Interiors Insider

There is nothing worse than hitting send on a design proposal and… crickets.

Your prospective client doesn’t get back to you for days, sometimes even weeks. You start to assume the worst. They’ve either thought, “No way!” to your proposal, or your email didn’t even go through.

It’s easy to start panicking or feeling like we’ve been rejected, but I want to remind you: people are busy. How many times have you seen an email in your inbox and told yourself you’d reply later, or just deleted it without thinking? 

People have so much going on these days, and that’s why it’s important to give them deadlines to respond. 

Today, I'm going to uncover a trick I’ve learnt that can really help you optimise your workflow and run your business better - setting expiry dates on your interior design proposals.

We'll talk about why an expiry date helps your business, including:

- Creating a psychological edge
- Protecting your time and resources
- Helping you plan and schedule effectively

We'll also discuss where to actually put your expiry date and how to make it clear to your potential client when sending through your proposal. 

Adding an expiry date to your proposals is more than just a business tactic; it’s about respecting your time and resources while making sure your clients are committed and serious. It’s a tiny tweak with massive benefits, aiding in better planning, quicker responses and a more professional approach.

I hope this inspires you to put your best foot forward and make sure your time, energy and expertise are valued the way they should be! 

Resources & Links:

Previous episodes mentioned: 

How She Built This: Studio Gemma 

How you can start your interior design business as a Career Change Woman with Jane Ledger

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Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713

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Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio

Thank you to our major sponsor and designer resource - More Time To Design

Getting that first client who actually pays you is a really big milestone.

But how do you get there?

We all know how daunting it can be to try and secure that very first customer. And once we do land them, we’ll usually undercharge and overdeliver.

It’s not just new designers that struggle to attract clients, however. Oftentimes, busy designers will bury their heads in their work and fail to continue marketing their businesses. Once the jobs dry up, they’re left without any leads.

Today, I’ve got some tried and tested strategies to help you secure your first paying client, along with some essential steps you should take before you embark on this exciting journey.

Understand Your Value

Before anything else, it’s crucial to understand the value you bring to the table. Ask yourself, what unique skills or services do you offer that others don't? Knowing your strengths and how they benefit your potential clients will be the foundation of your pitch and the services you provide. 

Clarify Your Niche

You need to know where you're going and who you're targeting. What is your niche? Are you clear on what you’re offering, and how much you’ll charge? There is nothing worse than having someone reach out who wants to work with you, but you’re unclear on any of these points. So, the more sure and elevated you are in your delivery of your service, the more likely that you’ll get those return customers and referrals you’re hoping for. 

So, once you've taken the time to build that self-belief and get clear on your offer, where can you expect to find leads? I'll take you through the different ways you might find your first paying client: 

1. Referrals
2. Networking
3. Online Presence
4. Sending Out a Pitch
5. Follow-Ups

Securing your first paying customer might take a little time and effort, but don’t get discouraged. Stay positive, keep refining your approach and learn from any setbacks. Every interaction is an opportunity to improve and grow your business.

Resources & Links:

Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here

We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link!

Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship

Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713

Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72

Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio

Thank you to our major sponsor and designer resource - More Time To Design

I’ve seen many designers offer initial design consultations that they’re either not charging for at all, or only charging a small amount. 

This can lead to you as a designer feeling undervalued, wasting time on clients that aren’t able to afford your services anyway, and leave you constantly charging large projects to keep the income flowing.

I challenge you to remove the mindset that the initial consultation should be free. If you stack the value in these consultations they can serve as a strong base for your service offerings, and encourage clients to work with you in a larger capacity.

When you offer a 90-minute or two-hour consultation, you’re not just selling your time; you're providing a warm-up period for your clients. This initial interaction allows them to get comfortable with you and your design process. It gives you the opportunity to set the stage as the expert, guiding them through what needs to happen, envisaging the next steps, and making them feel valued and understood.

One of the primary benefits of such a session is that it lets your clients see just how knowledgeable you are. They might start with a sense of being overwhelmed or uncertain, but your guidance can transform that into trust and eagerness. It's your chance to shine as the expert—demonstrating that they truly need your expertise to achieve their dream space.

If you don't currently offer such a consultation, I urge you to reconsider. Incorporating it into your service offerings is a relatively easy step. Promote it as an entry-level option through your social media platforms— emphasising its benefits and showing potential clients how this consultation will lead them to their design aspirations.

For those of you who want more details about implementing this consultation model, please feel free to reach out. I am more than happy to share insights and answer questions. Slide into my DMs on Instagram or email me directly; whatever works best for you. And if there's a specific topic you’d like me to discuss in future posts, let me know!

Resources & Links:

Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here

We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link!

Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship

Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713

Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72

Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio

Thank you to our major sponsor and designer resource - More Time To Design

Resources & Links:

Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here

We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link!

Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship

Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713

Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72

Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio

Thank you to our major sponsor and designer resource - More Time To Design

Unspoken Truths and Game-Changing Tips from the Inside - "Today, you’re in for a treat! After countless interviews with top designers, I’ve gathered their most valuable insights and tips to help you run your interior design business more effectively."

Resources & Links:

Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here

We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link!

Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship

Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713

Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72

Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio

Thank you to our major sponsor and designer resource - More Time To Design

Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here

We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link!

Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship

Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713

Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72


Thank you to our major sponsor and designer resource - More Time To Design

Resources & Links:

Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here

We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link!

Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship

Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713

Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72

Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio

Thank you to our major sponsor and designer resource - More Time To Design

Resources & Links:

Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here

We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link!

Join The $10K Designer/ Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship

Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713

Download the FREE pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72

Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio

Thank you to our major sponsor and designer resource - More Time To Design

Marketing ATM Podcast is here :https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/marketing-atm/id1748401339

Hero Packaging : https://heropackaging.com.au/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=linktree&utm_campaign=shop+australian+website

Resources & Links:

Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here

We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link!

Join The Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship

Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713

Purchase the pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72

Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio

Thank you to our major sponsor and designer resource - More Time To Design

Resources & Links:

Want 20% off your LEGAL docs from Foundd Legal? - Use our link here

We use and recommend FLODESK for our emails - get 50% off with this link!

Join The Mentorship here: https://interiorsinsider.com.au/mentorship

Join the FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1351851525693713

Purchase the pricing and services guide here: https://goldchalk.mykajabi.com/offers/kc8TCz72

Access my free masterclass - How to start your business without a Portfolio

Thank you to our major sponsor and designer resource - More Time To Design