10 ways to find more design clients
Many designers in my community are looking for quick ways to find clients.
They set up a business, post on Instagram a few times and then sit back and wait for clients to coming running to them. 🤦🏻♀️
But the reality is that finding clients, especially when you are first starting your business and don’t yet have a track record of projects, takes a lot of hard work and will require you to get out of your comfort zone.
It also takes approaching lead generation from many different angles at the same time.
In this post I’m sharing 10 strategies that you can try (and that 100% work if you’re willing to put in the effort).
1: Identify your niche and what makes you stand out
Focus on a specific market or design style that sets you apart from the competition. This could be anything from sustainable design to high-end commercial spaces or even tiny homes.
Here’s what to try:
Research your competition to see what's already being offered in the market and find a unique angle.
Tailor your branding to reflect your niche – your logo, your website design and even the language you use in your marketing materials should appeal to your ideal client.
Be prepared to explain what sets you apart from other designers. Why should clients choose you over your competitors? Have a clear, concise and compelling answer ready.
2: Develop a strong portfolio
Create a portfolio showcasing your best work. Include before and after photos, design concepts and testimonials from happy clients. Make sure it is easily accessible as both a digital portfolio (including one you can PDF and send out) as well as on a website.
Here’s what to try:
Include hand drawn sketches, CAD drawings, 3D renders or mood boards in addition to final photographs to show your design process and skills/talents.
Write case studies for some projects to give a more in depth look at your design process and what it’s like to work with you.
Update your portfolio regularly - some potential clients will be watching this closely and if you don’t update it they will think you don’t have work on.
3: Network with local businesses
Establish partnerships with local businesses in related industries such as furniture stores, suppliers, real estate agencies, trades and architects.
Here’s what to try:
Create promotional materials that your partners can use when trying to sell your services on your behalf.
Regularly stay in contact with your partners to maintain strong relationships and help keep you top of mind.
Send work their way as often as you can (this creates a sense of reciprocity and they will be more likely to send work your way as well).
4: Offer free consultations
Offer free consultations to share your expertise and build relationships with potential clients. This could be a value add offer to a local partner or store - e.g. you offer free consultations to their client base.
Here’s what else to try:
Be prepared with a checklist or questionnaire to guide the consultation and work through that step by step.
Follow up after the consultation with a fee proposal.
Use any consultations you run as an opportunity to gather email addresses or contact details for your mailing list.
Don’t do free consultations for long! This is only for complete beginners who are just getting started. As soon as you are getting traction start to charge for these consultations.
(read this blog post about why you should always charge for your consultations here)
5: Make the most of social media
Regularly share engaging content on social media platforms such as Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook. Download my social media post prompts guide for help with what to post (you can get that here).
Here’s what else to try:
Use a social media management tool to schedule posts and keep your content consistent. I use Notion to do that (you can get my content planning system and template here).
Respond to comments and messages as quickly as you can - this is a sign that you’re on top of things and will impress the right sorts of clients.
Be consistent - if clients see you showing up regularly they will start to get to know you and trust that you are someone who shows up when they say they are going to.
6: Host a local event
Host a local interior design event - such as a home tour or design workshop. This could help create buzz in your community and attract potential clients who may be interested in your services.
Here’s what else to try:
Promote your event on local event listings, local Facebook groups or through your network of clients and partners.
Offer a unique experience such as a hands-on styling workshop or a behind the scenes tour of one of your design projects.
7: Collaborate with influencers
Partner with local influencers or bloggers in your niche who have a strong following. Offer to provide design services for their homes or offices in exchange for promotion on their platforms.
Here’s what else to try:
Do your research to find influencers whose style and audience align with your brand.
Offer a unique design service - e.g. a room makeover or design consultation. Get the influencer to document this on their platform.
Do a collaboration reel on Instagram to cross-promote your business to their audience (and vice versa).
8: Create valuable content
Establish yourself as an expert in the interior design industry by creating valuable content such as blog posts, YouTube videos or a podcast.
Share tips, tricks and insights on design trends and offer solutions to common design challenges. Also answer the commonly asked questions you get asked by clients as a way to build trust with those who might be thinking about working with you.
Here’s what else to try:
Guest post on other blogs or websites in your industry to reach a wider audience.
Create a content calendar to plan out your topics and keep your content consistent.
9: Offer a referral program
Encourage your existing clients to refer new clients by offering incentives such as gift cards or vouchers to local restaurants or stores as a thank you for referrals.
Here’s what else to try:
Make the referral process easy – provide a simple online form or an email template that clients can use.
Show appreciation for referrals publicly (if the referrer is comfortable with it) to encourage others to do the same.
Make sure you always thank someone if they refer a client to you!!!
10: Volunteer your services
Offer your design skills to non-profit or community projects that could benefit from your expertise. This will not only help you gain exposure but also build goodwill in your community.
Here’s what else to try:
Look for high visibility projects in your community where your work will be seen by a large number of people.
Document your volunteer projects and share them on your website and social media.
Use these projects as case studies to show how you can work with different types of spaces and budgets.
Thanks for reading and catch you in my next post :)
Clare x
Dr Clare Le Roy
Courses and Templates for Designers and Architects
DO YOU WANT TO….
Improve your professionalism?
Find more clients?
Bring in more revenue?
Create better systems and processes?
Then check out my business courses and templates for designers and architects.
These courses and templates leave you with work done - not just a long list of things you need to do next. We have a really strong focus on taking action and getting things created that improve your business.
