Home My Library Store The Designers Show Blog Calendar
Info
About Services Contact Us Dan Recommends

2024 Business Goal Setting - Designers Show #118

Welcome to The "Designers Show" by Chief Experts, where design isn't just an art—it's a profit center!

 

Welcome to a captivating episode of The Designer Show, hosted by Dan from Chief Experts, featuring special guest Renee Rabbit from Rabbit Design. In this episode, viewers are invited into an insightful discussion on business planning and strategy, tailored for the design industry. The show begins with a warm introduction, setting a friendly tone, and quickly dives into the nuances of business planning. Dan and Renee share their experiences and thoughts on adapting business strategies for the new year, making it a must-watch for professionals seeking practical insights. The episode also highlights an upcoming designer show focused on plan reviews and introduces an exciting summit, offering valuable networking and learning opportunities. With a focus on marketing strategies and audience engagement, this episode is not only informative but also interactive, encouraging viewer participation and fostering a sense of community. Tune in for an engaging and informative session, perfect for anyone in the design industry looking to enhance their business acumen.

 

Show notes:

Introduction and Casual Chat (00:02 - 09:59)

  • Introduction and casual conversation with Renee Rabbit about holiday experiences and personal activities.
  • Announcement of an upcoming Designer Show on January 19th focusing on plan reviews, with a new feature for submitting plans via Dropbox.
  • Information about the Total Immersion Summit in March, including available spaces and accommodation details.

Marketing Strategies and Business Planning (10:02 - 21:02)

  • Discussion on marketing strategies, emphasizing the importance of engaging with clients and potential clients.
  • Advice on reconnecting with past clients through various communication methods.
  • Importance of regular newsletters and maintaining an active online presence.
  • Discussion on the effectiveness of different social media platforms for marketing, including Instagram, LinkedIn, Pinterest, and Facebook.
  • The significance of having a well-designed website and continuously updating it to maintain relevance on Google.
  • Tips on creating engaging content, including using AI tools for blog articles.
  • The value of storytelling in marketing and the importance of defining your client avatar (ideal client profile).
  • Emphasis on setting goals and defining a clear vision and mission for your business.

Defining Vision, Audience, and Business Planning (21:05 - 30:48)

  • Discussion on identifying the types of projects and clients preferred, and the importance of enjoying the work you do.
  • Tips on how to define your vision and audience, especially for those new to the industry or looking to refine their focus.
  • Suggestions to use technology like chatbots and Grammarly for refining business plans and marketing content.
  • Emphasis on asking yourself the right questions and possibly consulting past clients for feedback.
  • Advice on creating a comprehensive business plan, including an executive summary, company description, market analysis, and a detailed list of services and products.
  • The importance of product diversification and focusing on services you enjoy offering.
  • Discussion on portfolio creation and the significance of continuously updating it with new projects.
  • Tips on contract stipulations for sharing work products and conducting photo shoots for portfolio use.

Portfolio Creation and Utilizing Technology (30:52 - 41:38)

  • The value of creating physical portfolios or hardcover books of projects for high-end clients.
  • Tips on using Google My Business for client reviews and improving search engine visibility.
  • The value of having someone else, like a partner or a hired professional, reach out to clients for testimonials.
  • Discussion on the importance of documenting work for portfolio use and including stipulations in contracts for photo shoots.
  • Mention of Michael Stone's book "Markup & Profit: A Contractor's Guide" as a valuable resource for contractors and designers.
  • Introduction to the topic of tech integration, focusing on the use of AI tools like ChatGPT for improving business efficiency.
  • Discussion on how AI can assist in generating content and ideas quickly, enhancing productivity.
  • Mention of construction management software like BuilderTrend, Co-Construct, and JobTread, and their potential use in design work.
  • Speculation about future AI integrations in software like Chief Architect, particularly in material selections and space planning tools.

Exploring AI and Technology in Design (41:44 - 43:03)

  • Discussion about the limitations and potential of AI in design, particularly in space planning.
  • Mention of saving blocks to the library for quick design elements like bedroom and bath suites.
  • Challenges with the space planning tool in Chief Architect and potential improvements.

AI Integration and Business Planning (43:03 - 44:59)

  • Emphasis on incorporating AI learning into business plans for the upcoming year.
  • Example of using AI for creating illustrated elevations from Chief Architect vector drawings.
  • Introduction to the stable diffusion tool for enhancing architectural drawings.

Client Relationships and Communication (45:07 - 48:31)

  • The importance of maintaining good client relationships.
  • Tips for building trust with clients, such as keeping a clean job site and being responsive.
  • Personal experiences and strategies for effective client communication.

Budgeting Basics and Project Pricing (48:47 - 51:55)

  • Discussion on creating realistic budgets, including startup costs, running expenses, and revenue forecasting.
  • Strategies for pricing projects to cover overheads and ensure profitability.
  • Introduction to an automatic Chief Architect cabinet pricing system embedded in a plan template.

Continuing Budgeting and Business Planning (51:58 - 55:34)

  • Emphasis on pricing based on your business needs rather than competition.
  • Discussion on different types of budgeting, including for contractors and designers.
  • The importance of understanding overhead costs and incorporating them into project pricing.
  • Personal experiences and strategies for managing business expenses.

Market Research and Digital Marketing (55:45 – 1:00:13)

  • The role of market research in understanding client needs and industry trends.
  • Utilizing tools like Google Analytics for website traffic analysis.
  • The value of surveys and government data like census reports for market research.
  • Discussion on digital marketing strategies and online courses related to marketing.

Chief Architect User Group and Technical Discussion (1:00:18 – 1:02:25)

  • Mention of posting to the Chief Architect user group on Facebook.
  • Technical discussion about handling complex terrain in Chief Architect.
  • Suggestions for troubleshooting terrain issues in design projects.
  • Invitation to join Chief Architect-related Facebook groups for further interaction and support.

Final Discussions and Closing Remarks (102:28 - 105:00)

  • Continuation of the discussion about the Chief Architect user group and active participation in it.
  • A suggestion to send a challenging Chief Architect plan to Chief experts for insights.
  • Discussion about the complexity of certain terrain designs in Chief Architect and potential software bugs.
  • Tips on handling CAD DWG files in Chief Architect and the importance of redrawing contours.
  • Closing remarks, including a reminder about the upcoming increase in the SSA (Support and Software Assurance) price for Chief Architect.
  • Encouragement to renew SSA early to avoid the price hike.
  • Final goodbyes and wishes for a successful year ahead.

 

Connect with Us:

💻 RSVP for The Designers Show every week: www.designersshow.com


🖥 Dan's Website Links:

 

😊 Dan's Social Accounts

 

Closing Thoughts:
Join us next time as we continue to explore the cutting-edge developments in design and architecture. Don't forget to leave your thoughts and questions in the comments, and thank you for tuning in to the Designers Show!