As a personal stylist, nothing beats the feeling of seeing your clients happy and confident in their new-found personal style. But as the industry becomes more competitive, it can be challenging to find new clients. Learning how to find clients as a personal stylist is crucial. You need to make potential clients understand the benefits of investing in a personal stylist. We know how the right wardrobe can transform a life; now you need them to understand too!

New personal styling clients won't just come knocking on your door. You have to go out and find them. Personal stylist lead generation requires creativity and persistence. We've compiled a map of potential client hotspots and a guide on how to promote your personal styling business effectively.

Investing in personal styling offers clients more than just a new wardrobe. Over time, they learn how to save money and time by buying clothes that match both their body and vibe. Most importantly, they become confident and comfortable in their own skin. The trick is conveying this value proposition to prospective clients through your website, social media, and any other content you put out into the world.

So, whether you're new to the personal styling industry or looking to take your styling business to the next level, read on to discover exciting new avenues for growth.

Key Teaching Points:

• Define Your Value: Identify client struggles and tailor your marketing to highlight how you solve them. Use social media and various platforms to showcase your unique value proposition.
• Leverage Metrics: Use facts and figures to demonstrate your effectiveness. Highlight savings, client satisfaction rates, and other measurable outcomes to build credibility.
• Utilize Testimonials: Gather and share positive feedback from happy clients. Use testimonials across your marketing channels to build trust and attract new clients.

How to define your value as a personal stylist

See the bigger picture

Everyone knows that hiring a personal stylist means getting a new wardrobe, but your job is more than just picking out clothes. Stand out from other stylists with these three steps:

1. Identify common client struggles. Learn how these issues affect them socially, mentally, and financially.
2. Revise your marketing content to reflect your understanding of these issues. Focus on how you make your clients feel, not just what you do.
3. Make a name for yourself in your niche. If you specialize in making women feel more confident at work, highlight that. Promote your personal styling business through social media ads, Instagram lives, and podcast appearances. Do everything you can to get your name and mission out there.

By focusing on these steps, you'll improve your personal stylist lead generation and learn how to find clients as a personal stylist.

Let the facts do the talking

Numbers and metrics are powerful tools to boost your credibility and help clients see your value. Why say, "This service will change your life" when you can say, "This service will save you $500 per year"? Here's how to use real-life metrics as a personal stylist:

1. Identify the facts and figures that confirm your value. How many clients did you help last year? What is the average amount of money you help your clients save? What is your client satisfaction rate? Gather this data to back up your claims.
2. Plaster those metrics everywhere. On your website homepage, Instagram graphics, TikTok—anywhere potential clients might see them. Use these numbers to boost your personal stylist lead generation and promote your personal styling business.

By using clear metrics, you'll learn how to find clients as a personal stylist and enhance your business credibility.

Use your happy customers

Clients care what other clients have to say—so show them! Posting testimonials is a top strategy for personal stylist lead generation and promoting your personal styling business. Here’s how to do it:

1. Collect testimonials from happy clients. Ask specific questions about your services in areas like professionalism, styling expertise, and communication. Gather feedback that best reflects your value. Always get clients' consent to post their feedback.
2. Use these testimonials in your marketing assets. Share quotes from happy customers on social media, add positive reviews to your website, and encourage clients to tell their friends and family about your services.
3. Update your testimonials regularly to keep your content fresh. With plenty of great feedback, you can continuously publish all that positivity!

By leveraging client testimonials, you'll learn how to find clients as a personal stylist and effectively promote your personal styling business.

Where to promote your personal styling services

Get online

Guess what? Your ideal clients are most likely your neighbours. Your local community is full of people in need of a styling service like yours, so go and meet them! Attend fairs, events happening at your child's school, community networking events and local business openings—the more people you know, the more likely you are to make connections. Remember, word of mouth travels fast.

Phone a friend

Your family and friends are your biggest cheerleaders, if you tell them they are looking for new clients they're sure to recommend you to everyone they know—they might even be interested in your styling services themselves! Maybe you could offer some free consultations to your nearest and dearest so they can see the magic for themselves.

Get online

Many personal stylists focus on Instagram and forget about the real goldmine: Facebook. Many Facebook users are women aged 25-60, and marketing on Facebook is free!

Facebook groups are pre-made communities perfect for personal stylist lead generation. Join groups related to styling and fashion to find clients seeking your expertise. Think outside the box and join groups related to local events and businesses that your target demographic might be interested in. Always be friendly and personable when posting in groups, and include samples of your work along with clear contact details.

Using Facebook effectively can help you find clients, promote your personal styling business, and expand your reach.

Phone a friend

Your family and friends are your biggest cheerleaders. If you let them know you're looking for new clients, they're sure to recommend you. They might even be interested in your styling services themselves! Offer some free consultations to your nearest and dearest so they can see the magic for themselves. This can be a great way to promote your personal styling business and generate leads. Using your personal network is a simple and effective strategy for how to find clients as a personal stylist.

Think local

Your ideal clients are likely your neighbors. Your local community needs your styling services. Attend fairs, school events, and local business openings. Networking at these events can help you promote your personal styling business and generate leads. The more people you meet, the more connections you make. Remember, word of mouth travels fast. This is a simple yet effective strategy for how to find clients as a personal stylist.

Do speak to strangers

Opportunities to promote your personal styling business can come from anywhere. When someone compliments your outfit, strike up a conversation about your work. Have a clear, concise elevator pitch ready that highlights your unique selling points and the benefits of hiring you. Inject personality into each conversation to avoid sounding robotic. Always keep a business card handy. This approach is key for personal stylist lead generation and how to find clients as a personal stylist.

Sharing is caring

Many people search the internet daily for style tips, making it a prime opportunity to showcase your expertise and promote your personal styling business. Create educational resources like mini-courses, infographics, or short tutorials to help people on their style journey. Share these resources on your blog, social media, and website to demonstrate your skills and attract potential clients.

Don't hesitate—there are countless clients out there waiting for you to elevate their style! This strategy is crucial for personal stylist lead generation and how to find clients as a personal stylist.

One of the most prominent conversations in the interior design industry today is AI. AI is developing fast, and industry insiders are quick to explore its potential as a design partner, admin assistant, and communication tool.

This article delves into:

• AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement: AI can enhance the interior design process by handling administrative tasks, generating initial design concepts, and predicting trends. However, it cannot replace the creativity, empathy, and personal touch of a human designer.
• Collaboration with AI: Designers can use AI for tasks like rendering models and trend analysis. AI can complement a designer's skills by providing logistical support and innovative ideas while the designer adds creativity and personal insights.
• Embracing AI for Efficiency and Sustainability: AI can streamline workflows by reducing administrative burdens and improving material efficiency, contributing to a more sustainable interior design industry.

While it's easy to think about the latest AI developments and their potential in the industry, we at Visualist decided the best way to answer this question was to ask those in the industry. So, in collaboration with NYC Design Week, we invited experts with a keen interest in AI in the interior design industry to join us for a panel discussion. Meet our panel...

Sally Booth

Trend forecaster and PhD student exploring what the limits of AI are in design and creativity.

"I am currently in my first year of a PhD looking into the use of machine learning in the process of predicting colour for trend predictions. I am the founder of my own trend consultancy and worked for an international colour agency predicting and writing about trends. I find AI absolutely fascinating but my research revolves around how AI is going to augment and enhance the creative process, as opposed to replacing the creative themselves."

Maya Mystery

Founder of 3D Guru, an AI-enabled design tool for architects and interior designers.

"I did a bachelor's in civil engineering and then went on to do a master's in architecture. During my master's study, I realised there are a lot of use cases of technology in architecture and design which can be leveraged, which inspired the creation of 3D Guru—a co-pilot for 3D design."

Artem Kropavinsky

Interior designer based in New York.

