Being an architect is more than having the correct credentials and being familiar with building codes. As an architect, you need a way to differentiate yourself from the competition. Your goal should be to get at least 50% of your leads from relationships outside your network. The key to using social media effectively is using it as it was intended to be used – for other people and relationships. Use content marketing to build authority and trust with potential clients.
Being An Architect Is More Than Having The Correct Credentials And Being Familiar With Building Codes
Being an architect is more than having the correct credentials and being familiar with building codes. Architects are problem-solvers who create designs that meet their client’s needs and demands while staying within their budget.
To succeed in this role, you must learn to listen carefully to your client’s concerns and provide them with options they can affordably implement. You need to understand what level of risk each option presents – financially and in terms of impact on the surrounding community – so that you can recommend the most suitable one for your client.
Show them How Unique You Are
As an architect, you need a way to differentiate yourself from the competition. You need to stand out from the crowd to get clients and attract new projects. You need your name and face in front of potential clients as much as possible, so they know who you are and what your brand is about.
That means there will always be a bit of personal branding involved, especially if you have a solo practice or are just starting your firm. Check out my social media guide to learn how to maximize your social media presence without putting too much strain on your budget or time.
Get Your Leads from Outside Your Network
Ultimately, when you’re trying to get clients, it will be your relationships with other architects that get you the most leads. While it’s essential to maintain a strong presence online and be active on social media (and even in forums), your goal should be to get at least 50% of your leads from relationships outside your network.
The best way to do this is by networking. A lot! The more people you meet and talk to about what you do, the more opportunities arise for referrals and introductions into new networks that can help expand your business.
The Key To Using Social Media Effectively Is To Use It As It Was Intended To Be Used – For Other People and For Relationships.
You may think that social media is just another sales channel, but it’s not. Social media is about relationships. And if you want to be successful on social media, you have to approach it as a relationship-builder and not as a salesperson.
Social media isn’t just another avenue for selling your services; it’s an opportunity to build relationships with potential clients. So when you use social media effectively, you don’t sell your services; instead, you help them get the most out of their business or project by sharing ideas and resources that they might not otherwise know existed.
The key here is authenticity: if people can see that your goal is simply helping them succeed in business or at home (or whatever), then they will gravitate towards working with someone who cares more about their success than about getting paid for their work!
Use Content Marketing to Build Authority and Trust with Potential Clients
As a designer, you’re probably already familiar with content marketing. It’s a great way to get your name out there, build authority and trust with potential clients and position yourself as an expert in your field. At the same time, it’s super important to ensure that you can deliver on what you say in your blog posts, articles or videos. The last thing you want is for someone who read one of your articles about how architects should use SketchUp to find out that they need to learn how to use SketchUp themselves before they can start designing their own buildings!
Lead Generation Tips on How to Find Architecture Clients
There are many ways you can find new clients. For example, you can network with potential clients at events and trade shows. You can also use social media to build authority and trust. You might even consider offering free content in exchange for an email address. That is one of the most common ways to generate leads; in fact, marketing people call the content you offer a “lead magnet.”
No matter how you increase your leads with content marketing on your blog or social media, you won’t see the kind of improvement you want unless you can track and follow up on those leads. Without the right lead generation and tracking software, your leads are more likely to drown you in paperwork than improve your revenue. A CRM and marketing automation software like RunSensible will help you manage these leads and encourage them to move down the sales pipeline with custom email lists and nurture campaigns.
6 Tips and a Few Tricks on How to Promote Architecture Firms
It’s no secret that architects are some of the most creative people on earth, but what about promoting your architecture firm? If you’re like most architects, your first thought was probably something like “I’m not creative enough for that!” But here’s the thing: promoting your business doesn’t have to be about how creative you can be. It’s also about being strategic and thinking outside the box. The key is finding ways to promote yourself as an architect in ways that will get people excited about what you do without making it feel like an ad or sales pitch.
You can promote your architecture firm in unconventional ways. Here are a few:
- Meet with other architects, both to learn from them and for networking purposes. You never know whom you might meet that could eventually lead to an opportunity for collaboration.
