IDEAS

an eZine from Design Success University

_____________________________Vol. 2 Issue 4.1_____________________________

Last week’s snowstorm in Denver reminded me of what it must feel like for new designers if they just started their businesses in the last few years.

You either graduated from school and started your own business, or you left another firm to start your new venture. You just started marketing and getting a few clients, and then the snowstorm (or economy) hit. Your petals and leaves freeze, and it takes a while for the snow to melt and the
flowers and plants to recover. Some don’t.

The metaphor for a seasoned designer is a forest fire. You’re a beautiful and sturdy tree and then
the drought hits. Someone lights a match, and you are charred and hardened along with the other
trees in the forest.
[Image www.frcc.gov/]

After a few years, the renewal and regrowth happens. What seemed so desolate once again is green and vibrant.

Life is a cycle, and all of the challenges and setbacks are part of our “hardening” and growth process. It may seem overwhelming at times, so if we can re-adjust our thinking to value the positives and use this time to learn and improve our skills and try new things, we will be stronger and hardier.

Here are a few tips to help you:

  • Make a list of things you want or need to learn or do to improve your business – it might be marketing, management, accounting or a design skill you want to improve
  • Pick the top one on your list
  • Estimate how long it will take to learn
  • Estimate cost for additional education
  • Get necessary information about the program, book, class or other learning method
  • Schedule it on your calendar
  • Take action

Complimentary Preview Call with Cathy Perkins, The WordPress Wizard -
“Blogging 101 for Interior Designers“ - Tuesday March 31st at 3pm Eastern

Back by popular demand, Cathy Perkins shares why blogging is so important to your interior design business and how you can get started. Her 4 week class starts Tuesday, April 7th
6 – 8pm Eastern. Here’s what you will learn:

* Why WordPress is the best blogging software for you
* How to create powerful blog posts and develop your brand
* Why a blog could be more important for your business than a website that is more costly
and less flexible
* How to get started without breaking the bank
* How to build your prospect list quickly and convert them to clients

Click here for more information

Complimentary Webinar with author Joel Comm -
“Twitter Power for Interior Designers” - Tuesday, April 7th at 6pm Eastern

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear Gail Doby interview Joel Comm, NY Times best-selling author of the Ad Sense Code and Twitter Power – How to Dominate Your Market One Tweet at a Time.

Twitter is one of the fastest-growing phenomenons in the world of Social Marketing, and if you’re not participating yet, you should be. Many designers are lagging in their adoption of technology. In fact, only 25% of all interior designers even have a website. Wouldn’t it be great if you were the only designer in your market that is using this incredibly simple and free tool to grow your business?

We’re giving away 3 autographed copies of Joel’s Twitter Power book on the call. Click here to sign up for this webinar & you will learn more about this quirky and addictive Social Networking tool.

Click here for more information


Gold Membership Quarterly Bonus – Gail Doby & Erin Weir
“Simplify, Streamline and Systematize Your Business” -
Thursday, April 9th at 1pm Eastern

This is the perfect time to streamline your business operations. For those of you who are in our Gold Membership program, Erin and I will be conducting a 1 1/2 hour Bonus Session, “Simplify, Streamline and Systematize Your Business,” for members in good standing (membership dues paid through March 31, 2009.)


Hot Off the Presses! Interior Design Summit Success Series - ala carte
(Available Soon!)

We’ve had many requests for an ala carte program for the last two Interior Design Summits, and we are pleased to announce that you can now purchase one or many of the amazing speakers sessions for $47 each for the live playback, downloadable MP3 and transcript, or $197 for the quarterly series (includes 6 speakers sessions).

These playbacks will be on the first and third Thursday of each month at 1 pm Eastern time starting April 16th:

April 16 – Bob Burg – “The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success“
(Favorite Speaker from Interior Design Summit – Fall 2008)

Join this entertaining seminar with Bob Burg as he discusses the Five Laws of Stratospheric Success. Bob will show you how five seemingly counterproductive laws are actually the keys to becoming the success you desire to be. Learn:

        • Why giving more will make you more money
        • Simple, natural ways to create raving fans
        • How to get referrals from people you meet every day
        • How to make your design services more valuable to clients (without spending a dime)

This interview is based on Bob’s newest book, The Go-Giver (coauthored with John David Mann). This delightful business parable touches hearts and builds bigger bank accounts. It shot to number 6 on the Wall Street Journal Business Bestsellers list just three weeks after its release, and most recently hit #9 on BusinessWeek.

May 7 – Keith Granet (Consultant to celebrity interior designers and architects) - ” Identify Your Passion“
(Speaker from Interior Design Summit – Fall 2008)

Design talent is just one part of creating a dream business. You need the business skills and the right team to make your passion a reality. Keith Granet will show you

        • How to grow a successful design firm even if you don’t have a business education
        • How the celebrity designers became well-known
        • How to build your business and become a sought after designer in your own community or even worldwide

Whatever your passion and vision, Keith will inspire you to “think big.”
May 21 – Andy Sernovitz, Best-selling Author – “Word of Mouth Marketing for Interior Designers“
(Speaker from Interior Design Summit – Spring 2009)

Andy shares low or no-cost marketing strategies to build your buzz.

        • Why the small things are the most important things you must do
        • What social networking tools you have to use today to market your business
        • How you can create buzz with inexpensive tools other than your business card
        • How to hold a no-cost dinner for potential referral partners that can kick-start your visibility in your market

June 4 – Curtis Shortridge, Esq. - “Protect Yourself, Protect Your Business“
(Speaker from Interior Design Summit – Fall 2008)

Curtis charges almost $300 per hour for his legal advice to interior designers and architects, and this session is full of incredible information about the legal protection you need for your business.

        • What must be included in your contracts
        • Why having just a contract is not enough
        • What insurance should you carry
        • What is your liablity and how do you protect yourself


June 18 – Curtis Shortridge, Esq. - “The Legal Issues of Working With Contractors and Builders
(plus subcontractors)” – (Speaker from Interior Design Summit – Spring 2009)

This is extremly important in today’s economy. You need to understand your potential liabilities that could literally bankrupt you if you aren’t aware of the contractual issues with working as an interior designer. Don’t leave yourself exposed. This one session gives you great strategies for protecting yourself when you work with builders and contractors and is worth at least 5 times your investment.

  • When are you acting as a general contractor, and how does that affect your exposure
  • Do you have contracts with your subcontractors
  • What happens when your subcontractors get injured on the job
  • What are some of the most important issues when dealing with both the owner and the general contractor
  • How to protect yourself when working with builders in this economy


July 2 – David Bassett-Parkins, founder & CEO of Ava Living - “Go Global with Social Networking“
(Speaker from Interior Design Summit – Fall 2008)

If your only online strategy is a website (or you don’t have one), you will soon be anonymous in the new Web 2.0 world. Today’s consumers are more Internet-savvy than ever before, and they are looking for advice and recommendations from their new online friends. David will show you:

        • The quickest and easiest way to create a presence on the web
        • Innovative tools for boosting business through social networking
        • How to grow your clientele worldwide


Action Steps


Your Shortcut To A More Profitable & Passion-Filled Interior Design Business