I'm still paying for a Houzz pro account, and just finished a (painful) $300 a month ad series in a targeted neighborhood magazine, but most my leads come from past clients and contractors. But, back in the day, I ran a postcard program where I made cards featuring recent projects, with a soft sell message and found it VERY effective.
The key is your mailing list: at it's peak, I had over 4,000 names on it, separated into categories: my "A" list of past clients and industry partners who I wanted to stay in touch with, my B list, then a Contractor and Sub list, a Realtor list, a Banker/Lender list, and Media list. I even had an Architect/Interior designer list, and you'd be amazed how many references I got from other architects who didn't do the kind of work I do (residential remodeling)
My favorite story was a client who came in with a 13 year old postcard that they'd kept on their refrigerator, knowing that someday they'd be able to afford the whole house and new second story remodel I eventually did for them!
I assume you already have a logo, good collateral materials, including job signs (amazing how much they can do).
Good luck!
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Douglas Walter AIA
Denver CO
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Original Message:
Sent: 12-09-2020 16:14
From: Stephanie Sola-Sole
Subject: Marketing and Advertising
I would like to open a discussion to share marketing/advertising strategies among small residential design firms. Most of my business is word of mouth but I would like to broaden my reach and target a few specific neighborhoods. Please share any strategies that you find particularly successful. I have researched HOUZZ Pro, Angie's list, marketing postcards to specific neighborhoods, more frequent social media posts and ads in local Home and Design magazine, but have never used any of them and am not sure of their effectiveness or if they are worth the investment.
Thanks in advance,
Stephanie Sola-Sole
Architect
SOLA-SOLE ARCHITECTS LLC
e: stephanie@solasolearch.com