Now that I am urging you officially and with resources to get your website done and up, I want to share some quick and easy ways to make it possible. If you will do one of these steps each day, by the close of the week you’ll have your content! REMEMBER, BE THERE FOR THE TELESEMINAR.
Take your design business ONLINE! (Click the link.)
- Get a Headshot! Yes, you can use a candid shot but be sure you look professional (suit isn’t necessary, but showing up in either black tie or your bathing suit isn’t going to win you points either!) This can be done with a photographer for under $300, I use Eric Beach, www.ericbeach.com. He is terrific. Also I hire a makeup artist, not for glamour, but to look my best. That is usually $125-$225. Plan a minimum of 2 hours as 30 minutes plus is makeup and getting ready and you‘ll want more than one outfit and more than one shot. The mall photographer can do it for $150 or less. I’ve no idea what Glamour Shots charges but it is an idea. Please don’t wait to lose 10 pounds, it doesn’t matter, this is a headshot not a “strut your stuff and get a guy shot” (I need those!) Allow 1/2 a Day for This.
- Write Your Bio! This is not just a listing of your skills and qualifications but needs to include your “points of connection.” Get personal in a professional way. While it is important to share your education, it is more important to share places you’ve lived, traveled, what inspires you and that you have an active family (or not), if you have pets, and if you cook. The reason is that you want the prospect who reads this to find “points of connection.” Maybe they cook, maybe they garden, maybe they have traveled to the same places, and maybe they went to the same high school or college. Whatever it is you want to make that “point of connection,” so that they are more likely to explore working with you over another design professional of equal talent. ALLOW 1/2 A DAY FOR THIS in two parts so you write it, let it rest, then edit or rewrite, have colleagues and friends read it. SIGN UP NOW, BE ONLINE IN 45 DAYS! http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=2790204
- List Your Services! Don’t put down everything except the kitchen sink and don’t include things you don’t like to do. I spoke with someone recently who did installations and he had remodeling on his list and I said “I am confused; you do installations (think drapery) and also remodeling?” He said he was trying to cover every base. Not a good idea. Stick with your specialties if it is kitchen and bath remodels list that, if it is color consulting list that, if it is window treatments list that. In some cases you are full service that is great, then list comprehensively, but know that if it is on your list you may get asked about it. ALLOW 1 HOUR.
- Creating Your Portfolio! You must use professional shots; there is nothing worse than a beautiful interior that is shown poorly. Yes, this is an investment. You can also look at local college programs and even photography clubs to find someone who will do a decent (not perfect) job for less. Ask for a per image charge so you know what you are getting into. You must review their work and see if they have experience in shooting interiors, it is a specialty. Lighting is all important and be able to control reflections. In my early years I had one shot that showed the photographers light umbrella reflected in artwork, YAK. A top drawer photographer can bill $3K-5K a day and yield 5-8 best images. So you can likely find someone to do a day shoot for $500 and get your needed 5 images.You only need 3 images to get started and if you had to you could have your web designer put an “under construction banner” or “coming soon” but you can only get away with that for about 90 days. Shoot your own home if nothing else and if you aren’t ready for that, GET READY! You can also stage it and take the goods back (I know it is a hassle but this is for your future success.) If you have a top end photographer they can often “style” for you, if not plan to stay and style. While your room may look finished, it will look different through a camera lens and “holes” will appear. These can be addressed by moving a throw, adding a plant, opening a book, etc. ALLOW A DAY FOR SHOOTING, more if you have more than one location.
- Contact Page for Connecting! Invite prospects to contact you directly, so be sure you include a contact form where you might offer them a free gift to remember you buy. This can be “10 Design Tips for Beautiful Living” and be an automated PDF download. You can also ask them to fill out a short questionnaire about their decorating project and send you their contact so you can call and follow up. Make it friendly, easy, and fun. Be sure you include your email, your phone, your fax (if you have one), and your mailing address. These pieces of information make a prospect feel like you are real. ALLOW 2 HOURS FOR THIS, more if you are writing tips, there are many online resources you can tap that have tips provided if writing isn’t your strength.
Now, there you have it! I’ve outlined the shortcuts so you can be ready for your site to be loaded. And again if you break this up into bite-size pieces as suggested, you will stay out of overwhelm and get it D-O-N-E! Many of you have been waiting to get a site up, some of you have been working on this for over a year. COME TO THE TELESEMINAR ON JANUARY 27, CALL IN FROM THE COMFORT OF HOME AT 8PM EST. Listen to Jennifer and me share how easy and cost effective this can be. Take your design business online to make more money with less time and more profit!
http://www.1shoppingcart.com/app/?Clk=2790204
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Want to use this article? You can! Simply include the text here: Want more great business building tips and easy to implement marketing strategies? Check out www.todaybydesign.com. If you are ready to take your design or creative business to the next level, be sure to check out www.sixfigureprofessionals.com for your free, no-strings-attached 30 minute strategy session with Melissa.
