Interior Redesign for Highest Profits

Career and Business Solutions in Interior Redesign - Train with Barbara Jennings at www.Decorate-Redecorate.com, the world's leading interior redesign and home staging training center - since 1983.

Saturday, April 29, 2006

Are You Entrepreneurial Material?

Here's one way to know if you're cut out to be an interior redesign entrepreneur:

1. Are you a jack-of-all-trades? Or do you have a gifting in color, design, arrangement techniques? Do you thrive on learning something new and mastering it?

When you own your own business, you have to figure things out on your own, unlike working for someone else. You have to market your skills, decide what to charge, send out advertising, fix your own equipment problems and so forth.

You have to do your own bookkeeping, find the training and technical support you need, even be your own janitor at first. Entrepreneurs wear many hats at first.

You can outsource many tasks but that gets expensive and at first you probably won't want to do that. But you can learn a lot on your own about bookkeeping, computer technology, marketing, management.

Community colleges and libraries are great inexpensive or free sources for additional training. Keep a book by your bed and read a chapter or part of one each night before you turn the lights out.

Turn off the TV an hour early and read or listen to CDs or tapes. Take what you learn and apply it to your venture. Take time out to just relax and think. Take a walk with a friend and brain storm ideas.

The training and support is out there.

Thursday, April 27, 2006

Tips on Hanging Art Without Nails or Hooks

QUESTION
A client of mine wants to hang 12" x 16" art on a wall without making holes in the wall. My client also wants to keep the art work flush with the wall (no leans).


ANSWER
12x16 isn't going to be that heavy. Only two choices as far as I know.

Adhesive: double sided adhesive tape made for keeping pictures aligned. You can
buy it at most hardware stores. It's about 1/8" thick, however, when you go
to remove the picture after time, it may damage the wall and leave some residue
behind. Should not be used on walls that get direct sunlight as, over time, the
adhesive material might become brittle and dry and that wouldn't be too good.

Suspend art from the ceiling using clear plastic cord or thread. Can get this at jewelry making bead companies or also at fabric and craft supply stores.

For more training on hanging art, see Secret Art of Hanging Art.

Tuesday, April 25, 2006

Avoid Common Business Mistakes

Five common business mistakes redesigners make:

1) Failing to test the key elements of their advertising.
2) Running institutional advertising campaigns.
3) Not differentiating themselves from the competition enough.
4) Not developing a back-end service or product.
5) Failing to understand their client's needs and desires.

Try approaching people in different ways. Develop 3 "elevator speeches". Note which one seems to attract more interest.

Flyers and ads in the paper generally don't work. People hire designers by referrals and getting to know you personally.

Figure out what makes you special - different - unique - better than your competition.

Do you have a reason to keep in contact with clients? A back end product or service will give you that reason. For training in how to do that, we've covered it thoroughly in Advanced Redesign.

Put yourself in your client's shoes. How would you feel if someone approached you? What would you think of them? Of what they offered you? Talk to people and ask them questions. This is the best way to get to know their needs and desires. Ask.

Monday, April 24, 2006

Interior Redesign Class

What do I think about interior redesign classes?

I'm sure there are some that are very good, but I've also heard some horror stories.

Facts related to me in the past include: 1) instructors arguing in front of the class all week; 2) students fighting over furniture and accessories to be used in the room they were assigned; 3) few, if any, hand outs given to go home with; 4) teachers getting angry during the critique sessions following a redesign; 5) students not getting along with each other during the redesign.

Avoid potential problems by studying at home at your pace.

Tutorials and Courses Make More Sense

Window Treatment Tricks

QUESTION
I have short windows in my home, they have mini blinds on them and I want to put valances up. Any idea which style to use to make the windows look not so wide?

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ANSWER
Well, any time you have horizontal lines going across the window it will look wider and not taller. The horizontal line of the valance, plus the horizontal lines of the blinds all contribute to this.

If you can't change the blinds for verticals or shades and if you must have the valance, try to put vertical lines in the valance. You didn't say how tall the valance will be.

