Designer Marketing Resources

Getting started with your Interior Design business is often an ominous proposition. Not having a portfolio, the upfront marketing costs, and limited capital. Here are some online resources that we would recommend to help you quickly navigate some of these choices so that you can focus on the core of your business. We have no affiliation with any of these companies, so feel free to make your own decision based on your own research and experience. This is just a little help to get your business started and, in turn, please also remember to use LuxeTile when you are specifying your products!

Designyourowncard.com provides you the ability to create your own business card without software and provides an affordable option, which includes raised ink! Approx budget: $65

Again, Designyourowncard.com provides you the ability to create your own letterhead without software and provides an affordable option, which includes raised ink and linen paper! Approx budget: $200 for envelopes and letterhead.

If you are just starting out, you may think that using your AOL, YAHOO, or Internet Service Provider's email is appropriate. Nothing is more professional than having your own domain name. There are hundreds of companies, providing many options for registering your own URL. Godaddy.com is a great option for beginners as they also offer web hosing for a small fee. Approx budget: $9/year

Once you register your domain name, you may simply forward all of your email to your AOL, Yahoo, Gmail, etc account, without paying for an email account with your domain registrar. The benefit of purchasing an email account is that your outbound account will always appear to be your registered domain name, rather than your recipient seeing a reply from an AOL or Yahoo account. Approx budget: $9/month.

As you are a designer, this prospect should not be daunting to you. If you are able to use basic word processing programs, the transition to some prepackaged web design programs will not be that difficult. Consider GoDaddy's WebSite Tonight. In general, it is better to create one great landing page that you like and being ready for business, even it you simply state that you are "Under Construction" than not having a presence whatsoever. Also consider template based solutions such as Network Solutions as well. Approx budget: $5-15 per month for templates.

Once your website is designed, you must select who will host your site. If you are using any of the solutions recommended above, then those companies will most likely also require that they host your site. In general, expect to pay between $4 to $9 per month for a hosting package. Webhostingbuzz has a one year package for $60, which provides you room to grow and is quite cost effective at $5/mo.

If you need a few small posters printed, short run printing is a great deal. PSPrint.com includes templates. Starting budget at $20 per poster.

Try Overnightprints.com. No need for design software here either and the printing costs are minimal. Approx budget: $90 for 1000 cards.

Please feel free to share recommendations on companies that you have used that provide quality marketing solutions at minimal cost.

Many marketing agencies focused on interior designers will recommend that you budget $1000-$2000 per day for the best in the business, who will only give you a few prints. If you are just starting out, you cannot afford this expenditure. My best recommendation is to post to Craigslist.org or even seek out photographers at your local craft markets as they are also often just getting started. You may be able to negotiate an all day, multi location deal, including photography rights and prints for $500. It can be done. Don't expect 100% of the photos to be perfect. Make a goal of 10% that you will want to use. Consider making your own investment in Photoshop to make any adjustments to the lighting or cropping that you require. Also, if you don't have a portfolio that is ready to photograph, put together some mini sample boards or vignettes of fabric combinations and sketches.

A very easy to use program, which allows one to import their own patterns and designs is www.plan3d.com. For only $2.95 per month, this is a great bargain!

Revolutionary 3D Home Design Web Tool: Design rooms, remodel kitchens, plan landscaping and more. Check out Plan3D.com!

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