Landing clients in the design industry can be challenging; sometimes, even when your price is right, you may still struggle to get hired. When you’re working at the right end of the market, it’s actually incredibly rare that a client won’t move forward once they’ve been educated into the value of your design proposal, even if they give some initial pushback on pricing. So, if you find yourself struggling to seal that deal with your ideal client, you need to look at some of the other surprising factors that may be making your ideal client hesitate to work with you.
Build your K-L-T Factor
One of the main reasons why your likeability factor is so important in the design industry is that design involves a highly personal and intimate relationship between the designer and the client. The client has to share their innermost thoughts, preferences, and lifestyle with you to create a space that truly reflects their personality and meets their needs. And, they need to feel connected and comfortable with you in order to open up and share this information. You want your clients excited to say yes to your ideas, not feeling like they are being cajoled, coaxed, or convinced. And while this isn’t always something you have complete control over, you can make sure to practice certain steps to increase that K-L-T, or Know-Like-Trust factor.
Make an effort to genuinely get to know your clients beyond their design needs. Ask them about their hobbies, interests, and personal preferences and leverage their answers throughout your design process. This will not only make them feel valued but also allow you to create a more personalized design that truly reflects their personality. Clients also want to know who they are working with, so being open and sharing information about yourself can make them feel comfortable working with you throughout what can be a very long process. Talk about your hobbies, interests, and experiences, as these can create points of connection with clients that make you more relatable and your client more relaxed.
How you do Anything is how you do Everything
Even the smallest detail can be an indicator of your trustworthiness and credibility for a client. To them, these small details reflect your eye for detail and care, which is why the importance of proofreading when getting hired cannot be overstated. Paying attention to detail, spelling, and grammar in your website copy and other client-facing spaces demonstrates professionalism and assures clients that you will take care of the intricate aspects of the design process. Potential clients may not hire you if they do not trust your ability to handle the details of their project. Ensuring that your marketing collateral, website, and agreements are all meticulously proofread can help build that trust and increase your chances of being hired.
Moreover, proofreading plays a significant role in making the courtship with potential clients more inviting, exciting, and engaging. It is essential to focus on your clients’ interests and be curious about them to establish a strong connection. Ensuring that your communication is error-free and well thought out will only serve to reinforce this connection, ultimately leading to a higher proposal acceptance rate and the establishment of lasting connections with your clients.
When you’re ready to take your design practice to the next level, explore your expert coaching and training options with Melissa Galt. To catch the entire podcast episode LISTEN HERE.
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