I'm not sure why there is confusion in the industry about in-person interior design or eDesign when it comes to marketing. Furthermore, there really isn't that much of a difference when it comes to the process, from my point of view, even though I know "everyone's business is different." But business is not that different.

The reason I bring this up is from time to time I have folks quit the Society because it isn't for "in-person" design. Well, in one way, no, it isn't.

We generally don't discuss the items that go along with having a brick and mortar location, business licenses, hiring employees, delivery, and installation - but the Society wasn't created to address those items to begin with.

What the Society is there to help you do is create, launch and grow your interior design business... online. Beyond that I've got courses in there to help you with the design process, tracking your numbers for growth, software, etc.

In-person interior design or eDesign isn't that big of a difference, and I think the confusion usually comes from the side that hasn't offer eDesign. And when you haven't offered eDesign services, you look through the courses and figure out why it doesn't relate to you instead of how it does pertain to your business. And any good advice can be applied to many a thing.

The biggest difference between in-person interior design and eDesign is the beginning and end of the project. Maybe.

Other than that, however you deliver your designs - there will be some element that is digital.

The emails, the conversations, the design work done via software program, etc.

If you choose to go out, have a consult, do the measuring, etc. you bring it back to your office, do the work and continue the client conversations. When it comes to installing, you may go back out for that.

However, the bulk of communication and design work is done online and in an office.

For instance, an in-person design process could look like this for in-person interior design:

• Consultation at the location, questionnaire either answered on-site or before the visit via an online form. (In my opinion, this should be paid for by the client whether they decide to hire you for the project or not, so you are compensated, and you can feel free to share your ideas.)

• You'll ask to see the area to be designed to get the information about the project.

• Then you'll determine the style they are looking to achieve as well as discuss what's staying, what's not. 

• Ask if they've created a Pinterest board or if they have photos from magazines, etc. to show you.

• Ask when they need the project completed and how much they want to invest (or reaffirm the answer from the questionnaire). From there, you can discuss your billing (invoices sent the same day every month).

• During the consult, you tell them about your company and show your portfolio. 

• You'll inform them when you'll be able to get started and how the process will play out in terms of project timelines (you can expect the initial design 14 days from now, revisions typically take three days, etc.).

• INITIAL DESIGN FEE PAID + contract signed: Ask if they're ready to get started if so get a percentage of the project total (or if they pay you 100%, shave a percentage off the whole as a bonus to them for paying full) when they sign the contract. 

• Measure the space.

• Go home or to your office and start the project. 

• Source items.

• Deliver the design.

• Do revisions.

• Conversations had back and forth during the previous four steps, of course.

• HOURLY FEES BEGIN Installation of the design.

• Project complete! Pop the bubbly!

And bada bing, bada boom it's done.

If a client wants to talk before handing over their beloved Amex: The prospective client pays for a consult to discuss their project. If they decide to move forward with hiring you, then the eDesign process may look like this:

• The pay for your design service.

• They fill out a questionnaire where you'll also ask for photos or a video of the area to be designed and a link to their Pinterest inspiration board.

  • You get their measurements that they have taken.

  • You'll then determine the style they are looking to achieve (hopefully via your questionnaire/Pinterest board)

  • Learn what's staying, what's not. 

  • Confirm your project completion date works with their date.

  • Know how much they want to invest.

• You'll inform them when you'll be able to get started (take into account if you have other projects to take care of) and how the process will play out in terms of project timelines (you can expect the initial design 14 days from now, revisions typically take three days, etc.). Ideally, all of this is addressed in your "Welcome Packet."

• DESIGN BEGINS

• Start project. 

• Source items.

• Deliver the design electronically.

• Do revisions.

• Conversations had back and forth during the previous four steps, of course.

• Final design and they begin the installation of their design.

What's so different about this? Not a whole lot.

Is there a difference in marketing In-Person Interior Design or eDesign Business?

Is there a difference in marketing between the two? No, because your goal is to get the word out about your business.

You can, of course, go the person-to-person route and go to a bunch of meetings, which may or may not bring you in clients. You can take out ads in magazines and not know how effective they are for months or ever. You can host free workshops at the paint store in hopes of getting clients.

You can do all of those things, but it's not the most effective use of your time or your budget. Furthermore, when your business is booming, how much time will you have for those events because marketing cannot be something you do only when you need clients.

The alternative is to market your business online. A vast majority only requires your time as the investment, and you can measure the ROI rather quickly. You can do it ahead of time and schedule to go out then make time to answer comments as they come in.

You can place highly targeted ads online, which has a lot more going for it than placing an advertisement in a magazine that is sent to many people who would never hire you to begin with.

Bottom line?

No matter whether you do in-person interior design or eDesign, you need to meet your clients where they're at. Are they at the Chamber of Commerce meetings? Are they reading the Golf magazine? Maybe.

But I'd bet that you'd get a lot more bang for the buck if you started focusing on how to get your clients online no matter how you start and finish an interior design project.

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