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ACTIONABLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES
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ARTICLES PUBLISHED WEEKLY
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EXPERT INSIGHTS & ADVICE FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS
| ACTIONABLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES I ARTICLES PUBLISHED WEEKLY | EXPERT INSIGHTS & ADVICE FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS
Welcome to The DTS Files for Interior Designers
Business analysis, advice, CLIENT INSIGHTS and field notes for interior designers
The DTS Files is a library of expert insights for interior designers who want to work in a more streamlined, efficient way. Articles are based on real-world consulting experience, strategies I've personally implemented in design businesses across the US and Canada, and a perspective most business educators can't offer: I've been on both sides of the table, as a business consultant and as a luxury design client. Read more below.
Why Interior Designers Who Follow Up Book More Clients (Without Feeling Salesy)
Most interior designers worry that following up too much will make them seem desperate. But what if I told you that not following up is the reason you’re losing potential clients?
Your prospects are busy, and in a sea of designers, the one who follows up professionally and strategically is the one who gets hired. So, how many times should you follow up? What should you say? And what’s the one email that turns indecisive prospects into paying clients?
I’m breaking it all down inside this article.
Join The DTS Files to unlock my insights and advice.
Fifteen Ways to Grow Your Interior Design Business Without Instagram
This post was so popular, some other online folks shared it almost word for word, w/o permission. Get the original article here.
If you’ve been posting on Instagram with little success generating new business, OR you’re finding that being on Instagram is taking a toll on your mental health, it might be time to consider some new ways to market and grow your interior design business.
Don’t get me wrong. I have clients with a solid marketing strategy for Instagram who book clients from the platform, generate revenue, and expand their reach.
But, I often find that when our interior design clients rely SOLELY on Instagram as their key “marketing strategy” (and you know I adore you, but Instagram is a social platform, not a marketing strategy), they often experience a great deal of frustration. Not to mention, many don’t stop to consider whether their ideal clients are even on Instagram at all (many aren’t!).
So, if you’re an interior designer and your clients aren’t on Instagram, OR you’re tired of the algorithm, don’t want to do reels (which is what the platform has been prioritizing for almost four years), or go into a dark headspace anytime you’re on the app, then this article is for you.
Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.
What I’d Do Differently If I Were Starting My Business Today
Starting your own business—especially as a first-time entrepreneur—can feel like navigating in the dark. No roadmap, no guarantees, just you, your ideas, and a whole lot of trial and error.
As a two-time business owner, I’ve been through it all: the unnecessary investments, the decisions I made wayyyy too early that cost me time and money, the fear of charging too much, and the small, simple decisions that led to real success.
In this post, I’m sharing the most important lessons I’ve learned—the ones that will save you time, money, and stress as you build your business. You’ll learn:
What your number #1 focus should be from day one
The investment most new designers are excited to make, but SHOULDN’T (yet)
The single most important hire I made early on that changed everything
How to trust yourself and take fast action—even when you’re scared
The one thing you must define before making any big decisions in your business
If you’re launching or growing your design business and want to build it the right way from the start, this is for you. Read the full post based on my experience working in the luxury services industry since 2007. Join The DTS Files today.
The Low-Down on Interior Design Professional Organizations like ASID, IIDA, IDS, NKBA, and IFDA
If you’re considering joining a professional membership organization that serves interior designers and supports the industry, it’s important to ensure that the organization is a good fit for you and your business, so the membership dues are a worthwhile investment. Additionally, all the organizations I’m highlighting below are very welcoming, provide ample opportunities to expand your horizons, and help to form social connections with like-minded people—always a plus!
Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.
Working All the Time but Not Making Money? Here’s Why.
Nothing will lead to burnout faster than working all the time but barely turning a profit. If you feel like you’re constantly in motion but your bank account doesn’t reflect your effort, it’s time to take a hard look at what’s really happening inside your business.
The reality? It’s not just about working harder—it’s about working smarter. And for many interior designers, the reason they’re struggling to make money comes down to five key issues.
Inside this post, I’m breaking down:
The hidden inefficiencies that are eating up your time and profits
The biggest pricing mistakes designers make (and why your rates might be too low)
How your marketing and client process could be attracting the wrong clients
Why your overhead might be quietly killing your profits
The first thing you need to fix to stop the cycle of overwork and under-earning
If you’re tired of working 24/7 and still feeling stretched thin, this article will help you pinpoint exactly what’s holding you back—and what to do next. Join The DTS Files for my advice.
How You Can Work Less and Charge More by Incorporating Software into Your Client Experience
What if you could attract better clients, increase your fees, and reduce your overwhelm—just by making a few simple tweaks to how you run your business?
The truth is, inefficiencies in your scheduling, communication, and client experience could be costing you time, money, and credibility. And your potential clients? They notice.
In this post, I’ll walk you through:
The #1 mistake slowing down your business (that most designers don’t even realize they’re making)
How a $10/month software can immediately elevate your client experience (and let you charge MORE)
Why efficiency = luxury (and how to position it in your pricing and marketing)
If you’re tired of juggling manual scheduling, endless back-and-forth emails, and clunky client communication, it's time to make a change.
Join The DTS Files to unlock full access to my advice and insights.
Dear Dakota | What to Do When an Interior Design Client Won’t Pay
Dear Dakota,
What should I do when an interior design client won’t pay?
When a Client Won’t Pay: How to Handle Non-Payment & Protect Your Business
There’s nothing worse than chasing a client for payment after you’ve poured hours into their project. Suddenly, you’re not just an interior designer—you’re a collections agency, too.
But before you assume the worst, it’s important to understand why a client may not be paying—and more importantly, how to prevent it from happening in the first place.
Inside this post, I’m breaking down:
The most common reasons clients delay or refuse payment
Proactive strategies to avoid non-payment before a project even starts
How to structure contracts, invoices, and payment schedules so you never have to chase a client down again
What to do when a client refuses to pay, including the steps to take before resorting to legal action
This is a must-read for any designer who wants to protect their revenue, set firm payment policies, and confidently discuss money with clients—without the awkwardness or stress.
Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.
HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR READERS:
Looking for help with pricing?
PRICING PLAYBOOK for INTERIOR DESIGNERS
Start with The Complete Guide to Pricing Your Design Services
Learn the most common pricing models used by interior designers, where each works best, and how to spot the signs that your current pricing structure needs to change.
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SHOP TEMPLATES
Need the documents behind a streamlined process?
The Design Library includes the client-facing investment guides, proposal templates, welcome guides, SOPs, questionnaires, contracts, and business tools we use and recommend for interior design firms.
SHOP WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS
After consulting with and doing hands-on implementation for over 100 interior design business owners, I’ve seen what works (and doesn’t) across every business model imaginable. The Workroom houses our focused trainings for interior designers on pricing, construction, service structure, business operations, and other areas we teach inside design firms
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