![Exterior Designer: marketing strategy, tactics and ideas [excel template]](http://onlineyougrow.com/cdn/shop/articles/cov-marketing-plan-6.png?v=1715857667&width=1100)
You're an exterior designer. Imagine this: your designs are transforming neighborhoods, all because you mastered your marketing approach. Sounds appealing, doesn't it?
We've observed many exterior designers facing challenges when it comes to developing an effective marketing strategy that delivers real results.
That's why we've created a free marketing plan and strategy template, specifically designed for exterior designers. This resource will assist you in crafting a robust marketing plan, helping you connect with your ideal clients and fulfill your business objectives.
Moreover, if you're eager to elevate your exterior design business's marketing with proven methods and strategies, explore our collection of marketing strategies and tactics for exterior designers.
Continue reading to learn how to utilize this tool to boost your marketing efforts and attract more clients to your exterior design services.
Get the marketing planner tailored for exterior designers
The best exterior designers plan their whole marketing strategy. You can do the same now.
Examples of marketing strategies for an exterior designer
We could easily list hundreds of marketing tactics here. However, we know you need actions that are practical and tailored to specific use cases for your exterior design business.
Marketing strategies for an exterior designer with a low budget
Great news, you can attract new clients without breaking the budget of your exterior design business.
We will briefly outline some fundamental marketing strategies here for clarity and conciseness; if you require a detailed action plan and tips to implement these strategies effectively and affordably, please consult our strategy pack for exterior designers aiming to expand their clientele.
| Strategy for Your Exterior Design Business | Budget Range | How to Make It Even More Budget-Friendly |
|---|---|---|
| Social Media Marketing | $0 - $100/month | Focus on organic growth by showcasing before-and-after project photos, design tips, and client testimonials. Encourage clients to share their transformed spaces and tag your business. |
| Email Marketing | $0 - $50/month | Utilize free email marketing tools to send newsletters featuring recent projects, design advice, and special promotions. Gather emails through a sign-up form on your website. |
| Referral Programs | $50 - $200/month | Develop a referral program where past clients receive a discount or a complimentary consultation for referring new customers. Consider using low-cost referral tracking software. |
| Partnerships with Local Suppliers | $0 - $100 | Collaborate with local nurseries or building suppliers for discounts or sponsorships. Offer to feature them in your project posts in exchange for reduced rates on materials. |
| Hosting Workshops or Seminars | $100 - $500 | Organize and host DIY landscaping or exterior design workshops. Partner with local hardware stores or community centers to reduce venue and material costs. |
| Google My Business Listing | $0 | Keep your Google My Business profile updated with recent project photos, services offered, and seasonal promotions. Encourage satisfied clients to leave positive reviews. |
| Outreach to Home Improvement Influencers | $100 - $500 | Invite home improvement bloggers and influencers to review your service, possibly offering a free design consultation in exchange for coverage on their platforms. |
| SEO for Your Business Website | $0 - $200/month | Optimize your website with relevant keywords such as “best exterior design in [city]”. Regularly update your blog with project highlights, design trends, and maintenance tips to boost search rankings. |
| Online Contests and Giveaways | $50 - $200 | Run contests on social media where followers can win a free consultation or a discount on your services. Use small, enticing incentives to increase participation and visibility. |
| Local SEO & Directory Listings | $0 - $100 | Ensure your business is listed in local home improvement and design directories. Keep your NAP (Name, Address, Phone number) consistent across all listings to improve local search visibility. |
| Client Feedback and Referral Programs | $0 - $100 | Offer incentives for clients who provide feedback or refer new customers. Set up an easy-to-use feedback system on your website or via email follow-ups. |
| DIY Professional-Quality Photos | $0 - $50 | Invest in a decent camera or use a high-quality smartphone to take striking photos of your completed projects. Share these images on your website and social media to attract potential clients. |
Copy the tactics of the best exterior designers in the world!
