If you are thinking about starting a new home staging business, then here are some tips that I’ve learned over the years that may help you succeed {or not}. I’ve witnessed many enter the industry and noticed some similarities with those who do well.
How to run your home staging business {into the ground}
Last night as I was falling asleep it occurred to me that sarcasm can do wonders in education. With that, I’ve decided to create a list of the most important lessons for new home stagers who want to run a successful home stager. Just {don’t} follow these suggestions and you’ll have a great start.
Use your iphone to take your home staging photo
Home Staging portfolios are overrated. Rather than investing in professional photos or a quality camera (and likely lessons on how to use it), be sure to carry your iphone around to take your photos. If you don’t have an iphone, a simple point and shoot camera should do the trick. Keeping your staging budget as low as possible will increase your company profits. This is a great way to cut corners.
Don’t waste your time on social media
Social media is a waste of time. Avoid lengthy conversations with your home staging peers on Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus. A better alternative for your time is taking local Realtors out to coffee or lunch. Better yet, try to work with agents who are willing to let you stage for free in return for exposure at an open house.
Give away free consultations or staging jobs to get started
If you can’t seem to get agents to pay you for your home staging services, give them away for free. Agents will always reciprocate by paying for your service after they see what an outstanding job you can do for them. Consider giving away a free staging job at agent office meetings. This is a great way for you to get your name out there.
Work part time until you get going
It’s common when you are starting out to only work a few hours. Eventually those lunches, coffees, and agent giveaways will pay off. Until then, this is a great time to look at photos on Houzz and Pinterest – you know, to learn all about home decor trends.
You knew this was all tongue in cheek, right?
In all seriousness, these are some of the worst offending practices by new home stagers. If anyone suggests any of this, then don’t walk, run the other way. Most of these “suggestions” come from actual conversations that I’ve either witnessed (often in social media chat rooms) or heard from struggling home stagers, or unscrupulous home staging training companies (who haven’t staged a home in years, if ever).
The reverse to most of everything above is true, and these are probably some of the most important areas to focus your business on, in the beginning of your home staging career. All of these are discussed in our online home staging training program. If you’ve already earned your home staging designation with another training company, but are still struggling, then consider our home staging mentoring program.
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