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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.

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MARKETING Katie McFarlan MARKETING Katie McFarlan

How to Come Up with Blog Content Topics and Newsletter Ideas For Your Interior Design Business

You’ve got the email signup box on your website. You’re collecting addresses. But then… crickets. What do you actually send to these people?

If you’ve ever stared at a blank screen wondering what your audience wants to hear from you, you’re not alone. The good news? You don’t have to pull ideas out of thin air. In fact, your best newsletter content is already hiding in plain sight—right inside your discovery calls.

I’m breaking down my simple (yet highly effective) strategy for writing emails your audience actually wants to read—plus, how my clients and I get 60%+ open rates when the industry average is only 18-20%. If you want your emails to stand out in a crowded inbox and help you book more projects, this is a must-read.

Join The DTS Files to unlock the full post and start sending newsletters that work for your business at scale.

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

How to Protect Your Interior Design Business During a Slowdown

In my last post, I talked about some things you could take control of right now to optimize your client experience and business during a pandemic.

I felt like I still had so much to say, so here is part two of things you can be doing RIGHT NOW in your business.

Join The DTS Files to find out the FOUR things I recommend doing during a slow time or when there is a crisis (like Covid).

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

Keeping Your Interior Design Business Strong When Demand Slows

My clients are used to “emergency” situations and thinking on their feet when on the job. Furniture arrives from the receiver with damages, the cake arrives and it’s sinking. As a former wedding planner, I have had to put out fires (thankfully, only one literal fire) on job sites and at event sites.

It was 100% in my nature to have a backup plan for bad weather, for speeches that are going off the rails, and for problematic family members who have maybe had one too many drinks. For my interior design clients, they have standard policies and procedures for when issues arise that spell out exactly how they will handle them. If they have good relationships with their vendors, it’s usually just a matter of a few emails to get the problem sorted out for a client. Damage control is in our nature.

Nevertheless, no line of work can really prepare you to take your business online overnight in a crisis like Covid and I wanted to share a few things I have implemented for my clients to help them take care of their clients and their business during this time.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

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HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR READERS:

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Looking for help with pricing?

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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.

Katie McFarlan Dakota Design Company Premium Client Process templates for Interior Designers
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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

Katie McFarlan Dakota Design Company Premium Client Process templates for Interior Designers
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JOIN 19,000+ DESIGNERS EVERY FRIDAY

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