Designers Getting Coffee

We. Love. You. Thank you SO MUCH for being part of coffee and conversation with us! This is the last episode of Designers Getting Coffee, but all of the episodes will still be available for you to go back and listen to.

Today's episode is major. We've got news to share about this podcast, Kate's Designer's Oasis, and Lesley's business coaching. Also, we want you to join us for a LIVE Q+A session next week on Instagram! We'll be live @designersgettingcoffee on Thursday August 27 at 2pmET. See you there!

Feeling behind financially? You're not alone. Without help, it's easy to get behind on invoicing, payments, and taxes (eek). Lesley's bookkeeper Sherry Wilson from Business By the Book joins us today with solid advice (and loving encouragement) to help you get a handle on your business finances.

Let's be real - some design projects leave you energized and wanting more, and some leave you feeling exhausted, resentful, and straight-up cranky. Today we're breaking down the 6 most common interior design services out there, and weighing the pros and cons of each. Spoiler alert: you're the boss, and you can say no the ones you hate doing!

Having trouble closing sales with potential clients? It may be because you're gazing towards their nose more than their foreheads. (Whaaa?) Today we're psyched to bring you business coach and certified body language expert Nancy Ganzekaufer, whose tips on using body language - and reading body-language - will open your eyes to the hidden meanings behind seemingly insignificant behaviors.

Money is the lifeblood of your business. If you don't have money, you don't have a business. (Ouch.) Both Kate and Lesley have struggled with money management over the years, and have developed these 5 helpful money habits to ensure that they pay themselves first, have a healthy operating budget for expenses, and don't waste time on projects that aren't profitable.

View full show notes and links at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/39bonus/Connect with Stacey at http://staceybrownrandall.com/.Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit.Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list right here.Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business (and use code DGCCANVA10 to save 10%

View full show notes and links at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/39/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit.Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list right here.Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business (and use code DGCCANVA10 to save 10%

View full show notes and links at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/38/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit.Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list right here.Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business (and use code DGCCANVA10 to save 10%)

Stay up to date at https://www.designersgettingcoffee.com/.

View full show notes and links at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/37/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit.Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list right here.Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business (and use code DGCCANVA10 to save 10%

View full show notes and links at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/36/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit.Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list right here.Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business (and use code DGCCANVA10 to save 10%)

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/35/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list: https://lesleymyrick.com/coaching/Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business at https://designersoasis.com/ (and use code DGCCANVA10)

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/34/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at /https://designersgettingcoffee.com/Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails AND her free Consultation Call script? Grab 'em both, totally free, at https://lesleymyrick.com/coaching/

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/33/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails AND her free Consultation Call script? Grab 'em both, totally free, at https://lesleymyrick.com/coaching/

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/32/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails AND her free Consultation Call script? Grab 'em both, totally free, at  https://lesleymyrick.com/coaching/Read Kate's blog post, How to Run a New Client Discovery Call, here. 

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/31Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list: https://lesleymyrick.com/coaching/Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business at https://designersoasis.com/ (and use code DGCCANVA10)

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/30/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list: https://lesleymyrick.com/coaching/Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business at https://designersoasis.com/ (and use code DGCCANVA10)

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/29-2/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list: https://lesleymyrick.com/coaching/Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business at https://designersoasis.com/ (and use code DGCCANVA10)

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/28/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list: https://lesleymyrick.com/coaching/Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business at https://designersoasis.com/

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/27/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list: https://lesleymyrick.com/coaching/Get Kate's awesome tools to run your business at https://designersoasis.com/

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/26/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/Want Lesley's #BizTipMonday emails? Get on the list right here: https://lesleymyrick.com/coaching/

View full show notes at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/25/Grab your FREE Mini Business Toolkit at https://designersgettingcoffee.com/

As designers, we save our clients time, money, and mistakes. But how do we effectively communicate that in a way that hits home and helps the client truly understand - and invest in - our value?

You might be a little freaked out about the idea of automating your business, but stay with us. From client on-boarding to questionnaires to emails to selling design packages, automation allows you to be a profitable design boss with much less time and energy.

Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, Pinterest, YouTube. What social media channels are best? Should you be active on all of them? Kate and Lesley talk social media strategies and networking online to attract your ideal client.

Who is the right first hire - a junior designer? An administrator? A bookkeeper? It can be intimidating to take the plunge and grow your team, but it's totally worth it! Here's who Kate and Lesley recommend hiring first, what tasks to delegate, and why independent contractors are the way to go. 

