Designed by Wingnut Social | Interior Design Business

Attract Affluent Clients Doing What You LOVE with Melissa Galt - Episode 252

Are you an interior designer just clamoring to work with the rich and famous? Do you want to be the designer to the stars? If you’re ready to work with affluent clients, Melissa Galt is the business coach to turn to. She loves the business of design more than design itself, which is why coaching is 95% of her business. She helps designers learn how to earn more in less time—and love their businesses a whole lot more in the process. In this episode of Wingnut Social, she shares the unique strategy she uses to attract her ideal clients (HINT: It’s all about doing what you love). 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social: Interior Design Podcast
[1:23] Check out our FREE photography webinar
[3:27] Mini News Sesh: Pinterest’s augmented reality feature
[6:15] Learn more about Melissa Galt
[9:02] The top three personas of affluent clients
[17:32] The key to attracting affluent clients
[20:18] How to determine a persona’s value system
[23:55] What these clients look for when hiring a designer
[25:52] How to work smarter, not harder
[29:19] Hooking affluent clients on social media
[35:25] The What Up Wingnut! Round
[36:40] How to connect with Melissa Galt
[40:32] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Melissa Galt
Melissa’s website
Connect on LinkedIn
Follow on Instagram
Get Melissa’s book
Resources & People Mentioned
FREE Webinar with Linda Holt on 2/24: How to Take Magazine-Worthy Smartphone Photos 
It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be by Paul Arden
The top three personas of affluent clients
Most affluent clients aren’t obvious. In many cases, they’re the ones that are earning and saving. They are selective in where they invest their money. Melissa has nailed down five groups of avatars and nine overall personas of affluent clients based on personal experience. What are the three most common she’s come across? 
The “millionaires next door.” These are the clients that are easy to educate on why next-level services are warranted. They are always learning and growing their knowledge base. They are grounded, down to earth, and make the best choices for themselves. They are the perfect clients to have because they’re loyal. 
The “got rich quick.” These are the fast spenders. They’re often star athletes, musicians, startup entrepreneurs, etc. They tend to select things that are flashy and lower-quality. Melissa’s tip? Make sure they pay you upfront. Melissa has had multiple clients who were swindled out of their money. 
The “Sinks and Dinks.” They are either single-income or dual-income families with no kids. Kids are a large investment, right? When you don’t have them, it makes a huge difference. Melissa’s best clients were sinks and dinks. 
You select your clients as much as they select you. Melissa emphasizes that “It doesn’t matter how much money I make if I’m not proud of it.” Rich or not—choose wisely. 
How to work smarter—not harder—to attract your ideal client
You need to be clear on your ICP and only work to attract those clients. The millionaires next door are low-key, private, and confidential. Marketing to them is going to be far different than the fast-spenders who are flashy in everything they do. You have to choose one persona to chase to position yourself correctly in the market. 
Then you need to get clarity on where to meet and connect with your avatar. Who is already serving them that isn’t competing with you? Then you work to build your own circle of influence (or what Melissa likes to call your “Profit Posse”) and connect with these people. Co-market, co-promote, and create opportunities for introductions. 
Another simple strategy? Look at your lifestyle. What do you like to do? What if you took that to the next level? If you love wine-tasting, skip the free tasting and shell out for the $250 dinner with wine pairings. You’re far more likely to rub elbows with affluent clients there. Melissa considers this “net-living” not networking. She states that “Doing what you love at a higher level will deliver the affluent clients that you most want in a very aligned and authentic way.” 
How do you determine a persona’s value systems? What do affluent clients look for when hiring a designer? How do you hook them on social media? Check out the whole episode to learn more!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-786-206-4331 (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn

