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.

You need to be prepared to hear “no” a lot!

It also takes approaching lead generation from many different angles at the same time.

And the good news is that if you don’t yet have clients, you have plenty of time each day to be working on all sorts of different lead generation strategies. This takes discipline and commitment.

In this post I’m sharing 8 strategies that you can try (and that 100% work if you’re willing to put in the effort).

1: Stick to a defined niche and know 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 pet interior design (yes that’s a thing!) to high-end multi-resi 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 showing 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.

You can grab my design portfolio template HERE if you need one.

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: Develop partnerships with local businesses

Establish partnerships with local businesses in related industries such as furniture stores, suppliers, real estate agencies, trades and architects.

Think about who already has the clients you are trying to attract? This is who to partner with.

Here’s what to try:

Create promotional materials that your partners can use when recommending your services.
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: 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.

Here’s what to try:

Use a social media management tool to schedule posts and keep your content consistent. I use Notion and you can get my content planning system in my shop
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.

5: 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 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.

For more help creating an event - READ THIS GUIDE NEXT

6: 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 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).

7: 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.

8: 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. It’s also great experience, especially if you’re just starting out.

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

PS: If you enjoyed this then don’t forget to follow me @thelittledesigncorner for my daily tips on growing a profitable design or architecture business.

Courses and Templates for Designers and Architects

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Then check out my business courses and templates for designers and architects.

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