Your Work "Sells Itself?" Not!
Why, I asked, don’t you market yourself more?
“Because I’ve won awards,” the architect told me.
“Because people know my work,” the interior designer declared.
“Because my cabinets sell themselves,” the showroom manager said.
Gimme a break.
If ever there was a career killer, it’s this: the attitude that you need not promote yourself because you do good work and have nice stuff.
Everyone does good work and has nice stuff.
That goes for Dolly Decorator. And Tom Trunkslammer. And big box stores. And Under-A-Buck Blinds.
You may not think so. But a whole lot of people with a whole lot of money do.
Its never been easier for people to find good work and nice stuff elsewhere. The one thing they can’t find elsewhere is you.
But they won’t get that unless you continue to market yourself.
Never stop networking.
Never stop promoting yourself.
And never — ever — assume your work sells itself. That marketing myth will put you on a fast track to failure.
Fortunately, some of the best marketing costs the least.
In my audio program entitled “Million Dollar Marketing on a Shoestring Budget,“ I share numerous low cost, no cost promotion strategies.
Ralphie May: Austin-Tatious dvdrip
Some examples:
+ Write articles and columns
+ Present seminars
+ Network with allied professionals
+ Smile & dial — call prospects, ex-clients and others
+ Offer yourself as a media interview source on design
+ Use your voicemail as a marketing tool.
+ Seek referrals and advice at client focus groups
+ Solicit additional business and leads through client feedback forms
+ Assemble a “brag book” of testimonial letters
+ Hire students to design marketing materials
+ Barter for promotional services
Fred Berns is a speaker and coach in the interior design industry
