I was watching this media segment on some celebrity nonsense, and they kept referring to people as "Posers." In fact, one urban dictionary definition of "Poser" is:
A poser is someone who tries to fit into a profile they aren't. People who try to give off the impression that they are one thing when they are really another.
Also, a poser can be one who says they can do something that they can't.
I know we all have Staging Posers in our markets. I ran across one that was hired to do a Staging project, and turns out he was a Realtor "Posing" as a Stager - who picked out rental furniture that was a total mish-mash, but was cheaper than a real Stager. End result - the house did not sell when it should - and the client ended up spending way more money to have it done right the second time around!
These Posers are people that claim they know how to Stage but really don't. This person could be anyone from the homeowner who thinks because they watch HGTV they can successfully Stage their house, to a person that reads a book or a "how-to" pamphlet created and all of a sudden is an "expert" on what to do, to someone that actually starts up a Staging business, but really has no idea what Staging is all about. Although some of the media shows and publications help, the GIFT of Staging is not something you can just wake up one day and claim to have. To me it is a God-given gift was have from birth - the abiltiy to see things in a new way, to picture and envision rooms, yards, houses transformed. Not everyone has it - so not everyone can be a Stager.
According to one website: Calling someone a poser is the same thing as accusing them of being fake or inauthentic. They may talk the talk, but they don't walk the walk
How do we overcome the Posers in our own industry?
First, I hate to say it here on a blog site, but just because someone is writing about it - does not mean they are actually doing it. The public has to be savvy about not just picking someone because they have a bunch of points. Sadly, some are impressed by that, but as I blogged in the past, http://activerain.com/blogsview/371376/If-You-Are-In-Here-You-Are-Not-Out-There if a person is always in "here" blogging, and on numerous other sites posting things, they could not possibly be out "there" as much as a they claim, unless they literally never sleep. That, to me, is a Poser.
Writing about it and DOING it are two totally different things! Now I know Blogging can be like a full-time job - and it IS for some that actually get paid to comment on life, websites, etc., or for those that want to parlay their blog sites into publiciations. . . However, when our full time job we "blog about" is Staging - how can we be wearing both hats and be legit in our business? I know there are some that make it work, but a non-Poser will have a balance - not spending all their time on a blog site, and have real examples of productive work - which brings me to the next point.
Hopefully the public is savvy enough to actually look at the portfolios of the potential Stager - and makes sure that the photos included are of their work. And a Stager that is really out there running a business will have RECENT examples of successful Staging work, and statistics they track. Or at least they should. If they are promoting the same old photo from a year ago, chances are they have not really been "out there" Staging and are "posing" with those that have been out there working.
I know the tough market has meant business slow down for many markets - mine included - and yet because we are in this long term, we have recent examples and success stories we could share. A Poser will not have those.
Next - ASK for Credentials. A Poser won't have any. That is a pretty simple solution there. A Home Staging Poser will most likely talk about how much they love decorating, or perhaps they even came from a different parallel field, but they really won't be able to talk too much about how they have self-educated themselves in this field, or reference classes they may have taken.
How about ASKING for Insurance. A Poser probably will not have made the investment to insure a business that does not really exist. They want to be considered a Home Stager, but they don't really want to make the investment in a business. Not only does it leave their clients at risk, but they are putting their own family at risk by not insuring their business.
How about this important distinction: A Poser will not have success. Because they really don't know what they are doing, their houses don't sell and they cannot toot their horn over fabulous Staging transformations that result in record sales, or other stats that help sustain the Staging market.
Finally I think this question really weeds out the Posers from the Home Stagers that really plan on doing this as long as their minds will allow . . . Ask the Poser "How long do you see yourself doing this and why?" The Poser usually looks at Staging as a quick buck, and gets out as fast as they got in when the going gets tough. Or the Poser does not understand truly how Staging can work to sell a house - and will just dump in basic decor or a ton of greenery and call the house "Staged."
Posers are all talk and very little walk. They want to be like those that are successful in this fun, exciting, roller coaster ride of a business we call Staging - but it's time to identify the Posers so that the public does not get led down a primrose path of false expectations.
What is your take - and how many of you have met a Poser in your Market? Do tell!!
Jennie
Love this, Jennie!! Wannabes, posers, whatever we call them, the shoe fits. We have many here in Charlotte. But Charlotte IAHSP Regional Chapter is working hard to educate the public on the difference between a professional and a hobbyist. Thankfully many of the posers are dropping off because of the economy, but there are still many more out there. So we will continue the good fight...
This week, I put in a bid to restage yet another lovely home that has been desecrated by a local poser.
I also agree with your observation that the constant bloggers can't possibly be productive. How can someone claim to have staged 40 houses this month and be on here writing a book every day?
