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Welcome to The DTS Files for Interior Designers

The DTS Files is a library of expert insights for interior designers who want to grow their businesses. Articles are human written and 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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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

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

Myth: You Can’t Streamline Your Interior Design Business When Every Project is Different

This is a common struggle I hear from interior designers ALL THE TIME. They wonder how they can create a process when every project and every client is so unique.

I get it!

The work we do with our interior design clients is highly individualized based on their challenges and needs. What works for a solo interior design business owner might not apply to a designer with a team of fifteen. And a team of fifteen has very different needs and challenges than a team of one does. 

So, how do you streamline your interior design process when every project is different?

I break it all down in this article.

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

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

How to Get Press as an Interior Designer

Want Press for Your Interior Design Business? Here’s How to Get Noticed by Editors

Getting published as an interior designer can feel impossible—but with the right approach, you can land features in top publications without hiring a publicist.

In this post, I’m breaking down insider pitching strategies straight from my own PR pro, Madison, who used to help me get PR. She works with brands like Kendra Scott and Betsey Johnson. 

In this article, you’ll learn:

  • The exact timeline for pitching your work (hint: it’s months ahead!)

  • How to craft a catchy subject line that gets editors to open your email

  • The biggest mistakes that drive editors crazy (and how to avoid them)

  • Simple ways to maximize your press features and get more visibility

Join The DTS Files today for full access.

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

How to Make Sales Calls Easier For Interior Designers

Hate Sales Calls? Here’s How to Make Them Easier (and More Effective)

If sales calls make you nervous, drain your energy, or end up being “pick your brain” sessions with tire kickers, you’re not alone. But what if I told you that sales calls don’t have to be hard—and you don’t need to spend hours prepping for them?

With over 14 years of experience doing sales calls in the luxury service industry, I’ve developed a simple, no-fuss approach that eliminates the stress, screens out bad leads before the call even happens, and turns every conversation into an easy, natural way to connect with potential clients.

In this post, I’m breaking down exactly how to simplify your sales process so you can:

  • Cut sales calls down to 15-20 minutes (without missing a thing)

  • Pre-screen prospects so you only talk to ideal clients

  • Send pricing & process details ahead of time so clients come prepared

  • Hand off inquiries to a team member so you’re never stuck in price negotiations

Stop over-preparing, stop dreading the process, and start closing more sales with confidence. Access the full article inside The DTS Files.

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

How to Take Time Off in Your Interior Design Business

Thinking about taking time off from your interior design business but worried about leaving clients hanging—or worse, losing future business? Whether it’s a summer slowdown, a holiday break, or a long-overdue reset, stepping away without disrupting your business takes careful planning.

In this article, I’m sharing how to structure your schedule, set client expectations, and use strategic processes to create a seamless experience before, during, and after your time off. Learn how to manage inquiries, maintain client relationships, and actually enjoy your break—without the stress of coming back to a mess.

Want to make time off feel effortless and profitable? Read the full post inside when you join The DTS Files.

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CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan

The Most Common Questions for your Interior Design Website’s FAQ Page

Ever feel like you’re answering the same client questions over and over again? Or worse—losing potential clients because they don’t understand your process? If you want to attract dream clients, set clear expectations, and eliminate unnecessary back-and-forth emails, a well-crafted FAQ page is a game-changer.

A strong FAQ page doesn’t just answer questions—it prevents client confusion, screens out bad-fit leads, and positions you as the expert before they even inquire. Done right, it will set you apart from the competition and create a smoother, more seamless experience for both you and your clients.

But which FAQs should you include? And how do you make sure you’re answering them in a way that builds trust and credibility instead of raising more questions? In this post, I’m breaking down the most important FAQs every interior designer and wedding planner should include—plus the small but powerful tweaks that will instantly make your client experience feel more polished and professional.

Ready to streamline your client communication and free up hours in your week? Read the full post when you join The DTS Files.

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CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan

How to Design a Client Experience Strategy for Your Interior Design Firm

A great client experience isn’t just about keeping things organized—it’s about making every step of your process clear, professional, and seamless. When done right, it helps set expectations, reduces endless client questions, and ensures projects run smoothly from inquiry to completion.

In this article, I’m breaking down what makes a strategic client experience and how small refinements can have a huge impact—helping you attract the right clients, set boundaries, and create a process that works for you (not the other way around).

If you’ve ever felt like you’re constantly answering the same questions or recreating the wheel with every new client, this is for you. Join The DTS Files to read the full post and learn how to streamline your client experience and make your business run more efficiently.

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CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan

How Interior Designers Can Get Out of Their Inbox and Back to Their Design Work

Your Interior Design Business Feels Overwhelming—Here’s Why (And How to Fix It)

If you’re drowning in emails, fielding constant client questions, and feeling like projects are running you instead of the other way around, you’re not alone. The problem isn’t that you need new software, a bigger team, or more hours in the day—it’s that your client experience process is running on fumes (or doesn’t exist at all).

  • “I feel like I’m just answering emails all day.”

  • “Clients keep taking control of the projects, and I’m exhausted.”

  • “I need a repeatable process instead of reinventing the wheel every time.”

Sound familiar? If so, your lack of a formalized client experience is keeping you stuck. But here’s the good news: this can be fixed.

In this post, I’m sharing:

  • The one shift that can instantly help you manage clients with ease

  • How a step-by-step process frees you from your inbox and puts you back in control

  • Why setting boundaries + clear expectations makes clients love working with you

If you’re ready to stop feeling buried and start running your design business with confidence, join The DTS Files to unlock my advice.

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HEAR FROM SOME OF OUR READERS:

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Really just here to figure out your pricing?

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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.

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

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

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SHOP WORKSHOPS & TRAININGS

Learn from me and my team (comprised of industry experts and educators) 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 and are professors!

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 and live step-by-step trainings for your busy schedule.

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

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

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COMPLIMENTARY QUIZ FOR INTERIOR DESIGNERS

You don’t need to overhaul everything. You just need to fix the right thing.

This 2-minute quiz will help you identify what’s holding you back and how to fix it.

JOIN 19,000+ DESIGNERS EVERY FRIDAY

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