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Fluent in Construction: Why You Need to Get Your Design-Build Lingo On Point

Remember when your parents told you learning a second language would open up a whole new world? Well, they were onto something. But forget French or Spanish—the language you really need to master is Construction-ese. Lucky for you, we’ve got just the crash course you need.

Sponsored by Ultraviolet Agency and the American Society of Interior Designers (ASID), mark your calendars, design enthusiasts: On Monday, October 28, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at High Point Market followed by Q&A and lunch, we’re bringing back our wildly popular panel discussion: “Fluent in Construction: BTS with Interior Designers Influencing The Construction Choices That Shape Their Interiors.” (Yeah, it’s a mouthful, but trust me, it’s worth it.)

Now, you might be thinking, “But I’m a designer, not a builder!” Well, let me tell you something—you’re both in today’s design world. And if you’re not? You’re falling behind faster than last season’s color trends.

Why Construction Fluency Matters (And Why You Should Care)

Let’s break it down. Being fluent in construction gives you:

The power to communicate your vision without playing a frustrating game of design telephone
The ability to troubleshoot on the fly when stuff hits the fan (and trust me, it will)
The street cred to stand toe-to-toe with contractors and not get bulldozed (pun totally intended)

Plus, it’s just plain cool to know your joists from your girders. Impress your friends! Amaze your clients!

Behind every stunning interior is a symphony of construction choices and collaborations. In this clip, Lisa Shaffer of Lisa and Leroy drops gems on the invaluable role designers play in bridging the gap between vision and execution at the S/24 “Fluent in Construction” panel discussion.

Building strong relationships with trusted contractors/trades from day one allows you to provide realistic budgets, get jobs done right, and ultimately deliver extraordinary spaces for clients. As Lisa says, “That’s how you can really start to build your portfolio and get those jobs.”

Meet the Design-Build Dream Team

We’ve assembled a panel of design superstars who are so fluent in construction they probably dream in blueprints:

Matt & Heather French

The dynamic duo behind French & French Interiors. They’re so good at blending design and construction; their projects are like the lovechild of Architectural Digest and This Old House.

Elizabeth Scruggs

Owner of Superior Construction and Design, the only woman-owned contracting and design building firm in Nashville. She’s breaking glass ceilings and building beautiful spaces.

Rachel Moriarty

Principal Designer at Rachel Moriarty Interiors. She went from furniture pro to HGTV collaborator faster than you can say “open concept.”

Sharon Sherman

Award-winning kitchen and bath designer and health-conscious space creator at Thyme and Place Design. She’s been featured in more publications than your average celebrity chef.

What You’ll Learn (Besides How to Sound Really Smart at Market After Parties)

This isn’t another panel where you try not to nod off in a too-hot room. Our panelists will be serving up some serious knowledge. We’re talking real, actionable insights that’ll have you itching to start your next project before the session’s even over.

Here’s a taste of the key insights they’ll be dishing out during the discussion:

1. X-Ray Vision for Interiors

Elizabeth reveals her approach: “I look at all our projects through the lens of a builder initially and then as a designer. When the floor plan makes sense, then the design will follow.”

2. The Construction Fluency Superpower

Sharon drops this truth bomb: “It gives me the ability to react to and overcome any unforeseen conditions… It is a total asset.”

3. Tackling “Oh &*$%” Moments

Rachel shares a nail-biter: “On a recent project, we ran into a major structural challenge that could have derailed the design. Thanks to my construction knowledge, I was able to collaborate quickly with the contractor to find an alternative solution.”

4. Navigating Contractor Relationships Like a Pro

Sharon’s secret weapon? “I over-deliver on information. I create a job Bible for every aspect of the project, so anything they need is available at their fingertips.”

5. Balancing Pinterest Dreams with Real-World Constraints

Sharon keeps it real: “My aesthetic vision and practical construction realities go hand in hand. I review everything I design beforehand with my contractor to ensure that what I envision is possible.”

6. Making Clients Love You (and Your Bank Account) Even More

Rachel spills the beans on client trust: “My construction know-how has definitely taken my ability to serve clients to the next level. They trust me not just to design something beautiful but to make sure it’s feasible and won’t blow the budget.”

7. Leveling Up Your Project Game

Heather doesn’t just talk the talk—she walks the walk. “We just completed a large hotel for Chip Conley. If we didn’t have construction knowledge, this job would not have happened.” Talk about a glow-up for your portfolio!

And hey, while you’re at it, keep an eye out for the future. Rachel’s crystal ball shows “a major push toward sustainability and cutting-edge technology taking center stage in design and construction. Smart home solutions, energy efficiency, and integrated lighting systems are leading the charge.” Meanwhile, Heather is betting on “QR codes that go to your spec book on plan sets.” The future is now, people!

Join the Construction Conversation

So, are you ready to become bilingual in the language of design-build? Join us on Monday, October 28, 2024, from 10:00 to 11:00 am at The Point. Come armed with questions—we’ve got a 15-minute Q&A that’s hotter than a welding torch.

Don’t be that designer who’s still trying to explain their vision with hand gestures and interpretive dance. Get fluent in construction and watch clients line up faster than you can say “load-bearing wall.”

Join us at High Point Market for this can’t-miss event! No RSVP is required but the arrive early to ensure a seat.

