I am an interior designer and have a steady stream of old clients who are very loyal to me, and so far majority of the work that I get is through word of mouth. I want to attract new clients but am not sure quite how to go about it and what would be my best options to market/advertise myself.
Plus as this is a small home run business budget is definitely an issue and I want to make the best use of the tiny amount I can afford to set aside.
So would appreciate it if I can get any ideas to market/advertise a small home run interior design business on the lowest possible budget.
2007-01-18 16:48:42 · 10 answers · asked by SS 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Advertising & Marketing ➔ Other - Advertising & Marketing
well i just bought a lamborghini and im actually writing this inside of the car with my laptop im so rich haaaaa but your question um i own a home depot i could give you the hook up if you in new york
2007-01-18 16:53:52 · answer #1 · answered by luis s 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have been given lots of good ideas above - My answer would be
start with sba.gov - they have marketing tools for small biz owners - I relied on this site a lot
craigslist.org - its free
also, join local trade groups for your industry and network, go to luncheons and meet people.
i love the idea about presenting at a local home and garden type trade show - i think they are usually in the spring ...what area are you in?
also, since you have a client base, you must tap into them and the huge word of mouth potential - do a referral program where if a client brings you a new customer - you will give them 25% off their next order with you, or something that encourages them to bring the business to you.
you can also buy lists of new homeowners or people who have just moved from the post office or a mailing house, and send them a postcard. you can probably do the same via email, but you have to find a company that does emails targeted in that way.
since you have little to no budget, i would be creative. get out and meet people. introduce yourself to local business owners and brainstorm about ways to help each other. this work takes more time but will pay off in the long run.
also do pr, send out a press release to a local pub about how a local resident did her own interior design business. i did that and got an article published about my company in my local paper. if you live in a big city, try the small neighborhood newsletters and publications.
good luck!
2007-01-23 00:41:42 · answer #2 · answered by joeys 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How about talking with your suppliers about a promotion. Contact the businesses you get your supplies from(paint, wallpaper,carpet,etc.) and suggest a makeover contest. People will register at each of the businesses for a room makeover.(You know this is huge right now because of all the different shows on TV) At the end of a certain period you have a drawing and the person that wins gets a free room makeover your suppliers provide the materials and you provide your services free, but all the entrants are now potential customers, not to mention the free publicity for you and the other businesses involved. You can probably get a local radio station involved as a sponsor as well. Most of the businesses you deal with already have an advertising budget, so it won't cost them any extra to include your company in their ads to promote the contest.
2007-01-20 00:59:07 · answer #3 · answered by goz424 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If your community (or location near you) holds a home improvement trade show (they are usually held in the spring, when everyone thinks about remodels and fixing up their homes), you can invest the money into signing up for a booth. Get a good portfolio together. You want to have nice, clear, and impressive photos of some of the work you have done. It would also be good if you can include some testimonial letters from your clients that can go with the photos praising your work. If you do the show, make sure you have plenty of professional, but eye-catching business cards to hand out. You might also want to consider some postcard type flyers made specifically for the show that offers some type of incentive, such as a discount off of your fees as a "show special".
2007-01-18 16:57:37 · answer #4 · answered by jseah114 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Run regular adds in Craigslist (www.craigslist.org), and skim them for people who may be looking for YOU (free service).
Always keep business cards on you (they don't have to be flashy, just have SOMETHING). You can also list yourself in the Yahoo Local pages for free (though I haven't had much luck there yet, but hey - it's free.
Also, if you're not already, a lot of interior design stores (and even fabric stores like Hancock's and JoAnn's) will keep business cards on a bulletin board somewhere - that has worked for me.
Not sure if it's worth a try, but I always wondered who decorates the model apartments in newly built communities? That would be a fun gig.
2007-01-18 16:59:05 · answer #5 · answered by seweccentric 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Contact your community newspaper's (not a big daily, not an all ad throw away, but the community newspaper that covers school sports) advertising rep. Be honest about your budget and let them guide you to your best advertising solutions. Also consider joining your local chamber of commerce and attend all the networking events you can possibly afford to attend.
2007-01-19 09:25:12 · answer #6 · answered by Carolyn S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go through your client list and you will find profile of your clients which will have certain common traits like income level, age groups etc. This will help you identify your potential clients. Based on this, plan your marketing. Your research may also throw light on certain type of customers who don't patronize your service. Find out why and rectify that. Ask for references from your existing client list and make it easy for them to give reference by providing ready referral cards. Give incentive to them for doing so. Add new services for your existing clients by trade collaboration and ask them to do the same in return.
2007-01-18 17:17:46 · answer #7 · answered by mangal 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Internet is a good way if your isp provider allows you to have a free website also business cards hand them out! you can purchase them at staples and have them made up so when you meet someone you can give them a business card. do not opt for telemarketing as that seems to annoy people but you can "ambulance chase" meaning if you see a home near by with construction crews building drop off card and let them know what you do even if they don't need you for that project they might need oyu for another.
2007-01-18 20:04:36 · answer #8 · answered by Natashya K 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Create your own blog
Get links from other home design blogs and promote yourself in the blog
Be sure it works
2007-01-22 10:18:36 · answer #9 · answered by Ozgur Alaz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get your free domain here to expand your business
http://www.lehavre.ws
2007-01-18 23:27:11 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