"I'm an interior designer and founder of Interior Design Studio based in New York. I have always been curious about technological innovations and how they can be implemented in the interior design process, especially now that they are developing so rapidly. We are very proud to use innovations that enhance the client's experience and streamline our working process—for example, using AI and virtual reality in our renderings."

Alongside our panel of experts, we wanted to hear from our audience—mainly working interior designers interested in AI's impact on their industry. Before the talk started, we surveyed them to gauge their general feelings about AI. Of those surveyed...

• 14% are wary about copyright issues with AI.
• 27% think AI devalues their work.
• 27% think AI makes their process faster and more efficient.
• 36% think AI could reduce their time spent on admin.
• 36% think AI sparks new creative ideas.
• 64% are curious about AI but don't know how to incorporate it into their workflow.

The overall sentiment: we're not completely against AI; we just don't know how to use it yet. Thankfully, our panel discussion provided some answers. As a working interior designer, what do you need to know about AI right now? Where will you see it in the future? Watch the full talk here or keep reading for a summary of the biggest takeaways for interior designers.

It is okay to be unsure about AI

The media is constantly buzzing about AI developments—but as a designer, it's okay to have reservations. Interior design is a highly skilled discipline, and the personal aspect makes it special. It's hard to accept technology entering that creative process.

Even if you're positive about AI and curious about its use, you might not know where to start. That's okay too—64% of the interior design industry feels the same, according to our survey!

AI's role in the future of interior design is almost certain, but you, the interior designers, define that role. It's okay to take your time figuring out how AI fits into your process. It's okay to get the balance wrong at first, and it's okay to reject AI altogether. You're still in control of your creative process.

AI can be trusted

If we can learn to trust AI, we can explore the ways that AI might positively impact the workflow of interior design professionals and the interior design industry at large.

There are two sides to running your own interior design firm: admin work and creative work. Odds are, you didn't become an interior designer because you love admin tasks. But, like it or not, admin is a huge part of being a creative professional. AI could work to a designer's advantage by handling the admin side, saving time and costs. With this perspective, we can see AI as a hero—tackling mundane tasks to protect the time you need to connect with clients and tap into your creativity.

You are not competing with AI

A beautiful room means nothing if it doesn't meet the emotional and functional needs of its occupants. AI might craft beautiful things, but it can't interpret a client's wants and needs. Often, clients don't even know what they want—interior designers guide them through that process, something AI can't do yet.

The best partnerships involve partners with different but complementary skills. This is true for AI and interior designers. AI can handle the groundwork—the calculations, logistics, and even conceptualization. Interior designers bring the flair—the eye for detail, client considerations, and nuance.

You can work collaboratively with AI

Most designers agree that using AI as an administrative assistant is a good idea, but what about working collaboratively with AI?

A good application of AI in the interior design process is in render modelling. For example, 3D Guru helps designers quickly create concepts they can explore with clients or personalize based on trends, design, and customer preferences.

"There are a few things which AI can do very well right now: generating pixels, render models, marketing content etc. But there are a few things which it can't do very well, namely creativity and common sense reasoning." - Maya Mystery

AI-rendered designs can help interior designers see things differently and think outside their usual constraints. But AI has no concept of reality. It might produce a design with a sofa that's not available locally or a floor plan that's not structurally viable. An interior designer then interprets that vision to make it feasible. AI lacks the creativity, compassion, and rationality of an interior designer, and likely always will. However, we can embrace AI's skills in a way that complements our own.

Predicting the future is possible with AI

To predict the future, AI looks to the past. AI can analyze historical information to understand what’s coming next. For example, colors and materials trending at any time can be linked to the attitudes and events of that era. When similar circumstances arise, we can expect similar aesthetic trends to reappear.

Narrative, storytelling and communication are all incredibly important in design. Trends should be interpreted in line with your ethos and your identity." - Sally Booth

Although trends follow a cyclical process, each interpretation is different. This interpretation is the role of the interior designer. AI can inform you of a rising trend, but applying that to your client's needs and the ever-changing cultural landscape requires skill and adaptability.

AI is a sustainable solution

AI could drive the interior design industry towards a more sustainable future.

One positive impact is waste prevention. AI technology allows designers to predict how much material they need for each element of the room, such as curtains, flooring, and upholstery. This prevents overordering and excess waste. AI can also help manufacturers adopt a supply-and-demand production method, reducing overproduction and deadstock.

If we can predict more accurately, we will prevent manufacturers from making for making's sake which will ultimately have a beneficial impact on the planet. - Sally Booth

AI technology is continually improving, so we can expect further developments to positively impact the carbon footprint of the interior design industry.

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If you're an interior designer with opinions or questions on the future of AI in the interior design industry, get in touch! Join in the conversation on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.

Visualist is a software supporting creative professionals to grow, earn, and scale. Want to learn more? Head to our website.

You started your own wedding business because you love the idea of creating fairytale moments for happy couples.  But unlike fairytales, wedding planning is not always smooth sailing. As you step into the exciting world of wedding planning, it is important to remain mindful of the potential missteps that beginners tend to make. You shouldn't be scared of making mistakes, that is all part of the process, but this article will help you to sidestep the most common pitfalls so that you can focus on establishing a strong foundation for your career and delivering exceptional experiences for your clients.

From inadequate planning and communication to pricing pitfalls, we have identified the most common mistakes of new wedding planners and found actionable tips to help you navigate the challenges and emerge as a successful wedding planner. For an extra helping hand, we suggest exploring the advantages of employing a wedding planning business coach. Want to be a step above the rest? Set your career as a wedding planner off on the right step by avoiding these four common mistakes made by new wedding planners.

Mistake #1: reducing your prices

As a new wedding planner, you'll inevitably feel the temptation of lowering your prices in the hopes of attracting more clients. Whilst it is true that your prices should reflect your level of experience, it is also true that you should never undersell yourself. If you're looking to differentiate yourself from your competition, low prices is a risky way of doing so. Reason one, it can indicate that you provide a lower-quality service—people love a bargain but not if they think they are going to receive a poorer standard as a result.

Secondly, seriously low prices can attract toxic wedding clients; clients who'll want to exploit your services and make it harder for you to build a good reputation as a wedding planner. If you think your prices aren't quite right, conduct some market research to assess the rates of your local wedding business competitors or those of fellow new wedding businesses. Use your findings, along with your understanding of your brand positioning and dream clientele to inform your pricing strategy.

Mistake #2: failing to prepare

As exciting as it is taking on a new client, never let your enthusiasm cloud your judgement. A happy couple is one who feels constantly reassured by your organisation and alertness. "By failing to prepare you are preparing to fail", so always begin your planning process with a thorough client consultation or ask couples to fill out a client questionnaire. By the end of the client consultation, you should have a thorough understanding of the couple's vision and expectations for their wedding day and a realistic idea of whether or not you can deliver.

When it comes to your couple's big day, check and double-check that you have everything you need in order to make the day run as planned. Setting clear expectations is your saving grace for any client miscommunication.

Mistake #3: skipping the paperwork

Because they're pricey and complicated, a lot of new wedding planners put off creating a legal contract until it is too late—don't make the same mistake! Having a legal contract shields you from client conflicts, vendor liability and all the other risks associated with being a wedding planner. A legal contract should clearly state your scope of work, payment terms, and liability limits as a wedding planner. This way, your client can't hold you responsible for issues out of your control. Before taking on any projects, employ a lawyer to help you draft a personalised legal contract.

Another level of defence is wedding planner insurance. Never proceed without insurance for your wedding planning business. In the (unlikely) case that things go wrong, your insurance will have your back.

