Your call to action this week is to implement at least 1 new marketing idea (or improve upon one that isn’t being done in the most effective way).

1. Join Twitter
   Designers have been slow to join in on this incredibly effective marketing tool. But you don’t want to miss out on this great way to get more hits on the web. Search engines pick up on all your short posts, and you can drive a lot more traffic to your website. Plus it’s a great way to build relationships with your ideal clients.

 

2. Set up or update your email signature
   This very quick update may catch the attention of an ideal client. Many designers tell me that they got a new design job within one week of adding an email signature with a link to their website.

 

3. Start your email newsletter (or send another issue)
   E-mail marketing Is still the king of relationship building
. E-mail is personal. It’s professional. It’s not going anywhere. Get on board now. Send out an email newsletter.

 

4. Create a free tip sheet, or special report, to put on your website
   You need to give your prospects an irresistible sample taste of your incredible talent. And a free report is a great way to build your newsletter subscriber list.

 

5. Have a professional photograph taken
   While you are building your Internet presence, you must make sure that the photo of YOU reflects your branding. Don’t take an old snapshot and crop out the other people (yes, I see this all the time!). As a business owner, you need to have a professional photograph to use in all your marketing material: social network profiles, website, brochures, etc.

 

If you are a professional in the Home Fashion Industry and you are struggling to get new clients, join me for a free EMERGENCY INTERVENTION CALL on March 24: www.nikastewart.com/attract-more-clients-today.htm

 

 

Are you feeling like your clients and prospects are wary about spending money? Are they taking longer to make decisions? Are you struggling to convince homeowners to purchase from you?

In the past, I would talk about how to improve your sales techniques and try to help you realize that people DO want to purchase what you have to offer. But let’s face it – times have changed. Very quickly. Homeowners ARE taking longer to make decisions. People ARE afraid to spend money on luxuries like interior design.

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 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 to get more sales now:

• 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!

If you are a professional in the Home Fashion Industry and you are struggling to get new clients, join me for a free EMERGENCY INTERVENTION CALL on March 24: www.nikastewart.com/attract-more-clients-today.htm

 

‘Tis the season for gift-giving – the traditional time of year for showing gratitude and appreciation to our favorite clients. In our frenzy to find the perfect gifts for family and friends, we often forget those angels who keep our business alive. Or we get confused and stressed over what to get them. So here is a list of 10 fun holiday gift ideas – for every client on your list!

1. Magazine subscription:
   Your clients will think of you throughout the year when they receive your thoughtful gift every month. A sure winner – O, The Oprah Magazine (and right now it’s only $5 for a year!)
2. A great design book:
   Who wouldn’t love a great book with inspiring ideas for the home? Look at Domino: The Book of Decorating (a room by room guide to creating a home that makes you happy). The book has great tips and photos, and the cover is pretty so your clients will probably want to display it.
3. Give an experience:
   Excitations offers gift certificates for unique experiences in major cities. A great unexpected gift for the client who has everything.
4. Personalized M&M’s:
   How fun! Choose your colors and print a personalized message on m&m’s. They come in great gift packages. You can still get delivery by Christmas (see their details).
5. The Cookie Bible
   With large photos of every cookie and hundreds of easy-to-follow recipes, this fun cookbook is a winner for clients who love to bake.
6. An unusual home accessory:
   Uncommon Goods has some really cute accessories, and lots of other unique gift ideas.
7. Magic, anyone?
   For a great stocking stuffer for anyone, grab my husband’s book, Tricks With Dollar Bills. This is Rob’s best seller, especially at holiday time.
8. For the wine enthusiast:
   A bottle of wine is nice, but there are many other unique ideas for wine lovers: bottle stoppers, cork cages, decorative wine racks… Google “wine gift ideas” and you’ll see many sites with unique gifts.
9. A bouquet of candy:
   A delicious alternative to flowers, this is a cheerful, yummy gift. Here’s a page I found with lots of pretty, fun ideas: Candy Bouquets
10. Show your appreciation with a gift of gratitude. And grab one of these books for yourself, too. Practicing gratitude will bring more joy and abundance into your life. I can personally attest to it!
    
    Here are 3 great choices:

• Chicken Soup for the Soul: Count Your Blessings: 101 Stories of Gratitude, Fortitude, and Silver Linings
• The Secret Gratitude Book
• Simple Abundance Journal of Gratitude

Enjoy your gift giving, and have a great holiday!

 

 

 

Has this ever happened to you?

You purchase an item of clothing, bring it home – excited to wear it the next day, take it out of the bag, and then discover that the salesperson forgot to take off the security tag. Ugh!

I’ve had this happen a few times, and I feel so frustrated and angry. It’s a simple oversight, but it means having to take another trip out to the store to have them remove it. Whether the store is local or not, it is certainly a big inconvenience, and a huge waste of time. (Plus, I now have to plan a whole new outfit for the next day!)

Well, a few nights ago, my dad brought a shirt back to Nordstrom because they had left the security tag on. And the salesperson said, “Oh, you didn’t have to bring that back here. It was our fault. We would have come to your house to take it off.”

Can you imagine? What service! What convenience! What a way to go beyond what is expected!

I was going to write a few lessons learned from this experience, but since I know my readers are creative and innovative, I’d love to hear what you take from this story. How does this inspire you to:

• create memorable service,
• go beyond what is expected,
• over-deliver,

or

• stand out from the competition?

Leave your thoughts and comments. And read what others have to say. You never know where your next outrageously innovative business idea may come from!

This beautiful video says it all. How will you be a Johnny today? Please share your thoughts…

Watch “The Simple Truths of Service” movie

How do you create memories? Comment here.