From Portfolio to Traffic: 9 SEO Strategies for Interior Design Project Features

As an interior designer, your portfolio is your calling card. But in today’s digital age, it’s not enough to simply have beautiful images of your work online. To truly stand out and attract potential clients, you need to optimize your project features for search engines and social media. Let’s dive into how you can create compelling, SEO-friendly project descriptions that will boost your online visibility and showcase your unique talents.

1. Know Your Audience and Niche

Before you start writing or designing, you must know who you’re creating for. Are your clients art collectors seeking to showcase their pieces in a contemporary setting? Or are they eco-conscious homeowners drawn to biophilic design and sustainable materials? Understanding your audience’s desires and lifestyle informs your design choices and how you communicate your work. For example, a minimalist home might appeal to young professionals, while bold, eclectic interiors resonate with creative entrepreneurs or artists.

Identifying your niche is not just about aesthetics; it’s about aligning your brand with the right clients and building stronger connections. This process helps you focus on understanding their values, motivations, and needs. As Jeannie Chung of Cozy Stylish Chic, a successful Pasadena designer, blogger, and showroom owner, shared at a recent High Point Market panel, “I have discovered that our ideal client is one who collects art, and I have not put that on our website. But I do need to because I’ve realized that someone who values art will value my time.” This alignment with the right clients gives your work a purpose and helps you build stronger connections.

This revelation led her to adjust her messaging, ensuring she spoke directly to those who would appreciate and invest in her work. When you hone in on your audience, you’re attracting clients and setting the stage for smoother collaborations and higher-value projects.

2. Do Your Keyword Research

Keyword research is the foundation of a successful SEO strategy, especially in the competitive world of interior design. Before creating content for your project pages, you must understand the specific terms your potential clients are searching for. Identifying the right keywords will help you attract the right audience, whether homeowners looking for luxury remodels, architects searching for commercial design inspiration, or eco-conscious clients seeking sustainable materials.

Use tools like Google Keyword Planner, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest to identify relevant keywords within your niche. Find a balance between search volume (how often a keyword is searched) and competition (how many other sites target that term). High search volume keywords seem attractive but usually come with steep competition. Instead, focus on long-tail keywords—more specific but less competitive phrases. For example, instead of targeting “interior design,” which is broad and highly competitive, you might try “modern eco-friendly living room design” or “luxury kitchen remodel in New York.”

Jim Thornton, SEO expert at Ultraviolet, emphasizes the power of niche keywords: “95% of searches in Google are searched under 10 times per month. That’s where the gold lies—targeting these long-tail keywords that reflect specific user intent.” These niche terms might not generate high traffic individually. Still, collectively, they can drive highly qualified leads to your site—people ready to take action because they’re searching for exactly what you offer.

3. Craft an SEO-Friendly Title

The title of your project page is one of the most important aspects of on-page SEO and user engagement. It’s the first thing potential clients and search engines will see, so crafting a descriptive and enticing title is essential. A well-optimized title helps your project rank higher in search results and attracts clicks by clearly communicating what the user will find on the page.

When creating your title, aim to strike a balance between creativity and clarity. Your goal is to create something that appeals to both human readers and search engines, which means incorporating relevant keywords without sounding too robotic. For example, instead of using a simple and vague title like “Smith Residence,” aim for something more descriptive and keyword-rich, such as “Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Renovation in Los Angeles” or “Eclectic Living Room Design Featuring Sustainable Materials in Austin.” These titles reflect the design style and location and cater to what potential clients might be searching for.

Why an SEO-Friendly Title Matters

Your title tag appears as the clickable headline on search engine results pages (SERPs), so it directly impacts your click-through rate (CTR). Even if you rank well, if your title doesn’t grab attention, you might miss out on valuable traffic. Search engines also use the title to determine the relevance of your page, so including primary keywords is crucial.

For example, a title like “Luxury Coastal Living Room Redesign in Malibu” tells users and search engines exactly what the project is about, where it’s located, and the type of client it might appeal to (those interested in high-end, coastal living). These specifics will help draw in your target audience and improve your chances of ranking well for relevant search queries.

4. Tell the Project’s Story

A project description is more than just a list of tasks—it’s an opportunity to draw your audience into the heart of your work. To truly captivate potential clients, you need to go beyond the surface and tell the story behind the project. Storytelling is a powerful tool in interior design, allowing clients to connect with your work on a personal level. By highlighting the journey—starting with your client’s vision, addressing challenges, and showcasing the unique solutions you provided—you bring the project to life in a way that resonates emotionally.

To begin crafting this narrative, step into your client’s shoes. What were their goals or desires when they first approached you? Were they looking to turn an outdated kitchen into a sleek, modern oasis? Or perhaps they wanted to merge sustainable materials with high-end design? These initial insights form the foundation of the story you’ll tell.

By focusing on the “why” behind your design choices, you not only share the technical aspects of your work but also demonstrate how your decisions align with your client’s lifestyle and needs. This approach helps potential clients see themselves in your projects, imagining how you could transform their spaces in a similar way.