Mistake #4: project overload

Last but not least, know your limits. Don't be reckless and accept too many projects at once—the fuller the plate the more likely it is to spill! There is no definitive number of wedding clients you should take on per month, you'll need to judge your own capabilities by assessing your availability, your resources, and the project's complexity. As a new wedding planner, the last thing you want is to take on an overwhelming amount of projects that result in you not delivering the best service for each of your couples—client testimonials are everything when you are just starting out. Ultimately, you need to protect yourself from burnout. You are at your most creative when you are well-rested!

An interior design moodboard is the first step in bringing your vision to life and selling your concept to a client. A good moodboard then acts as the pillar for a project and helps to keep you and your clients on the same page throughout the design process—saving you from costly mistakes and last-minute revisions!

But making the perfect moodbaord is not as simple as throwing together a selection of images and hoping for the best. Moodboarding is a skill refined over time but there are a few shortcuts to success. Starting with the five key components of a powerful moodboard—theme, colour, imagery, layout, and text.

Ready to impress your clients with powerful moodboards? Follow our step-by-step moodboarding guide nd explore the best moodboarding tools for interior designers.

Step 1. Curate your concept

Before creating your moodboard, you must first be secure in your concept. How does this room look and feel—what is the end product? Your moodboard should offer your client a glimpse into their future home.

Once you are clear on your aesthetic and the mood you are trying to evoke, you can begin compiling images, furniture, patterns, materials and colours that align with your vision. For example, a maximalist living room moodboard will require a bold mix of colours, textures, patterns, and never-seen-before furniture pieces. On the other hand, minimalist-style boards would stick to monochromes or neutral colour swatches, negative space, and simple lines and shapes.

Step 2. Select your colours

Colour speaks volumes. The colour palette of your moodboard can completely dictate the mood. As an interior designer, it is wise to have a good knowledge of colour theory and apply this to all your work. Aside from that, a good place to start is always with the opinion of the client. In your initial consultation did they mention a preference for a certain colour palette? Or explicitly say they disliked a certain shade? Make sure to bear this in mind when building your concept and curating your moodboard.

Step 3. Consider your layout

The way furniture is arranged in a room changes everything—the same applies to moodboarding. How you position each element of your moodboard and the visual hierarchy you create will play a huge role in how your moodboard is received by your client.

The images that are most important in translating your vision should take up more space on the page, things that play a small role in the final concept should act more as embellishments.

You can explore different types of layouts ranging from grid-like set-ups to a more free-form approach and see what best tells the story of your concept. Also try using visual cues (lines, arrows, etc.) to guide the eye from one element to the next in the way you want your moodboard to be perceived.

Step 4. Provide context

Many interior designers overlook the impact of text in their moodboards. Text adds context to your moodboard and helps your client to understand how this somewhat abstract collection of images, colours and textures will come to life as a room in their home. That being said, you should always keep your text short and sweet. The text should never overpower the visuals—ensure your text contributes to the aesthetic rather than distracting by picking pick a typeface and font colour that matches your theme.

Experiment with the placement of your text. For example, you can overlay text on images, or keep it separate—both connote a different vibe so see what suits this particular concept.

Best moodboard tools for interior designers

Visualist

Visualist is a full-service project management tool for creatives. With Visualist, interior designers can manage their projects and collaborate with clients as well as enjoying first-rate moodboarding features.

Image library, background removal, auto layout capabilities—Visualist has everything you need to make moodboards that wow your clients.

Try Visualist.

Milanote

Part moodboard, part mindmap—get organised beautifully with Milanote. Milanote's drag-and-drop interface makes it easy to convey ideas through text and images.

You can also save web resources with Milanote's web clipper to further illustrate your vision.

Try Milanote.

SampleBoard

Create professional-looking moodboards with ease using SampleBoard.

SampleBoard also automatically generates product shopping lists from moodboards, saving you both time and energy!

Try SampleBoard.

Wedding planning is a dream job, but it doesn't come without risks. Whether it's one of your vendors who doesn't show up or a guest who gets injured, unforeseen events can cause financial losses and legal liabilities that could put your business at risk. No one wants that! That's where wedding planner insurance comes in. To begin with, understanding wedding planner insurance can be overwhelming. But once you learn what wedding planner insurance is, what it covers, and why it's essential for your business—it gets easier. Read on for a breakdown of the differnt types of insurnace available to wedding planners and how they can protect your business.

What is wedding planner insurance?

Wedding planner insurance is a type of insurance providing comprehensive coverage for wedding planning businesses against a multitude of risks, such as professional liability and damage or loss to third-party property. Naturally, you'll be thinking, "Great! But, how much does it cost?" Fortunately, there are many insurance plans and suppliers to choose from that will be suitable for your requirements and your wallet! The cost of wedding planner insurance can vary widely depending on the unique needs of your business. When determining the cost of your insurance policy, insurance companies consider multiple factors, such as the length of time you've been in the industry, the types of services you offer, the locations you serve, your annual and projected gross revenue, and the number of employees you have. However, you can find insurance plans for as low as £5 a month.

Advantages of being insured as a wedding planner

Protecting Your Reputation

The reputation of yourself and your brand is invaluable. If something goes wrong during the wedding event, your wedding planning business's reputation could be at stake. With the right insurance policy, you can rest assured that you have a safety net in case something unexpected happens. It also proves that you take the extra steps to protect the people involved in your project, something that clients and fellow industry professionals will greatly respect.

Financial Security

Financial security is key to the survival of your business. Depending on the type of coverage you choose, insurance can provide financial protection in the event of property damage, bodily injury, unpaid wages, or other liabilities that may arise during the wedding event. Without proper insurance coverage, your business could be held liable for expensive damages or legal fees, which could be devastating to your financial health.

Peace of Mind

Knowing that you have insurance coverage in place allows you to focus on delivering the best possible service to your clients without worrying about the potential risks and costs associated with unexpected incidents. You can now proceed with ease in planning and preparing for your wedding event.

5 instances where wedding planner insurance will protect you

There is a wide range of potential risks and liabilities that may arise during a wedding event. Wedding planning insurance can shield your business from harm. Here are five instances where having insurance coverage can provide valuable protection...

1. Supplier issues

If a supplier fails to deliver their promised services, such as the florist not showing up on the day of the wedding, you can be held accountable. Insurance coverage can help cover any resulting expenses or cost of delivery for the missing services.

2. Property damage

Fill an intricately decorated room with an excitable crowd and you open up the opportunity for things to get damaged. If the venue or other property is damaged during the wedding, you may be held liable for the repair or replacement cost. Thankfully wedding planner insurance can provide coverage for accidental property damage.

3. Injury claims

It only takes one rogue wire or accidental spillage for a guest to fall over, or a member of your team to injure themselves on the job. Even if the resulting injust is not your fault, you can still be named in a lawsuit. Liability insurance can protect you from such claims. Accidents happen but it is always better to be safe than sorry!

4. Cancellation or postponement

If a wedding needs to be cancelled or postponed due to unforeseen circumstances, such as extreme weather or the death of a family member, insurance can help cover the resulting costs. Insurance means you can avoid stressful conversations with clients regarding deposits and potential refunds.

5. Legal fees

If you are sued for any reason related to your wedding planning services, such as a contract dispute, wedding planner insurance can provide coverage for legal fees and other related expenses.

A List of Reputable Wedding Planner Insurance Providers

We suggest these reputable wedding planner insurance providers. Find your perfect match and protect your business whilst giving yourself the freedom to deliver the best service possible for your clients.

• Markel Direct
• WedSafe
• Simply Business
• Hiscox
• Thimble Insurance
• WedSure
• Progressive Commercial
  

Creative small business owners looking to increase traffic to your website, blog or other social platforms, listen up! Are you snoozing on Pinterest?

Boasting over 450 million active users and serving as a dynamic marketplace for entrepreneurs and creators, Pinterest is an underrated tool to market your creative business. However, not everyone has been sleeping on Pinterest's power as a marketing platform. Emanuela Schneider of Marketing for Interior Designers has helped countless creatives to grow their businesses using Pinterest—and now she's going to help you do the same! Emanuela Schneider spoke to our community of creative entrepreneurs about all things Pinterest marketing, and we've rounded up the highlights to give you a complete guide to setting up a marketing strategy on Pinterest. Let's dive in...

