Developing Strategic Agent Partnerships

Time to Add Design

I always say that home staging and redesign are two sides of the same coin...the only difference is the "Who" we are designing for.  For staging, we design for the buyer demographic and take a more impersonal approach.  For redesign, we take a very personal approach and create functional, harmonious spaces that "work" with the home owner and are perfectly tailored to their needs, tastes and desires.

Earlier in the HSR Guide to Success, I said you could easily use the same approach to redesign as you do for staging in terms of the 8-step, FEEL HOME process.  In this training, I'm going to expand upon that approach with some business tips and a systematic way of handling design jobs.

The terms "redesign" can be interchanged with "interior styling", "design" or just "styling" so use the terms you are most comfortable with as they are all the same.  Do not use the term "interior design" unless you have taken a full interior design course that fits with the ASID requirements.

In this video, I outline how you handle design clients from start to finish but you can manage this service any way you prefer and even go more simple by following the HSR Guide to Success model.  Feel free to pause the video or play back if needed.

If you are having trouble viewing the video above, please go to this private YouTube link:  https://youtu.be/_-bBuUhBZq8

If you are able to spend time with the client and completely fill out the Design Order Sheet, then there is no need to send them the Initial Design Life Style Questionnaire because your questions are already answered.  Spend as much time building rapport with the client as possible! 

Use our phone script for taking phone calls from the Consultation section in the same way you take design phone calls.

If you're an Expert E-Designer Member, add a design board image from the HSR Templates (that fits with your client's style and the conversation you had about the home) to the follow-up email along with the importance of PLANNING the remodel ahead of time to SAVE money.

Getting Testimonials and Referrals

Once a client sees the work you do in the home, it's very easy to simply ask them for their feedback, a testimonial and potential referrals. Feedback is important because it allows you to critically reflect and improve. Testimonials are worth their weight in gold because you can use them in your marketing materials, website and email campaigns. Referrals will be the growth in your business that you rely on over time because ultimately, that is how small businesses grow exponentially!  Here's some easy tips to follow:

Make it Easy

Even though we provide a "Client Satisfaction Survey" below, I recommend keeping it very simple and sending an email with direct links to where you would like an online testimonial (choose either Houzz.com if the client is registered there or Yelp.com as two popular places for reviews)

Be Complimentary Then Gracious

Time is precious, so use verbiage that appreciates their time!

"Thank you so much for the privilege of working with you in your fantastic home!  Testimonials are the lifeblood of a service business, so I would love if you could take one-minute, click on one of the links below and provide a testimonial about my business..." (Put the direct links below the text, so it's an easy click away)

OR

Text Your Full Contact Information

Think about how people share their "contacts" via their mobile devices.  Make sure to have full information about your business in your phone, so that you can easily send a quick text to a client after a job and share your full contact, so that it's easy for them to refer your business to others.  Here's an example of what you would say...

Don't Forget the Vendors You Work With!

Use those same tactics with your vendors!  Very likely they are not going to keep your business cards on hand BUT they will share your contact information if it's in their phone easily!

Referrals for Redesign

Referrals from folks who could benefit from the Redesign side of what you do are almost a no-brainer! If the client was extremely happy with your work, ask if they could host an "open house" or  "Wine and Redesign Party" where they invite their friends, show off their newly staged/redesigned home and are given your brief pitch about the beauty of living in a home that is tailored to them.