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The DTS Files is a premium content hub for interior designers who want to grow their businesses with expert-backed strategies, real-world consulting insights, and proven frameworks.

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ACTIONABLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES

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MEMBERS-ONLY ARTICLES PUBLISHED WEEKLY

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PRIVATE LIBRARY OF EXPERT INSIGHTS & ADVICE FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

| ACTIONABLE BUSINESS STRATEGIES I MEMBERS-ONLY ARTICLES PUBLISHED WEEKLY | PRIVATE LIBRARY OF EXPERT INSIGHTS & ADVICE FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

SYSTEMS & OPS, MARKETING, CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan SYSTEMS & OPS, MARKETING, CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan

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.

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SYSTEMS & OPS, CLIENT EXPERIENCE, MARKETING, PRICING Katie McFarlan SYSTEMS & OPS, CLIENT EXPERIENCE, MARKETING, PRICING Katie McFarlan

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.

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SYSTEMS & OPS, CLIENT EXPERIENCE, MARKETING Katie McFarlan SYSTEMS & OPS, CLIENT EXPERIENCE, MARKETING Katie McFarlan

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.

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SYSTEMS & OPS, MARKETING, PRICING Katie McFarlan SYSTEMS & OPS, MARKETING, PRICING Katie McFarlan

Signs it’s Time to Raise Your Rates as an Interior Designer

Is It Time to Raise Your Rates? Here’s How to Know

Most interior designers are undercharging for their expertise, and chances are, you might be too.

If you haven’t raised your rates in the last year, are constantly booked out, or find yourself working nonstop yet barely profitable, it’s time to take a serious look at your pricing structure.

In this exclusive post, I’m breaking down the 11 signs that you’re overdue for a rate increase, plus:

  • The mindset shifts you need to confidently charge more

  • How to position your pricing to attract higher-end clients

  • Why most designers struggle with pricing (and how to stop leaving money on the table)

  • The key mistakes designers make when raising their rates—and how to avoid them

Your pricing directly impacts your workload, client quality, and overall business sustainability. If you're feeling burned out, frustrated, or constantly negotiating your fees, this post will show you exactly how to raise your rates the right way—without fear or second-guessing yourself.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

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CLIENT EXPERIENCE, MARKETING Katie McFarlan CLIENT EXPERIENCE, MARKETING Katie McFarlan
Preview

Interior Designer’s Guide to High Point Market

Thinking about heading to High Point Market for the first time, or heading back this year and wanting to really make the most of the experience (and the investment)? 

We polled our designers and are sharing some of their best tips and advice to help you strategically navigate High Point Market, with less stress and a solid plan. 

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

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Seven Tips to Recession-Proof Your Design Business

The market is shifting, and client budgets are tightening. What worked last year—rolling with unexpected costs, clients saying "yes" to everything—isn’t working now. If you’re seeing more hesitation, scope changes, or pricing pushback, it’s time to recession-proof your business before the slowdown hits hard.

In this members-only post, I’m sharing the seven essential strategies interior designers need to implement now to stay profitable, keep projects moving forward, and protect their bottom line—regardless of what the economy does next.

Inside, we’ll cover:

  • Why relying on product markups alone is risky—and how to structure your fees for financial stability.

  • The biggest mistake designers make when discussing budgets (and how to set clear financial expectations from day one).

  • How to audit your expenses, assess your marketing, and refine your processes to build a lean, resilient business.

  • What to do if a client suddenly changes their budget—and how to handle the conversation with confidence.

If you want to ensure your interior design business thrives no matter the economy, this post is a must-read.

Upgrade to The DTS Files membership now to access the full post.

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CLIENT EXPERIENCE, MARKETING Katie McFarlan CLIENT EXPERIENCE, MARKETING Katie McFarlan

Why Professional Photography is Critical for Growing Your Interior Design Business

If you want to attract dream clients with big budgets who trust your expertise, you need to do this one thing—it’s the common thread among every multi-million dollar design firm I’ve worked with. And no, it’s not about networking harder, lowering your prices, or running paid ads.

Ew.

Inside The DTS Files, I’m breaking down:

  • The key investment that instantly elevates your credibility and makes clients eager to book

  • The biggest mistake designers make when showcasing their work online (and how to fix it)

  • The exact steps to ensure your portfolio attracts more of your best projects

  • How to track where your ideal clients are finding you—and use that data to land better leads

Want to transform your pipeline and start booking high-end projects consistently? Upgrade to The DTS Files for full access!

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ACCESS A PRIVATE LIBRARY OF EXPERT ADVICE for INTERIOR DESIGNERS

My strategies have shaped the way thousands of interior designers and luxury service providers do business.

Inside The DTS Files, you’re getting the original insights straight from the source—tested, refined, and backed by my experience working with 100+ design firms.

And because this is a members-only space, I can go deeper than ever before—sharing the real strategies that help designers build profitable, sustainable businesses with confidence.

HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR MEMBERS:

Not Ready to Subscribe? Start here.

PRICING PLAYBOOK for INTERIOR DESIGNERS

The Complete Guide to Pricing Your Design Services

Grab my pricing playbook, The Complete Guide to Pricing your Interior Design Services, to learn:

  • the six most common pricing models for designers

  • who each one is best for, and

  • how to know if your pricing model is broken

NEED BUSINESS SUPPORT ASAP?

SHOP TEMPLATES

Plug-and-play templates, questionnaires, processes, and guides for interior designers who want to stop reinventing the wheel with every new project.

The Design Library helps you streamline client communication, set clear expectations, and protect your time—so you can spend less time in your inbox and more time designing. Inside, you’ll find:

✔ Professionally written client emails and marketing guides for every step of the process.
✔ SOPs to standardize service delivery and create a seamless, high-end experience.
✔ Contract templates with sample scopes to protect you, your team, and your clients.

What took me years to refine can be in your inbox in minutes.

*for interior designers only, not interior design business coaches, consultants, mentors, strategists.

SHOP WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS

Learn from my team (comprised of industry experts and educators) and me all the things they don’t teach in design school. And we know because two of the women on my team went to interior design school!

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. We are familiar with various software types, team structures of 1 to 20, and the challenges that are coming, whether you’re on your way to your first $100,000 or already making multiple millions.

On-demand trainings for your busy schedule.

*for interior designers only, not interior design business coaches, consultants, mentors, or strategists.

JOIN 16,000 DESIGNERS EVERY FRIDAY

Proven strategies and tools to streamline and elevate your interior design business.

COMPLIMENTARY QUIZ FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

Feeling stretched thin in your design business?

You’re busy—but is your business actually working for you? If you’re constantly putting out fires and second-guessing what to focus on next, this 2-minute quiz will show you exactly where to start.