There are lots of reasons to have a blog and update it regularly as a small business person and an interior designer.
- It helps build content on your site and that helps your ranking with Google.
- It helps potential clients get to better know you and how you work.
- It provides your own publishing platform for your work, your images, your projects. You can control how they are described, portrayed, explained, in as much detail, with as many images as you want.
Etc., etc., etc.
However, the number one reason why I started blogging, is because I use it to make a stand with my opinions on design.
I've used these blogposts, where I've committed my opinions, where I've explained the why of the choices or processes, to refer back to time and time again.
I've created my own reference library.
How I use my blog in my interior design practice
I have a good friend that lives down the street from me. She and her husband were one of my first clients for remodeling when I started my biz. He retired last year and they are moving to California, north of LA, back to a house they own and used to live in around 20 years ago.
That home has been rented out for all these years. They have lots of equity in it and can't wait to get back there and remodel it to be the home they always dreamed it could be.
I'm so happy that they want me to do the design work for them on this house and I just gave my overall presentation/concept to them this week.
During the presentation, questions came up.
"What's the difference between quartz and quartzite? Is quartzite durable?"
I did a quick explanation and then I said,
"Don't worry. I'll send you a post I did that really covers natural stone. I had a previous client who was a geophysicist and I had to bone up on natural stone properties. I took a CEU course on natural stone for interiors and then built the info into a blogpost I can share with you."
Questions ended and then we moved on.
We were discussing the attributes of the flooring choices we are considering, one of them being terracotta or saltillo tile.
I said, "Oh, I've got a post on that, I'll forward you that link and you can consider it more carefully later."
Then, because we are going with some colorful kitchen cabinets, my friend asked if they would be too bold, if they would be too much and overwhelm the space with color.
It happens that most of the cabinetry is lower cabinets, we aren't doing uppers on one wall that basically has the windows and views and a few open shelves.
So, I talked to her about impact in a kitchen really coming into play where the focal point is in a room. I mentioned how the focus of this kitchen will be that window wall, her view, and then secondly, the island countertop that everyone will be gathering around.
I knew that I could send her a link to more I've written on this design principle.
Matter of fact, I could send her two.
Lastly, I wanted to address the fireplace, but in the midst of all the discussion, we forgot to touch on that. So, the next day, I sent her an email with a note about how I just wanted to paint the brick white and then add in a live-edge mantel.
And well, guess what.
I had a link for that too.
Those links add depth, further information and commentary, and let you "prove" things with images that you sometimes can't do just on the fly in a presentation.
Not only that, when someone sees something in writing, it has a more serious impact than if someone just says something to you. I'm truly serious about that. It has more weight, more proof, more gravitas.
That's why I publish how I work, my rates, my typical project costs, etc. If it is out there, in print, people take it more seriously and don't question me later on.
Another advantage to blogging for an interior designer or small business owner
Another quick tip, did you see how I referenced my other posts and linked around in this post in particular?
Not only does it provide extra commentary, expertise, and thought on the subjects for your readers, it also gets people clicking around your site, which Google loves. It shows Google that people find your site interesting, informative and is giving them something they want.
Why Should Interior Designers Blog? Carla Aston, DESIGNED for Designers
And that is just good all the way around. :-)
Now, I would appreciate if you would pin this article to Pinterest, with my nice book image pin I made, if you learned a little something here today. :-)
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Click through to find out exactly what type of stone might work best for your kitchen countertops.