Value Based Fees Starts January 25th, 2010

NEW Bonus! Receive Gail's Latest eBook, Ultimate Interior Design Business Blueprint ($97 Value) With Your Enrollment in the Value Based Fee Series...

"This book is a comprehensive and essential resource for success in the field of interior design. It’s a must read." - Faith Sheridan

Why Should You Offer Value Based Fees?

"I have learned how to handle questions about my fees from difficult clients. I've learned how to begin research into my business in consideration of a fixed fee billing. And yes, I'd enthusiastically recommend this series to my peers." - S. Olsen

Join us for the Value Based Fees Series You will receive access to the following: • Monday, January 25th - Live Kick-off Call at 12 pm Eastern We'll kick off the Value Based Fees series with a discussion of what to expect and we'll answer your questions - ($99 value) • Monday, February 1st - You'll receive a link by email - "Setting Fixed Fees" with Valentina Cirasola MP3 Recording & Transcript of interview and Q & A - ($99 value) • Monday, February 8th - Live Group Coaching and Q & A Call at 12 pm Eastern with Gail Doby, ASID - ($99 value) • Monday, February 15th - You'll receive a link by email - "Fixed Fees For Happier Clients" with Kristi Dinner, Allied ASID MP3 Recording & Transcript of interview and Q & A from DSU's Gold Membership Monthly Mentor Series - ($79 value) • Monday, February 22nd - Live Group Coaching and Q & A Call at 12 pm Eastern with Gail Doby, ASID - ($99 value) • Monday, March 1st - You'll receive a link by email - Vicente Wolf MP3 Recording & Transcript of interview and Q & A - ($99 value) • Monday, March 8th - Live Group Coaching and Q & A Call at 12 pm Eastern with Gail Doby, ASID - ($99 value) • Monday, March 15th - Live 2 Hour Webinar - "Value Based Fees" with Gail Doby, ASID MP3 Recording & Transcript of interview and Q & A - ($149 value) • Monday, March 22nd - Live Group Coaching and Q & A Call at 12 pm Eastern with Gail Doby, ASID - ($99 value) • Monday, March 29th - Wrap-Up Call at 12 pm Eastern with Gail Doby, ASID - ($99 value) Total Value - $1,020 *Bonuses* Added Bonuses • "Ultimate Interior Design Business Blueprint" eBook by Gail Doby, ASID - January 2010 - ($97 value) • Interview with Kathy Alexander, Alexander Interiors, LLC "How to Determine Your Value Based Fees" - ($79 value) • Interview with Sharon Drew Morgen "Buying Facilitation® - It's Different From Sales" - ($79 value) • "Interior Design Fee Salary & Fee Schedule Results" eBook by Gail Doby, ASID - September 2009 - ($49 value) • "Interior Designer's Top Challenges & Solutions" with Gail Doby, ASID MP3 Recording & Notes - ($49 value) • Design Success University's Testimonial Template by Gail Doby, ASID - ($29 value) Total Package Value $1,402 Sign up for the Value Based Fees Series today for only $499

"Knowing how to charge and for what has always been an issue that has never been comfortable. The Value Based Fees series seemed like a system to invest in. I'd enthusiastically recommend the series." - K. Miller

Here's What You'll Learn:

• Why you may be shooting yourself in the foot before you even hear from a prospect…it's about you and your self-confidence
• How to stop wasting your time talking with unqualified prospects and make time for the clients who value your services and are willing to pay you what you're worth
• What questions to ask every prospect to make sure you're talking to the person who is making the financial decisions so you don't waste your time talking with someone who isn't able to make the decision
• Why you should never discuss fees before presenting your proposal so you confidently maintain control of the process
• Why you shouldn't use an hourly rate to bill your client because you become a commodity instead of a professional
• How to get paid on time and even early for your expertise without the usual conflict over high bills
• How to avoid discounting your bills so you can make more money, run a profitable business and enjoy the freedom you deserve with your business
• How to create a proposal that leads to a high probability that the prospect will sign and reduce the amount of new prospect meetings that you need to run a successful and vibrant business
• How to answer the difficult questions your prospects throw at you with complete confidence and establish your credibility and authority in a pleasant and non-confrontational way
• In Gail's session, you will learn a step-by-step process to offer your Value Based Fees, how to answer questions, how to deflect the question about your fees until you've established your value, and exactly what questions to ask when so you are fully prepared to lead your new client to sign your agreement easily
• We added the live Question and Answer sessions to help you work through any lingering questions and confidently prepare your proposals - especially if you have a new prospect meeting, you can send your proposal to Gail and she'll address it live in the session