Q&A time! Every 10 episodes we're answering YOUR emails and DMs. Send us your questions about interior design, business, how to handle difficult work situations, and more! If you've got a burning Q, email us at hello@designersgettingcoffee.com or send a DM on Instagram @designersgettingcoffee.

Key Takeaways:E-design is a virtual design service, usually done via video conference or emailsClients send over photos and dimensions of their spaceYou put together a design plan and the client puts everything together on their ownE-design is a great way to give high-touch, personalized service without the challenges of in-person meetings, procurement, installationNot everybody has the budget or need for full service – those clients are few harder to find nowadaysE-design is the best option to recommend clients who are in a different location from you or those who are running on a modest budget Clients who are extremely busy may not be the best fit for e-design – they might not get the most out of it because of the time it takes to execute your design planYou have to communicate this clearly in the beginning to manage your clients’ expectationsSome things to include in your “getting started document/kit”: how to photograph your room, how to measure their room and furniture, questionnaire for likes/dislikes and what they’re looking for, and detailed instructions on where and when to send theseTaking the time to set up a one-on-one video call meeting underscores the value of your service and sets you apart from the more accessible alternativesWhen setting the budget, make sure you understand what your clients needs are and that you contextualize the expensesWith e-design, it’s really up to you as a designer to decide what you want to provideYou can take a more high-touch and hands-on approach where you provide a very personalized experienceThis can include sending physical copies of all concept designs and samples that are packaged in a thoughtful manner, such as with handwritten notes and small giftsOr you can take a more virtual and budget-friendly approach where you can deliver your designs with less touchpoints but in a much faster time frameSet up an organized way to communicate with your clients, such as through forms and a strict follow up timeline for revisions and questions Setting expectations is key to the success of e-design projectsIn the circumstance that clients purchases an item that you sourced that doesn’t meet their expectations, take it as an opportunity to communicate your expertise and reasoningBrick and mortar stores make it easy to do returns – it’s a great place to source furniture that could be harder to return, thus minimizing risks The more visuals and information you can provide that clearly communicate what the end result will be, the happier the clients will beKeep clearances and doorways in mind when ordering furniture, as well as from vendors when it comes to furniture that you can/can’t disassemble How do you determine what to price your e-design service?Write out your process – from the initial to the wrap up phone call and everything in betweenThink about what you want and don’t want to offerCalculate what it would take you to do the steps that are absolutely necessary (i.e., the number of items you have to source, emails or packages you have to send, etc.)Add a little bit of a buffer for extra costsAvoid sharing every single detail of your e-design service on your website because it overwhelms clients. Focus on key features, benefits and the final outcomeDon’t discount your services just because e-design is now seen as the cheaper alternative. If you offer a fully custom, high level experience, price accordingly!Make them forget that it’s e-design – deliver a quality, on-brand service in every step of the process

 Ep. 18 – Selling Without the SleazeKey Takeaways:Sales has many negative connotations but it’s something every designer and business owner needs to learn how to doIt’s not just being pushy – it’s offering what you’re good at and providing solutions to those who need itEveryone has different “guard rails” aka different levels of comfort when it comes to sellingSelling happens throughout all phases of a project – from the moment clients visit your website, to the first phone and in-person consultation, to the design presentation This episode focuses specifically on selling and moving a project forward when clients have already expressed interest WebsiteYour first page needs to have head-nodding copy, meaning it addresses your clients’ pain points The language you use needs to put your clients firstHave one clear call to action Make sure you use your website as a sales tool and not just a “coffee table book” with pretty picturesConsultationsWrite out a script or outline and keep practicing your phone consultations!Clients are usually already in the mindset that they’re being sold to. Get them out of this frame of mind  by letting them talk first Start with a warm, quick greeting then ask them to talk about why they reached out to you Consultations are not about you but about making the client feel heard and understood Write down your clients’ pain points, including the specific words that they use to describe their situationRepeat those exact words to them once they’re done talking. You can also use them for your copy on your website and social media Your goal during the phone call is to sell the next ideal step, the in-home consultation, and not the full-service project yet – this makes phone consultations be less intimidating!Don’t make the mistake of telling clients all of your service. They want to hear what they need!Before you talk about pricing, ask them if they have any questions Once you talk about your prices, don’t forget to mention everything that is included with the service to emphasize the value you bringIt’s not your job to decide what your clients can and cannot afford How to deal with objectionsHaving to ask a partner first Set up another consultation with all decision makers presentUndervaluing the service/cannot afford itMake sure you let them know that you understand their needs and how your services meet them Recommend other services that could work“Let me think about it”Tell clients that it’s your job to do that and that’s why they need you!Post-consultation and following upWhen sending your proposal, include a personal letter recapping your meeting, repeating their pain points, and outlining the features and benefits of your services30 days after the consultations, you can follow this system to have 6 touch points to follow upDay 1 – short follow up to see if they’ve read your proposalDay 4 – check them out on social mediaDay 11 – share a blog post/article relevant to their situationDay 18 – check-in email asking if you are the right fitDay 25 – share another relevant blog postDay 30 – letting them know that you assume their priorities have changed but keeping the door open for the futureFollowing up is essential but you have to know how to read your clients and know when to give up Resources SharedEp. 16 - Is Your Website Turning Away Potential Clients?themagicemail.comTo Sell Is Human by David Pink