- Start a blog or YouTube channel to share ideas on architecture and design with the public, as well as promote yourself as an expert in the field.
- Hand out business cards everywhere you go—including at community events like street fairs, church services, and more! Remember that everyone is important!
- Build up your social media presence by posting regularly about architecture-related topics and events happening around town. People love seeing what’s happening in their community through Instagram posts; use this platform wisely!
- Volunteer for community construction projects so that people will start associating “architecture” with “hard work” rather than just being seen as someone who designs buildings all day long (which isn’t wrong either!). It won’t be easy but trust me when I say it’s worth it!
Meet with Other Architects
Architects are a tight-knit group. You can find them on LinkedIn and Facebook. Still, you’re most likely to meet them at events where they congregate: networking events, industry conferences, and conventions, charity fundraisers, social gatherings like the office Christmas party or your kid’s playgroup—even campus tours for architecture students (if you’re lucky enough to live near one). If this sounds like an intimidating prospect—and it might be—take heart in knowing that all of these opportunities give you an opportunity to get to know other architects on a personal level before asking them if they’d like more information about your firm. As long as you approach people with kindness and respect, they’ll almost always be willing to talk with you!
Start a Blog or YouTube Channel
If you’re looking for a way to promote your architecture firm and get your name out there, blogging is an excellent choice. Blogging is free, and can be done from anywhere with an internet connection. You may already have some experience writing, but if not, it’s not difficult to learn. It’s also very easy to set up; if you have even just a passing familiarity with WordPress or other content management systems (CMS), then setting up a blog will likely come naturally to you.
Here are some reasons why starting a blog would be helpful for your business:
- Showcase your expertise by sharing knowledge and tips on topics related to architecture that are relevant within the community you serve as well as those outside of it—particularly if these topics aren’t covered elsewhere online or in print media. You might also include articles that teach people how they can do things themselves rather than hiring professionals (such as how-tos about building projects).
- Show off all of the great projects that were completed by your company over time so potential clients know what kind of workmanship they’ll receive from working with someone who’s been around awhile!
Hand out Business Cards
Handing out business cards is one of the best ways to promote your architecture firm. While there are certainly other ways you can get your name out there, such as networking or advertising, business cards are relatively inexpensive and easy to make. You should have these ready to go at all times in order to pass them out whenever possible.
It’s important that your card stands out—you want people to remember who you are and what you do! If possible, consider hiring a designer or someone else with graphic design experience who can create something memorable for you. There are several free templates online if you don’t want to shell out any cash right away.
Once you have your final design, make sure that it has everything on it: name of your firm; phone number; email address (so they know how they can contact you); office location(s).
Build A Robust Social Media Presence
Social media can be an effective way to promote your architecture firm. You can use it to share your work, get feedback and connect with clients. You can also use social media to promote your personal brand and connect with other architects.
- Use Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: If you haven’t already started a social media presence for yourself as an architect or architecturally-inclined individual (we’re looking at you, Brian), now is the time to get started! These three services are great tools that allow you to engage directly with potential clients and fans of design in general. They’re also excellent ways of getting your name out there so that people know who they’re hiring when they come looking for an architect or designer!
- Post frequently: Make sure that no matter what platform you choose, it’s easy for people who follow along on any given day—and this means posting on all three major platforms every day if possible (or at least once per week). While this may seem like a lot of work at first glance – especially if you’ve never been on Twitter before – don’t worry too much about making mistakes early on!
- If nothing else goes well, you’ll have a robust, active presence on social media with just what little time it takes each day.
Network on Linkedin
Technically, this should fall under the previous headline since LinkedIn is, after all, a social media platform. Since it’s on a whole different level when it comes to companies and professionals, your strategy on LinkedIn deserves special attention. Plus, the difference between your usual social media like Instagram and LinkedIn isn’t just in their users — they are made for entirely different reasons, so they work differently.
- Create a LinkedIn profile if you don’t already have one
- Join relevant groups and stay active in them
- Write brilliant articles that showcase your knowledge without showing it off
- Use your profile to highlight your work, but don’t make it all about what’s on the technical side. Include some personal details so people can get to know you as a person too!