You can also hang faux drapery panels down the outer edges of the window, coming from under the valance on each side. This will add a strong vertical line and counteract the impact of the horizontal lines. They will also reduce the width of the window automatically. Run the fabric from top of window to the floor.

Wednesday, April 19, 2006

Interior Redesign Training

One of the best ways to network your business is to throw a party in your home. Not only will your guests see and experience the way your furnishings are placed in your home, it is a natural place to casually mention you're in the redesign business.

Use my musical slideshow to demonstrate what redesign has done for other people. Show it to any guests who indicate an interest in what you do.

It's a low key way to market yourself and your talents.

For details on how to get the musical slideshow, visit:

Networking at Parties.

Tuesday, April 18, 2006

Linen Source Commercial Accounts

I like some of the spring bedroom ensembles in the Linen Source catalog. They do have a commercial account division, which when you register will give you 10% off on orders over $1000, and an additional 5% for those who qualify. On approved credit, they will set you up for a net-30 account.

While this discount helps, you'd still have to upcharge your product to make a reasonable profit selling this to your clients. You should know that discounts of 40-50% are more the standard. But if your client buys enough at one time, you could still make a small profit.

Linen Source

Thursday, April 13, 2006

Interior Redesign School or Not?

Looking for a way to push your business to the top and get all you can get out of it? Oftentime we look for some "secret" strategy that no one else knows. Some magic formula, when all the time the best strategy is staring us in the face.

People who show people better solutions are those that rise to the top in their profession. They are:

* People who make people more revenue.
* People who make people's lives happier, richer, healthier, more content.
* People who show people better ways to do things.
* People who liberate the lives of others.

Do you have to go to an interior redesign school to learn how to be helpful? Certainly not. Does it take a home staging seminar to teach you how to put the other person first? Hopefully not.

Click here to continue . . .

Tuesday, April 11, 2006

Using Marketing Postcards Effectively

Professionally printed postcards are a good way to reach potential clients in the offline world. They are not expensive to mail out and easy to use.

Most recipients will at least turn the card over, and even if they don't, your message (albeit brief) will be on the back beside their name.

Postcard messages are most effective when kept brief and to the point. Don't cram too much copy on to the front or the back.

You only have a second or two to grab attention.

Ask the prospect to call you. Or ask them to request a free report from you.

Give them some benefit to contact you.

You can rent lists from mailing house companies and specific the kind of target market you want to reach.

We have some postcards all ready printed which you can order if you don't want to create your own. For more information, here's the link.


Marketing with Postcards

Monday, April 10, 2006

Interior Redesign Industry Specialist

I often get asked about the Interior Redesign Industry Specialist designation. I am not affiliated with this organization for several very good reasons, many because of reports I have received from others that have been part of those organizations and for my own personal reasons as well.

First, it is totally unnecessary to belong to this organization (or any organization). It has absolutely no bearing whatsoever on a redesigner's success or failure. I have never belonged to any association or organization and it hasn't stopped my success one iota.

Second, I wish to remain autonomous. As an independent business entrepreneur, I don't let other people tell me how to run my business. You shouldn't either. Once you join an organization, they sometimes feel they have the right to curtail your business and you have to conduct business according to their policies or you have to leave the organization. Sorry, not for me.

Third, I've never ever joined any business organization, paying their hefty yearly dues. That's another reason why I don't even belong to the Better Business Bureau. I run a totally ethical business, honor all of my promises, give the most extensive information on the internet on redesign and staging, give away tons of free tips and more.

Put your clients first. Make them happy.

Save your money. You don't need organizations for success. Too many people join them and are disappointed because they think membership is some kind of magic wand. It's not.

Saturday, April 08, 2006

Ignoring the Focal Point

I couldn't believe it when I entered my client's multi-million dollar home, decorated by another designer, and found that the two chaise lounge chairs had been placed with their backs to the fireplace.

This just didn't work.

