10 Steps To Launch Your Interior Design Business in 2019
There are approximately 27 million entrepreneurs in the US and there is no reason why you can’t add to this number! To successfully launch your interior design business or any new business idea you simply need to follow these 10 steps:
1. Establish Your Service
The first thing you need to do is define exactly what service you will be offering. You may target certain trends, homes versus offices, or even prefer to design kitchens and bathrooms.
Knowing the range of services you are offering is crucial to a successful launch.
2. Determine A Style
You probably already know what styles suit you best. For example, if you’re not comfortable working with art deco then this is a style you should avoid. It’s better to focus on specific styles and do them exceptionally well.
3. Find The Right Name
You need a name that is catchy but not too long. This is essential to ensure customers remember who you are and can contact you easily.
4. Start Social Media
It’s virtually impossible to launch a successful business today without using social media. In fact, social media can boost your profile before you even start trading. Simply create your business social media accounts and start talking to people about interior design. You’ll be building a network of potential customers and supporters without even having to promote any services.
All you need to do is show that you know what you are talking about.
5. Figure Out Finance
You’re not going to need a huge amount of finance to get an interior design business off the ground. But, you will need insurance, transport and potential credit accounts with an array of furniture and furnishing stores.
It’s best to work how much you need to get started and live before you actually start trading. It will also help you to know how much money you need to bring in to break even.
6. Have A Goal
You need a goal. While your ultimate goal may be to have the biggest interior design company on the west coast or to be free to take extreme travel vacations, you need to create smaller goals that can make this achievable.
Smaller goals are achievable and help to keep you motivated towards your larger goals. For example, if you want to have 50 new customers in your first year then you’ll find it easier to achieve this if you focus on gaining 1 new customer a week.
7. Work Out Your Rates
It is essential to know how much you are going to charge. This is tied in with how much money you need to get on a weekly basis. However, it is also important to consider what other interior design businesses are charging; you must be competitive.
8. Build Your Website
Now that you’re ready to go you should build your website. It should display who you are, what you are offering and how to contact you. Ideally, link it to your social media accounts to dramatically boost its popularity.
You may need to get an expert to help you with this as you’ll want to rank highly in search results.
9. Promote It!
Much of your social media work has been subtly promoting your business. Now that you’re launching you need to tell everyone and anyone about your service. The more people that know about you the higher the chance of getting customers, it’s simply a matter of percentages.
Promotion and perseverance will equal customers.
10. Maintain Customer Service
Finally, launching is only the first step. To build your interior design business you must offer the very best customer service. This includes following up with your clients and dealing with any issues quickly and fairly.
Need more ideas? Check out my “Marketing for Interior Designers eBook“:
