Don't forget to grab my FREE Services and Rates sheet with coaching video! Present your services like the pro that you are! Click here --> clairejefford.com/cj-freebies/ REPLY
Love this! One of my favorite questions is also "What is your level of involvement going to be in the decision making process for this project?" That allows me to judge whether they are going to micromanage every decision or allow some creative control.
Brilliant Claire! This is the second time I have watched this to refresh on your tips. I started following you late last year when I decided I was ready to start towards launching my own business. The time has now come so I am now revisiting all your great advice. Its so valuable when someone can share the mistakes they have made, or the great things they have leaned. Hope you are all well in your family.
So glad you found me Angela and that you are finding my content valuable! Hopefully you are receiving my email updates? I share links to new videos, blogs and my podcast so you don't miss any updated info. Let me know if you need a link to sign up!
Claire, Thank you for your time in pulling this together. I am looking at setting up my own interior design company with a strong Project Management experience. Do you think the PM knowledge will help me and my (hopefully) many clients?
Hi Mike and yes, absolutely! Project management is a wonderful and valuable service. We project manage all of our custom decorating projects and it is a lot of work, a big time saver for our clients! For renovations, my GC project manages, while we make most of the selections and advise on paint / design details.
Hi Claire, thanks for your tutorial video, I have a question I am getting client but looks like not potential clients, because they always have excuse, how do I convince them. Please need advise.
Hey Mita. You need to make sure that you are confident in the services you provide and have organized processes. There are a lot of valuable resources that you can invest in on ny website to help you considerably to achieving a higher conversion rate. See all here --> clairejefford.com/interior-design-business-coaching/
Agreed! ... be careful of the ambitious people too. They want a 25x40 carport on a 10x10 budget. I typically ask for budgets before project in a sense because it tells me if they are down to reality on the fly or living deep in the blue skies. Contract a blue sky client and they will NEVER be happy no matter if the remodel was done on a CNC machine with diamond studs in the walls.
Yes, talking about their investment amount is so important for managing expectations! Many people dont understand costs and work involved for what they want. It's up to us to inform and educate clients, then they can decide how they wish to proceed. Cheers for watching!
Hey Claire, I was hoping you could help by sharing your insights. So I have an interior decor company and I always find that when client asks about my fees, the second I tell them they seem to no longer respond. My fees are market related and so I'm not sure if I should tell them before we meet or during consultation. I'd really appreciate your view
@@lebomohlala8846 sharing your fees with potential clients is important so they have an understanding of what to expect in terms of costs. It may be the way in which you are presenting your fees. The emphasize of your service first and foremost should be on the value you provide. How will you help them solve their problem? How will you guide them through the process of their project to make it less stressful for them? How do you save your clients time and money, as well as providing sources for quality furnishings and excellent customer service? How do you save them from feeling overwhelmed and nervous of bringing tradespeople they don't know, into their home? In our industry, we often underestimate the value we bring and clients get more focused on the final number. They don't always understand what we do and how we can help. I would make sure that you are presenting yourself professionally and emphasizing the value you bring through your knowledge and experience.
Yes Mita. Houzz has a very bad reputation for many designers within our industry. However, I have had a very good experience with getting clients from houzz. The key is to have a great portfolio and getting client reviews. While I have never paid to market with Houzz, I have gotten many, many clients from that platform. It's changed as of late, as they have changed their algorithms. Do your research and figure out if it's a good place for you to invest.
This so great. If you notice the red flags, or realize following the consultation, that you really don't want to work with this client, because it isn't a good fit... How do you proceed? What do you say in a kind, yet direct way? What if they feel mislead because they paid you for the consultation? (of course giving great value during the consult, but now they want to continue working with you and you just don't?) Please help.
Hey Jami. It's likely that if you feel that the project/client is not a good fit, then they may feel the same way too. I would have a phone conversation - as opposed to email - to let them know that you don't feel the project is a good fit for your firm and then explain the reasons why you feel this way - as long as to not be rude or hurt feelings. I hear what you are saying about the consultation fee and if I truly felt that the project would not be something I wanted to do and that the clients might give me push-back (or a hard time) I would personally refund the money that they paid me for the consult. Even if I gave them great value, because it's not worth the aggravation to move forward if you feel that down the line it will only cause you stress and resentment.
If you have a partner and she brings a project into the company then you just discovered that the person in going be impatient with all the planning and selection processes that you have. Are you going to drop the process for the gain or go other way around?
If you have proven and successful processes, don't alter the way you work to please a client. One of the most important elements for a positive working relationship is to educate your client & manage their expectations. Clients should clearly understand your processes and have a realistic idea of how long it takes to thoughtfully put together a design. They are hiring you because they realise it is too overwhelming for them to take it all on, on their own. Don't underestimate the value that you bring to a project. Just be sure to be organised and to communicate effectively. You may find this to be a helpful resource when going through the initial steps with potential clients and in taking control at the consultation meeting. --> clairejefford.com/product/rock-the-initial-consultation-processes-package/ Hopefully my response helps you. Thanks for watching!
If you're looking for inspiration to design your interior yourself, I wish you luck, it's very 's professionals do an excellent is better to hire them.
Don't forget to grab my FREE Services and Rates sheet with coaching video! Present your services like the pro that you are! Click here --> clairejefford.com/cj-freebies/
REPLY
Hi
Love this! One of my favorite questions is also "What is your level of involvement going to be in the decision making process for this project?" That allows me to judge whether they are going to micromanage every decision or allow some creative control.
Great question to ask Cathy!
Brilliant Claire! This is the second time I have watched this to refresh on your tips. I started following you late last year when I decided I was ready to start towards launching my own business. The time has now come so I am now revisiting all your great advice. Its so valuable when someone can share the mistakes they have made, or the great things they have leaned. Hope you are all well in your family.
So glad you found me Angela and that you are finding my content valuable! Hopefully you are receiving my email updates? I share links to new videos, blogs and my podcast so you don't miss any updated info. Let me know if you need a link to sign up!
Great tips, Claire! I will create a little form and have that handy to fill out when I get a call.
Roxana DellOsso that's awesome! So glad to hear these tips helped you!!
Amazing advice! Thank you for sharing your tips.This really helps!
New subscriber xx
Fabulous, thanks barbellbunny!
Claire, Thank you for your time in pulling this together. I am looking at setting up my own interior design company with a strong Project Management experience. Do you think the PM knowledge will help me and my (hopefully) many clients?
Hi Mike and yes, absolutely! Project management is a wonderful and valuable service. We project manage all of our custom decorating projects and it is a lot of work, a big time saver for our clients! For renovations, my GC project manages, while we make most of the selections and advise on paint / design details.
Hi Claire, thanks for your tutorial video, I have a question I am getting client but looks like not potential clients, because they always have excuse, how do I convince them. Please need advise.
Hey Mita. You need to make sure that you are confident in the services you provide and have organized processes. There are a lot of valuable resources that you can invest in on ny website to help you considerably to achieving a higher conversion rate. See all here --> clairejefford.com/interior-design-business-coaching/
Thanks Claire! always valuable to hear your tips :)
Magdalena Wróbel Happy to share! Cheers for your comment.
Agreed! ... be careful of the ambitious people too. They want a 25x40 carport on a 10x10 budget. I typically ask for budgets before project in a sense because it tells me if they are down to reality on the fly or living deep in the blue skies. Contract a blue sky client and they will NEVER be happy no matter if the remodel was done on a CNC machine with diamond studs in the walls.
Yes, talking about their investment amount is so important for managing expectations! Many people dont understand costs and work involved for what they want. It's up to us to inform and educate clients, then they can decide how they wish to proceed. Cheers for watching!
This is very useful thank you so much. All the way from South Africa
So glad you found it helpful Selekeng! Cheers for watching.