There are exterior designers that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
Marketing strategies for your exterior design service if you have limited time
Exciting news for busy exterior designers: you don't have to compromise on growing your business due to a packed schedule.
For a comprehensive action plan and practical tips to apply these strategies efficiently, explore our specialized strategy pack designed for busy exterior designers looking to scale up.
| Tactic | Time to Spend Each Week | Tips to Maximize Time and Efficiency |
|---|---|---|
| Weekly Project Highlights | 2 hours | Feature different projects each week (e.g., #ModernMonday, #WaterFeatureWednesday) to streamline content creation and target specific client interests. Schedule posts in advance using social media tools. |
| Interactive Instagram Stories | 1 hour | Leverage Instagram's interactive features (polls, sliders, questions) to quickly create engaging stories. Showcase ongoing projects and before-and-after transformations. |
| Updates on Google My Business | 30 minutes | Regularly post recent projects or design tips on your Google My Business profile to enhance visibility and attract local clients. Use compelling images to capture interest. |
| Collaborations with Home Improvement Influencers | 2 hours | Identify and connect with influencers in the home design space for a feature or mention; offer a free consultation in exchange for exposure. Monitor engagement to gauge impact. |
| Email Marketing with Design Tips | 1 hour | Utilize email templates and segment your audience to send personalized design tips and updates, minimizing the time needed to craft impactful messages. Highlight recent projects and seasonal advice. |
| Partnerships with Local Contractors | 2 hours | Schedule monthly meetings to establish collaborative promotions or shared projects, distributing the marketing efforts and broadening your client base. Develop joint service packages. |
| Client Testimonial Incentives | 1 hour | Implement a program where clients receive a discount or additional service for sharing their experience online with a specific hashtag. Promote positive reviews on platforms like Houzz and Google. |
| Local SEO Optimization | 2 hours | Ensure your website and portfolio are optimized for local search terms and that your contact information is consistent across all online platforms. Utilize local directories and niche sites. |
| Time-Limited Offers on Social Media | 1 hour | Announce exclusive, limited-time promotions on social media to create urgency and attract immediate client interest. Use eye-catching visuals and clear calls-to-action. |
| Engagement in Community Events | 3 hours | Identify local events where you can showcase your services or sponsor activities, using the event's reach to expose your design services to potential new clients. Offer consultations or free design sketches to attendees. |
Marketing strategies for your exterior design service focused on social media
For exterior designers looking to leverage social media: you can significantly enhance your online visibility and client engagement with the right strategies.
| Social Media | Tactic | How to Execute | How to Make It Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Showcases | Share high-quality images of your completed projects, tagging the location and specific features used. | Use Instagram Stories to share the progress of projects, and save them as Highlights categorized by project type or feature. | |
| Live Design Consultations | Host live sessions where you discuss design trends, answer questions, or give a virtual tour of ongoing projects. | Promote these live sessions in advance, engage with your audience by answering their questions live, and follow up with a post-session summary. | |
| Before-and-After Threads | Post before-and-after photos of your projects, using threads to explain the design process and decisions made. | Encourage followers to share their own home exterior photos for a quick virtual consultation or tips, enhancing user interaction. | |
| TikTok | Design Challenge | Start a challenge where you invite followers to redesign a small part of their home exterior and share it on TikTok. | Collaborate with influencers to increase the reach of your challenge, offer prizes for innovative designs, and share compilation videos of the best entries. |
| Interactive Polls and Q&A | Use Instagram Stories to run polls about design preferences or host Q&A sessions about exterior design. | Use the feedback from these interactions to tailor your content and services, showing your audience that their opinions shape your offerings. | |
| Client Testimonials and Reviews | Encourage clients to share their experiences and post reviews of your design services on your Facebook page. | Respond to each review, thanking the client for their feedback and addressing any concerns raised to demonstrate your commitment to client satisfaction. | |
| Engage in Local Community Projects | Use Twitter to highlight your involvement in local community projects or collaborations with local businesses. | Tag other local entities involved, use relevant hashtags, and share updates about the project’s progress to boost local engagement. | |
| TikTok | Time-Lapse Videos | Post time-lapse videos of your design projects from start to finish, showcasing the transformation and the work involved. | Ask viewers to guess the design elements used or to choose their favorite part of the transformation to encourage interaction. |
Make your exterior design service more profitable
We have studied the strategies of the best exterior designers in the world. All their tactics are explained in our pack!
Marketing strategies for an exterior designer that work with a significant budget
Indeed, there are efficient and sophisticated marketing tactics that promise a strong return on investment for those prepared to allocate a significant budget.
For a detailed roadmap and expert advice on deploying these high-impact strategies effectively and maximizing your marketing spend, don't miss out on our exclusive strategy pack designed for exterior designers aiming to transform more spaces every month.
| Tactic | Monthly Budget Range (USD) | How to Make It Even Better |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Video Production for Social Media | $2,000 - $5,000 | Enhance videos with storytelling that showcases your design philosophy, recent projects, and client testimonials. Distribute across multiple platforms and consider paid promotion to extend reach. |
| Influencer Marketing Campaigns | $5,000 - $20,000 | Partner with home improvement influencers who align with your aesthetic and have an engaged audience. Plan a series of posts for a broader campaign rather than one-off posts to maintain audience interest. |
| High-End Photography for Portfolios and Advertising | $1,000 - $3,000 | Use these photos across all your marketing materials and social media. Refresh the photos periodically to reflect new projects and keep the content engaging. |
| Paid Social Media Advertising | $2,000 - $10,000 | Segment your target audience for more personalized ads, use A/B testing for ad creatives, and retarget visitors who have interacted with your website or social media. |
| Partnership with Home Improvement Shows for Featured Segments | $1,000 - $5,000 | Negotiate better placement or featured spots during prime viewing times. Use data from these platforms to understand viewer preferences and tailor your offerings. |
| Hosting High-Profile Showcase Events or Open Houses | $10,000 - $50,000 | Collaborate with renowned architects or interior designers to create buzz. Ensure media coverage and engage with attendees through social media to amplify the event's reach. |
| Creating an Interactive, High-Quality Website with SEO | $5,000 - $15,000 | Incorporate a blog with high-quality content about design trends, project case studies, and client testimonials to improve SEO. Ensure the site is mobile-friendly and showcases your portfolio effectively. |
Innovative and creative marketing strategies for your exterior design service
For exterior designers looking to differentiate themselves in a crowded market, adopting innovative, creative, and unique marketing strategies can significantly elevate their business profile.
| Tactic | Description |
|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Showcases | Implement a virtual reality (VR) platform that allows clients to experience proposed exterior designs in a fully immersive 3D environment. This can help clients visualize the end result more clearly, enhancing decision-making and client satisfaction. |
| Online Design Workshops | Offer online workshops where clients can learn about landscape design, color theory, and material selection. This educational approach can also include kits sent to clients to help them visualize materials and designs, creating a deeper connection and potential for upselling. |
| Interactive Design Tools | Develop interactive tools on your website where clients can input their preferences and see design changes in real-time. Promote these tools through social media to engage a broader audience and drive traffic to your site. |
| Pop-Up Design Spaces | Create temporary, real-world installations in public spaces that showcase your design capabilities. These can be thematic, reflecting seasonal changes or design trends, and serve as both a portfolio piece and a public interaction point. |
| Environmental Integration Projects | Initiate projects that emphasize sustainability and innovative use of space, such as green roofs or integration of solar elements. These projects can be highlighted in case studies and press releases to attract environmentally conscious clients. |
| Mobile Design Consultations | Launch a mobile consultation service where you visit potential clients in a well-equipped van that serves as a mini-showroom. Use social media to schedule stops and create a buzz around your visits. |
| Design Challenges on Social Media | Host challenges that invite people to submit photos of their yards or exteriors for a quick redesign sketch. Offer a discount for full services to the winning entry, which can increase client engagement and showcase your skills. |
| Augmented Reality Landscaping | Use AR technology to allow clients to see potential changes to their existing outdoor spaces through their smartphones or tablets. This can include anything from different types of shrubbery to exterior paints, and help in making more informed decisions. |
| Themed Exterior Events | Organize events that transform a space according to different cultural or historical themes, showcasing your versatility in adapting various styles. This can also be a networking event to attract potential clients. |
| Outdoor Scavenger Hunts | Arrange scavenger hunts in large outdoor spaces you've designed. Use this as a tool to demonstrate your work's functionality and aesthetic appeal, with prizes that include free consultations or discounted services. |
Your exterior design service could make more money!
Most exterior designers don't know how to grow their business. Let us teach you the right strategies.
Do you really need a strong marketing strategy for your exterior design service?
Looking to enhance your property's curb appeal and market value? A robust marketing strategy for your exterior design services is essential, not just a mix of attractive visuals or abstract ideas.
At its core, a marketing strategy is your blueprint for attracting potential clients and converting them into satisfied, returning customers. The objective is to increase visibility for your exterior design services, set yourself apart from the competition, and inspire homeowners to transform their spaces with your expertise.
When we reached out for feedback, many exterior designers questioned if a marketing strategy was truly necessary for their business.
Yes - it's necessary.
In a market brimming with options for landscaping, patio designs, and outdoor renovations, standing out is crucial. Without a marketing strategy, your design services might remain the best-kept secret in the neighborhood, which isn't ideal for growth. Effective marketing places your business in the spotlight, attracts new clients, and retains existing ones.
You don’t need to spend countless hours or hire a marketing expert
You might say that you've never studied marketing before. That’s okay.
You don’t need to delve into complex marketing theories or hire a "marketing guru." While professional assistance can be beneficial, it's not absolutely necessary, especially when you're just starting out or working within a limited budget.
Many facets of marketing, especially in today's digital era, can be effectively managed with a bit of research, creativity, and commitment.
Platforms like social media are potent tools for engaging directly with your audience, showcasing your projects, sharing client testimonials, and promoting special offers.
However, a common challenge you might encounter as an exterior designer is feeling overwhelmed by the numerous platforms and tools available, each with its own best practices and algorithms.
It can be daunting to determine where to begin, what content to produce, and how to effectively interact with your audience while managing a busy design schedule.
We understand these challenges. That's why we have developed a strategy pack for exterior designers. It contains all the essentials you need, simplified for easy comprehension and immediate implementation. Go through it, and you can start attracting new clients every week.
You don’t need a big budget
You might wonder how much exterior designers typically spend on marketing. Actually, it varies widely based on the scale, location, and goals of your business.
From our observations, we recommend dedicating about 3-6% of your total revenue to marketing.
For smaller, independent designers, the budget might be on the lower end, perhaps a few hundred dollars a month, focusing on cost-effective strategies like social media, word-of-mouth, and local community involvement. Conversely, larger or more high-end services might invest more in comprehensive campaigns, professional photography, and targeted online advertisements.
There are also effective marketing tactics for exterior designers on a tight budget. Try to make your services well-known online, encourage your clients to leave positive reviews, leverage local media, and engage with your community through events or collaborations.
Being creative and authentic matters more than having a large budget. Showcase your design process, talk about your team, or highlight a recent project transformation. These actions don't cost much but can be highly effective. Need some inspiration? We've prepared a list of content ideas for social media, tailored to exterior designers, it’s all yours!
Copy the tactics of the best exterior designers in the world!
There are exterior designers that make way more money than you do. We have studied their tactics. Get them now!
What should you prioritize when promoting your exterior design service?
As an exterior designer, understanding where to direct your marketing efforts is essential for attracting the right clients and growing your business.