Have a great and wonderful Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!
Joan Inglis, ASP, ASPM, Charlotte IAHSP Chapter President
www.lakewyliehomestaing.com
Hi Jennie,
I think the best point you made was in regards to having insurance. A Professional Staging company will have extensive insurance to cover most incidents. Having worked in construction for 30 years, I can guarantee you, the posers are the ones without insurance.
I always go over this fact with my clients. Any tradesperson I bring in also must show proof of insurance. If a painter puts a ladder through a $10,000 window- who is going to pay for it to be repaired?
On one of my first jobs I expained this to my client, he decided he was going to do the prep work himself. He removed the door stops from behind the doors when he was removing the baseboards to do the floor. Wouldn't you know it, the first person to come through the door swung the door wide open and it hit the wall and there was a lovely, huge hole in the wall. Who's paying to fix that? And that is just a small example of what can go wrong on a jobsite.
Jennie,
I love the word "Poser." My husband went to London on business around 20 years ago and brought back the word, which to this day we use when appropriate.
As far as in our field, I use to have great concern for this issue, but have found that as Joan stated, they are gone w/in a year or two in the business. Whether"Certified" or not, running a successful business takes a cocktail of qualities.
I made a New Years resolution last year, not to be concerned with what other people have or not have, and sourround myself with positive, progressive minded people.
Go, Jennie, GO!!! Couldn't agree with you more!!!! and the "posers" will not be the ones who are around for long...
I agree with you all - most definitely - this blog post was not a dig at who has been trained or not (although one group I had posted it to felt the need to remove it - who knows why) - and that is why I actually put in the post that people can self-educate or be trained. To to me a Poser is someone that has not done either - and are in this business without really knowing what Staging is all about, what the goals really are when we work with a client, etc. And one of the worst kind are those that think what we see on TV is really what we are supposed to be doing with a client. To date, I am not proud of any show I see on TV that supposedly depicts "Staging."
There are also those that try this "Staging" on for size, and really are not that great at it - they may have a flair for some parts of it - maybe they like the idea of being part of this all encompassing home improvement, redesign, designer, decorating, home staging bucket that we all get dropped into - who knows if they jump on the bandwagon because it looks like a lot of fun - but the truth is that it is a lot of WORK too - to manage, market and maintain a successful business. When the work gets tough, most of those that are not fully committed and are "playing stager" will close up their tents and go home. - Jennie
Jennie! I have missed your posts - busy Staging I guess!! Me too! Your comments on Posers areamazing and absolutely on target. As a new "hot" industry everyone wants to be a "stager" (note the little S); too many "think" they can; most cannot. Those of us that have sought the training; read books; researched; ggleaned much from working with other ASPM's; made mistakes; gone through the business school of hard knocks & more are running real businesses. All the afore mentioned contribute to our knowledge of our industry and its definition for the future.
Sometimes, I think we make it look too easy - it is darn hard work to have solid work behind you, good stats to recite when asked, a portfolio, satisfied customers, true testimonials - add it all up and its a "real" career.
Question - how many times are you called or asked, "I want to do what you do, it looks like fun."? LOL I gt it all the time. It must look effortless as I work - far from that. I am having the time of my life! I am a Stager at heart - I was rearranging my room weekly as a little girl - anyway - Home Staging is my passion; I believe if its a true passion then the necessary talent is there and we do make it look like fun.
You are right not everyone just anyone can do it right & well.
Merry Christmas - Jan
Jennie, excellent blog! Just like Connie said, "Posers" won't last in this business or any other. You have to be dedicated and know what you are doing to suceed.
Jan - I remember having lunch with someone who was interested in staging, once all the behind the scenes work was explained to her, I never heard from her again. It is not as easy as it looks.
Very thoughtful post. Excellant in your description. We have some "poser" here in our area. Most are Realtors who want the general public to think that if they hire them as their Realtor that they are also getting a stager...Looking at their MLS and Website photos, it appears that they should stick to what they know best.
As a home stager,adding an RE license to the mix should be interesting-- I am not sure what you wouid label that but in this difficult market it is a way to try and stay viable. Instead of staging and handing it off-I can keep my clients to the end.
All clients are not compliant however and now I can't hand them off!!!!
I appreciate the stagers that have helped me. I believe that what you put out there, comes back to you. Haven't met any posers here in this area yet.
There's posers in all fields. We've all seen them and know them for what they are.
You're right, they soon disappear, BUT, there's always another "I can do it" right around the corner.
Don't forget the "I can do it, cheaper!" types. They are always out there too.
It's the nature of our society. Try it on and see if it fits. Most don't realize how really hard it is to actually run a business and be successful at it. It's certainly a LOT more work than I anticipated 9 years ago.
But, I enjoy it.
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