5. Optimize Your Images

High-quality images are essential for any interior design portfolio, but simply uploading beautiful photos to your website is not enough. Proper image optimization is crucial to ensure your images enhance your site’s SEO, improve user experience, and attract potential clients. Optimizing your images goes beyond aesthetics—it’s about making sure they load quickly, rank well in search engines, and are accessible to all users.

Images can significantly impact your website’s performance, from page load speed to search rankings. Google’s algorithm considers page speed when ranking websites, and large, unoptimized images can slow your site down, leading to a poor user experience. Additionally, image search results represent an often-overlooked opportunity to drive traffic. Optimizing your images for both visual appeal and SEO ensures that your designs reach a wider audience.

6. Use Header Tags Effectively

Proper use of header tags (H1, H2, H3, etc.) is essential for improving your site’s SEO and enhancing the readability of your content. Header tags help organize your text, making it easier for visitors to follow along and for search engines to understand the structure of your pages. By breaking your content into clear, digestible sections, header tags also create a hierarchy of information that guides users through your project descriptions, blog posts, or case studies in a logical manner.

Why Header Tags Matter

Search engines, such as Google, heavily rely on header tags to decipher the context and relevance of your page’s content. Among these, the H1 tag stands out as it directly signals the page’s main topic to search engines. The use of subheadings (H2, H3, etc.) further structures your content, breaking it into smaller, related sections that not only enhance readability but also contribute to a better user experience.

Header tags also play a crucial role in on-page SEO. They allow you to naturally include keywords important for ranking without overloading your content with unnecessary repetition. By strategically incorporating keywords into your headers, you boost your page’s search visibility while also making it more user-friendly.

guide to header tags for SEO and readability

7. Showcase Your Expertise

One of the most powerful ways to attract new clients and build trust is by showcasing your expertise. In the competitive field of interior design, it’s crucial to highlight what sets you apart—whether it’s industry awards, media features, or collaborations with well-known brands. Displaying these achievements on your website and project pages builds credibility with potential clients and signals to search engines that you’re a trusted authority in your niche.

Awards and Recognition

If your work has earned industry awards or accolades, make sure to feature them prominently. Awards can validate the quality of your designs and indicate that you’re a respected professional in your field. Whether you’ve won regional design competitions or received national recognition, these achievements show prospective clients that you have a proven track record of excellence.

When showcasing awards:

Add badges or logos of the awards on your homepage or portfolio pages.
Link to the award’s website or announcement to give the authenticity of your claim.
Write a short description explaining what the award represents and its significance.

Media Features and Publications

Include in your portfolio any work that has been featured in magazines, blogs, or television shows. Media features add an extra layer of credibility because they show that industry leaders and influencers recognize your work.

Ways to showcase media features:

Create a “Press” or “In the News” section on your website to highlight where you’ve been featured.
Link to articles or videos that feature your work, or embed them directly into your website for easy viewing.
Display logos of the publications or media outlets to increase visibility and trust.

Case Studies and Client Testimonials

Showcasing Your Expertise case studies are not just stories, they are powerful tools to display your expertise in action. They allow you to tell the story behind your projects and provide real-world examples of how your designs solved specific client challenges. Be sure to include client testimonials, as they offer valuable social proof that reinforces your reputation as a skilled and trusted designer.

When creating a case study:

Highlight the client’s challenges and how your design met their needs.
Include measurable outcomes—such as increased functionality, sustainability, or aesthetic appeal.
Incorporate testimonials from satisfied clients to add personal validation to your work.

8. Optimize for Social Sharing

Optimizing your content for social sharing is essential for increasing visibility and engagement with your interior design projects. To start, create concise, compelling snippets highlighting your project’s key aspects. These short descriptions should capture attention and entice users to learn more. Focusing on standout features or unique design elements makes it easier for your audience to connect with your work. Pair these snippets with high-quality visuals, such as before-and-after photos or stunning transformation shots, ensuring the images are correctly sized for each platform to maximize engagement.

Incorporating relevant hashtags is another powerful way to extend your reach. Use a mix of popular industry hashtags like #InteriorDesign or #HomeDecor and niche-specific ones such as #SustainableDesign or #ModernFarmhouse. Creating a branded hashtag can also build recognition and allow potential clients to explore your broader portfolio. Additionally, adding social sharing buttons to your website encourages visitors to easily share your work across various platforms, boosting your project’s visibility with just one click.

Customizing social media meta tags ensures your content is optimized behind the scenes. This allows you to control the image, title, and description that appear when your content is shared, making your posts more appealing and professional. Once your content is live, monitor its performance using analytics tools to see which platforms and posts drive the most engagement, helping you refine your social sharing strategy over time.

9. Measure and Improve

Regularly measuring the performance of your project pages and content is essential for understanding what resonates with your audience and what needs adjustment. Utilizing analytics tools such as Google Analytics provides comprehensive insights into how visitors interact with your site. By monitoring traffic sources and user behavior and setting up goals, you can gauge the effectiveness of your content and make informed decisions on how to optimize it further.

Gathering direct feedback from users provides valuable qualitative insights that complement the quantitative data from analytics tools. Implementing surveys or feedback forms on your website lets you understand user opinions about your content and overall experience. This direct feedback can reveal what users appreciate and what could be improved, helping you tailor your content to better meet their needs.

