Home stagers, one of my biggest procrastination strategies when I’m starting something new is to research it to death. I developed this habit as a student years ago. If I had an essay to write, I’d keep visiting the library and dragging home more books. As long as I was gathering more research, I felt like I was actually “working.” Which is true, but only to a point!
Finally, the night before my essay was due I’d stay up all night write my paper and then run to school to hand it in with the Liquid Paper barely dry. (Do they still even make Liquid Paper?)
Endless home staging research may be masking your procrastination but it won’t grow your business.
Home staging research may take the form of looking at endless home stager websites or spending countless hours in home staging groups on LinkedIn, Facebook or Active Rain. You feel like you’re moving forward with your home staging business because you’re gathering information.
But at some point, you have to realize you’re NOT moving forward at all anymore, because you haven’t actually done anything!
Plus, much of the information you’re gathering is from questionable sources. Do all those people you’re reading actually know what they’re talking about? Do they have any track record as successful home stagers?
30-Day Home Staging Challenge
All the information in the world won’t get you anywhere until you start taking action.
I’m committed to getting you to take action in your home staging business right now. My challenge to you is to get your staging business started within the next 30 days. And if you’re already a home stager, my challenge is for you to come up with a complete marketing plan.
This timing is key because then you’ll be in great shape for the spring real estate season, which actually starts in February because that’s when people decide it’s time to sell and when they contemplate what’s needed to make that happen.
Your ideal clients are the home sellers who realize they need help before they list their homes, which means you have to be out there in a way that they can find you.
After all, think of how much easier it is to get business from people who are searching for you rather than you chasing after them one-by-one!
In the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program I guide you through the first 20 steps to getting your business started so you won’t spin in circles not knowing what to do first. Naturally you’ll also learn the business strategy behind each one.
Here’s a sample of the 20 steps you’ll be taking as you work your way through the Staging Diva Program and the homework that comes with each of the 5 courses:
- Choosing and registering your business name
- Deciding whether you want a Sole Proprietorship, Partnership or Corporation
- Getting your business logo designed
- Writing a profile for your business
- Starting your home staging portfolio
- Determining how you’ll create a web presence
If you’re tired of being in “information gathering” mode and feel ready to take the action that’s needed to get your business going, and if you want to actually make money from it this spring real estate season, then you must stop procrastinating and start doing.
I don’t want you to look back and regret how much money you could have made by taking action to move your home staging business forward during the busiest staging season of the year.
I was so overwhelmed when I started my own home staging business in 2002 that it took me 4 months to get my first client and then a month or two more to get my second. I was flying by the seat of my pants, making it all up as I went along. In the Staging Diva Home Staging Training Program I teach my students everything I figured out through trial and error of building my business over the years. But I’ve been an entrepreneur long enough to know that often what holds people back is not taking action on what they’ve learned.
I want you to live your dream of using your natural gifts to have your own home staging business, whether this is something you’re doing on the side of another job, or something you want to do full time.
Have you ever fallen into the trap of researching endlessly to avoid taking action? How did you get yourself out of that pattern and move forward? Please share your ideas in the comments section.
Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®
President, Six Elements Home Staging and Voice of Possibility Group Inc.
Debra Gould staged hundreds of homes before creating the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program to teach others how to earn a living doing something they love. She has written 5 guides and appears on HGTV and in numerous magazines and newspapers.
Wow, you always seem to be speaking to me Debra. I have made it to the point of a business name, website, business cards and email. And I still continue to let the fear that I am not ready take over me. Every time that I read your articles or purchase something from you, I am encouraged to keep moving forward . Thanks Debra
Donna, thanks so much for commenting! That feedback inspires me to keep writing articles.
Keep moving forward indeed. Now that you have your business identity sorted out so much of the rest of your marketing will follow from that. You’ll find great help for your marketing for this real estate season inside the Staging Diva Simple Marketing Plan Companion. Pay special attention of course to the “5 P’s of Marketing” and how they all need to fit together.
