Merri Cvetan of Big Bend, Wisconsin writes:
“As an interior designer, I’m always looking for ways to drive people to my website and business.
“I am creating a fun survey to find out the relationship between a woman’s wardrobe and the colors she decorates her home with. I will offer a designer notebook to one or two entries.
“It won’t be scientific, but I think the results should be interesting and garner some publicity. I can post the questionnaire on my site and at a few blog sites as well as Craigslist. Any other suggestions on how to get it to women across the country?
That’s exactly what I’d do, is a takeoff on Sex and the City. See the movie ASAP, and take notes on the characters’ apartments. You’ll see a lot of Samantha’s and Carrie’s, and not as much of Miranda’s and Charlotte’s, but there is enough there to work with. Terrific idea. BUT I do wonder if that idea isn’t a week too late. There was a ton of press about the movie last week – the question will be if you can get anyone interested still a week later. You’ll need to move fast if you want to do it.
on a separate note, I wonder if you couldn’t do a “home of the week” feature, even just 60 seconds, of a house you like, maybe even just the exterior, and talk about why it’s so great. Post it on your web site. Or you could do a 2-minute problem solving feature focusing on the most challenging aspect of a recent job. Did they have a tiny bathroom that needed creativity to squeeze in a vanity or a huge room that needed to feel more intimate? something like that. I’d sign up for a weekly (or monthly) feature that showed up in my e-mail box. It could even be just a reminder that something new has been posted and for people to come to your site to read it.
HBO have already done the hard work for you – they mention exactly what character points they were bearing in mind when they designed the girl’s apts. It makes for good reading whether you liked the show or are just into interior decor, and so I hope it’s okay to post the link: http://www.hbo.com/city/interiors/carrie.shtml (they have the other characters listed too).
I would do more to update your blog…great ideas, but you need much for visual information…you are a designer!!! Show it off on your blog….have some links on your blog, and offer some little contests there for people who post comments. it seems to work for the art community that I am involved with. Anyway. i think a well developed on-going blog site, updated regularly with lots of visuals will drive people to your website, also visit other blogs and leave comments, folks will come and visit yours.
Merri,
The local radio stations in my area have a segment where the DJ asks a ‘question of the day,’ and listeners call in with their opinions. Perhaps radio stations in the Big Bend, WI area would want to ask “Does your wardrobe match your home decor?” and tie the story in to your website.
Another interesting question would be – does your home decor match your favorite wine? Are white wine drinkers more attracted to light, airy design and hearty red wine drinkers more apt to enjoy hardwoods, deep colors and an old-fashioned den?
Good luck!
Kathleen Lisson
Why not do a joint venture with a local women’s clothing store? You could even put on an event relating to the survey, i.e. on the event day, each customer that comes into the store and purchases an item of clothing gets an analysis of their ideal home style (based on the clothing they chose). You can pass out printed copies of the survey to everyone who comes by the store, and tell them to enter their results on you blog to receive two $10 gift certificates – one for your design services and one for the clothing store.
Hi Merri! Have you thought about offering a free room makeover as a contest? Maybe your local newspaper or TV station could do an article/segment about your business and tell them that you are offering a free room makover. Have readers write in why their house needs a makeover and include pictures. Choose the most challenging one and have the reporter do a follow-up of what was done. With the entries that do not win, send them a gift coupon for 25% off for your services. I looked at your website and would suggest putting your photo on the about you page and also doing a page with customer compliments.
Have you seen the new movie “Sex in the City”?
I haven’t seen it, but can you tie into the characters’ wardrobes and how they decorate? That movie could be one of the summer’s biggest hits, and your online press releases, articles, blog posts and other content that refers to the survey could pull in a lot of traffic from SATC fans who are googling.
Personally, I have my favorite colors, Maroon and Navy blue and had never given much thought to what you are discussing. After reading your post, I took a look around both my wardrobe and launge and low and behold, Maroon and Navy blue were the dominant colors used. I found that very amusing.