Real Estate Blog - I'm looking for a few good stagers!

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I'm looking for a few good stagers!

Last month I kept finding myself in houses where a particularly good stager had left his/her mark. This isn't too surprising considering the type and volume of shoots I typically handle.

I thought to myself; "I'm going to get in touch with this person, I could use a good stager to recommend!". It's become much more common lately that people get in touch with me, looking for a stager or similar resource.

I call the number on the stagers card (which is quite plain, more on that in a second). I get ahold of them and tell them I want to refer them / help grow their business! I ask them for a link to their site or any marketing materials so I can share that info with my sphere whenever the need arises.

That's when they let me know they don't have a website.

By the Way, they also don't have any marketing materials.

Prices? Oh, we don't have a list of those either.

Are you serious?

Ok, ok. What can we do here...

I offered to make them a website...for free!

(which btw was basically crazy...because I have zero free time these days) But heck, sometimes you just need to help the other person out. :)

I asked them to follow up with me when I had more of a break in my schedule...they seemed excited.

They never called me back. Really.

- - -

I would still really like to be able to be able to suggest a few different stagers when the need arises.

Anyone local care to connect? :)

Cheers, -B

Posted by Bryce Mohan on 11/04/2008 05:54 PM

Comments (21)

staging, photography, marketing

Post is included in group: Stage It Forward...

21 Comments on I'm looking for a few good stagers!

NOV

2008

I only wish you were here-your work is soooo awesome!!! Care to move to the Bay Area?? hee,hee

Bryce ~ It's hard to believe that stager didn't follow up with you! Your work is spectacular and if you were in Portland, I'd love to refer my clients to you. Did you happen to check here on A/R for any stagers in your area?

NOV

2008

Wow Bryce, that stager sure doesn't sound too eager for business. I wish you were located in my neck of the woods - I would love to set up a mutual referral system with you. Your work is spectacular! Great idea of Maureen's to check AR for stagers in your area.

How about moving south to beautiful Oregon . . . still the beautiful northwest but less rain!! The professional photographer we use is way to busy all the time. . .

I can understand not having promotional materials in the staged home, some owners/realtors do not want stager materials distracting from the home, but no website or promotional materials -- sounds like the stager has talent but needs to join active rain and learn how to run a business!

hi, Bryce:

I am not sure if this post is more humorous, or sad.

The Austin market is fairly typical I would suppose: there are several existing networks of people and you have to have an "IN" to work with those people. Once you've "Broken IN" - the referrals start coming.

Most Stagers here have a website. Most of us have business cards. But most do not have professional marketing materials. Most do not advertise. Many are too busy to call it a hobby, and not committed enough to call it a career. A few of us are seriously trying to establish a business enterprise. [Note: I would expect similar results if you polled any of the local self-employed groups. I am not trying to pick on the Home Stagers I know.]

So, this person's actions do not really surprise me too much.

The Stage Coach Home Stager Austin Home Staging Round Rock Home Stager

Bryce - What a kind gesture on your part to a) want to recommend a home stager and b) your offer to create a web site. How unfortunate that those you reached out to didn't have marketing materials. In this day and age, it's so critically important. Perhaps those that don't have those materials are truly not interested in their own success. I don't know and honestly don't get it.

In the interim, if you need help packing for your move to Atlanta, let me know and I'll be there in a heart beat (smile).

Kathy

WOW!! I wish you lived near me!! I would love to find a photographer to partner with, especially if they were as good as you. Good luck on your search :)

Thats craziness, what a great oppurtunity they missed out on!

NOV

2008

I am sure that you will find someone in your area. Stagers seem to pop up everywhere. for some all it takes is a weekend class and poof youre a certified professional stager. it is sad but there are far too many hobbyists in this field. that would help to explain the lack of marketing materials and the inability to follow up . some folks are just decorators with a certificate and not true business people.

Oh Bryce - I find myself wishing, probably for the hundredth time, that we lived near each other.

Obviously this is a lesson learned by all, mostly what NOT to do. But as others have pointed out I'm sure you will be able to find a professional stager in your area by AR or www.stagedhomes.com

I would move on from that person, in the long run they won't be worth it.

Hi Bryce, Your photography is fabulous! I'm sorry you didn't get a positive response from that stager.

I am near you (in the Edmonds area) and would welcome referrals. Currently we have properties staged in Redmond, Lynnwood, Edmonds, Shoreline and Everett. We primarily stage in the North King/South Snohomish County areas and have inventory to stage about 20 homes simulanteously. We also stage occupied homes using the sellers furniture. Please feel free to check out our website at www.sistersredesign.com for examples of our work.

Hi Bryce, What a shame that your generosity was so carelessly overlooked. You are obviously an extremely talented photographer with a big heart. We would love to connect with you when you are available, and discuss how we could help eachother grow our businesses. We have marketing material we would happily send you and would love to sit down and review your portfolio as taking pictures is not our specialty.

-Cindy

NOV

2008

I really can't understand how someone in the BUSINESS of marketing (stager) wouldn't have a website... let alone be interested in having you set one up for FREE!

There is something so funamentally wrong with that!

Hi Bryce, I find it unbelievable as well.

Staging is all about marketing. If you have a marketing background it is soooo much easier to get your staging business off the ground and rolling.

I too would love if you moved near my area. If ever you are up Toronto , Ontario way give a call and we can meet up. I always have homes that you can photograph for me. :)

Thanks everyone for your comments. It's nice to know I'm not crazy...I thought it really odd that someone would not take advantage of my offer to help promote them.

Diane, perfect...I will stop by your site and check it out. I'd love to help promote your business when folks ask. It's just that simple. :)

Cindy, I'm not trying to drum up business for myself (plenty busy over here) - just looking for people to confidently endorse when realtors ask me for a stager. If you are local I'll check out your site and see about adding you to the list.

Cheers, -B

Bryce- It 's hard to say, but maybe this stager is just starting out in the business and maybe got a little scared of the possibilities that your offer could bring.

It is sad though because either way, when a door opens, we shouldn't be afraid to walk through it. I wish there were more like you around my neck of the woods (Sacramento burbs), I would have jumped at the offer. I hope this is a wake-up call to others reading your post that these opportunities don't come often.

Bryce,

What a nice thing to offer, many good things will return your way help accepted or not. On that note....

California's great, really really, You would have to share a room with my son, but I am a really good cook!

Line up a 1/2 dozen jobs and I'll fly out there to do them :-)

FEB

I hope you found someone. Your work is gorgeous. I know of a downtown Seattle agent that has a stager she loves. I can ask her and pass the information along.

OCT

Aloha -my thoughts and prayers are with you. May your new journey find light instead of darkness

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