In a previous business building tip post (What your clients don’t know can hurt them – and you!), we actually had the temerity to suggest that lead generation and client acquisition were not the most important piece in your marketing strategy. Instead, we suggested that you focus on keeping current client interested in your design services – for the very simple reason that they are more likely to work with you.A great way to engage with existing clients, beyond face-to-face interaction, is through social media. Two of the most effective social platforms for engagement are Facebook (obviously) and Instagram (perhaps less obviously).Stated simply, Facebook has value because it is by far the most popular social network around; with users willing to engage and share posts on a regular basis. By its very nature, as well as the almost universal appeal to those in your target audience, FB simply cannot be ignored.On another level we have Instagram. With about a billion users worldwide – nearly two-thirds of whom are millennials and over half of whom are women – the image-based platform offers huge potential as a marketing tool. As the platform itself likes to say, Instagram is, “A simple, fun & creative way to capture, edit & share photos, videos & messages with friends & family”.Further, while other social networks allow you to post images and videos, Instagram requires a picture or video in every post – and the picture or video you share will be the main focus of your post.In a visual media like interior design, it almost seems as if Instagram was designed for you to use!How to Use Instagram for Your Business
As a marketing tool for your business, Instagram offers massive potential – if you know how to use it to your advantage – and the effective use of the hashtag is a critical element in your Instagram strategy.Beyond this powerful idea for using imagery as the primary tool to engage your audience, a solid Instagram strategy includes the use of hashtags to communicate ideas. Beginning with the basics, and without assuming you already know what they are, here’s what we’re talking about:“A #hashtag (like this) is a type of label or metadata tag used on social network and microblogging services which makes it easier for users to find messages with a specific theme or content.” – WikipediaNow, there are many people out there who hate hashtags, thinking they make real communication impossible while turning the significant into the mundane and trivial. On the contrary, using a hashtag categorizes your social networking posts, leading readers in the direction you wish them to go – toward you and the information you have to share.Here are 4 tips on using hashtags to best effect on Instagram:
- Branding your business – Create at least one brand hashtag to establish brand recognition, and put them in your images and comments for added branding opportunities.
- Discover what works – Research the most appropriate industry-related hashtags. Begin by looking at which hashtags work really well for your competitors, then start including them in your own posts.
- Stay in the pocket – Relevancy is key here; always use relevant keywords that are related to your posts on Instagram. If a keyword phrase does not relate directly to the information you're sharing, you’ll turn people off – and send them running away.
- Being redundant is a good thing – The consistent use of your best hashtags will be critical to building a following on Instagram, enabling visitors to find you easily and quickly.
A basic principle of effective marketing is to go where your audience already hangs out. Again, the audience on Instagram is relatively young and female, and nearly 60% of Instagram users check their accounts daily, so engagement on Instagram is very high.Have you already begun to incorporate Instagram strategies into your Social Media Marketing Strategy? Are you using hashtags to engage your audience on Instagram? How has that begun to work for you?Looking for more business building tips for your design business, new home design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? Get in touch with TD Fall today.
According to a recent article at 
It occurs to us that we may have erred in our first post in this series about designing your design business. In 
Small business owners of all types spend a great deal of time on lead generation and client acquisition. This makes sense because virtually every “marketing expert” on the planet claims this is the best (or only) way to build a business. But, as an interior designer, you have a valuable business building resource you may be ignoring – your current clients.
(Bath design images and descriptions courtesy of 
(Kitchen design images and descriptions courtesy of 
Using Glass for Openness and OrganizationIf your clients are hesitant to accept a completely open shelving design for the kitchen, consider using glass-door shelving to keep shelves under control and free of dust.
Find Subtle Ways to Hide Storage SolutionsThis bathroom's storage area features a pink and green color scheme that coordinates with the entire space. The delicate curtains create a whimsical feel while hiding the built-in storage area. Image courtesy of ClosetMaid.
Rethinking Kitchen Storage SpaceWith countertop space at a premium in so many kitchens, offer your clients the chance to rethink their storage solutions. Using deep drawers or pull-out shelving in cabinets will reduce clutter and free up plenty of counter space. Arranging them vertically, as pictured here, allows you to quickly select the right tool for the job. Labels can also help with organizing kitchen storage, though they may not be necessary. (
Looking for more tips on interior design success, new home design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? 
Client sticker shock can be a sticky problem when you bid on a design project. After all, relatively few homeowners have ever worked with an interior designer and many opt for a cheap but sturdy alternative when buying furniture. This can make talking about the cost of a renovation or remodel an eye-opening experience for prospective clients.With help from a recent article at 
A Calming AtmosphereA light blue vanity and brass pulls are a pretty surprise against this bathroom's black-and-white, mosaic tile floor. A cactus adds a fun (yet spiky) companion up top.