Volunteer For Community Construction Projects
Volunteering is a great way to build your portfolio, develop relationships with clients and other firms, and show off your skills. The best part? It’s free!
Here are some ideas on how you can take advantage of this opportunity:
- Volunteer for community construction projects. You can sign up for Habitat for Humanity or another nonprofit organization that builds homes for low-income families, or you could help with neighborhood cleanups and community improvements.
- Volunteer with local events. Whether it’s a festival celebrating the city’s history or an annual fundraiser at the zoo, these events give architects the chance to work alongside people from all walks of life—and even get their name out there if they make a design that wins over the crowd!
- Get involved in school initiatives — doesn’t matter if it’s planning field trips for elementary school students or leading discussions about architecture during afterschool programs. All these activities are valuable opportunities that let kids learn valuable lessons about what it means to be an architect while also getting the right kind of attention from parents and their word-of-mouth network.
Just think: volunteering will not only give people something nice to say about your firm later on down the road but also allows them know how kindhearted you really are.”
Offer Free Consultations to Organizations in Need of Help
Offer free consultations to organizations in need of help.
Many nonprofit and community groups are underfunded, which prevents them from hiring an architect for their projects. You can offer to give them a free consultation so they can get started on the design process. When you meet with these organizations, make sure you’re prepared with knowledge about how the design process works, what steps are necessary and how long it will take for each step.
You could also offer help with the construction process for community-built projects such as playgrounds or parks. If you have experience working with volunteers or working on your own building projects at home, offer your expertise to those who may not know where to begin with these types of endeavors!
Design Something for the Space You’re in Right Now
Design something for the space you’re in right now.
This is a simple but powerful way to get started. Designing something for the space you’re currently in will help make it feel more like your own and will give you a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. It could be as simple as creating a logo or sign for your office or writing an article that incorporates your expertise into one of these things:
- A new brochure
- A new business card
- A new website design
- A new flyer
- A new social media post
Speak At An Architecture Conference.
If you’re looking for a way to get your name out there and build your brand, then speaking at a conference is the way to go. You can start by getting in touch with the organizers of conferences that are relevant to your field of work. Let them know what topics they are currently looking for speakers on and how you would be interested in presenting on yours. If they like what they hear, they may schedule an interview or invite you to present at their event.
If this sounds intimidating, don’t worry! There are many ways to prepare yourself before speaking at such an event:
- Read up on the topic beforehand so that you have all the information needed to give an articulate presentation or answer questions afterward
- Practice delivering your speech until it flows naturally and feels natural coming out of your mouth (if possible)
- Make sure that everything about this presentation is perfect! Do not let anything slip through the cracks; from word choice down to wardrobe choices, everything needs careful attention so as not to distract from what matters most — YOU!
How You Can Find More Clients for Your Architecture Business
We went over a lot of tips and strategies in this article and tried to find out how to find architecture clients. So, now that we have arrived at the end, can you actually answer the question, “how do architects get clients?” Of course, there are no one-size-fits-all solutions for getting more clients. Even very general tips and tricks have to be adapted to your unique situation. The only constant between all these different methods and strategies is how you will handle the leads that you generate and turn them into actual paying clients. That comes down to one thing: getting the right CRM and marketing automation software.
RunSensible, for example, is a feature-rich marketing automation and business management software that comes with all the tools you need to convert leads into satisfied clients — and to get paid quickly and easily! RunSensible’s CRM for Architects is the perfect tool for architects starting their solo practice and very small architecture firms looking to grow. Give it a try and see the host of features and tools that will free up your time and increase your income, empowering you to keep designing those dream buildings that only you can!
FAQ
Do architects need to generate leads and nurture them?
Architecture firms are a business just like any other. That means, as an architect, you need to do your best to generate leads and convert those leads into paying clients by putting them through custom nurture email programs.
Can I get more clients without any marketing tools and software?
Yes, you can, but only so far. There are ways to let others know about you and your business that doesn’t involve marketing automation software, like referrals or community outreach. Even with these strategies, however, you need management software that helps you keep track of everything.
Do I have to set aside a budget for ads on social media?
Not at all! In fact, most of the strategies we have looked at in this guide are alternatives to paying for ads.