It’s Time to Tackle Renovation Projects with Renée Biery - Episode 251

When Renée Biery entered the interior design industry, she thought everyone did renovations. It wasn’t until she moved back home to Delaware that she realized she—especially as a woman—was the anomaly. She had to work hard to show how much value she could add to a renovation project for both the client and the contractors. She believes that Interior designers CAN and should do more. In this episode of Wingnut Social, she shares how you can learn to master those tricky renovation projects (and the clients that come with them).
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:25] Check out our FREE photography webinar
[3:30] Mini News Sesh: Scheduled live displays on Instagram
[5:10] Learn more about Renée Biery
[7:29] Why you should be an expert in project management
[15:33] Why don’t more designers take on renovation projects
[23:46] How this business model can fill your pipeline
[26:26] How Renée charges for her projects
[30:10] Market your services with social media + networking
[36:55] The What Up Wingnut round!
[38:22] How to learn more from Renée Biery
[44:35] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Renée Biery
Only Girl on the Jobsite podcast
Only Girl on the Jobsite course
Follow Renée on Instagram
Friend on Facebook
Resources & People Mentioned
FREE Webinar with Linda Holt on 2/24: How to Take Magazine-Worthy Smartphone Photos 
Atomic Habits by James Clear
The Book of Boba Fett
Why you should become proficient in project management
As the owner of deVignier design, Renée has almost 30 years of experience in the industry. She’s formally trained in practical interior architecture with advanced technical and rendering proficiency. She sought to be a one-stop-shop that offers everything from project management and design to decorating. She loves being part of the design and build. It also sets her apart from other women in the industry. 
Despite her formal education, Renée believes that it isn’t necessary nor should it be a barrier to entry. She learned more from the women she’s worked with over the years. You simply learn as you go. You can find contractors, architects, etc. who will work with you to get a permit or draw a design. 
Renée believes that offering renovation projects will sustain the industry. Why? Because procurement is becoming a problem. Many firms are giving up that revenue stream. But what does that leave them? There are only so many billable hours in design. If you’re trying to salvage your billable hours, managing renovation projects is a great way to get started. 
Why don’t more designers take on renovations?
Renée believes that many designers lack confidence in their skills. Plus, it can be intimidating. Everyone watches HGTV and every episode of any show features some great challenge to overcome. Those challenges get expensive. That’s why Renée encourages people to gain experience in numerous ways. She started “The Only Girl on the Jobsite” because as the only woman among 20 guys on a worksite, you feel like the odd man out. So you have to build skills to level the playing field. 
Where do you get your feet wet? Do you intern under someone with the experience necessary? Some people have renovated their own spaces and feel comfortable learning as they go. Plus, if you have some experience, you can build on it. Price yourself at an obtainable level until you’ve built a portfolio. There will be clients that are excited about getting a great price and don’t mind that you’re learning. But above all, do not fake it til you make it or you’ll end up making expensive mistakes. 
Taking on renovation projects sets you apart and gives you a leg up. What else can you do to break the mold? If you decide to add renovations and project management to your portfolio, how do you market yourself? Renée shares a plethora of advice in episode #251—don’t miss it!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-786-206-4331 connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Stacey Martin’s Formula for Rockstar Interior Design Presentations - Episode 250

Interior design presentations are not easy to knock out of the park. If you’ve spent hours on a presentation only to receive a lackluster response from a client, you’re not alone. Stacey Martin has a mind-boggling 95% approval rating—without revisions—on her presentations. What’s the secret to her success? She shares the mind-blowing systems and processes she uses in this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast! 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:07] Check out our FREE photography webinar
[3:15] Mini News Sesh: Subscriptions on Instagram
[7:22] Learn more about Stacey Martin
[12:02] Stacey’s interior design presentation
[20:44] Brand storytelling is the key
[26:06] Feeling out a client’s budget
[30:42] 3 pitfalls to avoid in your presentations 
[34:53] The What Up Wingnut Round!
[40:38] Blooper Reel! 
Connect with Stacey Martin
Follow Stacey on Instagram
Stacey’s design business: The Freshmaker
Resources & People Mentioned
FREE Webinar with Linda Holt on 2/24: How to Take Magazine-Worthy Smartphone Photos 
BOOK: The Legacy of Luna
BOOK: How to Win Friends and Influence People
Nikki Amodio
Take your potential clients on a journey
Before Stacey became an interior designer, she was in trend forecasting and design for sports brands. The higher-ups were notorious for being naysayers—many designers didn’t get their designs approved. But Stacey soon realized that the blame wasn’t always on the management. The designers didn’t know how to present their ideas in a manner that would get them a “yes.” 
So Stacey took note. When it was her turn to present, she started with the “why.” She started her presentation focusing on the brand’s pain points before she shifted to the goals of the line. By the time she got to her ideas and solutions, the VP had already been agreeing with everything she said. She took him on a journey. 
She sold him on why her idea was the solution to their problems. He knew how it would lead them to make them more money. When Stacey transitioned to interior design, she used this same process with her clients.
It’s about the design AND the client
In addition to hearing someone’s design woes, Stacey asks questions that are NOT related to design. She wants to learn who they are.
What music do they like? Favorite song? Favorite band? 
Where do they like to travel? What are their favorite trips? Where do they want to visit?
What do they do for fun? Do they like to cook? Is yoga their jam?
Do they have kids or pets? 
These things help Stacey build a visual story and build an aesthetic direction. She distills what she’s learned down to three images that define the direction they’ll take. So when they get to the design presentation, she knows who they are and what problems they want to solve. 
How to nail your interior design presentation
She labels their project with three keywords that hone in on the goal for the design. It might be modern, timeless, and family-friendly. This sets the tone for the presentation. She iterates the problem they’re looking to solve (i.e. lack of storage space) and shares her solution. 
Stacey may include a “tortoise-shell side table” as a nod to this person’s trip to Aruba where they swam with sea turtles. As she explains the choices she made, she talks specifically about how each element reflects and solves their problem(s). The details tie back to their memories and things that make them happy. It’s creating a story about who they are and how the room reflects their personality.
The more you can show your client the “why” of your selections and how you’re making choices based on who they are, the more they feel understood. That leads to trust. Every piece is a thoughtful choice based on who they are. As a designer, Stacey emphasizes that “You’re using your talents and your skillset to curate those choices to create an immersive environment that really feels like who they are.”
What are three pitfalls you should avoid in your presentations? Listen to the whole episode for more of Stacey’s strategy. 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-786-206-4331 (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Clean Design Home: Robin Wilson’s Incredible Story - Episode 249