Social media metrics are another crucial aspect of measuring performance. Each platform offers analytics tools, allowing you to track engagement levels, such as likes, shares, comments, and click-through rates. Analyzing which types of posts generate the most interaction helps you understand what your audience prefers and adjust your content strategy accordingly. For instance, if posts featuring project transformations receive higher engagement, focusing more on transformation stories and visual content could be beneficial.

Based on the data collected from these various sources, make informed adjustments to your content and strategies. Optimize underperforming pages by enhancing content, adjusting calls-to-action, or refining images. Adjust your content strategy to focus on what resonates most with your audience. Implement changes incrementally and test their impact, such as A/B testing different headlines or images to see which performs better.

Regular reviews of your analytics and performance metrics ensure you stay updated with trends and continue improving. Set aside time each month or quarter to analyze your data and adjust your strategies based on the latest insights. This ongoing process of measurement and refinement is critical to enhancing your content’s effectiveness, improving user engagement, and attracting more potential clients to your interior design projects.

Creating SEO-optimized project features takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. By following these guidelines, you’ll improve your search engine rankings and create more engaging content that showcases your unique talents and attracts your ideal clients.

Remember, you don’t have to worry about what keywords to rank for. For example, if you are a boho designer in Albuquerque, New Mexico, you want to get that across to Google and ensure they know it.

So, start implementing these strategies in your next project feature. Review and update your existing descriptions. And if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the prospect of implementing these SEO strategies on your own, don’t worry – you’re not alone.

Social Media Trends & News: August 2024

In the blink of an eye, social media can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. From casual comments sparking global trends to nostalgic features making unexpected comebacks, recent events on various platforms have showcased the internet’s unique power to amplify ideas and revive trends seemingly out of nowhere.

We’ve witnessed the transformative power of viral fame on content creators, observed tech giants pivoting their strategies in the virtual reality space, and seen everyday social platforms evolve in unexpected ways. From Meta’s strategic shifts in VR and AR to Instagram’s nostalgic nod to MySpace with profile music, the impact of these changes is reverberating through both corporate boardrooms and users’ personal spaces. Social media influences everything from how we express ourselves online to how businesses market their products and services.

Let’s explore the stories, innovations and trends that have defined this extraordinary month.

Facebook: Shifting Gears in Virtual Reality

Meta, Facebook’s parent company, has made a significant strategic shift in its virtual reality (VR) efforts. The company has canceled plans for a high-end mixed-reality headset as part of its cost-cutting measures. Instead, Meta is now focusing on developing more affordable augmented reality (AR) and VR devices. This pivot aims to broaden accessibility and accelerate consumer adoption of immersive technologies.

Instagram: Embracing Authenticity and Nostalgia

Instagram has rolled out several updates that reflect changing user preferences:

Enhanced Metrics: The platform now places greater emphasis on view counts, helping creators better understand their content’s reach and impact.
Expanded Carousels: Users can now post up to 20 photos or videos in a single carousel, catering to the growing trend of “photo dumps” and more casual, authentic content sharing.
Profile Music Feature: In a nostalgic nod to the MySpace era, Instagram has introduced a feature allowing users to add a favorite song to their profile. This update enhances personalization and encourages creative self-expression.

These changes demonstrate Instagram’s efforts to balance innovation with elements that resonate with users’ desire for authenticity and personalization.

Threads: Rapid Growth and Integration

Threads, Meta’s ambitious foray into the microblogging space, has demonstrated remarkable momentum since its launch. In August 2024, the platform reached a significant milestone, surpassing 200 million active users. Meta has strategically enhanced Threads’ integration within its family of apps by enabling cross-posting capabilities with Facebook and Instagram, creating a seamless content-sharing experience across its digital ecosystem.

While the platform currently operates without ads, Meta is actively exploring monetization options for Threads, though no specific timeline has been announced. In its ongoing efforts to refine user experience, Threads is testing new features such as the ability to save multiple post drafts, with plans to introduce post-scheduling functionality in the near future. These developments underscore Meta’s commitment to establishing Threads as a formidable competitor on social media.

TikTok: Shaping Culture and Expanding Features

TikTok continues to be a powerhouse of cultural influence and innovation. This month, the platform has been at the center of a linguistic phenomenon, with creator Jools Lebron’s use of words like “demure” and “mindful” to describe everyday activities sparking a widespread trend. The demure trend phenomenon has attracted participation from celebrities and even government entities, showcasing TikTok’s far-reaching impact on broader cultural discourse.

Beyond trending words, TikTok is expanding its functionality to compete with traditional messaging apps. The platform is introducing group chats, allowing users to create and participate in group conversations.

This new feature enhances TikTok’s social interaction capabilities beyond video sharing, positioning it as a more comprehensive communication platform.

LinkedIn: Building Trust and Enhancing Engagement

LinkedIn has introduced new features to increase trust and user engagement:

Company Page Verification: A new verification feature for company pages allows businesses to authenticate their profiles with a badge, helping users identify legitimate companies more easily.
Video Carousels: Users can now post video carousels in their feeds, offering a more dynamic way to share content and enhance multimedia experiences on the platform.

These updates reflect LinkedIn’s ongoing efforts to maintain its position as the premier professional networking platform by enhancing user trust and providing more engaging content options.

