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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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DEAR DAKOTA, PRICING Katie McFarlan DEAR DAKOTA, PRICING Katie McFarlan

Dear Dakota | How to Make Kitchen & Bath Projects More Profitable?

Dear Dakota,

Although I have completed several kitchen and bath projects, I don't market myself as a K&B designer because I haven’t found the service to be profitable. Is that an area I should expand my business into? And what advice do you have for how to make these projects more profitable?

Join The DTS Files for my advice and insights.

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

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.

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DEAR DAKOTA, CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan DEAR DAKOTA, CLIENT EXPERIENCE Katie McFarlan

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.

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MARKETING Katie McFarlan MARKETING Katie McFarlan

Guest Interview Series: 3 Mistakes You're Making On Instagram That Attract The Wrong Clients with Marketing Interiors by ES

Welcome back to another edition of Dakota Design Company’s Guest Expert Interview series here on the blog. We’re so thrilled to share expertise from female business owners and leaders that run the gamut of the interior design industry – from interior photographers, to social media moguls, financial advisors, and branding experts.

Each of our expert guest bloggers were selected because they can share their unique insights and perspective on a range of topics that will help any interior designer take their trade and business to the next level. These experts are Dakota Design Company insiders, and many of them have worked directly with us and our clients in the past. We hope you enjoy this series and that it brings you new insights, tips, and tricks to add to your interior design toolbox!

This week, we’re joined by Emanuela Schneider of Marketing Interiors by ES to discuss social media strategy for your business. You’ll learn about the best platforms to show up on to reach the right audience, content strategy, and mistakes to avoid that might cause you to attract the wrong audience on social media. 

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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.