Even my client's knew they were unhappy with the arrangement but didn't know how to fix it.

Do you know what to do? Check back tomorrow to see what I did.

Friday, April 07, 2006

Tenacity Pays Off - Or Does It?

I had a dream last night that a young man (friend of my son) had approached me about a donation to his cause. I said yes, but forgot. He reminded me. I forgot again. He reminded me again, I forgot again.

I don't know why I kept forgetting in the dream, but you know how dreams go.

Eventually it got to be annoying having him contact me and the relationship (in the dream) became strained, to say the least. Finally I refused to make a donation and he said he never wanted to see me again, where upon I woke up and rolled over and went back to sleep.

I probably had the dream because I'm in the midst of buying my daughter a new car. The salesman became a little too aggressive and I had to tell him to back off, even though I did appreciate his zeal and tenacity. He had become kind of a nuisance because some aspects to the sale were out of my ability to control.

Realize there is a fine line between being responsive to your prospect's needs and becoming a pest. You will win some and lose some. Don't become a pest in the process. You will not only lose the prospect, but any referrals that might have come your way.

On the other hand, you do have to follow up on leads and be responsive or you will lose the prospect and any referrals that might have come too.

You just need to do a great job of "listening" to what they tell you and act accordingly. When in doubt, ask the prospect what type of follow up they would like to see you give. Then everyone is happy.

Wednesday, April 05, 2006

Simplicity is the Key

Don't overdo your redesigns. Just because a client has a ton of stuff in a room, that doesn't mean you should use it all, even if you have room.

Help your client weed out some of the lesser important furniture and accessories. Use what is most functional first. Then add to that.

A good redesigner knows when to stop - when enough is enough.

Always remember, too much of a good thing is simply "too much".

Tuesday, April 04, 2006

Not Enough Redesigners Use the Outdoors

I have to admit I'm guilty of this.

Don't forget to look into your client's yard to see if there are any cuttings you can make to create an instant arrangement to fill an empty spot.

Use cuttings on a mantle.
Use cuttings on a coffee table.
Use cuttings on an end table.
Use cuttings on a night stand in the bedroom.

Nothing is quite as sweet as fresh cut flowers. It just invites you to relax and enjoy the surroundings.

Best of all - they're free to your client.

Monday, April 03, 2006

What are Realistic Costs for Redesign Business?

QUESTION
What in your estimation is the cost to be fully prepared to start this business, meaning how many of your training aides and tools are really necessary to run the business properly without being excessive?

ANSWER
As I said above, I don't put anything in there that is fluff. There's a gal in the East that puts in a painting fan deck, pencils, a note pad and garbage like that. My most expensive program is $934.95 plus S/H, I believe (Diamond). Sounds like a lot, but you're loaded with everything you need, except for the basic home staging tutorial, if you want to do that business too. But you can buy that separately.

My last full redesign day I got paid $1000, so you see it would probably only take you 1-3 paid appointments to pay for all of your training and all of the tools of the trade. That's also the beauty of my program. I offer you everything in Diamond on an individual basis, so you can start small, for as little as $100 (basic redesign training ebook) and add more training gradually.

Unless you have a degree in design, however, you should definitely add the following: Decor Secrets Revealed, Where There's a Wall - There's a Way, and Arrange Your Stuff.For a good bird's eye view, check out this page:

Options for Redesign Training

Client Purchases at Redesign Appointment

I recently sent two clients out to purchase more accessories, giving them a rough list of the types of things I needed to complete the decor.

I was surprised at how few things they actually returned with and I realized that what seems so easy for me to accomplish is not that way for other people, particularly for those with no design training.

Perhaps they felt hesitant fearing I would not approve of their selections. I don't know, but I have realized that I shouldn't expect too much from them on that day.

So you may need to schedule a second appointment in some situations and know that you won't get great "after" pictures until you have a chance to come back when there is more on the premises for you to work with.

For those of you who don't mind offering a "buying service", you can even come prepared with the types of accessories most people fail to have.