Robin Wilson grew up in Austin, TX with awful asthma and allergies. Her parents found a holistic pediatrician that said, “You can raise a strong child or you can raise a child on strong medicine.” So she started swimming, biking, walking, track, etc. to strengthen her lungs instead of taking strong medication. Because of her background, she became an advocate for clean construction. Any number of things on a site can lead to an asthmatic episode. So she dove deep into hypoallergenic design.
Now, Robin Wilson is a U.S. lifestyle brand, author, designer and real estate developer. Named to the Inc. magazine Female Founders 100 List in 2020, she is a world-class thought leader on hypoallergenic, sustainable and eco-conscious options for the B2B and B2C marketplace. She is a two time #1 Amazon bestselling author and has been featured on multiple news segments as an expert on eco-friendly design and allergy-focused segments.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[4:29] Mini News Sesh: Vertical Stories on Instagram
[6:40] Designer Robin Wilson’s origin story
[14:21] Robin’s thoughts on design school
[22:20] From project management to Clean Design Home
[33:42] Robin’s marketing process
[36:47] Clean Design Home x Martex
[47:57] How Robin’s marketing focus has shifted
[54:38] The What Up Wingnut! Round
[56:50] How to connect with Robin Wilson
[58:45] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Robin Wilson
See an overview of Robin’s company at https://ablueegg.com/
Robin’s Book: Clean Design: Wellness for your Lifestyle
Clean Design Home x Martex
Follow Robin Wilson Home on Instagram
Resources & People Mentioned
Photography webinar coming up Feb. 24th!
Wingnut Social Episode #12 with Linda Holt
The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkinson
Resource Furniture
Robin’s story: following her passion
Robin had a wonderful mentor/sponsor that helped her navigate her future. He asked her, “What would you do if you knew you could not fail?” followed by, “What is your passion?” Her answer was real estate. So he taught her how real estate worked and how to build wealth. She went on to get her Master’s in Real Estate Finance. She was one of three women in the graduate program. 
One of her professors told her that she wasn’t going to have an easy road because she was a black woman in a man’s world. Instead of being offended, she decided to listen to him. He advised her to figure out something she could do immediately to make her degree worth something. He recommended she become a project manager—the busy homeowners’ best friend. She made $1.2 million in her first year in project management.
From project management to Clean Design Home
Part of Robin’s design signature started because she worked on tiny New York apartments that had doors everywhere. So she started implementing pocket doors in her design. On one particular project, she bought a Murphy bed that looked like a desk. She found a table that expanded to fit six people. She treated this client like royalty, not realizing she had connections in the industry. 
After this project, Robin got a phone call from Adam Glassman, the creative director for Oprah. She didn’t return his phone calls because she thought she was being pranked. He called three times before she realized it was the real deal, so she called him back. One project changed the trajectory of her future career. 
Robin firmly believes, “If you do great work, people will tell four people. If you do poor work and you’re nasty, mean, and rude—they will tell 20 people at a dinner party…If you do great work they will tell someone that’s a likely customer in the future.”
Clean Design Home
Clean Design Home came about when Robin wrote her book, “Clean Design: Wellness for your Lifestyle.” It became a #1 best-seller on Amazon. Clean design is everything she does. She puts clean products in people’s homes. She supports hypoallergenic lifestyles. 
Robin had a legacy brand, Robin Wilson Home. But she saw a shift in consumer spending from paying for quality to paying for cheaper products on Amazon. She felt her brand was gone and she was close to quitting. But Robin ended up being featured in articles about the top 10 black businesses to support. 
She changed to a generic name (Clean Design Home) to speak to her niche. She dug deep into the hypoallergenic space and created luxury products. She found a licensing partner and saw a 3,000% sales increase after the New York Magazine article. She made $80,000 in 30 days. Then she was signed by West Point Home (Martex) and they created “Clean Design X Martex.” In 2020, she was ready to quit. Now she has a global brand in Macy’s. 
What does Robin believe was the secret to her success? How has Robin’s marketing focus shifted since she launched her businesses? What tips does she share to help your business grow? Listen to the whole episode to hear more of her awe-inspiring journey. 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-786-206-4331 (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Change Your Mindset—Raise Your Rates [Danielle Hayden] - Episode 248

