We have all seen the Hunger Games, and as crazy as it may seem they are a strange, but accurate metaphor for several things in life. No, we may not run around trying to kill each other, but life definitely has it’s competitions, especially when it comes to business. Landscae Architects today are converting to a new way of attracting clients called inbound marketing. This is a great way to make your firm known as an authority, and to build a new following. With that being said, here is the Hunger Games guide to getting more landscape architecture RFPs.
Related Post: The 2015 Landscape Architecture Marketing Strategy That Works
| Image By Flickr User Kendra Miller |
The first thing you need to know is everyone is in the drawing for each RFP. The client will be sending it to every architect they feel deserve to submit. Unfortunately every architect has the same chance to receive an RFP. However, unlike in Panem, as an LA in our world, you actually want to be picked for this drawing. Thankfully, you can also sway the judges to pick you, unlike the random drawing for tributes for the games. All you need is to take advantage of the inbound marketing tools available to you to help your chances.
| Image By Flickr User Jabiz Raisdana |
Before you are considered for an RFP you first have to make yourself known. Build your portfolio, and create an awesome website to draw people in. Just like in the Hunger Games, you need some skills, and a way to show them off. The more clients you are attracting and the more business you’re conducting, the better known you will become. If you follow the four-step inbound methodology you can achieve just that. Attract visitors to your site, convert them to leads by making remarkable content available to them, close them into clients, and of course keep delighting them once business is concluded. Just like in the games, sponsors can make the difference between life and death… or at least business or no business. You absolutely need your past clients to help promote your business. A great review never hurt anyone.
| Image By Flickr User Jabiz Raisdana |
Now that you have your firm built up and clients are sponsoring you, it helps to have a niche - something that you are especially good at. Yes, we know it’s helpful to be great at everything, and you should strive to better yourself in different areas, but you also want to have that one skill no one else can compare to. The tributes of the Hunger Games were scored on their skills, and you know Katniss was the only one to shoot an arrow past the judges. She scored higher than anyone else because she was bold and memorable. You too need that certain something that clients will remember you for. When your name gets put in for an RFP you need to specialize in that one skill that will make your name stand out above the rest for the top score.
Thankfully architects do not have to fight to the death just to receive an RFP, but you know the competition can feel that intense. A close competition never hurt anyone, and as an architect you have the skills to beat out everyone else. If you use the inbound marketing process and make a name for yourself you should start receiving a Landscape Architecture RFP anytime now, just remember, you don’t have to go all “Hunger Games” on someone to get it!