Browse Forums Interior Decorating Lounge 1 Apr 03, 2007 7:56 pm Hi
I am a qualified Interior Designer and I have been working for 2 design firms over the last 6 years. I am just about to complete a second advanced diploma in Interior Design and I am wanting to start up my own little sole practice. I have witnessed first hand how much work is out there - in colour consulting, renovation, hospitality design etc.... But I just don't know how to go about getting the first few jobs to start with. I would really appreciate any tips on how to get the first clients? and how to estabish my goal to work on my own - running a full time interior design, small, home-based sole practice. Kylie Re: Starting Out.... 2Apr 04, 2007 9:03 pm Hi Kylie,
I hope you’re up for some long hours and sleepless nights!!! Starting out in this industry is hard! I think the biggest question here is ….where do you live? If you are in a major city, then you still have hard work ahead of you, but lots of potential clients to target! If you are in a small area like me, Nowra on the South Coast, then it will be a struggle to get known and stay on top. You just need one GOOD project, to get you going. This will be the one to get your foot into ALL the other doors, so when you get one make it count!!! I wish I had of done what I’m about to tell you, but I didn’t have anyone to guide me. My teacher was in Sydney, so she didn’t really know. THIS IS MY ADVICE TO YOU– Swallow your pride, and do your first big project either for free, or so cheap they can’t refuse you! Target your victims…. Pick a few places you know that really NEED a good make-over, call in and sell yourself, BIG TIME! You can do anything for them, for next to nothing in cost, you will make their business stand out from all the rest!! Yayayayay you know what I mean. As a repay to you, they shall then allow you to do a full photo shoot of the finished design scope and selections. Always remembering to take LOTS of before photos along the way!!! This is the project you use to get yourself known!! Word of mouth is always the best. I have been known to stick signs in shop windows. I have sign writing on my new Subaru, I have always advertised on my car! I spend ½ my life in my car. So it is forever on the road, GET IN PEOPLES FACES. That’s the key!!! I could go on for quite a while with this for you, but I will leave it here. If you want to ask more just let me know. Good luck….. it will take lots of perseverance, but if you want it, it will come. Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Thanks 3Apr 05, 2007 1:32 pm Hi Michelle -
Thank you for your reply. I will print out your advice and keep it with me for future reference. I had thought about advertising on my car - and also about posting ads in the wentworth courier and local papers. (I'm in Sydney City.) I might even try the shop window ads - as you suggested. Would you recommend homeware stores or paint stores or something else? I also understand where you are coming from with the "1st job almost free" advice - it'll give me a starting point - and I will remember to take a lot of before shots. I'm planning to continue working with my current firm - until I get enough work to do my own thing part-time and then (fingers crossed) full time. I really appreciate your advise. I'll keep you posted on my progress. Re: Starting Out.... 4Apr 05, 2007 1:38 pm Placing cards in stores is also a good idea; I have quite a few around Nowra!
I have also designed a flyer, and they are with my cards as well. Look forward to seeing your name up splashed around Sydney….good luck!! ![]() Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Re: Starting Out.... 5Apr 05, 2007 2:42 pm Once your underway Kylie I would look at setting yourself up a really good website - such as Michelle has.
Develop an 'identity' and logo for all your advertising and reference back to your site as much as possible - flyers, business cards etc. The web is a great medium to show a lot of yourself & your skills, that isn't able to be done as effectively in print media alone. Good luck & as Michelle said, start training the body for lots of sleep deprivation. Peter Clarkson - AusDesign Australia www.ausdesign.com.au This information is intended to provide general information only. It does not purport to be a comprehensive advice. Re: Starting Out.... 6Apr 09, 2007 5:34 pm Hi Peter -
Thanks for your advise. I am currently working on a logo, letterheads, fax forms, business cards etc... I hadn't thought about a flyer - it sounds like a great idea and something I could pop into shop windows as Michelle suggested too. I would love to have a website designed also - will let you know how I go and keep you posted once its finally up and running. Would love any feedback etc.... Re: Starting Out.... 7Apr 09, 2007 6:47 pm Websites are great Kylie…..but hugely time consuming as well!
To have a GOOD website you must be on top of it always, and I’m not! I never get back to take photos of the finished products, which is bad. I am always busy!! My clients tell me how happy they are with what I’ve done, and invite me back for photos…..but I never get there. I have a very basic website….at my request! My partner put it together for me, and then taught me how to manage it. I am yet to learn how to put photos in….I think that’s next weekend’s lesson. It never ends. This is my biggest marketing tool!!! You do not need one that cost thousands of dollars to put together. Then you have to wait for someone else to make the changers for you….more money. A basic one like mine will give the client all the info they need about you, and in my case more! AND I don’t have to pay someone to do the changers every month….my monthly TIPS page! Good luck, you’re off to a good start by making yourself known in here… Internal and External Building and Colour Consultant Online - Worldwide http://www.denovoconcepts.com Unless there is something in special conditions the builder does not have to give you timeline. If your demolition contractor has not removed Asbestos and it was found… 12 30001 ![]() Thanks for the informative response! I'll feed that back to the site supervisor. 2 4556 I would probably render it and then paint it as per your other advice, or gyrpock over the top. 1 4594 ![]() |