Good luck and keep us posted on your progress! Thanks again for your feedback.
Debra, You are so following my wavelength. I’ve been dragging my feet for a very long time trying to figure out the best time and way to get my biz process started. I was stuck in “what first? Chicken or egg?” I started the process a couple of weeks ago and made my appointment with a biz attourney that specializes in start ups. We haggled on a biz name, settled on my 1st choice.(Amazingly still available after thinking about it for two years!) They’re working on the biz type and registration paperwork. I’ve gotten the URL. It has begun! Next week – head shot and logo work. I accept your 30-day challenge! Thanks for the kick in the rear…
WooHoo Karla!! You’re off to the races now and speeding towards your dreams instead of being stuck on the fence. Isn’t it amazing how much more energy you have once you’ve made a decision?!
I’m really excited for you and hope you’ll pop back in here 30 days from now and share more of your progress. I KNOW it will be a huge inspiration to everyone.
Keep going Karla, you are so on the right track and you’ll be in an awesome position to take advantage of the spring real estate market this year.
THIS IS YOUR TIME!
I contimplated starting a staging business for a year before I finally took the plunge and purchased the staging diva program. It’s been 10 days since I purchased it and I have done more in those 10 days than the last year. I have good days and days when my fear makes me think “what if I can’t make this work”. I’m guessing it’s the ups and downs of starting your own business and becoming successful. At least I’m not procrastinating anymore!
Cari, thanks so much for commenting and congratulations on diving into the Staging Diva Program and getting more done in the last 10 days than all last year!
I live for those kinds of comments because my mission is not to sell courses, but rather to build a tribe of highly successful stagers making money doing work they love by giving them the knowledge to make it happen!
Yes, we all face those inevitable ups and downs. Really what aspect of life doesn’t have that?
Make sure you pop into the Staging Diva Network Online Discussion Group regularly to ask questions since you have a 60 day trial membership that came with your Staging Diva Program package. Looking forward to getting to know you a whole lot better as you implement what you’re learning and grow your staging business!
You got me! I have been planning “it” to death! Carpe Diem!
Right on Vicki, Carpe Diem indeed!
You might enjoy this related article:
Home Stagers Get Rid Of That Negative Label Once and For All
I tend to do just what you do, Debra, and procrastinate by doing LOTS of research before making any moves (and often, I end up not doing anything :>( But as I’ve gotten older, that very fact has spurred me to stop spinning my wheels and take action, since time’s a-wastin’, as my grandma used to say! It IS very hard to make a jump into a new field, but I am SO glad I started home staging 3 years ago, because I’m proud of myself for “going out on my own” in a business I love but had no experience in it (unless you count decorating my own home and an investment property we bought, plus watching thousands of hours of HGTV and reading tons of design magazines!) Your reports were very helpful in helping me overcome the fear of making my first visit to a paying client as well!
Amy, thanks so much for sharing your experience. I had no experience other than decorating my own homes when I started too. Glad I could help you overcome your fear of working for your first home staging client. Once you have that first one, it’s so much easier, don’t you think?
I’m really good at procrastinating, but this time I’m taking action. My fears are usually what keep me from doing anything, but what I’ve decided to do is face my fears and do what makes me scared. I’m getting all of my facts straight and have just met with a real estate agent who said he may have a couple clients in February. If the clients decide to go ahead with staging he would like me to be at his open house. I just got in contact with a painter who would like to add my business cards to his flyers which he sends out weekly. My next line of action is to join the Staging Diva Directory. No more excuses for me and I want to thank you Debra for giving me the courage and knowledge to make it all happen.
Fantastic Trish! I’m so glad you commented and shared what action you’re taking. I know this will inspire others to realize what can happen as soon as you start putting one foot in front of the other, rather than putting it off out of fear.
I think you’ll enjoy this related article: 5 Steps to Boost Your Confidence as a Home Stager
Timely post. I hadn’t thought about planning now to get ready for this year’s busy season.
Glad I could help Linda!