Secrets of Success for Today's Interior Designers and Decorators

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Summary: This book does help you avoid mistakes and make more profit
Review: After reading the reviews and checking this book out of my library, I bought my own copy. I use it as a reference for planning jobs, measuring, marketing, advertising ideas, what to include in the contract, etc. It's indespensible to my business. Many mistakes that you can make that eat up your profit are pointed out and you are shown how to avoid them before they occur (and shown how to clean up the mess, after they occur). Mistakes and the time they take to correct (and the credibility you lose) are what eats a small business alive. It doesn't matter if you caused the error, or the workroom, or the installer caused the error or mismeasurement, you still have to fix it, and generally with the designer paying for it. $39.99 is a low price to pay for the quantity of information in this book. As for the slightly negative review below, you have to try to close the sale. If you don't try and try again, you walk away with out a sale. I find you have to be slightly aggressive to raise your closing ratio. I used to wait and wait for customers to call me back and give me the sale - it just doesn't happen.

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Summary: This book does bridge the gap between college & making money
Review: I got this book through my college course as a supplemental text and it was as valuable to me as anything I learned at college (I don't want to offend my instructors, but, they had nothing over this book). It actually teaches you how to get out there and get the interior design project, how to compete with all types of competitors, how to avoid the many mistakes that eat up your profits, it is a window treatment bible. I know I would have gave up and quit had I not started using some of the low-cost marketing and customer psychology ideas. It's the difference in completely wasting your time on "free" estimates. Now, I'm turning each appointment into a "game" that I am winning and really having fun with my business.

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Summary: Section on window treatments great, rest forgettable.
Review: Window tx advice is terrific, especially specs for hard tx's. But much of the general info is too basic, such as color and elements of design. A text book or two is needed for these topics. Regarding the advice on customer relations, it is just too pushy for me. Suggested answers to "I have to think about it" are "Why think about it?" and "If you are happy with what you picked out... let's go for it! Why put it off!" Or in answer to, "I have to discuss this with my spouse." say "What do you need to discuss with your husband/wife?" or "Would you like me to wait, while you call him/her?" People I know shy away from decorators for just this reason. Consider this book solely for the window tx's, there are better books regarding practical aspects such as, "A Handbook for Interior Designers", by Jenny Gibbs.

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Summary: Secrets of Success for Today's Interior Designers and Decor.
Review: Within the last year my partner and I started a custom home decor sewing business. We have found this book indispensible as a guide in dealing with customers, and in considering what is involved in giving an estimate, and in creating window treatments, slipcovers, etc to their satisfaction. Following the advice in this book has helped us avoid problems we might otherwise not have considered. Very practical help.

Rating:
Summary: Secrets of Success for Today's Interior Designers and Decor.
Review: Within the last year my partner and I started a custom home decor sewing business. We have found this book indispensible as a guide in dealing with customers, and in considering what is involved in giving an estimate, and in creating window treatments, slipcovers, etc to their satisfaction. Following the advice in this book has helped us avoid problems we might otherwise not have considered. Very practical help.

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Summary: "A life saver for interior design professionals."
Review: Wow! This is a life saver for interior design professionals. I can't thank Touch of Design enough. I figure that Linda has saved me thousands of dollars and much frustration in mistakes I would have easily made had I not read the book. Window treatments are heavily covered. Much information here for $39.99. If you need some new marketing ideas - they are here.