Does the thought of raising your rates leave you saying “Uh-uh, no way?” Are you worried that the covid-induced interior design “bubble” may pop? What if you raise your prices and the bubble does burst? These questions contribute to the mindset struggles designers face when considering raising their rates. So how do you determine if you should make a change? In this episode of Wingnut Social, Danielle Hayden shares some exercises that can help you make the decision.
Danielle is a reformed CFO on a mission to help rule-breaking female entrepreneurs understand their numbers to gain confidence to create sustainable profits. She’s the co-owner of Kickstart Accounting, where she helps her clients with bookkeeping, financial analysis, and provides education to help them make informed decisions. 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[3:22] Mini News Sesh: An algorithm-free Instagram feed? 
[8:20] Learn more about Danielle Hayden
[15:28] Thinking about raising your rates? Do these exercises.
[22:50] Determining your take-home pay depends on your goals
[30:12] It’s time to change your mindset about raising your rates
[36:47] The What Up Wingnut! Round
[41:38] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Danielle Hayden
Kickstart Accounting Inc. 
Connect with Danielle on Instagram
The Entrepreneur Money Stories Podcast
Resources & People Mentioned
Built to Sell by John warrilow 
Wingnut Social Episode #26
Thinking about raising your rates? Do these exercises.
Exercise #1: How much of your time and energy goes into a single project? What are your average operating expenses per month? Multiply the time you spend in your business by your hourly rate. Add your operating expenses to that number. This is your break-even number. Divide that by your number of clients each month. This gives you an idea of whether or not you’re profitable.
Secondly, what are your goals? Is it your goal to outsource parts of your business, such as social media or bookkeeping? Do you want to be hands-on with every project? Or do you want to oversee a team of designers? What will that cost you? 
Grab a piece of paper now and add up how many clients you need to take on to hit the numbers you need to reach your goals. You may see that if you don’t raise your rates, you’ll never meet those goals. It’s a clear way to see whether or not you need to raise your prices. 
Exercise #2: Danielle recommends that you go into your accounting system and run a P&L report for the last 24 months. Looking at your history helps you determine your average spend per account and what you need to spend to keep your business moving forward. Your history helps determine the steps you take today. 
Change your mindset about raising your rates
If you don't want to raise your rates, that’s okay. But think about your goals. What if you can serve fewer clients at a higher price tag and be happier doing it? You may lose a client in the short term but the long-term impact will be worth it. Your mindset will change. The client paying more for your service will value you and your brand. 
Darla doubled her rates after she gained some experience which helped her land more clients. Their perception of her value increased with her rates. You don’t have to make a bold move like Darla’s. Figure out what works and what doesn’t, track the numbers, and make an adjustment. There’s no such thing as failure—there is learning and growing. Changing your mindset and changing your rates can be transformative. 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-786-206-4331  (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Is a CoWorking Workspace Right For Your Design Firm? with Mara Hauser - Episode 247

The pandemic shutdown sent so many of us home to work but designers were a bit ahead of that curve, generally speaking, since many worked from home already. But regardless how we got there, home can become a bit lonely and distracting when it comes to productivity and accomplishment. How do you deal with it? Mara Hauser says a CoWorking space may be your solution. Mara is a designer herself. She guides her client’s big ideas into executable designs that focus heavily on brand-building and high-level analysis, including programming, product and amenities mix, adjacency diagrams, and determining “who you serve.” But she’s also CEO of 25 North CoWorking Spaces and understands the powerful benefits a coworking space can be to anyone, including designers and their teams. On this episode we discuss the possibilities, how to make the transition, how to benefit the most from involvement at a CoWorking space, and more. Listen up, Wingnuts!
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:02] This episode’s topic: Gettin’ out of the house!
[2:48] The Mini-News Sesh!: Facebook profiles can become professional profiles
[6:51] Who is Mara Hauser?
[11:09] Is the trend toward home-working going to continue?
[13:12] A hybrid work approach interior designers may be able to use
[20:08] How large of a design firm could use this model?
[22:20] How important is the design aspect of a coworking or office space?
[25:22] Mitigating the sense of anxiety that can occur making this transition
[30:15] Reasons you will benefit from utilizing a coworking space
[33:20] The WHAT UP WINGNUT? round
Connect with Mara Hauser
25 North Coworking Spaces - Mara’s company
Workplace Studio Interior Design - Mara’s design studio
Follow Mara on Twitter 
Resources & People Mentioned
BOOK: Shoe Dog by Phil Knight
Wingnut episode with Rex Rogasch - Hospitality Design
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Working From Home
If you’ve worked at home, you know the pain. Fido is barking outside your door. The cat walks across your keyboard when you’re out of the room. Netflix is right out there in the living room, beckoning you to continue your latest binge. These are some of the irritations but there are also limitations. It’s hard to host professional meetings at home, especially with clients. It’s also problematic to have your team work out of your home without turning your street into a used car lot every day. Mara says these are exactly the things a CoWorking space is designed to solve. Listen to learn if a CoWorking option is a good fit for you. You might be surprised how adaptable and collaborative it could be for you and your team.
Multipurpose spaces are massively important in your working space and the CoWorking space you choose
Most designers understand the principles behind good design (of course), so they get the realities around spaces designed to serve specific purposes. That reason alone may have you on the skeptical side of the fence when it comes to using a CoWorking space. But it doesn’t have to, especially when it comes to Mara’s locations. Being a designer, she’s done everything in her team’s power to create flexible spaces that can be transformed into what each client needs. They utilize casters to move things around and remake the space. The lighting, HVAC, and amenities are provided with comfort and productivity in mind. They also include outdoor work and meeting spaces to enable teams to make the most of fresh air and natural surroundings. If you were to visit one of her locations you would be impressed with the flexibility and effectiveness of the spaces she’s created. Listen to this episode to learn if a CoWorking space is right for you and your team!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-786-206-4331  (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