Pinterest: Forcasting Fall 2024 Trends

Pinterest’s Fall 2024 Trend Report offers a glimpse into upcoming consumer interests across various categories. As a platform known for inspiration and trend prediction, Pinterest’s insights are valuable for businesses and marketers alike.

The report highlights several key trends:

Fashion embraces bold patterns and voluminous pieces, with searches for “leopard print jeans” up 2990%.
Beauty trends include fox-inspired hair colors and dewy makeup looks.
Home decor focuses on creating tranquil spaces with Japanese-inspired elements.
Food trends feature earthy ingredients and increased interest in Japanese cuisine.
Gen Z shows growing interest in DIY projects and community-based activities.

Notable statistics include a 140% increase in “fall movie night” searches and a 135% rise in “Japanese living room design” queries. These trends reflect a desire for social connection and cultural exploration.

For businesses, the report suggests opportunities in:

Incorporating Japanese-inspired elements across product lines
Developing community-focused marketing strategies
Emphasizing sustainability and nature-inspired designs
Catering to the DIY and crafting market, especially for Gen Z
Addressing the continued focus on wellness and self-care

By aligning with these trends, businesses can better connect with their target audiences and stay ahead of evolving consumer preferences. Pinterest’s report serves as a valuable tool for strategic planning in the coming season.

Implications for Marketers and Businesses

Authenticity is Key: The shift towards more casual, authentic content on platforms like Instagram and TikTok suggests that brands should consider incorporating more genuine, behind-the-scenes content into their social media strategies.
Cross-Platform Integration: With Meta enabling cross-posting between its platforms, businesses should think about crafting content that works well across multiple channels while respecting platform-specific best practices.
Video Content Dominance: The introduction of video carousels on LinkedIn and the continued popularity of TikTok underscore the importance of video content in social media strategies.
Trust and Verification: LinkedIn’s verification badges for company pages highlight the growing importance of establishing trust on social platforms. Businesses should prioritize getting verified on relevant platforms to enhance their credibility.
AR and VR Opportunities: Meta’s shift towards more affordable AR and VR devices suggests that these technologies may soon become more mainstream. Forward-thinking businesses should start considering how they might leverage these technologies in their marketing and customer engagement strategies.
Trend Forecasting: Pinterest’s trend reports continue to be a valuable resource for businesses looking to align their offerings and content with upcoming consumer interests.

Don’t miss out on the next big trend or platform update. Subscribe to our newsletter at for more expert insights and be the first to know what’s next in social media!

Digital Marketing Tips to Attract Clients and Grow Your Interior Design Business

The world of interior design is both competitive and visually driven. Digital marketing is essential for interior designers to showcase their work, attract new clients, and establish a strong brand presence. This guide offers practical tips to help interior designers succeed in the digital landscape.

Importance of a Website

Navigating the digital landscape requires a strategic approach to ensure your interior design business stands out. One of the most critical components of this strategy is establishing a professional online presence. At the heart of this effort is creating a polished, functional, and visually appealing website. Your website serves as your digital portfolio and often provides potential clients with their first impression of your work. Ensuring that this first encounter is positive and impactful is essential for attracting and retaining clients. Let’s dive into the key elements that make a professional website an essential tool for your interior design business.

To make your website truly effective, there are four elements you need to incorporate.

1. High-Quality Images

Showcasing your work through high-resolution photos is essential. These images should highlight your best projects and illustrate your design capabilities.

2. Clear and Compelling Copy

Your website should clearly describe your services, experience, and unique value proposition. Engaging copy can help convert visitors into clients.

3. Easy Navigation and User-Friendly Design

Ensure your website is easy to navigate. A user-friendly design will keep visitors engaged and encourage them to explore your portfolio and services.

4. SEO Basics

Keyword Research: Conduct thorough keyword research to find terms relevant to interior design that potential clients might search for.
Optimize On-Page Elements: Ensure your titles, meta descriptions, and headers are optimized for SEO. This helps search engines understand the content of your pages.
Use Alt Text for Images: Adding alt text to your images improves accessibility and helps search engines index your photos, potentially driving more traffic to your site.

By incorporating these elements, you can create a website that not only showcases your work beautifully but also attracts and retains clients through effective digital marketing strategies.

Building a Strong Social Media Presence

Along with your website, building a strong social media presence is just as important for showcasing your interior design work and connecting with potential clients. Focus on visually-driven platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Houzz, which are perfect for highlighting your design projects. These platforms enable you to reach a wide audience and engage meaningfully with potential clients.

Lane McNab Social Media Instagram, Pinterest, Houzz

An effective content strategy involves sharing before-and-after photos to demonstrate your transformative abilities and attract attention. Posting interior design tips and advice positions you as an expert, while actively engaging with your audience by responding to comments and messages helps foster relationships and build a sense of community around your brand.

On Instagram, take advantage of stories and reels to offer behind-the-scenes glimpses into your design process and personality, while collaborating with influencers and other designers can help expand your reach and connect with new audiences.

Content Marketing

Diving into content marketing, leverage various formats to maximize your impact. Start by creating blog content on topics such as design trends, DIY tips, and project showcases. This approach drives organic traffic to your website and establishes your authority in the field. Use SEO strategies to ensure your blog posts rank well in search engine results.