Making a SplashThis modern cottage master bathroom features a mosaic glass tile patterned wall, soaking tub, brass fixtures, and clear glass shower enclosure.
Small, Yet Mighty ImpressiveFrom the mesmerizing floor tile to the slanted ceiling, this bathroom is nothing but first-rate design inspiration. One of designer Emily Henderson's tactics for decorating this small bathroom was to match metals, from towel bars to faucets, for a more cohesive appearance.
They May Never Want to LeaveA large, arched window lets plenty of natural light into this neutral, remodeled space, creating a warm feel throughout this magnificent master bathroom.
Rustic ChicDesigners pulled the dark khaki color from the tile and used it to add warmth to the shiplap backsplash. This feature wall adds a splash of color and creates a balance between the busy pattern of the tile floor and the glamour of the copper fixtures.
Making a Bold StatementThe floor's geometric pattern acts as a red carpet, leading the eye down this chic bathroom to the dazzling shower at the far end, covered in blue subway tiles.
Leaving Nothing to ChanceDesigned by Montana Creative and Heidi Tate with Tate Interiors, this home was inspired by the waterfront with expansive windows out to the lake and accordion doors to create a seamless indoor/outdoor living experience. Modern finishes round out the house to create a unique lake house.
While each of the above bathroom designs can be used as inspiration, they are merely a glimpse of the 99 images available from 
Function + Comfort = Increased Productivity
Sustainable Office SolutionsUnlike drywall or cubicle walls, the Teknion Altos wall system promotes employee collaboration, enhanced natural office lighting, and presents a flexible, reconfigurable solution to suit the ever-changing needs of any office. Plus, in addition to saving a durable, well-maintained product from the landfill, the overall expense to reuse existing walls is comparable to that of drywall, presenting huge cost savings for a vastly superior alternative that integrated with existing finishes and original design intent. (
Noise Reduction SolutionsOften open offices and semi-private floor plans are best made in industrial-style office buildings with tall ceilings and concrete floors. Unfortunately, this can lead to echoes and difficulty with keeping conversations private. By hanging acoustic paneling, you can absorb sound and keep the echoes to a minimum no matter how large the room.
Commercial office space is always changing to meet the needs and demands of today’s workers. Gone are secluded corner offices and the idea that people must be isolated to get their best work done. With more emphasis being placed on spaces becoming multifunctional, it’s certain that the way people view productivity is soon to change as well. For a clever interior designer, responding to this trend in office design can lead to a strong surge in design projects.Are you looking for more new interior design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas? 
For 50-years, Leathercraft has been manufacturing the finest leather seating available. With the addition of Jarrett Bay Home from Leathercraft Furniture, we have expanded our line of luxury home furnishings to include the sport-fishing yacht builder’s coastal lifestyle.“The essence of the Jarrett Bay brand is reflected in all of our products – our custom sport fishing boats, our full line of men’s and women’s clothing, and our new Jarrett Bay Home furniture collection," said Jarrett Bay President Randy Ramsey. "It represents a way of life with the authenticity, adventure and spirit of coastal living. We insist that all of our products remain true to this core.”All collections from the boat builder combine classic American styling with refined comfort and character. Like Jarrett Bay’s custom boat building, Leathercraft have been producing furniture by hand for decades and continues to do so as the sole Jarrett Bay licensing partner for leather upholstery.Leathercraft are Dedicated to the Craft of Leather Upholstery
Located in the highlands of Western North Carolina, this area has the greatest concentration of skilled craftspeople in the country. These skilled people are the backbone of Leathercraft’s enduring quality. We are a leather specialist offering the freedom and flexibility to customize our product to meet your individual needs.Leathercraft construction techniques exceed industry standards in every detail. All components which comprise the interior of fine seating – from select hardwood frames to prime waterfowl down – are of the highest quality available.
With buyers who have access to leathers from around the world, the leathers they offer are unmatched in the industry, offering you and your clients one of America's largest assortments of high-quality, hand-crafted leather upholstery and furnishings.The Leathercraft Furniture Mission Statement“Our goal is to produce upholstered furniture to the highest standards possible utilizing the best materials and employing true tested manufacturing techniques. In doing so, we want to simplify the ordering process while providing you the opportunity to specify the product that fulfills your requirements.”Looking for more new interior design trends, designer marketing tips, and product ideas?