How To Develop Your Working Knowledge As A Designer, with Andrea Hysmith - Episode 246

One of the many challenges for up-and-coming designers (and those of us who have been in the industry for a while, too) is in the area of “working knowledge.” There’s a LOT to know and it seems like nothing but time is going to help you know it. But the guest on this episode proves that even though she’s been in the industry for over 20 years, there are clear things you can do to accelerate your learning curve.
Andrea Hysmith of A.S.H. Designs (in Ellicott City, MD) is an Interior Specialist, Kitchen and Bath Designer, Manufacturer Representative, Speaker, and Presenter, and has been sharing her knowledge of luxury design for over 20 years. She focuses on residential and light commercial spaces and recently opened her own design space in Ellicott City as the first woman of color to do so. She’s a hard-working, hustling woman who has done the work necessary to educate herself about her craft, all for the sake of serving her clients with excellence. You’ll learn a lot about developing your own working knowledge, faster, from her intentional approach, so be sure you listen.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:42] Where I’ve been… answering the common question, “Why the break???”
[2:09] The Mini-News session: Instagram Reels (reply with another reel)
[5:16] Andrea Hysmith: Designer extraordinaire
[13:04] The movement to curate antiques and how Andrea got into it
[21:25] What is “Certified Aging in Place?”
[28:27] How did Andrea become an independent manufacturer rep?
[36:58] Why it’s important to be true to yourself as you being your design career
Connect with Andrea Hysmith
Andrea’s company: ASH Design in Ellicott City, MD
Andrea on Instagram
Resources & People Mentioned
Andrew Joseph
Toma Clark Haines 
Certified Aging In Place Specialization
T.D. Jakes
Highpoint Market
What They Don’t Teach You In Design School Facebook Group
BOOK: Wild by Cheryl Strayed (affiliate link)
Taking a proactive approach to design by getting into the trenches
It’s easy to feel that you are handicapped when you need to know more about a specialized area of design but simply don’t. Andrea never let that stop her. She’s a “go get it” kind of woman. She takes the initiative to find the resources and open the doors that will provide her with the knowledge she needs — and you can do the same.
For example, at one point in Andrea’s career, she needed to know more about custom cabinetry so she reached out to establish a relationship with a custom cabinet builder and worked shifts in his facility to learn what she needed to learn. She’s done the same with painters, a plumbers, and other specialized tradesmen, all for the sake of educating herself at the source. Though it may seem that’s a lot of irons in the fire, Andrea says it’s all cohesive if you keep things integrated within a common goal or mission.
Special certifications can help you stand out in a crowded area
Andrea holds a special certification that Darla had never heard of. The National Association of Home Builders offers a “Certified Aging in Place Specialist” certificate and Andrea is one of those who have completed the course they offer. It’s a specialty in the design and refurbishment of homes to enable those who are aging or otherwise disabled to continue to live in their homes rather than having to move.
Andrea says this is especially important to her because she has clients who have been with her for many years. Her certification enables her to serve them in new, fitting ways as they age and the relationship continues. She’s also had people reach out to her specifically because she holds the certification, and at one community event a realtor who works primarily in retirement communities asked if Andrea would serve as a recommended service provider for those the realty group serves. Are there certifications that would serve the community where you work or the clientele you specialize in serving? If so, go get them!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Carol Cox Shares Why Thought Leadership Still Matters - Episode 245

Carol Cox is the founder of Speaking Your Brand®. Her mission is to help women create thought leadership platforms to have the impact they desire in their field. But how do you get to that point? Is becoming a thought leader worth the time and effort? In this episode of Wingnut Social, Carol speaks about the power of sharing your personal experiences, what container you should use for your thought leadership, and the basics of her VOICE method. Don’t miss this awesome replay.
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Abbi Perets: How to Write Email Marketing Campaigns that Get Read - Episode 244

What does a successful email marketing campaign look like? How do you get people to read your emails and not just immediately trash them? Abbi Perets—The founder of Successful Freelance Mom—shares the secret to her successful email campaigns in this special replay of the Wingnut Social podcast! She’ll cover her TWO big rules, what makes people open emails, and why it’s important for there to be a purpose behind your content. Don’t miss it! 