"The whole marketplace for Interior Designers is changing. I want to stay current and competitive with existing and potential clients, yet offer them as many products and services as possible. Value Based Fees make both ends of the equation a win-win. I learned the value of charging clients on a Value Fee Basis. Every Designer I have spoken to about how they charge seems to come up with a different answer, many of which I didn't feel comfortable about integrating into my business practices. This system seems to make the most sense, but requires intensive tracking to be able to integrate into a method of billing. I was pleasantly surprised with this last series of talks on Value Based Design. It was reassuring to learn that even Vicente Wolfe has problems with clients and to listen and learn how he deals with these same issues." - Trish J.

Frequently Asked Questions About Value Based Fees

Do you feel like our industry is going to eventually use this method as the "main" way to charge?

Since about 70% of all people surveyed by ASID said they wanted fixed fees a few years ago, and with all of the opportunities for consumers to purchase pre-packaged services through Internet sites and even interior designer's own websites, I'd say yes. If this is what our clients want, why are we not giving it to them the way they want it? Besides, our time is a commodity, and there is no leverage in billing by the hour. We're limited in what we can make based on how many hours we work. What happens if you get sick?

What are Value Based Fees?

They are fees based on what results you produce for your client instead of how many hours you work. You establish what they value before you make your proposal and you price according to what they want to receive in terms of a result.

How do you qualify clients for a Value Based Fee scenario?

We'll give you the questions and the process to follow in Gail's session. It's important to practice and prepare so you are ready to ask these meaty questions. Guaranteed…you will stand out from the competition in a positive way.

How do I avoid giving away my services for free and how do I deal with scope creep?

Gail will walk you through the process, and it is important to remember that you are in control. If your client wants to add more to the scope of work, that must be in a separate agreement. This series is recommended for experienced designers. You should have a minimum of two years of experience so you are able to estimate what a job will take.

I would expect that at the end of the series, there will be a definitive step by step process, a framework, and a procedural tool to follow when setting a fee, such as questions to ask up front, and how situations will be handled.

Yes, you will have a process to follow and you will have specific questions to ask. Gail even explains what to do if they ask difficult questions.

Who should attend? Interior designers that have been in business for at least two years You have true expertise as a designer preferably in a niche market You've experienced one or more of the challenges I mentioned You're ready to make more money You're open and willing to change You're ready to have better relationships with your clients You’re tired of the conflict, frustration and especially the feeling of being underpaid

Who should not attend?

• If you're in school, just starting your practice or have less than 2 years experience in the interior design business
• If you aren't open-minded and willing to think outside of the box
• If you're unwilling to change your billing practices
• If you lack confidence in your expertise, business or design skills

Based on the traditional billing methods for our industry, the only way you can make more money is to sell more products, work more hours, raise your rates, cut your expenses, or grow your business so you have other people billing their time, too.  Or is that the only way?

On top of that, the economy has slowed interest in a service that is seen as a luxury.  Many people are unable to borrow money to improve their homes, or even move into a new home because they can't qualify for the loans.

The Internet has compounded the problem.  Access to design resources is growing every day.  We can't fight it, and the industry will never go back to the way it was.

HGTV has both increased the interest in interior design, and also skewed the consumer's view of what good design is, how much it costs and how long it takes. 

The phone is ringing less often for most designers, and some are giving up and closing their practices.

You are not alone!  Billing for time and marking up products automatically puts you in a conflicting role that can be perceived as unethical by your clients.

I've spent years thinking about the fundamental flaws in the traditional billing model for our business, and since starting Design Success University, I've been determined to find the solution.

Finally, after several years of trial-and error, and after months of research, I've found solutions from another industry expert who makes well over $1 million per year consulting.  I've taken his ideas and adapted them to our industry.  It's a proven model for him and for many other industries, and he's been teaching it for years to other consultants. 

"I needed help with putting a value to my name. I learned that it is important to set a fee before the work is done, and I also liked the discussion about the mark-up of items. I'd enthusiastically recommend this series to my peers." - A. Simmons