Business Journal

There’s no doubt that home staging and redesign is a hot career field. Take it from Web sites such as CareerBuilder and BankRate that the sector is abuzz with activity. Not to mention myriad viewers tuning to popular television programs that show how staging and redesign experts transform rooms to make house-selling more profitable.

“If you’re in the market for a new job, home stager is the first of seven emerging careers that are making a mark and poised for growth in the coming years,” according to CareerBuilder.com. And, BankRate.com lists the field of home staging and redesign among the “fast, cheap career changes that pay off.”

But it’s not enough to just be positioned in this growing industry sector; if you aren’t effectively marketing your services, you are losing business to others who do.

How do you differentiate yourself from your competitors? And how do you get potential clients to see you as the clear choice?

In a nutshell, “You can’t sell if you don’t tell.” In other words, if people don’t know your areas of expertise and the range of services you offer, they won’t be able to clearly see the difference between you and your competitors.

Become a standout.

What’s the solution? Have a dynamic USP – unique selling proposition – in your marketing plan.

The USP should be the core of your marketing message. It is two or three benefit-rich statements that clearly and concisely answer your customer’s question, “What’s in it for me?” It’s also the most effective way of differentiating yourself from the competition.

Learning how to use your USP, to convey key benefits your service will provide to clients, is critical to success. The USP should also convey what is unique about your clients and the compelling reason that will motivate them to take action and call you.

Enrolling in a comprehensive and customized training program is one of the best ways to learn to market your business. The program should help you create your USP, and also identify your choice clients. Effective market training should also 1) teach home stagers and redesigners how to communicate clearly and build rapport with clients, 2) confidently explain your services and pricing, and 3) create powerful presentation portfolios that visually showcase the services you provide.

Not all training programs are created equal.

Do your homework before deciding which training company to use. Is the instructor sanctioned by a legitimate group such as the nonprofit professional association Interior Redesign & Staging Industry Specialists (IRIS at http://weredesign.com/ )? Can you speak to people who have taken the course, as well as the instructor?

Perhaps you’re already a home stager or redesigner who wants to jumpstart your career. Or perhaps you’re contemplating a job switch. There’s never been a better time to enter the field of home staging. Popular television shows such as “Sell This House” on A&E and “Designed to Sell” on HGTV have put home stagers and redesigners top of mind. At the same time, more Realtors are recognizing the benefits of working with home stagers.

Learning how to effectively and creatively market your home staging or redesigning business will position you ahead of competitors who lack marketing know-how, while driving more business your way.

By: Sandy A. Dixon

About the Author: