Where was the last person that asked you "What is Home Staging?" I am STILL blown away that I get that question after years of Staging and the exposure we have seen in all sorts of media. My first response when I get that question is to ask "Have you been living under a rock?"... but instead I share all about Staging.
The last few days here are the last places I was queried... At the gas station pumping gas - an older man came around my car that has signs on it and he startled me when he asked me what Staging was. So I shared what it was. Then at the Starbucks drivethrough right next to the gas station the gal in the window saw my signs and asked me what home staging was. So I quiclkly told her too... making a mental note that the city I was in must not be in to HGTV or see the press on Staging. Then as I left Starbucks to drive home, I got a call from someone that asked if I was a Stager and had called from my signs. I then got a call from the person he knew that wanted to learn how to be a Stager.
I was in an area that is a bit more remote and understandable that the service of staging has been slower to reach that area than others where I live. Then today - on a flight to Arizona the lady seated next to me and my colleague saw our Staging bags and asked if we were designers. We told her we were Home Stagers and she gushed that she loves watching HGTV and the show Designed to Sell. So even after years of publicity and an ever-growing presence in all parts of the country, there are still those that don't know what we do! What I learned is to not underestimate the power of signs on cars to advertise our business, and even things we carry can lead to a conversation about Staging.
How do you market when you think you are not marketing?? Those are just a couple of ways I have experienced recently... and that means we have to be ready with our "10 second commercial" when we get that call or a conversation starts that can lead us to business. Taking the pressure off of "having to go sell my services" and realizing that people WANT to know what we do and it can be as simple as starting a conversation with "Ever heard of home staging?" that can lead us to a client.
-Jennie
Alright, I'm going to bite....What exactly is home staging?
Bobby C
I've left my cards at home accessory stores like Pier 1 after getting into a conversation with the sales clerk or manager (sometimes while asking for an additional discount on gently damaged goods!) - to tell them what I do. When you're making a purchase it's the perfect opportunity to strike up a conversation with the clerk or even another customer. You can say something like, "does your store keep designer's business cards on file in case a customer may be in need of a stager ?" If they ask, "what's a stager?" then you have another opportunity to tell them what it is you do.
I think EVERY person that has a home (whether they rent or own, want to stage to sell or dwell) is a potential customer. ALWAYS keep your business cards handy - you never know who may want one. You don't have to be pushy about it, but if you're passionate it shows and it can be contagious!