How do I gain Pinterest followers and increase my brand visibility?

Simple: the more you use it for your marketing, the more followers you'll accumulate. There are a few things you can do to fast-track the process though...

• Always pin your projects with your website attached.
• Use keywords in your pin descriptions.
• Make use of all the features on the platform: use Idea Pins, play music, and add text to your images.

Most importantly of all, find your unique differentiator and use it! What makes you stand out from other interior designers? Whatever it is, use it in your graphics, descriptions, bio—everywhere!

Should I include my branding on my posts?

Always have your website or logo visible on your pins. Treat it as a watermark, that way if people share your pin they'll always know it's your project. You should also think about your brand identity when re-pinning and re-sharing other people's posts. Keep your ideal client in mind and only re-share content that is consistent with your brand identity.

How can I make my pins more engaging?

Using the right format makes all the difference. "Long Pins"—stretched-out portrait images—tend to perform best. That being said, content is still immensely important. Always create high-quality content and keep your graphics clean. For interior designers, that's usually as simple as a photo of your work, with your company website neatly placed over the image. Explore the use of Idea Pins (carousel posts) to switch up your content and provide viewers with a little excitement.

This is a great example of an idea Pin being used to attract viewers and direct traffic to the homepage. This Pin got 1.52k impressions despite the fact the account has very few followers. That in part is due to the clever use of text. Snappy copy placed in a way that entices users to click and learn more always performs well, educational posts suit this format best. Another idea to borrow from this post is the clear call to action. Always think about your intention. Is it to drive traffic to your website? Or is it to increase the views on a particular blog post? Calls to action are the best ways to leverage Pinterest for your brand's marketing. Just make sure to keep it fun as well!

Can I reuse my Instagram content on Pinterest (and vice-versa)?

Since Instagram has a different format, if you re-use those Instagram posts on Pinterest, they'll just get lost in a sea of pins—people won't really notice them. What I like to do instead is reuse Instagram captions for the Pin description and re-upload images to work best with Pinterest's format. Read more about what Pinterest Pin size you should be using here.

Another fun and easy trick is re-using reels or Instagram stories on Pinterest. Those tend to do really well since people love behind-the-scenes content and it's already in the long format.

Can Pinterest be used to promote my blog content?

Pinterest is a great marketing strategy for your blog! Use a few different snippets of your blog post to create a few different pin titles. Since you want to redirect your audience to your blog post, use eye-catching titles in the graphics. For blog post pins, I don't recommend just pinning a picture with your website at the bottom, instead create fun graphics where they'll want to click away from the pin to your website.

Can Pinterest be social?

Pinterest has a somewhat under-the-radar feature called Group Boards—collaborative boards for members of a community to share ideas. As part of a Group Board community, you can more closely interact with fellow pinners. The trick is finding an active group that produces content relevant to your niche. Without active pinners, you're wasting your time and would be better off putting energy into other Pinterest strategies.

Visualist regularly invites industry experts to answer the practical questions of our creative community. Brand messaging, financial management, legal contracts—you name it! Secure an invite to our next event by joining us on Facebook.

Antique homes are beautiful relics of bygone eras. They exude class and elegance, but it takes a lot of work to turn the beautiful shell of an old building into a functional modern home.

Whether a home renovator yourself or a professional interior designer looking to embark on more renovation projects, Instagram is a great place to start looking for inspiration. These home renovation accounts on Instagram are not only a great source of aesthetic inspiration, but they are also a source of educational tips from renovators who have “been there, done that” and provide some much-needed motivation when your own project gets a bit tough!

Ready to add some old-world charm to your Instagram feed? Follow these 10 home renovation accounts on Instagram…

The Countryside Classic

Who: @ourcotswoldsconversion

What: 1950s Bungalow

Where: Adderbury, Oxfordshire

Scroll through the archives of this incredible transformation, a 1950s bungalow turned stylish modern residence. Though the final result is a polished masterpiece, the owner does not shy away from sharing the truth about the renovation: attention to detail, patience, and a lot of hard work. The owner also happens to run a home decor studio so you'll want to keep note of all the beautiful brands tagged!

The Victorian Masterpiece

Who: @1895stepler_house

What: 1895 Victorian-style House

Where: United States

Part 1895 Victorian, part indoor jungle! Sarah is the proud owner of this vintage treasure and a growing number of houseplants. This account is one for the interior lovers, Sarah has an eye for aesthetics and a knack for preserving the story of the original home.

The Newcomer

Who: @twodoorrevival

What: 1910 Tudor Revival

Where: Woodruff Place, Indianapolis

Meet Meredith, the owner of this magnificent 1910 Tudor revival and a not-so-handy home renovator! Meredith had no experience in the home improvement industry but proved you can transform a residence with nothing more than passion, patience and a will to learn. An account that reminds you to enjoy every step of the process, even the smallest details or the seemingly menial tasks.

The Perfect Pair

Who: @reorigination

What: 1896 Folk Victorian Farmhouse

Where: Nashville, Tennessee

Two minds are better than one, especially when it comes to renovations. Married couple JM and Linz document the slow and steady revival of their 1896 Victorian farmhouse. The pair are not afraid to get their hands dirty and put in the hard work, taking on jobs from cutting wood to connecting electric wires but ensuring they stay true to the original build in the process.

The Romantic Renovators

Who: @cbhouse_renovation

What: Georgian Coach House

Where: Hereford, Herefordshire

Once upon a time, a young couple fell in love with an old Georgian Coach House... Their affection for the home saw them undergo a long labour of love to restore it to its former glory. A heartwarming tale of how a house becomes a home—the couple even shared their wedding pictures that took place on the grounds of their estate.

The Bay Side Beauty

Who: @victorianbythebay

What: 1895 Queen Anne

Where: San Pedro, California

A true vintage lover, Gina proudly shares progress pics of her Queen Ann restoration and all the vintage trinkets she finds along the way. This account is a lesson in maintaining the original features of a classic home whilst making it functional and beautiful in the modern age.

The DIY Dude

Who: @manwithahammer

What: Georgian Property

Where: Devon, England

Greg, otherwise known as a man with a hammer, has been renovating his forever home to become his 'Admiral House' for three years. Greg posts great quality photos of his aesthetic decors and designs. He also loves wallpapers and textiles and tags all of his suppliers—interior designers take notes!

The Family Abode

Who: @powell_victorian_revival

What: 1890 Victorian

Where: United States

This Victorian residence has been sat dormant for years just waiting for the Powell family to come and restore it to a loving family home. After purchasing the property, all members of the family immediately pitched in to begin building their dream home. Follow for heartwarming content of the kiddos trying their best to help out their dad (aww!).

The Gorgeous Georgian

Who: @my_georgian_manor

What: Georgian Country Manor

Where: Dormansland, Surrey

As well as beautiful bathroom shots and satisfying before-and-afters, this account shares all the unglamorous parts of interior renovations too—which the interior design pros amongst us will find relatable. As well as staying authentic on the gram, the homeowners have stayed true to the authentic Georgian style of the home whilst still injecting buckets of personality with quirky murals and DIY decor. A treasure trove of inspiration for designers looking to venture out of their comfort zone.

The Classic

Who: @totheshireborn

What: Victorian Manor House

Where: Shropshire, England

Married couple Kath and Phil never expected that they'll be entering into another lifelong commitment—renovating this 60-room Victorian manor house. This account even has something to offer for those who prefer life outdoors, with plenty of garden restoration content too.

