If there’s one thing that both virtual and local interior designers have in common, it’s the need for visibility. People—including your clients—don’t know what they don’t know, so if you’re running a business and tell no one, no one knows.
If no one knows who you are, what you do, or WHERE you are, no one books or buys.
Since you’re here, you already have a basic idea of what online marketing is—now you just need to know WHY online marketing is important for your local interior design business (and if it’s worth your time AND money):
What is Online Marketing (And Why You Need it)
Online marketing is the process of promoting your business through digital channels and platforms like social media, email, videos, SEO, and more. But, when you picture “online marketing,” you’re likely thinking of social media marketing and showing up on platforms like:
- TikTok
- Threads
- X
Social media may play a big role in online marketing, but it’s not everything in online marketing.
While the marketing is done online (in comparison to offline, like billboards, flyers, and events), the people you connect with could be 3,000 miles away—or 3 miles away, it all depends on your strategy.
As a locally-based interior designer, your clients may be close to you physically and benefit from traditional marketing methods, but you can still connect with them online. Online marketing brings the same (if not more) visibility, conversions, and trust.
How to Make the Most of Your Marketing
Knowing something CAN bring visibility and bringing more visibility are two different things. Each online platform and channel has its algorithm and requires a separate strategy to get the absolute most of it.
This doesn’t mean each channel is completely separate and you can’t use what you learn on one for another. For example, your website relies on SEO (search engine optimization) but so does Pinterest and even Instagram. However, there are some key differences in the “best practices” for each platform.
Best Practices for Instagram
As an interior designer on Instagram, there are a few things to note for your strategy—for one, that you don’t have to post every day, I generally recommend only posting 3-4 times per week, with at least one reel.
But (I’m almost going to contradict myself here) your Instagram strategy is going to be unique to you. There is no “best way” to use Instagram, it’s all based on you, your goals, and your capacity.
Pssttt… in SMM on Speed Dial, one of the things I help interior designers do is create a sustainable social media strategy that allows you to show up with being burnt out! Learn more about it here.
Best Practices for Pinterest
What’s the first place most people go to when it comes to finding interior design inspiration? Pinterest! Pinterest is a visual search engine that is amazing for marketing your interior design business.
Use the platform to pin consistently (think 1-2 pins per day) with a mix of pins with and without text—I generally recommend a 70-30 balance.
Making the most out of digital marketing is going to look different for every business—even for interior designers who serve the same area. While your location may be the same, your brand and your ideal client are different, which means your marketing strategy will look different, too.
Getting Started with Marketing Your Locally-Based Interior Design Business
If you want to get started with digital marketing without hiring a full marketing team or getting overwhelmed trying to DIY, start by creating a website (a necessity, don’t skip this; I recommend Kliest Creative!!). Your website will become the foundation of your business online—think of it as your online storefront, where curious potential clients can explore and inquire about your services.
Next, pick 1-2 social media platforms to stay consistent with. If you don’t have two social media platforms, consider blogging, which is great for building trust, showcasing your portfolio, and improving your SEO (another form of online marketing).
Once you feel like you have a solid strategy on those platforms, then you can consider expanding to more! Also, you don’t HAVE to show up on social media—you can choose something that works for you, like SEO + blogging.
Not confident in marketing your business online? Join SMM on Speed Dial, a membership designed to help interior designers market their business on social media. Apply here!
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