Marketing your Architecture Firm.
Marketing and Architecture are two words that are rarely positioned next to each other in a sentence. For years, the industry has looked down on traditional marketing efforts and architects doing any sort of self promotion. However, you network everyday, everywhere you go. You are the backbone of marketing for your firm, and so are your employees. Without knowing it, you are spreading the word about your services and building a reputation. Let’s talk about how we can have even more control over that reputation. Let’s talk about marketing your architecture firm.
Marketing your architecture firm is important because it helps to establish your brand and help reach potential clients. A strong marketing strategy can help to differentiate your firm from local and regional competitors and demonstrate your expertise and capabilities to potential clients. Additionally, it can help to generate leads and increase visibility for your firm, which can lead to more business and growth.
Here are some simple strategies that will strengthen your firm's image:
Build a strong online presence: Your firm's website should be professional and easy to navigate, with a portfolio of your work prominently displayed. Make sure your firm is listed on relevant online directories and has active social media accounts.
Networking: Attend industry events and conferences, join professional organizations, and connect with other professionals in the industry. Face to face is still the best way to connect with people and organizations.
Build relationships with contractors and builders: These professionals can refer business to you, so it's important to establish a good working relationship with them. You can return the favor by referring business back to them.
Leverage word-of-mouth marketing: Encourage satisfied clients to leave reviews and provide testimonials. You can feature these reviews on your website and your google business profile.
Create marketing materials: Create brochures, flyers, and other materials that showcase your work and highlight your firm's unique selling points. This is easier if you’ve gone through the steps to brand your architecture firm. I talk more about branding your architecture firm in this blog post.
Innovate: Show that your firm is forward-thinking and up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies. It is important to keep up with the competition.
Keep your portfolio updated regularly: This should be a combination of your best work and the most recent ones. I talk more about the importance of your portfolio in this blog post about professional photography.
Specialization: Develop a niche or area of expertise within the industry, it will make it easier to target specific clients who are looking for that specific skill.
Remember that building a successful marketing strategy takes time and effort, so it is important to be consistent and patient. Also always be open to feedback and willing to adapt your strategies as needed. Relationship building is the name of the game in a service based industry. Who you know, and who they know will take your firm further than you can imagine. Below are several ways to encourage past clients to refer your architecture firm:
Ask for referrals directly: At the end of a project, ask your satisfied clients if they know of anyone who may be in need of your services.
Provide excellent service: Make sure your clients are happy with the service and design you provided. They are more likely to refer you to others if they were pleased with their experience working with your firm.
Keep in touch: Stay in touch with your past clients through email newsletters, social media, and other means. This helps to keep your firm top of mind and makes it more likely that they will refer you when the opportunity arises.
Incentivize referrals: Offer a referral bonus or discount to clients who refer new business to your firm.
Provide a referral card: Give your clients a referral card that they can give to their friends, family, and colleagues. This makes it easy for them to refer others to your firm.
Showcase your client's project: Share your client's project on your website and social media platforms. This not only showcases your work but also creates a sense of pride for your client's, leading them to refer you to others who are looking for similar services.
By following these steps, you will be able to increase the number of referrals you receive from past clients. We try to think of marketing not as a dirty word, but as an extension of what we already do on a day to day basis.
If you need help developing a customized marketing strategy, or looking for a partner to help you follow through with campaigns, please reach out to us at info@builtfair.com.