How to Get Your First Interior Design Client

Being an interior designer in a highly competitive industry can be challenging, especially if you are new and have yet to build your client base. As with many other industries, starting out can be one of the most difficult parts of the process. Read on for all of our expert tips on how to get your first interior design client.

Instead of leaving you to experiment with ideas you think might work, we have included all the tips you need to succeed in your mission to get your first interior design project. We will also reveal the best practices for building a solid client base and offer advice for maintaining strong relationships. 

How to Get Your First Interior Design Client

If you are new to the interior design industry, you may have a long road ahead of you. Finding someone who will trust you with the look of their new home or their renovation project as an interior designer is no easy feat.

Luckily, as industry experts with decades of experience in manufacturing furniture, we can provide you with some practical tips on how to get your first interior design client.

In a nutshell, to maximize your chances of getting your first interior design project as soon as possible, you should:

• Build a rich designer portfolio with different styles to show off your talent
• Offer trade only furniture
• Put your business online
• Join online communities
• Expand your professional network
• Create special offers
• Invest in various marketing campaigns
• Establish authority in your field by participating in industry events
• Share your certifications and formal education
• Practice professionalism in everything you do

Building a rich designer portfolio

Almost every potential customer would like to see what you are capable of before hiring you. An interior design portfolio not only demonstrates your skills, but also showcases your creativity, style, and ability to plan the space according to the client’s taste.

Nowadays, digital portfolios are the most practical and common form displaying expertise used by interior designers. They present your work in a professional manner, and you can easily share them with potential clients.

We recommend this as the first thing you should do, because it is related to almost every other step in the process. For instance, having a digital portfolio will enhance your online presence, help potential leads discover your work online, and support your marketing efforts.

Offer trade only furniture

One of the largest mistakes beginner interior designers make is not offering unique pieces that will allure potential clients. Nowadays, many homeowners want their interior design and furnishing to be one of a kind.

As an interior designer, you can attract your first clients by offering them unique to the trade furniture. Although it might seem untenable when you are just starting out, all you need to do is simply register for a trade account. Once we approve your application, you can gain access to our PERRY Luxe furnishing services.

Not only will you gain a competitive advantage by utilizing the trade only concept, you will also receive the furniture pieces at the trade only price. Then, you can decide how much will you offer the exclusive pieces for to your clients, determining your profit on the sale.

Put your business on the online map

In the digitally-led world we live in, putting your business on the online map should be on your priorities list. One of the best ways to reach potential prospects and find your first actual client, is to create a website and utilize different social media platforms.

Once you get your first client, continue to manage your social media channels and keep your website running. Consider publishing content regularly on social media and your web page. Focus on adding testimonials, posting photos from the finished project, and maintaining a blog on your website.

Join online communities

Curious to learn how to get leads for interior design? Well, one of the most common ways is to join online communities or platforms. There are plenty of online design platforms where you can post your work and find your first client. Communities such as Havenly, UpWork, Fiverr, Houzz and others can connect you with people who need the services of an interior design professional.

Expand your professional network

The interior design industry is incredibly competitive. But, how do designers find clients in such a challenging industry? A reliable tactic  is building strong relationships with clients. As a new interior designer, you should focus on networking with experienced professionals who have a large client base.

When we say expand your professional network, we don’t mean only other interior designers. As a beginner, it is beneficial for you to meet and collaborate with architects, handymen, engineers, contractors, construction material retailers, furnishing shops, etc. If you introduce yourself in the right light, they may refer you to their clients who need an interior designer.

Create special offers

Discounted prices are always attractive to new customers. As a new interior designer, you can create special offers for your first few clients. It is a win-win situation – you will build your designer portfolio, while your clients get affordable yet quality services.

Investing in various marketing campaigns

Launching a marketing campaign is essential if you want to collect new leads and potentially turn them into customers. Initially, you have to define your target audience and tailor the marketing strategy according to their needs and preferences.

But, what marketing strategies can help attract your first interior design client? The best marketing for designers includes:

• Utilizing SEO to increase visibility
• Leveraging social media marketing to engage with your audience
• Writing and publishing helpful content and targeting industry-specific keywords
• Starting an email marketing campaign

Establish authority in your field by participating in industry events

Wondering how to get your first client in interior design? Try establishing authority in your industry. Attending industry conferences and trade shows is an excellent tactic for meeting prospective clients and networking with other professionals. Furthermore, you should participate in workshops and seminars to expand your knowledge and gain additional certifications that will showcase your expertise. 

Share your certifications and formal education

To your potential customers, your educational background is as important as your skills. Most people will only use designers who have a certain level of education. For effective client acquisition, you can display your credentials and achievements on your website, in your portfolio, social media platforms, and marketing materials.

Practice professionalism

Practicing professionalism is important, not only for finding your first interior design client but also for building your entire career. If you show your professionalism, you will increase the chances of maintaining recurring clients and receiving referrals.

Some of the ways you can show your professionalism are:

• Respecting deadlines
• Being realistic about your capabilities
• Maintaining open communication with your clients
• Listen to the needs, expectations, and feedback of your clients

Common Challenges of New Interior Designers

Being familiar with the common challenges you might face while following our tips on how to find an interior design client, will help you maintain realistic expectations and prepare you for what’s coming. When you start getting in touch with your potential clients, you should be prepared to overcome the following complexities:

• Managing client expectations
• Creating designs according to the budget constraints
• Handling difficult clients
• Gaining trust and understanding client’s needs
• Meeting sustainable home design demands
• Juggling different project management challenges
• Time management

Best Techniques for Building a Solid Client Base As an Interior Designer

Client acquisition is a continuous process, once you have your first client, you must keep expanding your clientele. By following the best practices for building a solid client base as an interior designer, you should:

• Grow your online presence
• Develop a strong brand identity
• Perform constant research on the changing needs of the target audience
• Provide outstanding customer service
• Ask for referrals and offer incentives
• Utilize both paid and unpaid marketing tactics

Conclusion

If you are new to the industry, you must know how to get your first interior design client. Some say your first client is the hardest one to find, but with our practical tips, we will help you make it happen in no time. Our final expert advice is to showcase your talent and expertise, while creating special offers. Don’t forget to partner up with trade only companies, like our team at PERRY Luxe, and get access to exclusive furniture and window covering solutions for your clients.