BUDDING STAGERS... here are 7 tips to OPEN DOORS to business.

One of the delights of being blogging is receiving emails like this...

"Hi craig, Im in the process of getting my staging business off the ground but so far no one seems interested! I live in a area that staging is very new. My business is the first of its kind within 100 miles! How do I convince homeowners about staging?
Help in Southern Indiana!"

So here is SOME of MY ADVICE that might help new stagers get going.

To get to the seller... look to the realtor. Make connections with a realtor first. THEY are your initial gateways.

1. Study study study about ... websites, books and classes (either on line or in person) are filled with tips, techniques, info, messaging and facts about staging. YOU HAVE TO BE AN EXPERT... not a wish washy kinda sorta person that THINKS they would be a good stager if they had a good "opportunity". You gotta MAKE the opportunity.


2. THEN Consider your audience and craft YOUR marketing message accordingly. What you say to a realtor is WAY different then what you say to the seller. BUT the message STARTS with the knowledge you have gained.


3. Find a realtor you like, respect and trust. THEN offer your services for free, for the first 1or 2 jobs. Consider YOUR payment to be the real-time experience you get AND the pictures of your transformation. Tell the realtor to tell the seller that THEY will pay your fee. THAT way the realtor looks like a "winner" in the eyes of their client. This is NOT a lie, they are "paying"... as they brought you in and are paying you with their reputation being at stake.


4. When you stage it.... go above and beyond expectations of both the realtor AND the seller. Get them buzzing about you.


5. Fake it till you make it. Be professional and ALWAYS remember you are in the business of FIRST IMPRESSIONS. Everything you do, say and show must PROJECT that you have a command of that concept.


6. Observe and adapt what you say and what you do. Then move to the next and the next and the next.

It really is as EASY as this… and as HARD as this.