Contracts and legal matters can sound intimidating to interior designers, usually because we don't know where to start.  So, let's start with the why. Contracts are not only imperative to the security of you and your business, but they are a valuable asset in defining your boundaries and securing better client relationships. A well-written contract and an understanding of how to use it is an empowering tool for interior designers. No one knows that better than Wendy Estela, an attorney specialising in advising on legal matters for interior designers. Wendy offered up her expertise in an "ask me anything session" with our community of interior design entrepreneurs—she might have answered your questions too...

Meet our expert: Wendy Estela

My name is Wendy Estella. I'm an attorney and I have been for 23 years, believe it or not. In the last 5 years, I've focused my attention on working with interior designers. My clients range from designers that are just starting out to celebrity designers—client management issues remain even when you're on the cover of a magazine. My services are a mix of legal negotiations and coaching because often it is not the contract that needs work, it is the approach. People are often surprised at how much free advice I give away. I do so because I believe that if every designer elevates the way they work and the standards they hold for themselves, then the industry as a whole will improve.

What are the basic legal terms and conditions I need to establish with all new clients?

Your initial agreement should be structured as a letter of agreement. In your letter, you want to talk about pricing and scope. These are the only things you need to focus on initially. Your pricing has to be clear, and if a client doesn't understand or agree to your pricing, you should not move forward. You don't want the client looking for a cheap deal. You want the client that wants you. Along with your letter of agreement, I suggest attaching a page of legal terms and conditions at the back where you should highlight your terms for:

Communication process

It is very important to outline how you talk and establish communication boundaries with your clients. For example, I have clients who say texting is only allowed during certain time periods (i.e. don't text on Sunday night!) It is also important to establish boundaries with who your client can contact. Often, clients take it upon themselves to reach out directly to your vendors—you do not want that. That is your relationship, so make sure your contract explicitly states that there is to be no contacting your people.

Revisions and fees

Be clear about how many revisions are included in your package price and how much additional revisions will cost on top of that. Be sure to explain to your clients that your creativity is what they're hiring, not your ability to purchase furniture. You are being hired to create a work of art and you don't tell an artist what to paint. If you do offer purchasing agent services, that's a different contract.

Proprietary information and photography

Proprietary information means confirming that the design is owned by you. Clients are not purchasing your design, you own that. Worst case scenario: you get fired halfway through a project. At least that client can't demand that they get access to the design files because they belong to you. It is important to mention photography too because, as you know, images of all your completed projects are needed for your portfolio. It is important to state upfront that you’ll be taking photos of the completed project for this reason.

Shifting risk

As a designer, you shouldn't be responsible for every contractor working on the project. You're responsible for certain things in your contract but your liability needs to be limited. If for whatever reason the homeowner is not happy with their final product, there should also be a limit on your liability. It is worth noting that if you do commercial work, you need to be very aware of the different protections you should have in place. Because if your contract isn't written correctly, a business can sue you for lost profits which can really add up.

Cash flow

The golden rule of contracts: make sure that in every instance you're ahead with the money. You cannot have a situation where you get to the end of the project and you are trying to get that last 10% from your client. You always have to be ahead. When there's money that could be fought over under the amount of approximately $25 000, it needs to be written into your contract. Because the cost of chasing it in court exceeds what you're going to receive. In attorney jargon: is the juice worth the squeeze?

Transparency

Pricing transparency is a hot topic in the industry right now. A lot of designers choose to disclose their vendor pricing and the markup that they charge or the discount that they provide. Firstly, clients don't like the word markup. Instead use, administrative fees, discounts off retail, or procurement fee—those are much better terms. Secondly, I think that is a mistake. I think that you should simply present an invoice and say this is the price. If a client is asking for your pricing and you're unsure of whether to give it to them, my response is, “Do Crate and Barrel give their pricing? Do they tell you what they pay from their supplier and the percentage markup they charge? No. Nobody does. You are a retailer. This is your price. Treat this as confidential information and make sure your contract reflects that.

Dispute resolution

I’m a big believer that the dispute resolution method should be written into your contract. If a disagreement with a client escalates, you shouldn't take it to court. Opt for arbitration—an alternative dispute resolution mechanism. If you go to court, it’s a public record. You don't want your name and your brand dragged through the mud like that. If you can resolve an issue privately, do so. Your contract should also talk about non-disparagement because, in the age of the internet, one bad review can kill your business. And that works both ways, no bad-mouthing clients either!

Does "decorating" my contracts make me look unprofessional?

Picture this: you’re having a wonderful discussion with your client about beautiful design concepts and then you pull out a monster document, riddled with whereas clauses and probably some Latin terms, and place it on the table with a thud. Way to ruin the mood! Your contract should be an extension of your brand. It should have the exact same look as your proposal or any other documents you issue—the same design, letterhead, font, colours etc.

And you can be creative with it, something as simple as turning it sideways so it reads like a book or putting images throughout—which helps with the visual appeal but also in explaining the process to your client. You can describe each step with text and then illustrate you doing these things with an image—the photos aren't telling the story, but they're supplementing it. The primary purpose of a contract is to protect your legal rights, but it is also there to educate your client. You want your client to read the contract properly before signing, so make it readable. The goal is to make your contract a communication tool.

Can I charge for the time I invest in securing projects pre-contract?

Every business has overheads and I view this as a business development cost that you just have to absorb. If it's a project you really want and it's a huge opportunity, don't let the money put you off—you’ll make it up along the way. In theory, you could build it into your design fee somewhere down the line by tracking the time you invest in each project and building those hours into your pricing. I have a client who charges for their initial meeting and proposal at an hourly rate before any contract is signed. If somebody really wants to work with you after you clearly state that you charge a consultation fee, that's great.

If I sell a design to a customer, can I still use it in my portfolio?

Question number one is, What does your contract say? If you create something as a graphic designer, you own the copyright as default. But if a client then signs a contract called a Works for Hire, then they are purchasing that copyright. You can still have a license to use it, but that needs to be written into your contract. E.g. I retain a license for marketing purposes and list where you plan to use it. How and when you share these images is more of a business decision, it is best to keep an open conversation with the customer to work out a deal that suits you both. There is always a way to spin it, everyone likes some free publicity after all.

I'm new to interior design, do I need a contract for my first few projects?

If you're new to the interior design industry, do not make the mistake of neglecting to invest in a lawyer, or at least a contract template. Yes, you might be able to make it through without one but it is about setting standards for yourself. From the outset, you need to be training yourself to have structure and it is easy to lose that discipline without the correct documents.

The other piece of advice I have for new interior designers is, whatever you do, do not give away your services for free. A lot of new designers get walked all over because they are not valuing themselves. Think about it this way: how do you treat the most expensive item in your closet versus your cheap, old Amazon leggings? Don't be the Amazon leggings, be the Chanel bag! Have respect for yourself and others will do the same. Do not proceed without a contract even for a family member or friends—it's not an awkward conversation, it is what it is: You're not going to work for free. True friends want to pay you for your services. To get around any confrontation, you can simply make up an excuse. Give them an abbreviated version of your contract and say something along the lines of, "My lawyer makes me follow this set process" or "My accountant makes me do it because we need it for bookkeeping." Do not compromise your standards just because you know these people. Make them sign the paperwork.

What happens when clients don't follow the rules I put in place with my contract?

First things first, your contract has to say very clearly that if you, the designer, feel that the relationship has become toxic or if you feel that the client is being abusive towards you or your staff then you have the right to terminate the agreement at your sole discretion. The contract is there to protect you. If it is written correctly, there can be no backlash. It is always a good idea to go through the contract with your client in person and point this particular clause out. Some clients might ask why you have that provision, to which you can reply with a real-life story of when a client has overstepped your boundaries and why you don’t want it to happen again. Reassure them that you’re not going to use it against them but that it is there to protect you in the unlikely case it is needed. It can be difficult but you’ve got to stand up for yourself and know your worth. Do not put up with bad clients. The abuse is not worth the money.