Digital vs. Physical Product Libraries: Rex Rogosch Weighs In - Episode 243

With over 20 years of experience in the design industry, Rex Rogosch knows a thing or two. In his expert opinion, digital product libraries are the way of the future. Sourcing online is a breeze and many clients already have Pinterest boards plastered with the furniture and pieces they love. But is there still a place for physical product libraries? Are you ready to transition to a digital library? Learn more from Rex in this Wingnut Social Replay!

REPLAY: Up-Level Your Social Media Marketing with Pinterest [Kate Ahl] - Episode 242

When it comes to social media, Instagram gets a lot of the focus these days. But you can’t forget how successful Pinterest can be for interior designers. So in this Wingnut Replay, you’ll get to revisit episode #218 with none other than Kate Ahl—Ahl about boosting your social media marketing with Pinterest. Check it out!  

Kate Doster’s Attention-Grabbing Email Marketing Strategies - Episode 241

Is email marketing still relevant? How do you grow and nurture your email list? How important are lead magnets? These are just a few of the many topics Kate Doster covers in this episode of the Wingnut Social podcast. If you’re struggling to build email campaigns that convert, Kate is the go-to expert. Don’t miss her take! 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[1:24] Mini News Sesh: Facebook Update
[3:40] Learn all about Kate Doster
[4:44] Is email marketing still relevant? 
[7:18] How to compose a “Yeah, but…” email
[12:54] The lowdown on email lists
[17:33] How to attract the right subscribers
[20:27] Why you should work with Wingnut Social
[21:31] The importance of lead magnets
[26:13] How to grow and nurture your email list
[29:24] How often to use a call-to-action
[31:51] How the Apple iOS update impacts email
[33:41] The What Up Wingnut Round
[36:16] How to connect with Kate Doster
[40:12] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Kate Doster
The Inbox Besties Podcast
Kate Doster’s Courses
Connect with Kate on Instagram
Follow Kate on Twitter
Resources & People Mentioned
ActiveCampaign
MailChimp
ConvertKit
MailerLite
Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes
Your emails need to grab someone’s attention
Why is someone going to their inbox? They’re bored, procrastinating, stuck watching their kids boring tv shows—who knows. But Kate knows that people go to their inbox for a hit of dopamine. Because you’re shooting for a dopamine hit, you want to give them a quick tip or anecdote. When people go to their inbox, they want a quick escape. 
People think emails need to be a large elaborate story. It doesn’t need to be that. But you do want to make sure your emails are relevant. If someone signs up for Kate’s email list, they get emails about email marketing and sales psychology. If she started talking about her fitness journey to her subscribers, people wouldn't care. They’d unsubscribe.
That being said, you can give them a random piece of information that’s tied back to your topic. You must be entertaining and stay true to your brand. You have to treat your subscribers like they’re one in a million, send relevant emails, and include the hit of dopamine. How can I make this person feel good today? How can I make them interested? How can I get them thinking? Start with an attention grabber.
Kate’s secret sauce: The “Yeah, but…” email
You want to give your subscribers something that answers the, “Yeah, but…” question. Yeah, I want this, but this is in the way. People always have “yeah, buts…” You have to identify what’s holding people back from making a decision. You can then share simple guides that give them the answer to their questions and leave them saying, “She gets me. She understands.” 
If someone is truly interested in getting their living room redesigned but can never agree on something with their spouse, you can share a guide that touches on how to mesh two different styles. Think of something that’s holding people back. Listen to hear what Kate’s specific tips for interior designers are!
The importance of lead magnets
If you have an interior design blog and want to share some dupes for a crazy expensive couch, that could be a lead magnet. You want to share an exclusive thing that people can only get if they join your email list. It can be hard to brainstorm ideas, so Kate shares some genius hacks. 
If you have a popular and relevant piece of content, upcycle it. If something on social media got a lot of engagement, can you turn it into a PDF? You can use that in an email. It doesn’t have to be reinventing the wheel. Create permanent versions of things that are excelling and offer that as your freebie.
Another pro tip? List out all of the excuses and concerns that people have around what you’re ultimately going to sell. Is it working with an interior designer? Is it sourcing? Is it doing something on a budget? Is it finding high-end dupes? If you aren’t sure, look at 2 and 3-star reviews on Amazon or snoop around in Facebook groups. What are people complaining about? When you address the “Yeah, but...” that someone has, it works. It all comes from knowing your ideal client. You want someone to say, “How did you know that’s what I needed?” 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Business Coach Desi Creswell Shares How to Build Trust in Yourself - Episode 240

