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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.
7 Reasons to Streamline Your Design Contract Process and Send Contracts Quickly
If it takes you weeks to send a detailed scope of work, design fee, and contract to a potential client, your number one goal should be to cut that time way down. Your goal should be ONE to TWO days. YUP!
Seven Reasons Why You Must Get Contracts to New Clients Quickly:
Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.
Dear Dakota | How To Make Interior Design Discovery Calls More Productive?
Dear Dakota,
I’m needing some major help lately.
My weeks are completely bogged down with constant repetitive phone calls and emails regarding our process.
This has never happened to me before, and in the last several months, it is all I am dealing with.
HELP!
Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.
Dear Dakota: Should I Post My Design Fees on My Website?
Dear Dakota,
Should I post my fees on my website? And how do I do it if every project is different?
Join The DTS Files to see my advice.
How to Track & Detail Hourly Interior Design Services On Your Invoices
If you charge hourly for the interior design services you provide, you’ll need to track your time and create invoices that outline the services performed and how many hours those services took. Sounds simple, but determining how to list design services provided on an hourly invoice can be a bit perplexing.
Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.
Dear Dakota: When Should I Send An Investment Guide? Before or After the Discovery Call?
Dear Dakota,
When exactly should I send my Investment Guide? Does it come after an Initial Inquiry but before a Discovery Call?
I love the idea of client "pre-qualification" because I've spoken to SO MANY people who do not fit my ideal client avatar; mainly, they have champagne ideas on beer budgets.
Does this mean I should have certain things in my Investment Guide that sort of weed out tire kickers? What would that verbiage look like? Would it be as simple as providing a page outlining sample budget ranges (small, med, lg) I'd work within, or should it be a straightforward statement such as, "Currently accepting clients with starting investments of $10,000," or some such?
Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.
Dear Dakota | How To Know When It’s Time To Rent A Studio Space For My Interior Design Business?
Dear Dakota,
One thing I am struggling with is knowing when the right time is to no longer work from home.
Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.
How to Get Interior Design Clients to Stop Calling You All.The.Time
A designer submitted a question that represents the frustration a lot of business owners contend with — how to free yourself from time-consuming and distracting (and sometimes incessant) phone calls during your workday, yet still be responsive and supportive to clients throughout the design process. Please note: this is NOT about getting potential clients to stop calling you (although, I have personal opinions on not giving anyone access to you until they’ve been screened…different post for a different day; this post is how to get paid clients to stop calling you all the time if that’s now how you prefer to communicate.
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.
NEED BUSINESS SUPPORT ASAP?
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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