Don’t try to appeal to everyone, it’s too costly
First off, let’s make it clear that every exterior design business has its unique style, services, and expertise, which appeal to specific client segments. This specificity is why targeting the right clients for your design services matters immensely.
When we surveyed the exterior design industry and created our marketing strategy pack, we found many designers trying things that didn't work and spending a lot of money because their targeting was off.
Imagine casting a wide net hoping to catch any client that comes your way. Now, compare that to using a targeted approach designed to attract the exact type of client you're looking for. In marketing, the latter approach ensures that your efforts and resources are spent on attracting individuals who are more likely to appreciate and invest in your design services, rather than a fleeting audience with no real interest in what makes your business special.
For instance, a high-end exterior designer using social media ads to target a broad, general audience might not reach its ideal clientele, who are looking for bespoke, luxurious outdoor spaces.
Similarly, a designer specializing in sustainable, eco-friendly designs promoting through high-cost magazine ads in general lifestyle publications may see little return, as their ideal customers likely seek specific, environmentally-conscious solutions.
These misalignments between the marketing strategy and the target client base lead to ineffective marketing and financial losses.
Don’t follow generic advice: you own an exterior design business, it’s not a regular business
Also, general marketing tactics, while foundational, often fall short when applied to the exterior design industry without customization. The reason is simple: context matters. A strategy that works wonders for an interior designer, a landscaper, or a construction company might not resonate with your exterior design's target audience.
Each of these businesses caters to different needs, operates on varying schedules, and, most importantly, engages clients in distinct ways.
For example, while an interior designer might focus on creating cozy, functional indoor spaces, an exterior designer's allure often revolves around the outdoor experience, the uniqueness of the design, and the integration with the natural environment. Similarly, a landscaper might rely heavily on seasonal work and maintenance contracts, which is a different game altogether.
That is why we decided to build a marketing strategy pack for exterior designers and exterior designers only.
Use common sense when deciding
So, what works for exterior designers? It's all about creating and sharing experiences that align with your design business's identity.
Social media is a powerful tool in this regard, allowing you to showcase your projects, design process, and the overall outdoor experience through visually appealing posts and stories.
Engaging with your audience online by responding to comments, sharing behind-the-scenes content, and highlighting client testimonials can add a personal touch that many clients appreciate.
Remember, it's not just about posting regularly, but posting content that mirrors the expectations and interests of your target demographic.
Collaborations with local influencers, design bloggers, and even other businesses can also yield impressive results. Such partnerships allow you to tap into existing communities and audiences that trust and value the opinions of the influencers they follow.
Finally, make sure your clients can find you easily on the web. You have to make friends with search engines. We will help you - here is a SEO (for Search Engine Optimization) checklist tailored to exterior designers. It's all yours!
Where to get the best marketing strategies for your exterior design service?
We understand that venturing into marketing for your exterior design business might feel like navigating uncharted territory, especially with all the projects and client demands you're already balancing.
Perhaps the whole realm of marketing seems somewhat foreign, filled with complex terms and tactics. Or maybe you're concerned about the potential costs and the time commitment required, given your already packed schedule.
And it's completely normal if you've thought, "My designs speak for themselves, isn't that enough?" This is a common sentiment, particularly when you're deeply involved in the day-to-day operations of your design business, and perhaps past marketing attempts haven't quite delivered the results you hoped for.
But here's what we've designed just for you - a tailored strategy pack specifically for exterior designers.
This package is crafted to make marketing straightforward and manageable for you. We've stripped away the complex jargon and simplified the marketing steps into something clear and actionable. Concerned about time and budget? Our strategies are economical and designed to integrate seamlessly into your busy life, focusing on practical, impactful measures.
We also offer guidance on how to gradually embrace the digital marketing landscape at a comfortable pace, ensuring you never feel overwhelmed. Our aim is to transform marketing from a daunting chore into an enjoyable, rewarding part of your business.
Some exterior designers make 5x more profit than you!
We have studied the strategies of the best exterior designers in the world. Replicate them now!
