What Every Interior Designer Should Know about PR

If 2020 taught us anything, it’s the importance of home. While so many industries suffered during the pandemic, the interior design industry soared. We saw stories like making your bedroom double as your home office, how to create a sanctuary at home, and the rise of the ADU.

And I have exciting news for you—getting quoted in magazine articles like these can absolutely be you! But it helps to know a few insider secrets before you run off and hire a publicist. (Yup, spoken straight from the mouth of a publicist!)

I have been doing PR for interior designers since I first started my business in 2008. In fact, one of my very first clients was a dream client—mostly because she checked all the boxes (that’s PR speak for had all the components that make magazine editors drool)—she was incredibly talented, already had a roster of celebrity clients, had a vision to open a shop, and write a book.

Through the years, I got her publicity for all of them—even landing her a coveted spot on Town & Country’s “Who’s Next in Decorating.”

I still work with many other interior designers—some on a project base, meaning the goal was to get their one project placed—while some choose to have ongoing PR, where they want to be positioned as an expert. There are many reasons to hire a publicist, but read on for what you need to know before you do.  And if you need some help figuring out how to reach your potential clients, here are a few thought starters to help with that.

Interior design tools are everywhere but if you’re just starting and you want to show your client a mock-up of your thoughts then where should you begin?

I’ve compiled a quick list of 10 interior design apps and software that you will be able to virtually pick up and use instantly without a large learning curve.

It doesn’t matter if the client is looking to remodel their kitchen or just restyle their living space. These tools can communicate your design ideas quickly with a high level of precision with high-quality room design software.

Take a look at some of my best software picks for interior designers…

1. Cedreo

Cedreo is an online 3D home design platform used by professional home builders, remodelers and interior designers to create 2D and 3D floor plans, as well as interior and exterior renderings.

The software is intuitive and easy to use, and helps users quickly create photorealistic interior designs using its library of 7,000+ customizable pieces of 3D furniture, materials and decorations.

Designers can quickly show prospective clients exactly what their finished project will look like, and as a result, close more design contracts in less time.

As a homeowner, choosing the right interior designer can be tricky. Is it the right match? How do I know if things will align? Are we on the same page? Do our wavelengths match? It is pretty typical to have these questions in mind.

This is why it becomes quintessential to ask a plethora of questions before hiring the most appropriate interior designer for you. With each passing day, sources of design inspiration come from manifold areas—ergo, you HAVE to locate your taste.

Ask the following questions to your interior designer, and you are bound to get the desired results, and of course, be left satisfied.

1.    How Do You Choose Your Projects? How Do You Decide What’s Appropriate for Your Firm?

Oh, this can be a tricky one. It is almost as if your interior designer is up for a job interview. It is also a good screening measure for you, wherein if they appear nervous, you know that they aren’t sure whether they can live up to your expectations. Remember the dating analogy? Everyone likes a confident date, and this is no different.

This method of screening is also pivotal in determining how efficiently your job will be done. After all, interior designing is not just about expressing oneself, but also doing so in an efficient way. You need to understand that projects are meant to be time-bound entities, and coming to terms with the aspect of time becomes essential.

Before commencing any interior design project, it’s important that your clients understand how you work and what to expect from your services. And, this is where a welcome packet comes in.

In this guide, I’m going to cover:

• What is a client welcome packet?
• What to include in a client welcome packet
• How to get clients to actually read your welcome packet

Read on to find out how a simple welcome packet can help streamline your new client onboarding process and give you more time to focus on what you love: designing dream spaces.

What is a client welcome packet?

A welcome packet sets the tone for your client: interior designer relationships and helps ensure the smooth running of design projects. It should include everything clients need to know when working with you, from how your interior design process works to whether it’s okay to text you at midnight.