So you are sitting there tapping your fingers on your desk, reading this blog trying to figure out ways to gain more projects. I am here to help, have no fear! These five tips are sure to teach you how to get more landscape architecture projects.
All of us at some point have a hesitation on asking for business, putting ourselves out there for people to see, and even claiming we are the best at what we do. Why? You are one of the best, you love what you do, and have worked hard to gain confidence in previous clients and respect from colleagues. We are all in this together and have a common goal. To make money at what we love. Now you want to know how to draw in more projects. Following these five simple tips I have listed will increase your project possibilities.
Become an Expert
Clients look to the experts for advice and great design. Showing off the knowledge and expertise you have gained throughout your career will get you noticed in the industry. Putting yourself out there by doing industry seminars and guest speaking for different shows and meetings is a sure way to let people know what special skills you have to offer.
Blog Once A Week
Some of the most effective ways to grab the attention of future clients for those moneymaking projects is simply blogging! Yes that word you hear time and time again. Why is this so important you might ask? The more someone sees and hears your name and reads blogs about the skills and knowledge you have to offer, the more likely they will remember you for future projects.
Blogging is a cost efficient and effective way to gain projects. Being consistent in your blogging should be on your daily priority list. Take 30 minutes to write about a specific topic in your field and publish and least one blog weekly!
Share to the World
Forget the old days of flyers, posters, mailers, and paper advertising. Go to social media and reach millions of people daily, weekly, and monthly. You are already online searching for ideas, content, and emailing clients. It takes a few brief minutes to make post a comment and just throw some fun information out there. Some colleagues have thought this is a waste of time, and luckily for you this couldn’t be farther from the truth. So step in to the generation of technology and reach hundreds of people. You will be the one with projects overflowing your desk.
People enjoy quotes, fun facts, and great designs. Sharing some of these will generate a buzz for you and your firm. It is an informal way to communicate, get your name out in the public, and draw in clients for projects you might not have known about otherwise. Again, another simple, and cost effective way to communicate, advertise, and market is to reach out to your audience and interact on the platforms they are most active on. Use Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. It might sound too simple, but don’t overlook the simplicity of free marketing and word-of-mouth.
Convert Leads
Every firm needs leads to generate business. That is, after all, why we are in this game right? To make money and do what we love. Every potential contact you know could be a way to generate leads. You can even generate leads by going out to a business lunch. The key pattern to all this is getting your name out there. Make yourself the expert in your industry.
How do you convert prospects into leads you might ask? Using the tips above, such as social media, blogs, and firm websites you can create free offers for content. This is also called “call to action” or CTA.
A terrific and effective way to bring people to your website, gain information about visitors to your site, while at the same time interacting and nurturing them for future leads.
This leads me to the next section…
Contact One Prospect a Day
Some people are great designers, yet are shy about reaching out and contacting people for possible business. DON’T BE!
Reaching out to at least one person a day means you are contacting an average of 260 people a year. 260 PEOPLE! These could be past clients you are just touching base with, think word of mouth and referrals. These can also be potential clients who have downloaded some of your free content and are now qualified leads. Or, they could be your target clientele you are hoping to connect with, introduce yourself to, and get an audience with.
One call a day is easy. Start small and build up. Imagine if you were able to increase your call volume to just twice a day? That is reaching out to over 500 prospective clients in a year!
I am not saying spend all your time making calls. I am saying by following these simple steps that take up just a few minutes of your day will produce benefits you have only imagined.
You want more projects, so go out there and get them!
