The Best Social Media Marketing For Interior Designers is Visual
Social Media Marketing For Interior Designers Should Be Visual
Start by Sharing Project Images
As an interior designer or the owner of an interior design firm, it’s probably all too common for you to focus most of your energy on doing what you do best, working on client projects. Reaching new audiences with online marketing tactics requires effort and time and frequently takes a back burner to the ease of advertising with a local home magazine (which, by the way, does not work). But with the vast network of social media platforms available, it's easy to see that with a slight shift in thinking about your marketing will pay dividends.
Proof of value in an interior designer's work is photography. It's the only way to demonstrate your skills and get your audience to know you is to drive your prospects to where they can view your portfolios. The need to focus on current trends in the way we do business is to identify where the masses are flocking to, the Internet, recognizing that online is the place for them to see what you have to offer.
Not all social media platforms are capable of displaying your work in the best format while simultaneously targeting the right audience.
Facebook is often the first thing that comes to mind although it might not generate the response you want unless you're paying for promoted posts. Consequently, we'd like to encourage you to look beyond to three other platforms that have the potential to increase your visibility dramatically, and with just the right audience.
Did you know that Pinterest is one of the fastest-growing social networks out there, and the third-largest in the U.S. The site is overwhelmingly visual and lifestyle-oriented. Users create themed “boards” that are used to organize curated collections of images and videos, which are then seen by other users and “re-pinned.” Some of the most popular categories on Pinterest include Home Décor, Design, and Architecture.
Visual Social Media Marketing
A perfect example of an interior design firm that has successfully harnessed the power of Pinterest is Minnesota-based KSID Studio Interior Design. The company built up almost 2,000 followers for its more than 100 different boards, which include everything from “Chinoiserie” and “Glamorous Boudoir” to “Pool House Lighting.” KSID Studio uses Pinterest to reflect its brand image rather than simply present its portfolio of work, something highly recommended by experts for this particular medium.
Houzz
If you are not on Houzz, you're missing the boat. Houzz “connects 80 million homeowners, home design enthusiasts and home improvement professionals across the country and around the world, every single month” According to its website, “With the largest residential design database in the world and a vibrant community powered by social tools, Houzz is the easiest way for people to get the design inspiration, project advice, product information and professional reviews they need to help turn ideas into reality.”
Houzz’s prominent “Find Local Pros” button allows users to locate an interior designer within a particular radius of his or her home, browse photos of the design firm’s projects, and read reviews written by clients. Interior designers can also interact directly with potential customers via the “Discussions” section, where users post public questions about their home environments and seek advice from other Houzz users.
BeHance
Finally, Behance, “the leading online platform to showcase & discover creative work,” according to its website, is a must for interior designers and firms. Called the “LinkedIn for creative professionals,” Behance makes it easy to showcase your projects: Each post prominently displays how many views it’s had as well as how many “appreciations” (thumbs up) and comments. Users click on a project thumbnail can then choose to “follow” a particular user or firm. Following allows people to get project portfolio updates sent to them via email and send direct messages.
On BeHance, prospects can select the “Interior Design” category, then filter the results by location, most viewed, most appreciated, most discussed, most recent, or by a particular content tag. There are dozens of ways for your firm to connect to the right audience.
Social media marketing may mean extra work for an interior design company, but if done correctly on the right platforms, it will put you and your work in front of thousands of people who are in need of the expertise and talent you have to offer.
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About Michael Conway
I'm the owner and strategist at Means-of-Production. My firm builds Squarespace websites, Houzz profiles, and content marketing and advertising solutions for architects, interior designers, design-build contractors and landscape design firms. Our all-in-one marketing tactics attract the right clients with exceptional architectural photography and brand messaging that sets you apart from the competition.