What are the telltale signs of a toxic client?

If you look back to the first time meeting someone that you now deem a toxic client, you can now clearly see the red flags. Perhaps they were revealing themselves all along but at the time you were too focused on securing the project to notice.The most important thing to ask yourself is, “Do I like this person? To know that, you need to spend a little time with them. Bring your client out for a cup of coffee and go over the contract with them. Find a way to connect with them personally, clients will appreciate getting to know you—after all, your design is in part a reflection of you—and you'll be able to assess your compatibility for working together.

During this meeting, it is important to ask the question, “Have you worked with a designer before?" If you get a client who tells you that they've worked with many designers and only had bad experiences, the likelihood is it is going to be a bad experience for you too. Let your client talk about any previous experiences have had working with designers and watch out for red flags. The number one rule: trust your gut. You're in an industry where you’re constantly dealing with relationships and people and so listening to your instincts is key.

What happens when an amicable resolution isn't working out?

Having your preference for an alternative dispute resolution clearly outlined in your contract will help here. But there are exceptions. Let's say you're struggling to collect payment from a well-known client—imagine the story: [insert client name here]  stealing from a small business. Those are the kind of situations that you need to strategically think about with a lawyer in advance. You really don't want to air your dirty laundry on social media, especially as a business person. But unfortunately, clients often do. This is why having a non-disparaging clause in your contract is key. Don't seek revenge on these people. Move on. But also do not entertain toxic people. Get rid of 'em! You'll be far more respected in your industry and with other clients.

How do I avoid conceding in a negotiation just to secure the work?

Before entering into a negotiation, you have to identify what would make it a bad deal for you. If that comes to fruition, that is your walkaway point. If you don't identify this walkaway point, then it is very easy to keep giving and giving and giving. You do not want that situation. You want to be able to say that's a non-starter. So, figure out your top priorities and fix them in your mind, "There's no way I'm accepting this deal if..." And if they insist on that 'if' then you simply say, "As much as I'd love to work with you, I just don't think that we're a fit." That's okay. Don't be afraid to say no. The interior design industry is full of women and gay men—we're people pleasers, we're used to saying yes all the time. But remember, the day before your client signs is the day that you have the most power in your negotiation. The day the client signs, they're now the customer and the customer's always right. So you need to make sure that the contract is signed on terms that you are comfortable with.

The bottom line

A contract is not just about law. It's about how you want to run your business. It's about defining your preferences in commercial considerations, negotiations and relationships and moulding a future-proof reputation in the industry. Contracts are a powerful tool, use them wisely. Got more questions? Book a free consultation with Wendy now or find a growing library of legal advice on her Instagram.

Visualist regularly invites industry experts to answer the practical questions of our creative community. Brand messaging, financial management, legal contracts—you name it! Secure an invite to our next event by joining us on Facebook.‍

Starting out as a creative entrepreneur comes with many external challenges, but perhaps the toughest obstacle of all is internal—battling imposter syndrome. The antidote to imposter syndrome is a strong sense of your personal brand and infallible pride in sharing that with the world. Strong personal branding is the key to differentiating yourself in the creative industries where there is so much noise and competition for people's attention.

To help you tackle self-doubt and curate a powerful personal brand, we've enlisted the help of renowned personal branding coach Kelly Snodgrass. Kelly played a key role in building reputable brands like Uber and Pollen before leaving the corporate world behind to pursue her passion—which just so happens to be coaching others to do the same.‍

Meet your expert: Kelly Snodgrass

I'm Kelly. I'm a mother. I'm a creative. I'm a coach. I'm a product manager. I'm a writer. I'm an angel investor. I'm an engineer. I'm a multi-dimensional woman.

I spent years trying to fit myself into one of the many moulds that the internet tells us we should follow. But I found myself exhausted by trying to figure out the one label that described me—because it was impossible. I first ventured into entrepreneurship in 2018 which felt like blasting off into outer space; leaving corporate planet Earth and landing on the moon of entrepreneurship. At some point you have to leap into entrepreneurship, you can't just take a baby step.

My journey to becoming a personal branding coach was not easy. I knew deep down that coaching was my calling and yet I found myself unable to confidently own this belief. I actually had to hire a coach, in order to be able to say the words, "I am a coach." I could say, "I am thinking about becoming a coach", or "I am training to become a coach" but I couldn't accept myself as already being one. If I wasn't able to be proud of who I was, how was anybody going to hire me?

After a few months of coaching,  I found an alter ego version of myself born. A version that was incredibly confident and proud. My role now is to help you do the same. Everyone is capable and resourceful enough to Google their way to finding out how to craft posts, how often to post things, etc. But what is really hard to Google is how to approach personal branding from the inside. How to muster up the bravery and the courage that it takes to share your brand with the world and how to make personal branding feel sustainable in the long run. I am here to help you battle imposter syndrome and take pride in your work—not in your job title (whether that be interior designer, photographer, brand consultant etc.) but in what makes you unique in that role. People don't want to hire just anyone, they want to hire you.

Ready to say invest in yourself and your business? Follow Kelly's three-step guide to battling imposter syndrome and owning your personal brand...‍

1. Define your value

When we think of personal branding, we tend to compare ourselves to products. The problem with thinking like this is that most products serve one purpose, whereas we creatives are not one-dimensional products. Using traditional marketing perspectives and tactics on ourselves is very limiting and wrongly encourages us to build a personal brand around just one way in which we create value versus showing an accurate representation of our multi-dimensional selves and the many ways in which we and our brand positively impact our community. Personal branding isn't about commoditising your entire life, but it is about selling a commodity. And the commodity is you and your uniqueness. Instead of using a traditional brand marketing strategy, I suggest crafting a life brand statement—a statement that encapsulates the overarching ethos of your brand. Two things to remember when doing so:

• Share your value, all of it. When I first started coaching, I failed to acknowledge something really important in my branding: coaching was just one aspect of what I did. You are not just your job, you are a person that creates value in all aspects of your life. Your life brand statement should reflect that.
• Explain how you deliver that value. It should also clearly communicate how you create that value—what you do in service of others and how you deliver that service. Prospective clients want to know exactly what they can expect from working with you.

The earlier you can get your life brand statement correct, the better. You will be more confident in sharing your brand with the world and you will feel more motivated because you are constantly reminded of your long-term goals. When you can keep your focus on this higher mission, it keeps the short-term fear of failing/ imposter syndrome at bay.

2. Build your confidence

Everybody already has a personal brand, there is no need to go and "create" one. Instead, it is about learning to articulate it and becoming confident enough to do so. Being proud of yourself, and the ensuing confidence that comes with pride, is what people buy. Confidence is infectious—we want it for ourselves. We build confidence in two ways, one by believing in our business and being very secure in the value we offer. Two, by telling others all about it—the more you share, the more you fuel your own pride.

Set yourself a simple goal: tell three people about your business. Pick varying levels of familiarity: one friend, one acquaintance, one stranger. Introduce yourself as your future self and see what happens. This works even if your business is very new and you feel like there is nothing to tell yet. You can talk about things that haven't happened yet, but you are hoping will, because if you're not willing to talk about them, how are they going to happen? Once you have spoken to three people, speak to three more. Set yourself a target of say 3 per month. It doesn't need to be a big goal, just a goal that you feel is realistic and achievable.

3. Own your reinvention

If and when you choose to reinvent yourself as a creative entrepreneur, you have to do so wholeheartedly. If you don't go all in then that really powerful fuel can become a bit of a smouldering spark. The one thing that holds most people back is fear of embarrassment. But it is not embarrassing that you want something that's different from what you have today. It's only embarrassing if you operate from that shameful place, so instead you have to own it. And in reality, people love a Cinderella story. Once you learn to own your reinvention you'll find it becomes a cornerstone of your personal branding. Congratulations if you have already taken the first step and opened your own business. A lot of people are not willing to take that first step and the fact that you have is credit to your dedication and your passion.