Desi Creswell is a business coach who specializes in working with interior designers. As a coach, Desi doesn’t tell you what to do. She asks high-quality questions to help you uncover what you know to be true for yourself that aligns with what you want to create for your business. As she draws that out of you, you will learn to do it for yourself. 
In a coaching relationship, you tend to view your coach as a parental figure—someone who has all the answers and knows what’s best. But Desi doesn’t want her clients to solely rely on her for decision-making. She wants to equip her clients with the tools to make empowered decisions about their own businesses. That starts by learning to trust yourself. She shares why this is so important in this episode of Wingnut Social! 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[0:49] Brought to you by Wingnut Social!
[2:05] Mini News Sesh: IGTV is no more
[5:13] Learn to ask yourself quality questions
[9:24] How to determine when you need help
[12:18] Why you need to trust your gut
[18:39] How Wingnut Social can help YOU
[20:24] How to navigate mastermind groups
[23:01] How many opinions should you seek out?
[32:00] Desi’s What Up Wingnut answers!
[34:47] How to connect with Desi Creswell
[38:20] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Desi Creswell
Desi’s Coaching Website
Get on Desi Creswell’s Coaching waitlist
Take back control of your day with Desi’s Daily Planner
Have a conversation with Desi on Instagram
Connect with Desi on LinkedIn
Resources & People Mentioned
Episode #172: Desi Creswell Shares How to Cultivate a Healthy Mindset
Effortless by Greg McKeown
Why you need to trust your gut
If you’re researching between project management tools, you talk to people who use the systems to see how the product works for them, right? Does it do what it needs to for their business? What are the best parts of the software? Ultimately, you have to make the decision. But you may continue to find yourself asking questions, hoping someone else makes the decision for you. The problem becomes that you’re seeking something externally that you need to provide for yourself internally. 
The struggle is that as soon as you make a decision, there’s something at stake. It can be scary. You may question your decision or get an outcome you didn’t like. The #1 reason people don’t want to make a decision is that they’re afraid of the backlash they’ll get from themselves if they make the “wrong decision.” Will you beat yourself up? The truth is that you will make bad decisions—in life and business. So how will you handle it? 
Build trust in yourself by taking baby steps
Desi suggests practicing decision-making with little things. Trust yourself in the little decisions, even something as simple as what you’re eating for lunch. It allows you to build the muscle and apply it to bigger decisions. Then, once the decision is made, trust that you made the right decision no matter what unfolds afterward. 
You can decide that there are no bad decisions. There are just decisions that you make, you get results from them, you learn from them, and you move on. When you allocate the responsibility to someone else, you’re blaming them for the outcome. You have to take responsibility for the results of your decisions.
But it all starts with getting out there and doing it. You’ll have some things that won’t work out how you think they should. For example, when Darla launched Wingnut Premium, it didn’t take off how Darla expected it to. So she pulled the plug. It was an experiment that she chose to do that didn’t work out as planned and that’s okay. Darla is moving on to bigger and better things. Darla actively chose not to see it as a failure but a learning lesson.
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

How Brett + Giselle Sugerman Found Phenomenal Success on Instagram - Episode 239

Brett + Giselle Sugerman are the super-couple behind B&G Design Inc., an award-winning Miami-based interior design firm. They’ve been featured on NBC, CBS, and HGTV—true movers and shakers in the industry. They share their design expertise across multiple social media platforms and have 57,000 followers on Instagram alone. In this episode of Wingnut Social, they share how they’ve found success with their marketing endeavors.
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[2:09] Mini News Sesh: Instagram Favorites
[4:14] Learn more about Brett and Giselle Sugerman
[8:52] How they learned from their mistakes work-life balance
[12:06] Advice for couples going into business together
[16:11] Their phenomenal success with Instagram
[23:30] Learn more about B&G Unfiltered
[26:16] Curated authenticity on social media
[33:10] The What Up Wingnut! Round
[34:30] How to connect with Brett and Giselle
[38:25] Wingnut Social has some openings!
[39:31] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Brett Sugerman + Giselle Loor-Sugerman
B+G Design
B+G Design on Instagram
B+G Design on Facebook
Brett’s Music on Spotify
Resources & People Mentioned
How to Balance your Marriage + Business + Self [with LMFT Amber Hawley]
The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield 
One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
How they found phenomenal success with Instagram
Originally, when Brett and Giselle started marketing on social media, it was trial and error to see what worked. Right now, their brand is a lot of people working together to make things happen. They continuously change and evolve depending on what’s happening in the world. What’s helped them a lot? Promoting their posts. They are always tweaking their audience and age groups and analyzing the results. What photos did well? Did before and after slides do well? Did supporting stories or reels help with engagement? 
Giselle emphasizes that it’s important to stay true to who you are and who you are as a brand. People want to know the person and the personality behind the brand. What inspired you? What is your life about? So they build their life into their social media to show their interests. Showing your personality means that more of your ideal clients will connect with and seek you out. Their tactics are obviously working, right? 57,000 people follow them on Instagram alone and that’s no easy feat.
Curated authenticity on social media
Whatever you’re sharing on your social media, make sure it’s descriptive of your life and your business. They post standard before and after photos to show design transformations. Giselle loves styling their home for the holidays and building tablescapes. They also share their high-end luxury designs. Through it all, they intermix content that shows who they are. 
They emphasize that if you’re trying to build a following, you must also tag and give credit to everyone involved in a project. It will open up your audience. There is plenty of business to go around and you can’t be afraid to share your expertise with others. They embrace the mantra “Share the love.” 
Another tip? Be consistent with posting and sharing. Be true to your aesthetic. Don’t be afraid to show who you are as a designer and an individual. Be true to who you are because there truly is an audience for everyone. Try to stand out and be unique because people are looking for different things. People can taste authenticity. 
Giselle and Brett also take a deep-dive into how they’ve found success building a successful business while balancing life as a married couple with a family. Don’t miss this episode!
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com