Incorporate video content to provide an immersive experience. Create video tours of your projects to give potential clients a detailed look at your work, and share design tips and tutorials on platforms like YouTube and Instagram reels to further showcase your expertise.

Finally, build and maintain an email list by adding a sign-up form to your website. Regularly send newsletters featuring design tips, project updates, and special offers to keep your audience informed and engaged.

Networking and Collaborations

Expanding your network and building relationships with other industry professionals can significantly boost your visibility and business opportunities. Start by collaborating with architects, builders, and real estate agents. These partnerships can help you gain valuable referrals and expand your professional network.

Additionally, joining industry associations is a great way to stay connected with the latest trends and meet potential clients and collaborators. Participate in events and webinars to further engage with the interior design community.

Another effective strategy is guest blogging and seeking features in prominent design publications. Contributing guest posts to popular interior design blogs allows you to reach new audiences, while being featured in online magazines and design websites can enhance your credibility and increase your visibility in the industry.

Online Advertising

To ensure your digital marketing efforts are as effective as possible, it’s crucial to incorporate online advertising strategies. These techniques can help you reach a broader audience and drive targeted traffic to your website. By investing in online advertising, you can amplify your visibility and attract potential clients who are actively seeking interior design services.

Social media ads on platforms like Instagram and Facebook allow you to run targeted campaigns that reach specific demographics interested in interior design.

top social media platforms offering marketers the highest ROI

Source: HubSpot Blog Research, Marketing Trends Report

Additionally, leveraging Google Ads can help you connect with individuals actively searching for interior design services, ensuring your business appears at the top of search results. Implementing remarketing campaigns is another effective approach; by targeting visitors who have previously interacted with your website or social media profiles, you can re-engage potential clients and increase the likelihood of conversion.

Utilizing Online Directories & Trends

To further solidify your online presence, ensure your business is listed on popular directories like Houzz, Yelp, and Google My Business. Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews, as positive feedback builds credibility and trust. Regularly update your profiles with accurate information and high-quality photos to make a strong impression.

Additionally, staying current with industry trends is essential for long-term success. Keep up with the latest in digital marketing and interior design by following trends and participating in webinars, workshops, and courses to continually enhance your skills and stay ahead of the competition.

By implementing these strategies, you can effectively navigate the digital landscape and elevate your interior design business. Each step is crucial in attracting and retaining clients, from building a strong social media presence to optimizing your website, content marketing, and online directories. Stay proactive in learning and adapting to industry trends. You’ll continue to grow your brand, connect with your audience, and achieve lasting success in the competitive world of interior design.

Social Media Trends & News: July 2024

As user behaviors change, social platforms are adapting to keep pace, and we’re examining the latest features and what they mean for businesses and creators alike.

Leading this adaptation, Meta’s toying with AI clones for content creators, potentially revolutionizing community engagement. Instagram’s cranking up the creativity, letting you add up to 20 audio tracks to a single Reel. TikTok’s not far behind, introducing in-app ticket sales. They’ve also added a “Sound Search” feature. Meanwhile, Threads is making waves with cross-posting capabilities, and Pinterest is taking a bold leap from digital inspiration to real-world experiences.

These aren’t just cool new features — they’re signaling major shifts in how platforms are approaching user engagement, content creation and the blending of online and offline worlds.

Let’s break down these key developments, explore what they mean for users and businesses and consider how they might shape the future of social media.

Meta: AI Integration and Advertising Evolution

Meta is pushing the envelope with AI integration in content creation. Mark Zuckerberg has floated an intriguing idea: AI clones handling community engagement for content creators. Imagine your favorite influencer being in two places at once — creating content and responding to comments simultaneously. These AI bots would aim to capture creators’ personalities and business goals, potentially allowing them to scale their impact and focus on other tasks. It’s an exciting prospect, but not without its challenges. The big questions are: Can AI truly capture a creator’s unique voice? And will audiences embrace this new form of engagement?

Meta AI Studio platform allows influencers to create AI chatbots

On the advertising front, Meta’s “pay or consent” model for advertising in Europe has hit a snag. The European Commission found that this approach, which asks users to either pay for an ad-free experience or consent to personalized ads, doesn’t quite align with the Digital Markets Act (DMA) rules. It’s a reminder of the delicate balance platforms must strike between personalized experiences and user privacy. We’re curious to see how Meta navigates these waters going forward.

Instagram: Unleashing Creativity and Doubling Down on Short-Form

Instagram is turning up the volume on creativity — literally! The platform now allows users to add up to 20 different audio tracks to a single Reel. It’s like being the DJ of your own mini music festival, all within a single video. We can’t wait to see (and hear) what creative concoctions users come up with.

Add multiple audio tracks to Reels on Instagram

When it comes to AI, Instagram has given its content labeling a makeover. The “Made with AI” label has evolved into an “AI info” tag. It’s a small change, but one that aims to provide clearer context on AI involvement in content creation. It’s like Instagram is saying, “Hey, we know AI is here to stay, but we want you to know exactly how it’s being used.”

And for those who love their content bite-sized, there’s good news. Instagram’s head, Adam Mosseri, has reaffirmed the platform’s commitment to short-form content. While others might be stretching their video lengths, Instagram is sticking to its guns. It seems the platform believes that when it comes to content, good things come in small packages.

