Center tab, links to articles and experts that might provide some insight to help you with new ideas.
I hope this helps your readers in finding some additional ideas for promoting their business.
Microsoft Small Business Center
http://bit.ly/MSsmb
Cheers,
Rebecca
The Microsoft SMB Outreach Team
v-jelind@microsoft.com