How to Get More Clients as an Interior Designer

I work with so many interior designers that absolutely love what they do. From the very beginning of a design project to the styling and big reveal, these passionate designers look forward to every detail. And, they’re really good at what they do. But, there’s one problem that even the best interior designers face when they start their own business – getting more clients.

No matter how talented you are at design, it takes time to build a healthy list of clientele. And, in order to generate buzz about your brand, you need to be doing plenty of projects that showcase your skills. There are very few ways around this uphill battle. Rarely do designers create a successful business without putting in the legwork (and arm work) upfront.

But, that doesn’t mean you should be spinning your wheels, wasting time, energy, money, other valuable resources, trying to figure out how to get your next client. There are absolutely things you can be doing right now that will generate more clients for your interior design business. And, since there are plenty of successful interior designers that have come before you, you don’t have to try to figure it all out on your own.

There are proven strategies and systems to build your business. And teaching these, especially to interior designers, is what I do best.

Before you do anything else today, ask yourself these four questions about your design business:

4 Tips from a Design Industry Expert

1. What is your specialty or niche?

While being an interior designer is great, it’s not enough to just be an interior designer, especially when you’re just getting started with your business. Even the most well-known designers have a specialty, a signature to their work that makes it clear what they’re great at. Having a specialty helps potential clients know that they’ve found the right designer because you are speaking specifically to their wants and needs. From your website to your business cards, all the way down to the way you talk about your business, there should be a cohesive style that immediately tells people what they are going to get. Yes, you might be great at all sorts of interior design styles, but that doesn’t mean you can get away without finding a unique perspective. As they say, if you’re trying to please everyone, you’ll end up pleasing no one.

2. Who is your ideal client?

You should constantly be reminding yourself exactly who it is that you want to work with. What do they look like? What do they need? What would you tell them in order to impress them or get their business? When you think about who your ideal client is, and you find  ways to speak directly to them, they will start finding you. And, the best part is that, when they do find you, they will love you.

3. What does your website say about you and your business?

Go through every inch of your website with a fine tooth comb. Are there any parts that are lacking confidence? Are there any elements that are contradicting something else – like saying you’re “luxury” and then saying that you’re “affordable” when it comes to pricing. These things might not seem like a big deal, but they are, especially when a potential client is getting to know you through your website. Fix these little things (or get a professional to help you) and you’ll start to see more conversions from visits on your site.

4. How many people do you reach out to on a daily basis?

It’s a big mistake many interior designers, and entrepreneurs in general, make – they believe that if you “build a website, they will come!” This couldn’t be further from the truth. So much of getting the clients you need really comes down to nothing more than old-fashioned hard work. If you’re not reaching out to potential clients every day and make them a proposal, then you’re missing out on clients. Guaranteed.

While I’d love to tell you that getting more clients is super sexy and super easy, the truth is that there’s a lot of hard work involved, a lot of long hours, and a lot of testing. But, once you do start getting more clients to your design business, you’ll begin to notice that everything begins to snowball. The more work you do, the more referrals you get, and the more clients that will come knocking at your door. Put the hustle in now to attract more clients, and your business will grow.

And, remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Getting people in your corner early on is one of the smartest things you can do to ensure your design business’s success.

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