Threads: Merging Images and Platforms

Threads, Meta’s text-based conversation app, is threading its way into users’ hearts with new features. The latest? A cool tool that lets you pinch and merge images in-stream. It’s like a mini photo editing suite right in your posts.

But the real game-changer might be the new cross-posting feature. Instagram users can now push their posts to Threads simultaneously.

It’s like hitting two birds with one stone, or in this case, reaching two audiences with one post. This integration could potentially boost user engagement on Threads and provide creators with a more efficient way to reach their audience across multiple platforms.

TikTok: New Features Galore

TikTok has just rolled out a series of new features that are sure to keep users engaged and creators excited.

First up, TikTok has partnered with Eventbrite, allowing users to promote and sell tickets directly within the app. It’s a win-win: creators can easily promote their events, and users can get tickets without ever leaving TikTok.

TikTok has also introduced custom thumbnails for video clips. It might seem like a small change, but for creators, it’s huge. Another exciting addition is the “Sound Search” feature, which lets users find songs by singing or humming them.

This tool allows users to find songs by singing or humming them, competing with existing music identification services and enhancing the app’s music discovery capabilities.

LinkedIn: Newsletters Get a Boost

LinkedIn is expanding its horizons with sponsored newsletters. This new feature allows brands to promote their content and generate leads through recurring, serialized publications. Building on the success of sponsored articles, this move capitalizes on the significant growth in LinkedIn newsletter readership, which has more than tripled over the past year.

Pinterest: Bringing Pins to Life

Pinterest is taking an innovative approach to user engagement, particularly targeting Gen Z audiences, by partnering with brands to create immersive, real-world experiences that bring digital trends to life.

Urban Outfitters has launched its “Shift Happens” back-to-school campaign in collaboration with Pinterest. This campaign combines digital elements, such as influencer-led Pinterest boards, with a two-day in-person event in New York City called “Space Shift.” The event is designed to bring these digital boards to life, creating a tangible connection between online inspiration and real-world experiences.

Pinterest and Urban Outfitters "Shift Happens" back-to-school campaign — Urban Outfitters x Pinterest

Similarly, Primal Kitchen and Pinterest have launched a colorful kitchen pop-up event in New York City. The “Pin It” event showcases the latest food trends through interactive stations and cooking demonstrations, allowing visitors to explore trending recipes and food products while engaging with both Primal Kitchen’s brand and Pinterest’s platform.

These initiatives demonstrate Pinterest’s strategy to prove its relevance beyond the digital world and its ability to drive real-world actions and experiences.

Mastering Social Media: Strategic Adaptation

Remember, success isn’t about chasing every new feature. It’s about understanding these changes and thoughtfully integrating them into your strategy to meet your audience’s needs.

Consider which new tools align best with your brand’s voice and goals. Meta’s AI-powered engagement features, Instagram’s multi-track Reels, and TikTok’s event promotion capabilities all offer potential avenues for growth. The key is to select and implement these tools in ways that authentically connect with your audience while driving your business forward.

Effective social media strategies balance innovation with consistency. Remain open to experimentation, but always measure your results to ensure your efforts are yielding tangible benefits.

Want to stay informed about new developments in social media? Subscribe to our newsletter at Ultraviolet for more expert insights and the latest trends in digital marketing.

Streamline Your Social Strategy: Content Repurposing Tips for Busy Interior Designers

In today’s digital age, an interior designer’s online presence is just as crucial as their portfolio. But creating fresh content for every social media platform can be time-consuming and overwhelming. That’s where the power of content repurposing comes in. To guide us through this process, we’ll be drawing insights from Joanna Hawley-McBride, a Pacific Northwest digital influencer with a wealth of experience in content creation and social media strategy.

Joanna Hawley-McBride: A Social Media Success Story

Before we dive into the strategies, let’s take a moment to understand why Joanna’s advice is so valuable. With a background in textile design and an eye for beautiful things, Joanna created Jojotastic, a lifestyle blog focused on interior styling.

Jojotastic Blog with Joanna Hawley-McBride

Based in the North Cascades, Joanna has made a name for herself renovating her cabin and sharing inspiration on various platforms. As an early adopter of Pinterest, she has amassed an impressive 3.8 million followers and 15 million monthly viewers. On Instagram, her #SmallSpaceSquad hashtag has been used over 319,000 times, demonstrating her influence in the interior design community.

Jojotastic Joanna Hawley-McBride Pinterest

Joanna’s success extends beyond social media. She has collaborated with major brands including Amazon, KitchenAid, and Spotify, and has been featured in HGTV and Domino magazine. Her experience and success make her insights on content repurposing particularly valuable for interior designers looking to boost their online presence.

The Importance of Diversifying Your Content

As Joanna points out, “You’ve spent the time, the energy, and maybe even the money on creating this piece of content. You should be able to get the most out of it that you can so that you can maximize that investment.” By repurposing your content, you’re not only working smarter, but you’re also reaching a wider audience across various platforms.

Moreover, diversifying your content across platforms can significantly impact your SEO efforts. Search engines like Google recognize the unique contribution of each social channel in driving visitors to your site. This means that a robust social media presence can actually boost your website’s visibility in search results.