There's no rule book for interior designers - we get to create and sell whatever design services we want! If you're feeling overwhelmed by packaging and presenting your design offerings, here's how to create your "ladder of services" and nail down your design packages to sell like the confident boss you are.

Is your website a turn-off? Do you have poor quality photography, off-brand colors, or missed opportunities to capture leads? Kate and Lesley have some tips on how to make your website a sexy, client-attracting tool to help your business grow and thrive.

How do you find dreamy clients that understand the value of what you do - and pay you well for it? We're talking about that four-letter word today: NETWORKING. (We promise, it's not as bad as you might think!)

Yes, of course, you do interior design - but what makes you stand out from the crowd? Why should a client hire you instead of the next guy? Here's how to figure out your unique selling proposition and create an "elevator pitch" to quickly share what you do, and how you do it differently.

When it's time to simplify, what can you do in your business to take a break or slow down so you can restore and rejuvenate.

Have you ever found yourself needing to relocate or would like to move but feel stuck or overwhelmed about how that would work,? If so, tune in. Kate has already made the move across the country and Lesley is in preparation for a cross-country move now. In this episode they provide actionable tips to help you relocate your business without feeling like you are totally starting over.

What does it really look like to manage a design project from start to finish? In this two-part series, Kate and Lesley break down their design process step by step and share what's working for them. While the general process is the same, there are some key differences and they each embrace. Brought to you by The Interior Design Business Kickstart Kit

Q&A time! Every 10 episodes we're answering YOUR emails and DMs. Send us your questions about interior design, business, how to handle difficult work situations, and more! If you've got a burning Q, email us at hello@designersgettingcoffee.com or send a DM on Instagram @designersgettingcoffee.

What does it really look like to manage a design project from start to finish? In this two-part series, Kate and Lesley break down their design process step by step and share what's working for them. While the general process is the same, there are some key differences and they each embrace.

What does it really look like to manage a design project from start to finish? In this two-part series, Kate and Lesley break down their design process step by step and share what's working for them. While the general process is the same, there are some key differences and they each embrace.

We wish there were an easy answer, but there's no "right" way to charge for your design services. Hourly? Flat fee? Value based? Lesley and Kate dive into some #realtalk about how to present your fees to clients, how to handle price objections, and how to charge a client you know is going to be difficult.

It ain't easy managing your own business AND a family. But we know it's doable if you've got the right strategies - and help - in place. Listen in as Kate and Lesley discuss how to make it work as a working mom.

Is your client piplline woefully empty? Is your interior design business not exactly booming? Kate and Lesley have 10 things you can do TODAY when your business is slow to kickstart things into gear.

Kate and Lesley both run residential interior design businesses IN THE SAME TOWN. Here's how they met and chose collaboration over competition. Spoiler alert: it wasn't always easy, and yes, jealousy has crept in.

There are a zillion ways to run an interior design business. Here are the design and business tools Kate and Lesley use. Some are the same, but many are different. Grab the full list of our go-to tools at designersgettingcoffee.com.

It's the million-dollar question - do you need a degree to be an interior designer? Kate and Lesley have differing opinions on whether or not you need a degree to run an interior design business. Grab your coffee and listen in.

How do you know it's time to finally start your own interior design business? Kate Bendewald and Lesley Myrick share their stories - and actionable advice - on going from design employees to business owners