I’m just getting back to work after an incredible week in Las Vegas. I’ll be sharing a lot about my experience and inspiration from that powerful workshop in future posts, but for now…

Many questions are still coming in about my new Email Newsletters “Done For You” program, so I wanted to answer them for you in this post.

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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. READ MORE

span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-weight: bold;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family:arial;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:large;”Here are some important tips from Will Franco’s class, “How Designers Can Increase Profits amp; Save Time with Technology”/span/span/spanspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family:arial;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:large;”br /span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size: medium;”br //span/span/spandivspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size: medium;”75% of interior designers do NOT have a website!  Yikes!   If nothing else, you must get a blog! No web presence = no business./span/span/divdivspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size: medium;”br //span/span/divdivspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size: medium;”A website is a social validation tool. READ MORE

span class=”Apple-style-span” style=” font-style: italic; font-family:Verdana;font-size:13px;”span style=”font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color:#000000;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”Let me give you a little-known secret for protecting your income – no matter what the economic climate: /span/spanbspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”multiple streams of income./span/span/bpspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”Let’s face it. If you have income coming in from /span/spanbspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”various sources/span/span/bspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”, you are less likely to suffer when /span/spanispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”one/span/span/ispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;” or /span/spanispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”two/span/span/ispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;” of them is slow./span/span/ppspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”As designers, most of us have ONE source of income: /span/spanispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”working with clients./span/span/ispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;” Yes, we do many things for them and sell various products, but THEY are our only way to make money. /span/spanbspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”Without clients who are willing to hire and pay us, we have no business./span/span/b/p/spanp/ppspan style=”font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(153, 0, 0); color:#990000;”bspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”But it doesn’t have to be that way!/span/span/b/span/ppspan style=”font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color:#000000;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”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 /span/spanbspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”design related/span/span/bspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”./span/span/span/pspan style=”font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color:#000000;”pspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”This is one thing that sets apart the designers who are thriving (and truly /span/spanispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”confused/span/span/ispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”about why everyone is whining) and those who are buying into the overwhelming complaining about how “bad” the economy is./span/span/p/spanpspan style=”font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color:#000000;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”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 /span/spanbspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”they start enjoying what they are doing more than ever./span/span/bspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;” For the purpose of this article, I’ll share 3 examples of additional streams of income for your interior design business./span/span/span/ppspan style=”font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color:#000000;”bspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”1. Writing:/span/span/bspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;” 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 /span/spanispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”e-book/span/span/ispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;” and sell it on line./span/span/span/ppspan style=”font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color:#000000;”bspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”2. Teaching:/span/span/bspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;” 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 /span/spana href=”http://www.windowdressernj.com/HowToTeleseminarsRec.htm”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”teleseminar/span/span/aspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”./span/span/span/ppspan style=”font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color:#000000;”bspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”3. Membership Programs:/span/span/bspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;” 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./span/span/span/ppspan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-style: normal;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”br //span/span/span/ppspan style=”font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color:#000000;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”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!/span/span/span/ppspan style=”font-style: normal; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color:#000000;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”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. /span/spanispan class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-size:medium;”span class=”Apple-style-span” style=”font-family: arial;”What is your choice?/span/span/i/span/pdivbr //divpspan style=”font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family:Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#FFFFFF;”/span/pspan style=”font-family: Verdana, Geneva, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 10pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: normal; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); font-family:Verdana,Geneva,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;font-size:85%;color:#FFFFFF;”/span/span

span style=”font-size:130%;”strongUpselling can often double your profits./strong And it doesn’t take much effort. Once you’ve created a relationship with a prospect, you simply need to show them other things that will add to the design you have provided. /spanbr /span style=”font-size:130%;”br /Upselling is simply offering something else to your client – in addition to what they have already chosen to purchase – that would make their design even better.br /br /REMEMBER: With add-on sales, what you are ultimately offering your clients is:br /emadded convenience increased safety complete personalized service /embr /br /strongHere are 10 ideas for add-on sales/strong. Some may seem obvious (but are you offering them at every appointment??), and others may not. You might want to print out this list and keep it in your briefcase near the contracts, so that you remember to recommend something else before you write up the final agreement.br /br /strong1. Custom Pillows/strongbr /I remember when it seemed standard to offer pillows to match the draperies. Most designs are not so “matchy matchy” now, but custom pillows can almost always add to the look of a room. The options are limitless – you can create spectacular designs (and your profits are often high!).br /strong2./strong strongPassimenterie/strongbr /Yes, just a fancy word for trimmings. Bedding, pillows, window treatments, etc. always look more unique with the addition of beautiful tassels, fringe, and trim.br /strong3./strong strongCoordinating Accessories/strongbr /What will complete the room you are designing? A mirror? Artwork? Candles? Your clients will appreciate the convenience of getting the whole finished look.br /strong4./strong strongLighting/strongbr /You don’t have to be a lighting expert to recommend lighting. Connect with a local lighting specialist and create a joint venture.br /strong5. Florals/strongbr /Work with a talented florist, or provide elegant silk florals to add the finishing touch to a room.br /strong6. Another Room/strongbr /em”While you’re waiting for the samples to arrive, do you want to get started on your next project?”/embr /strong7. Hardware/strongbr /Changing the hardware on cabinets or furniture can literally transform the look of a room.br /strong8. Motorization/strongbr /If you are designing window treatments, offer the motorization upgrade for increased safety and convenience.br /strong9. Area Rugs/strongbr /Many homeowners have a hard time choosing rugs, and they will appreciate you taking away their struggle.br /strong10. Fabric Accessories/strongbr /Use the fabric from your client’s upholstery or window treatment, or choose a coordinating pattern, and you can create anything. I’ve done chandelier cord sleeves, placemats, room dividers, ottomans, table runners, and even a flower vase cover. How about trunks, toilet seat covers, sink skirts, towels, napkin rings, drapery tiebacks, … the ideas are endless!br /br /While you are at the appointment establishing a relationship, and the client is ready to purchase, you know she already likes and trusts you. So why not suggest the perfect finishing touch to go with her _____? You’ll be creating a better design, and putting more in your pocket./spanbr //spanbr /span style=”font-size:130%;”Got some inspiring add-on tips of your own? /spana href=”https://www.blogger.com/comment.g?blogID=4800857698829374676amp;postID=8312494710267148859″span style=”font-size:130%;”Click to share them here/span/aspan style=”font-size:130%;”./span