We all know that getting our names out there is crucial to building a business, but it can be particularly difficult when dealing with a relatively new industry. While home staging has been popular in some areas of the U.S. and Canada, it can still be a new concept in other locations.
What that means, is we need to be part educators, part marketers. The internet by far our best resource when it comes to promoting our businesses. We can easily educate prospective clients and provide valuable visuals, such as "before and after" photos.
Having your own domain name is critical. When most people are looking for more information on a particular business, it seems second nature to "google" the business name. Your own domain adds a level of professionalism and will immediately build confidence with your prospective client. While there are resources that may provide a web page within a common web site, nothing can replace the value of having your own "dot com".
I have had my own domain since my company began in January 2006, getting people to my website has been challenging. BUT since joining Active Rain, if I "google" home staging + whitby (which is where I'm located) or HOLT modern I come up 3rd on the list, both times!! It will direct you to my page on Active Rain where they can they link to my web site.
THANK YOU ACTIVE RAIN!!!
If you are looking to save money on graphic design or launching a website, contact your local college. Often students will provide services at a nominal cost to help build their portfolios.
Direct marketing is also a great way to reach your target audience, but creating effective marketing pieces can be expensive.
Craig Schiller of Real Estaging made a great point. Instead of paying for costly off-set printing invest in a GOOD quality laser printer and create your own pieces that can be customized.
If a new printer is not in the budget, contact your local Staples or business supply centre. They usually offer colour outputs at affordable prices.
What has worked for you? What didn't work so well? Got something to say about marketing in our industry - let us know! If you are a real estate agent - tell us when a stager has caught your attention, what do you want to see?
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