Pivot Your Business with a Strategic Business Coach [Like Michele Williams] - Episode 238

Michele Williams is a strategic business coach who works with designers to help them create a strategic focus for their business, finances, and all decision-making. She firmly believes when you have a clear idea of where you want to go, you can get clear steps forward in place. She empowers business owners to take back the reins. 
When Darla came to Michele, she was struggling through a messy divorce while managing a full-time design business, Wingnut Social, and a podcast. Darla was ready to break and felt out of control. How was Michele able to guide her through her next steps? What did Michele do that helped Darla reclaim control of her businesses? How can she help you, too? Listen to this episode to learn more! 
What You’ll Hear On This Episode of Wingnut Social
[4:37] Mini News Sesh: Content Facebook likes
[8:40] Learn more about Michele Williams
[13:37] What makes your heart beat? 
[26:32] Check out Build Lane for custom furniture! 
[28:00] Get on Wingnut Social’s waitlist—you won’t regret it
[29:42] How to find the right coach for you
[32:00] How to pivot if you can’t afford a coach
[43:43] The What Up Wingnut! Round
[47:26] Blooper Reel!
Connect with Michele Williams
Scarlet Thread Consulting
Profit Is a Choice Podcast
Scarlet Thread on Facebook
Scarlet Thread on Instagram
Michele on LinkedIn
Resources & People Mentioned
Capasso Interiors (Get a 15% discount on your first retainer with the Code DARLA15 until October 21st)
Creating a Sustainable Design Business through Profit First with Michele Williams
The Vision Driven Leader by Michael Hyatt
How to decide what you love—and what you can live without
Darla was running three businesses—the design business, the podcast, and Wingnut Social. Far too much for one person to handle. None of the businesses could function without her in them. What was her first step? Michele told her to take a step back, pull her head out of the day-to-day, and decide what she loved doing. 
Michele emphasizes “Stop building businesses that you don’t like. Stop building businesses that drain you. Stop building businesses that ask more than you’re willing to give. Start building businesses that you love with an intention and with a strategy.” That’s what Michele helped Darla work through. 
Which business did she want to put her time and attention into? What made her heart beat faster, that she felt passionate about? What wouldn’t she regret losing? Michele notes you must “Clear everyone else’s voice and hear yours.” You can’t make a business profitable if your heart isn’t in it. 
Michele isn’t there to make you a better designer, social media expert, or podcaster. She is there to help her clients run their businesses and make them better business owners. You develop a great business by having a strategy that leads to goals that lead to a plan. It becomes a framework for decision-making. The strategy allows you to say “yes” or “no” and not feel guilty about the decisions you’re making. 
How to pivot your business if you can’t afford a coach
Michele says the first step is easy: find someone you trust and consume all of the free information you can from them. Michele—and most coaches out there—offer some sort of free resources. Michele has a weekly podcast (Profit is a Choice) that shares 100% free content. She produces newsletters with actionable tips. You can write down takeaways and start using the free advice that coaches share. 
Michele has met numerous people who’ve listened to her for years, implemented everything she’s recommended, and got to a place where they could hire her. What else can you do? Invest in courses. Courses can help get you where you want to go so you can make enough money to do the next thing. 
Are you pivoting in your business because you want to—or someone told you that you have to? You need some understanding of why you need to pivot. Then you need to decide to pivot in a direction that will make you happy and joyful. You create a strategic plan and vision of what could be. Then you put one foot in front of the other and gain clarity. 
When you’re creating a vision, Michele emphasizes that you have to believe that the best is yet to come. If you’d like someone to guide you along the way, reach out to Michele today! 
Connect With Darla & Wingnut Social
www.WingnutSocial.com
On Facebook
On Twitter: @WingnutSocial
On Instagram: @WingnutSocial
Darla’s Interior Design Website
Check out the Wingnut Social Media Lab Facebook Group!
1-877-WINGNUT (connect with us for your social media marketing needs)
Wingnut Social Podcast Sponsor: Build Lane
Looking for a great custom furniture option? Check out Build https://buildlane.com/
 
Subscribe to The Wingnut Social Podcast on iTunes, Google Podcasts, or TuneIn
Audio Production and Show notes byPODCAST FAST TRACKhttps://www.podcastfasttrack.com