The Business of Design - Marketing

Thursday, September 5, 2013

Did you click through to this post because you're hoping to get tips for how to market your design business?  Sorry, but I'm writing this post because I've been given an amazing opportunity to have a booth at the upcoming 2013 Home & Remodeling Expo and I'm hoping you folks might be able to help me out.

I will have a 10x10 booth that I am planning to stage in a style that reflects my aesthetic.  The centerpiece will be this Mid Century Modern dresser by Dixie.  It needs a little love, but it's solid, has great lines, and fab hardware. Done.


This original painting by Mid Century artist Tom Hayward will probably be propped on the dresser.




Also, I'm making over these chairs as we speak - (I should be stapling right now).
They're getting the white paint treatment and this new fabric. 
 One of my all time faves.

Let's see.  I'm also thinking about flanking either side of the booth entrance with these recently scored etageres.

The etageres will be decked out with a mix of brass, white porcelain and maybe a few old books for a textural mix.

So you can see I have a pretty clear direction of how I want things to look.  Now I have to figure out what to have in my booth to help me from a business standpoint.

Here's what I have on my list right now.

Business cards
Guest book to collect email addresses
Portfolio album of past projects
Winning smile and positive attitude 
Oh, and a sign.  I'm getting a sign made.  

I feel like there should be more.  Not more stuff to fill the booth, just more about me and the services I offer.  

Help a girl out. Leave me a comment below or email me with your brilliant ideas.  Tick tock, the Home and Remodeling Expo is next weekend!

The Green Room Interiors provides Interior Decorating and Design Services to happy homeowners in Chattanooga, TN.  If you'd like to experience the joy of living in a well designed home, contact Kimberly Lemmon at 423.653.3186 or email thegreenroominteriors@gmail.com



21 comments:

Vel Criste said...

If you want them to stay a bit longer, a pitcher of ice cold water or lemonade on the side would be helpful! Love your idea Kim, good luck!!!!!

Linda {Calling it Home} said...

Hellooooooo, a laptop with your blog? Or some of those digital photo frames that keep clicking images. Appartently, it is really inexpensive to have Kinkos print large graphics, what about a collage of your work/design? A raffle of some sort, to get more names and email addresses. Find someone to donate something.....or donate a consultation by you! Need more? I got a million of these :)

My Interior Life said...

Wow, Linda, I need some of your advice too. Ditto everything Linda said. Maybe frame photos of some of your projects, etc. in pretty frames and style those on your etageres as well!

Good luck - I know you'll be a huge success!!

Patty Day @Pattys Epiphanies said...

Linda's ideas are great! Covers it all
Maybe a dish of attractive sweets to go with the iced water?

Kerry Steele- Design du Monde said...

Yup, a laptop or ipad with scrolling slideshow of your work, top blog posts and LinkedIn profile.
Make sure people know how to follow you on Pinterest and Instagram too.

Interior Design Musings said...

How about a little swag? I had some fabulous purse style measuring tapes made up when I took a group of ladies to go antiquing. They LOVED it! And now my logo is every single one of their purses! M.

Thehouseofhampton said...

I love Linda's ideas. But what keeps me coming back to your blog is YOUR style! I'd show as much of that as possible. Also YOUR personality, be yourself as much as possible. Your blog is fun to read so I'm sure your just as great in person!!!
Follow up with an email to everyone who gives you an email address. Sell yourself......
Sharon
@novaraway

Kim said...

Oh so exciting ... love the ideas posted ... and hopefully you have enough room in the booth for a round table that you can use as your "desk" in the center with those fabulous chairs so someone can actually come in sit and visit with you ... and have a glass of that lemonade! xo

Anonymous said...

How about a few design boards to show clients how you present your concepts?

Sally@DivineDistractions.blogspot.com said...

You could do a give-a-way...maybe one of the brass pieces in exchange for leaving their email address. Names and phone numbrs and email go into a pretty vase and draw at the end of the day. You collect email addresses and they have a chance at something in return. Worked like a charm for me when I did it.

Anonymous said...

Absolutely yes on the slide show (on laptop) of your portfolio and blog. A quick stop by your phone carrier store might be in order: have them show you how to sync up phones and exchange emails/addresses without having to use pen and paper. A give away always works. You might want to consider setting up a scene in the booth where people can photograph themselves, people love that. Sitting in a fancy chair or something of that sort. For sure put all your media addresses on the business cards or any other give away. Music? Raffle for one lucky winner receiving maybe 2 hours of design consultation.
Also, lock up the swag whenever you leave the booth. Let me tell you about the time the Harvard booth stole my candy at a medical convention . . .

Jessie | The Design Daredevil said...

Kim, I SWEAR I just moved the identical Dixie dresser into my dining room for a buffet. I love it! CL for $200

I love the art and have been searching for similar etageres for my office.

Taylor Greenwalt said...

Make sure you have professional photos to show...very important! Linda is right.. bring your computer and make a slide show of your work...make sure you also have some close up of vignettes. You could also put music to it...

Unknown said...

I have found that CANDY is something people love and linger a bit more and FRESH FLOWERS. Love the slide show idea, and lot of sparkle and shine, like my BRAGG concept! Congrats on this opportunity, you're gonna do great!
Xo Nancy

Carrie @ Hazardous Design said...

Ditto to everyone's ideas above, and maybe something people can take away with them that will distinguish you from the 500 other business cards they will pick up that day. Perhaps a postcard or pamphlet that includes images of your work?

Teresa Hatfield ~ Splendid Sass said...

Since it is fall, hot apple cider would be great. Coffee would run a close second.
Your style will sell, so just be yourself.
Teresa
xoxo

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

Big yes to your laptop, and I would also have testimonials from your happy clients! :)

jeen-marie said...

Have an example of a mood board, with swatches to show to prospective clients.
I think a raffle for a consultation is a great idea.
I would sign up for that but not so much for the tchotchke.

jeen-marie said...

Have an example of a mood board, with swatches to show to prospective clients.
I think a raffle for a consultation is a great idea.
I would sign up for that but not so much for the tchotchke.

Brandy@MAKE+MODEL said...

Laptop with blog up, some type of fabulous giveaway (maybe a set of cool vintage bar glasses) and refreshments (lemonade and something yummy like mini cupcakes!!)

Susan said...

Hi there! I have found 2 pieces of Tom Hayward's art at local estate sales. Wondering if you know anything about him. Love leaning the painting on the dresser -- nice touch!