Hey Claire, I was hoping you could help by sharing your insights. So I have an interior decor company and I always find that when client asks about my fees, the second I tell them they seem to no longer respond. My fees are market related and so I'm not sure if I should tell them before we meet or during consultation. I'd really appreciate your view
@@lebomohlala8846 sharing your fees with potential clients is important so they have an understanding of what to expect in terms of costs. It may be the way in which you are presenting your fees. The emphasize of your service first and foremost should be on the value you provide.
How will you help them solve their problem? How will you guide them through the process of their project to make it less stressful for them? How do you save your clients time and money, as well as providing sources for quality furnishings and excellent customer service? How do you save them from feeling overwhelmed and nervous of bringing tradespeople they don't know, into their home? In our industry, we often underestimate the value we bring and clients get more focused on the final number. They don't always understand what we do and how we can help. I would make sure that you are presenting yourself professionally and emphasizing the value you bring through your knowledge and experience.
This is very helpful, thank you!!😊
Thanks for watching Ezgi!
Great tips :) Love your videos
Thanks Madison!
Great tips Claire!
Cheers Adam!
Very helpful information.
Thanks for watching Vicki!
Suberb advice
Love from Kolkata, India
Thank you!!
Hi Claire do you know about HOuZZ??
Yes Mita. Houzz has a very bad reputation for many designers within our industry. However, I have had a very good experience with getting clients from houzz. The key is to have a great portfolio and getting client reviews. While I have never paid to market with Houzz, I have gotten many, many clients from that platform. It's changed as of late, as they have changed their algorithms. Do your research and figure out if it's a good place for you to invest.
This so great. If you notice the red flags, or realize following the consultation, that you really don't want to work with this client, because it isn't a good fit... How do you proceed? What do you say in a kind, yet direct way? What if they feel mislead because they paid you for the consultation? (of course giving great value during the consult, but now they want to continue working with you and you just don't?) Please help.
Hey Jami. It's likely that if you feel that the project/client is not a good fit, then they may feel the same way too. I would have a phone conversation - as opposed to email - to let them know that you don't feel the project is a good fit for your firm and then explain the reasons why you feel this way - as long as to not be rude or hurt feelings.
I hear what you are saying about the consultation fee and if I truly felt that the project would not be something I wanted to do and that the clients might give me push-back (or a hard time) I would personally refund the money that they paid me for the consult. Even if I gave them great value, because it's not worth the aggravation to move forward if you feel that down the line it will only cause you stress and resentment.
@@ClaireJefford Thank you!
I subscribed to your channel a few days ago. Superb advice! Thank you so much.
Awesome! Cheers!
If you have a partner and she brings a project into the company then you just discovered that the person in going be impatient with all the planning and selection processes that you have. Are you going to drop the process for the gain or go other way around?
If you have proven and successful processes, don't alter the way you work to please a client.
One of the most important elements for a positive working relationship is to educate your client & manage their expectations. Clients should clearly understand your processes and have a realistic idea of how long it takes to thoughtfully put together a design. They are hiring you because they realise it is too overwhelming for them to take it all on, on their own. Don't underestimate the value that you bring to a project. Just be sure to be organised and to communicate effectively.
You may find this to be a helpful resource when going through the initial steps with potential clients and in taking control at the consultation meeting. --> clairejefford.com/product/rock-the-initial-consultation-processes-package/
Hopefully my response helps you. Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much for the positive input. I think I am going to apply what you said and inform you about the results. wish me luck
good luck! Be confident and go get 'em! :)
Great question
Too good
Thanks!!
If you're looking for inspiration to design your interior yourself, I wish you luck, it's very 's professionals do an excellent is better to hire them.
great info! I messaged you on facebook :)
Received and replied! Thanks Kimberly!
I liked all your advice. But I have to say I was really offended by your mockery of the clients tone. Was that necessary?
Apologies, I did not mean to offend.
I agree with your comment. Big turn off!!