IDEAS

an eZine from Design Success University

Volume 3 Issue 2.2

Mistake #4 That Designers Make When Setting Fees

I actually posted this mistake on our DSU Facebook Fan Page and have gotten several comments from designers about this topic.  Be sure and check that out when you have a minute.  We’re also talking about this on the blog at www.DesignSuccessU.com and getting some great comments from your peers.

Here is mistake #4 – not being transparent and direct with your prospects and clients. It’s really important to get your prospect’s commitment with a retainer or deposit at the very beginning of your relationship.  Otherwise, it becomes one-sided with the majority of the benefit on the client’s side.

I learned years ago not to start a project without a contract and a check because many consumers don’t seem to think it is wrong to ask for your free advice and then never hire you.  Some of them invite several designers to their homes to see what they can get for free.  Have you ever had this happen? I have.

It’s really a shame, but unless we establish, communicate and charge for our value, we will be used as a free resource.

As I was writing this top ten list, I realized that there are many more mistakes that I could add to the list.  Please add yours and I will compile it for everyone.  Just visit the blog, and comment away.  Anyone who posts a comment by February 17th will receive a copy of this white paper. PS – Mistake #3 is posted on the blog.

Don’t forget to sign up for the RSS feed on the blog so you can keep up with the conversation – it’s the orange button in the right sidebar.

Go Givers Sell More

Bob Burg’s latest book is out, and for those of you who attended the Fall 2008 Interior Design Summit, you heard his interview about The Go-Giver…one of my favorite books.

I’d love to help him get on the New York Times Best Seller list, so please go out and buy a copy, or order one from Amazon.  A few of us that coach and mentor designers have interviewed Bob, and he has promised to do one on his new book with me.  We just need to get that scheduled.

Decorati

I’ve just started guest blogging for Decorati, so if you haven’t checked out that site, please look next week for my first blog post.  We’ll share the link with you when we see it.

I just received a call from one of our members about the site, and she was asking if she should sign up for it.  I said yes, because one small job would more than pay for the listing.  There is a referral service, and up to four designers can be referred for one project.  You just have to pay for the project lead.

If you’re looking for a way to get your portfolio online (just in case you don’t have a blog or website), start here.

Breaking Through Your Constraints

Yesterday’s Monthly Mentor call was about Breaking Through Your Constraints, and it was a fun one for me, because I am such a believer in understanding what it is that is keeping you from the success you deserve.

There were some big revelations in yesterday’s call.  Some of you realized that you were your biggest constraint because of your mindset, or because of your need for control.  We walked through the process of identifying the constraints and talked about how to work through them.

Based on the feedback, I think a few of you are about to find the real key to accelerated success.  Let me know how you’re progressing.  I can’t wait to hear about your breakthroughs.

Also, as Erin and I have been sitting in on some of the Mastermind Groups and getting feedback at info@designsuccessu.com, it seems that some of you are feeling overwhelmed with information.  This relates to the Theory of Constraints, because there is only so much you can do at one time.  The key is to identify the one major hurdle you’re facing and removing it.  If you are getting too much information, then you need to sort according to the most pertinent information that will help you with that major constraint.  Everything else can wait.

Let the excess information percolate in your subconscious, and it will rise to the surface when you need it.  For now.  Get really clear and focused on one major thing at a time.  I hope that helps.

We are always providing lots of information because we have so much to share.  The trick is to figure out what is essential for each particular moment in your business.

We’re so proud of you!  You’re investing your time to improve what you’re doing.  Keep us posted on what you want to learn.  We’re taking the majority opinions and setting our curriculum for the rest of the year.  Here’s a link to a survey so you can give us your opinion.  It will only take a few minutes.

Business Mastery Membership

We’ll announce the topics for the remainder of 2010 after we get your survey results.  (Be sure and do that by February 20th.)

Monthly Mentor Calls are the second Wednesday of each month at noon Eastern.  All calls are recorded and transcribed and are available for MP3 or PDF download within 10 days of the call and usually much more quickly.

February 17th, Wednesday at 12:00 Eastern
Live Q & A Call with Gail Doby and Erin Weir
(11:00 am Central/ 10:00 am Mountain/ 9:00 am Pacific)
Business Mastery Members can ask any question and we’ll answer it for you or get the answers.  Just email us (info@designsuccessu.com) your question prior to the call so we can prepare, or even if you can’t attend, we’ll answer your question and you’ll receive the recording shortly after the session.

Even if you can’t attend the call, please send in your questions and we’ll answer them even if you can’t make it.  This month, we’ll have one hot seat. I’ll take a question submitted by a member and do live coaching.  If you’re not a member of our Business Mastery Membership yet, this is where you can get your specific problem addressed every month.

If you’d like to volunteer to be in the hot seat, please email pat@designsuccessu.com.  You’ll need to submit your question at least two days in advance.

Google and Twitter Alerts

If you want to find out if people are talking about you or your company, you can set up alerts very easily.  Just click on the links below.

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