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!

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