Another common mistake in the reinvention process is trying to hold on to the old. You have to say goodbye fully to your old self, in order to successfully reinvent yourself. Whether that be in material possessions, relationships, hobbies, or interests—you have to let it all go. It is about making space for a new part of your life. The goodbyes might be hard, but the future you is worth it. Why do you have to let go? I'll explain with a metaphor: you have a full garden but you'd like to add a rosebush. You cannot just add that rosebush—the garden is full. You have to remove something that you no longer want to be able to plant the baby rosebush and allow it to grow. There is an uncomfortable void that you have to sit with as you reinvent yourself where you feel like you're at less than a hundred per cent, but that's what allows new things to bloom that are more aligned with who you are today. So, I'm giving you permission here to fully reinvent yourself and fully own that new version of you.
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Find out how Kelly Snodgrass can help you to "innovate a new way of living" on her website, or connect with Kelly on Instagram.
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Visualist regularly invites industry experts to answer the practical questions of our creative community. Brand messaging, financial management, legal contracts—you name it! Secure an invite to our next event by joining us on Facebook.

New York City is a hub of creativity and innovation, so it is no surprise it is the home of the industry-renowned expo NYCXDesign Festival. The festival is a stage for innovative furniture pieces, groundbreaking design and intelligent discussion on the future of the interior design industry.

NYCxDesign Festival 2023 runs from May 18- 25th across multiple venues scattered throughout the city. Thankfully, a host of virtual events means the festival is accessible to non-New Yorkers too!

For interior designers, the festival is an opportunity to source new suppliers, find inspiration, educate themselves on topical issues and touch base with the international interior industry community.

Attending NYC DESIGN Festival as an interior designer

When it comes to staying ahead in the competitive world of interior design, attending trade shows like NYCxDESIGN Festival is a must. Attendees will walk away feeling inspired, educated and connected.

Three reasons interior designers should attend NYCxDESIGN Festival events:

• Expand Industry Knowledge. A jam-packed timetable of free and paid workshops, seminars, and talks led by industry experts to enhance your interior design knowledge and career.
• Connect with Professionals. Building connections is the key to success in the interior design business. By forging strong relationships with industry professionals, you gain access to tons of resources, ideas, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Build Your Reputation. Attend enough events and network in the right circles and eventually, people will start to recognise you and your brand. And as we know, greater brand visibility has a direct correlation to securing more projects.
  

5 Best Interior Design Talks at NYC Design Festival 2023

Understand your industry through the lens of panel talks—From talks on sustainable design to discussions on the future of interior design, there's something for everyone.

Visualist x Soulhaus: Celebrating & Reflecting Diversity in Design

When: 23 May 2023, 17:00 - 18:00 BST

Where: Virtual

Fee: Free

Join Visualist and The Soulhaus as they host a panel discussion with three successful female designers from diverse backgrounds to learn about how each reflects their cultural heritage and experiences in their ethos and designs. Featured in the panel:

• Victoria Adesanmi - owner of LA-based multidisciplinary design studio Aesthetics Studios.
• Remul Johnson - founder of home African-inspired home decor brand Meyourge.
• Winnie Tam - founder of London-based interior design studio fourteen a.m.

Get tickets to Visualist x Soulhaus: Celebrating & Reflecting Diversity in Design. Visualist are hosting regular panels throughout the festival. Explore other talks by Visualist on Eventbrite.

Practicality and Interior Design with Anna Page

When: 18 May 2023, 18:00 - 20:00 ET

Where: 837 Washington Street, New York City

Fee: Free

Marrying the art of form and function is a skill that Anna Page, founder of The Page Edit, has spent years mastering. Anna Page is joined by Shelby Vanhoy (creator of Pretty in Pines),  Alison Kenworthy (founder of Homeworthy), and Monique Valeris (senior editor of Good Housekeeping) for a discussion on style with plenty of substance.

Get tickets for Practicality and Interior Design with Anna Page.

What is the Carbon Footprint of a Piece of Furniture? A Primer for Action

When: 18 May 2023, 17:00 pm - 18:00 BST

Where: Virtual

Fee: Free

How can we measure the carbon footprint of a sofa, chair or table? How do materials, packaging, transport and disposal factor in? What are terms such as net zero, cradle-to-grave, materiality and embodied carbon? Hosted by leading sustainability experts, Lucy Arndt and Lucy Crane, the panel promises to be an insightful discussion on tackling climate change through design, culminating in a refreshing call to action.

Get tickets for What is the Carbon Footprint of a Piece of Furniture? A Primer for Action.

ImpactXDesign – Using Design for Urban Revitalization and Economic Justice

When: 18 May 2023, 12:30 -13:30 BST

Where: Virtual

Fee: Pay what you can

As an interior designer, you have the power to reshape the community. Ari Takata-Vasquez, founder and creative director of Viscera Studio, will teach you how. Ari Takata-Vasquez is the founder of In the Black, a shared marketplace empowering Black-owned businesses. Using In The Black as an example, Ari will illustrate how design can make a tangible impact on community and economic development.

Get tickets for Using Design for Urban Revitalization and Economic Justice.

The Black Home: More than Black Art with Designers Guild

When: 19 May 2023, 11:00 - 13:00 ET

Where: 837 Washington Street, New York City

Fee: Free

Founder of the Black Artists + Designers Guild, Malene Barnett, speaks alongside founding members of the guild Beth Diana Smith, Jomo Tariku, Leyden Lewis, and Lisa Hunt. The talk is an open exploration of the connection between Black culture and technology in the home. The conversation will explore the home as an expression of Black creativity and culture, where desires, stories, and lineage are expressed.

Get tickets to The Black Home: More than Black Art with Designers Guild.

Likes, reels, engagement, algorithms—it's a lot to keep track of! Social media marketing takes a lot of time and energy to get right but as a creative business owner, your time is precious. And besides, wouldn't you like to spend less time scrolling and more time creating?

That is where social media managers come in. Expertly versed in the ever-changing landscape of social media, a social media manger is your ticket to higher engagement, a more consistent brand message and better client conversion rates—not to mention a lot of saved time!

Find out how hiring a social media manager could benefit your business...

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What does a social media manager do?

A social media manager is responsible for developing and implementing a social media strategy for your business. They collaborate with you to identify your business's pain points and solve gaps in your current social media marketing strategy that will help your business move forward.

The responsibilities of a social media manager vary from one company to another. It all depends on the amount of help you require and your long-term goals. For reference, a social media manager can help with:

• Developing a social media strategy
• Creating visual content
• Creating a content calendar or schedule
• Managing social media accounts
• Analysing social media metrics

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3 signs it is time to hire a social media manager

Sign #1: Your engagement rate is low

If you're consistently putting in the work for your social media and still not receiving many likes, comments, or follows, there is something wrong with your strategy. Causes vary from inconsistent branding to over-promotion, but for a thorough diagnosis, you'll need a social media manager.

Sign #2: You struggle with managing your time

When running your own business, time is precious. So, if the pressure of social media management is bogging you down, why not outsource it? This way, you can focus on the quality of your services and other high-priority tasks!

Sign #3: Your branding is inconsistent

Ask yourself: are my social media channels a strong representation of my brand? If the answer is no, a social media manager will be able to help. A social media manager establishes a strong brand identity for your business by keeping your voice, visuals, and content connected all throughout your social media accounts. This strengthens your business' reliability and boosts brand recognition!

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How a social media manager can help your business

Enhance your social media strategy

Nobody creates better strategies than a social media expert. Based on your goals and audience, they identify the best social media platforms to focus on, create a content calendar to track posting schedules and come up with an audience engagement plan.

