The Art of Self-promotion for Interior Designers
We had a chat yesterday with my friend. She is an interior photographer and we talked about another interior photographer that we both know. My friend mentioned something like “She does exactly the same stuff as I do, but makes it look as if she is doing something really, really important”…
How many times we have experienced the same thing? We see another person from the same field and she or he has mentions in the press, features on TV, awards, etc. Sometimes their professional skills are way better than ours, but sometimes we think “I could do that too”. So what stops us from having our dream projects, attention of Media and all other stuff that is usually a definition of success?
For me the answer is obvious – we are too shy to self-promote. We are too scared to step away from our comfort zone. Two days ago I was invited to do a video ad for one of the furniture shops here in Moscow where I talk about how to choose curtains and advertising their goods. It was the first experience for me of being in front of the camera with professional camera-man and director.
Why they invited me and not somebody else? Here is the story behind. Last year I managed to get featured in one of the biggest websites about interior design in Russia. One of my projects got lots of attention from readers and it was nominated for the best interior design project of 2016 in its category. I actually did get the award. When I came to their office I was introduced to their editor in chief:
We had a nice chat and she was curious to learn more about what I do. I mentioned this blog, I talked a bit about my youtube channel and DIY projects that I make. She was very interested in the videos that I made and suggested that they get translated in Russian so that they can post it too. So finally when this furniture brand came to this editor in chief asking her for recommendations on whom to invited for this ad, guess whom she suggested. If I never mentioned about my blog I am sure I would never be invited to do this video. So here is my recommendation to all interior designers: don’t be shy, meet new people and talk about what you do.
Some ideas of self-promotion that could be good for your marketing campaign:
- Invest in good photography for every project that you make. Always think about how and where you can get it published.
- Send pitches to get featured to as many blogs, magazines, websites as possible.
- Go to networking events
- Always have business cards with you
- Become part of local chamber of commerce
- Write a blog
- Create youtube channel. Make videos that will be useful to people and don’t forget to mention your name and where they can find you.
- Make live videos on Instagram and Facebook.
- Pay it forward – promote other interior designers that you know and earn good karma.
- Love your brand and your brand from now on is you. Love yourself. Invest in good clothes, makeup, hairdresser. Don’t be afraid of looking extravagant. You need that attention!
If you need more guidance on crafting your marketing campaign, check my eBook “Marketing for interior designers“, where I highlight 23 effective marketing tools that will help you to get new clients.