Understanding Your Audience on Each Platform

Before you start repurposing content, it’s crucial to understand that different platforms attract different demographics. As an interior designer, your target audience might vary slightly across platforms:

Instagram: Perfect for showcasing your visual work, attracting potential clients, and connecting with other designers and brands.
Pinterest: Ideal for sharing design inspiration, DIY ideas, and driving traffic to your blog or website.
LinkedIn: Great for networking with industry professionals, sharing thought leadership content, and attracting commercial clients.
TikTok: Excellent for reaching younger audiences, sharing quick design tips, and showcasing your personality.

Tailor your content strategy for each platform’s unique user base. For example, content geared towards Gen Z on TikTok might focus on budget-friendly DIY projects, while content for LinkedIn could highlight your expertise in commercial design projects.

Adapting Content Format for Each Platform

Once you understand your audience, the next step is to adapt your content format to align with each platform’s strengths. Here are some ideas:

Blog Post to Instagram Carousel: Transform a detailed blog post about a room makeover into a visually appealing Instagram carousel. Each slide can showcase a different aspect of the transformation.
Project Reveal to TikTok Video: Turn your latest project reveal into a quick before-and-after TikTok video set to trending audio.
Design Tips to Pinterest Infographic: Compile your top design tips into an eye-catching infographic for Pinterest.
Client Testimonial to LinkedIn Post: Share a client’s success story as a text post on LinkedIn, highlighting your problem-solving skills and professionalism.

Remember, while the format may change, the core message should remain consistent across platforms.

Jojotastic Joanna Hawley-McBride Pinterest and TikTok

Leveraging Platform-Specific Features

Each social media platform offers unique features that can boost engagement. As an interior designer, here’s how you can leverage these:

Instagram: Use hashtags relevant to interior design trends, create Stories showcasing your design process, and use Reels to share quick design tips.
Pinterest: Create boards for different design styles or room types, use rich pins to drive traffic to your website.
LinkedIn: Share long-form articles about industry trends, use polls to engage with other professionals.
TikTok: Participate in design-related challenges, use duets to collaborate with other designers or react to design trends.

Encourage engagement through platform-specific calls-to-action. For example, on Instagram, you might ask followers to save a post of a room design they love, while on TikTok, you could encourage users to duet your video with their own design interpretations.

Prioritizing Quality Over Quantity

While repurposing content allows you to post more frequently, it’s crucial to maintain quality. As Joanna emphasizes, “Quality is king. By sharing high-quality content, you’ll boost your engagement, including likes, shares, and comments, which then equals increased visibility and reach.”

For interior designers, this means:

Ensuring your visuals are high-quality and well-edited across all platforms.
Providing valuable, actionable advice in your content, not just pretty pictures.
Maintaining consistency in your brand voice and aesthetic across platforms.

Quality content not only leads to increased engagement and visibility but also builds brand trust and legitimacy. As Joanna notes, “Maintaining that appearance on social is important.” Potential clients often check a designer’s social media presence before their website, so consistent, high-quality content is crucial.

Tracking Performance and Adjusting Strategy

To ensure your repurposing efforts are effective, it’s essential to track performance across platforms. Use analytics tools provided by each platform to monitor engagement and traffic. Pay attention to:

Which types of content perform best on each platform
What times of day your audience is most engaged
Which platforms drive the most traffic to your website

Meta Business Suite Facebook Instagram Insights

Use these insights to refine your repurposing strategy. For example, if your Instagram Stories featuring behind-the-scenes glimpses of your design process perform well, consider adapting this content for TikTok or YouTube Shorts.

Seasonal Content Recycling

Interior design trends often align with seasons, making seasonal content recycling a powerful strategy. As Joanna shares, “During the holidays I reshare all of my old holiday content from recipes, entertaining ideas, DIY posts, decorating ideas, the whole gamut.”

As an interior designer, you can:

Reshare summer home styling tips each year, updated with current trends.
Recycle holiday decorating ideas, adapting them to current color trends.
Repost timeless design advice, framed in the context of current design movements.

Remember the 7-11-4 Rule

Joanna mentions the 7-11-4 rule: “Before somebody buys anything, a consumer typically needs seven hours of engagement across 11 different touch points and in four separate locations.” For interior designers, this underscores the importance of repurposing content across multiple platforms. Your potential client might first see your work on Instagram, then check out your Pinterest boards, read a LinkedIn article, and finally visit your website before deciding to contact you.

Maximizing Your Impact

Effectively repurposing content across multiple platforms is a powerful strategy for interior designers to maximize their online presence. By understanding your audience on each platform, adapting your content format, leveraging platform-specific features, prioritizing quality, and continuously refining your strategy based on performance data, you can create a robust and engaging online presence that attracts clients and establishes you as an authority in the interior design world.

Remember, the goal isn’t to be everywhere but to be where your potential clients are, with content that resonates and showcases your unique design perspective. Start looking at your existing content with fresh eyes – that stunning room reveal could be the starting point for a whole series of repurposed content across your platforms, reaching new audiences and reinforcing your brand message.

By following these strategies and drawing inspiration from successful influencers like Joanna, you can elevate your social media game and make your content work harder for you. So, get creative, start repurposing, and watch your online presence flourish!