With the help of a social media manager, you don't have to rack your brain thinking "What's next?" Instead, all you have to do is review the content calendar, hop onto the scheduled events, see what's working and what's not, and welcome all the new clients you're sure to attract!

Create high-quality content

A social media manager knows what type of content resonates best with your target audience, and perhaps more importantly, how to make it—and make it well. High-quality content makes your business feel professional and reliable—exactly what a potential client wants to see.

Speed up your response time

Be honest—is there a few unanswered messages in your DMs right now? Busy as you are, you likely don't have enough time and energy to keep up with all the messages you're receiving. However, a prompt response time is key to securing leads. A social media manager can help build a positive relationship with your social media audience by responding to comments and messages in a timely manner.

Bonus: they could also address any negative comments, so you won't have to deal with the stress!

Establish industry connections

Influencer marketing is a valuable tool to widen your market reach. When a trusted influencer recommends your product or service, it can lend credibility to your brand and encourage potential clients to check it out. A social media manager can identify suitable collaborators and build relationships for your brand.

Decode your social media metrics

Engagement rate, content reach, follower growth, top-performing content—you know the terms, but what are you actually doing with that information? A social media manager can unravel the stats to provide valuable insights into how your social media strategy is performing. Regularly tracking your metrics makes it easier to spot growth opportunities and optimise your marketing strategy to achieve better results.

Social media managers for creative businesses

Convinced that hiring a social media manager is the right move for your business? Let's take a look at your options...

Emanuela Schneider

Interior designers, meet Emanuela Schneider! Emanuela Schneider is the founder of Marketing Interiors, a boutique marketing firm specialising in the home improvement industry. Emanuela has helped countless interior design entrepreneurs to build better client relationships and increase brand awareness with the power of social media.

Connect with Emanuela Schneider on Instagram, or visit her website for more information.

Mari Smith

Mari Smith specialises in Facebook, Instagram, and Messenger consulting for small businesses. As well as 1-1 coaching, Mari has produced an invaluable bank of social media growth resources for creative entrepreneurs.

Connect with Mari Smith on Instagram, or find more information on her website.

Katya Varbanova

Creating viral content isn't an easy task and yet Katya Varbanova has helped over 17,000 business owners to reach their viral social media goals. Katya ensures that even after the virality subsides, her clients are left with an engaged, loyal audience prime to convert into paying clients.

Connect with Katya Varbanova on Instagram or find out more about her services on her website.

"I'm a creative person. I don't do numbers. I can't do finance. I don't get it. I don't understand it. It's not for me." Sound familiar? Accounting doesn't always come naturally to the creative, and that is okay! For once, we're not going to advise you to bury yourself in educational resources on accounting for creatives—we're going to suggest you get an accountant!

Erin Walls is a chartered accountant and the founder of WardWilliams Creative—an accountancy firm exclusively for creatives. In her work, Erin has noticed a common thread of questions and reservations among her clients and so she's here to clear up the misconceptions. In short: don't be put off by accountants, because they can be helpful.

Read on for Erin Walls' advice on how a healthy relationship with your accountant can transform your small business, and how you can achieve it.

Meet Erin Walls

What do you do?

When you have a company or you're a sole trader, there are legal obligations to file certain reports and tax returns—I help people to make sure they meet those obligations. However, I am also here to help creative business owners to save tax, negotiate any tricky transactions and, ultimately, grow their businesses.

How did you end up in your role now?

Lots of work! After my 3-year degree, I completed another 3 years of education to obtain the professional qualification. After that, it’s all about experience. The longer you work the more experienced you become, so your advice becomes better and better. I trained in a bigger company, but soon realised I prefer working with smaller businesses where you can make a bigger impact on someone’s life.

Step 1 when taking on a new client is...

Getting to know them and the business. Every business is slightly different and the advice and support we give depends on what stage you and your business are at, how much experience or knowledge of finance you have, what you are trying to achieve and so on. For the first few months, we learn as much as we can about our new clients so that we can best serve their needs.

Why do you work with creatives?

All my friends and family work in the creative industries; when I qualified as an accountant they all came to me to ask for help. Many were already paying for their own accountant but didn’t understand what they were being told or felt intimidated, and often even patronised. I spotted a gap. A lot of creatives are left-brain thinkers and they need a different approach to make the financial side of the business click for them. So that’s what WWCreative does, it works with creatives on a level which is helpful and supportive.

Erin Walls' 5 rules for a healthy relationship with your accountant

1. Do your homework

Keep the receipts

Not so long ago, you used to have to keep paper copies of business records but these days, photographs will suffice. As soon as you receive a receipt—an invoice from Amazon, a restaurant bill etc.—take a photograph and save it to a drive or an app (Dexter or Expensify are good options). It is that easy.

Stay on top of things

You can't stop marketing just because you're having a busy spell, and you can't stop keeping financial records either. Dedicate time every week to review your invoices, receipts etc. and organise them in a logical way to pass on to your accountant. Tackling a backlog of paperwork is a scary and time-consuming task, approaching it in manageable blocks is easy. A positive side effect of this system is that you'll also have a better idea of the money coming in and out of your business and so can make more informed, reactive decisions.

Be smart with your expenses

The common sense approach to expenses:  if you spent the money because you needed to for your business, then it will be allowable. The areas where people tend to come unstuck are entertainment and travel—to be on the safe side, consult your accountant!

2. Meet up often

The frequency with which you need to see your accountant depends on how comfortable you are with the figures and what is going on in your business. At WardWIlliams Creative, we have some clients who are in a growth phase: they need to register for VAT, they're beginning to make overseas sales etc. Naturally, they have a lot of questions and need a lot of support and so we are in regular contact. Then we have other clients who are just ticking over. They have been doing the same thing for a while with the same clients and feel fairly confident in that. These kinds of clients speak to us once or twice a year and then at the end of each year, we have a meeting to go over their figures and plan for the year ahead. It comes down to how much support you want or need at any given time.

If you're ever feeling unsure, you should be able to easily speak to your accountant for advice. Equally, if things are working well for you you don't need the burden of overly-frequent communication. These days most accountants don't charge per hour, they charge an annual fee—so don't hesitate to reach out when you need advice. It is better to check in regularly than be in a mess at the end of the year because you were worried about additional fees!

3. Don't be afraid to ask for help

Don't be scared of accountants! I regularly find myself asking clients: why didn't you speak to someone before? And the answer is that they assumed an accountant was going to be too expensive, or they thought we might patronise them, or they didn't want to feel like they'd done something wrong. In the long run, this attitude is bad for business. The lesson here is: Don't suffer in silence. Don't be afraid to accept help or ask for it. If your budget is tight, sometimes the bank has mentorship schemes and a lot of accountants will give you a free initial consultation.

4. Find the right match

Obviously, from a business perspective cost is always going to be a factor in your decision. Which is why, before hiring an accountant, you need to be honest with yourself about how much support you need. If you opt for a really cheap service, you'll likely receive less attention and support. That will work for you if you're a business owner who does not need that support, you simply need to tick the boxes for filing. But if you know you require more support, you probably need to pay for a slightly more involved accountant.

But the biggest thing for me is the relationship. You need to feel that your accountant understands your business. Most accounts will give you the same work because we all use the same rule book. It's more about the journey. It is about finding a relationship with someone that you feel comfortable with, and you think will support you.

5. Set your value

Accountants can help you manage your money, but they can't help you make it. Creative industries are very hard to work in because making money is very hard. In an attempt to differentiate themselves from the competition, many creatives lower their prices, but this has negative consequences on how people value the work of creatives. The fix: everybody in the creative sector needs to hold to their value. Over time it will get better, and people will get used to paying what they should rather than knock down prices. Rather than focusing on undercutting your competition, focus on what you need to earn. Remember: the price you set, sets your value.

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Book a consultation with Erin Walls, founder and director of WardWilliams Creative.

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