Dear Melissa,

Networking for new success! I attended the WITHIT conference a month ago but only just now got to posting pictures. I have to say it is my favorite organization in our Home Furnishings Industry. The caliber of the members, the incredible generosity shown, and the accessibility to industry mavens and mavericks is unprecedented. Check it out at www.WITHIT.org.

Date details and lessons learned! Okay, I figure you won't remember the middle, just the beginning and the end, but wanted to share some humor, if not a painful lesson. Two weeks ago on a Friday night I had a date with a builder here in Highlands. Now, it wasn't intended to be a date, but instead just a business meeting. Cardinal error on my part, I allowed him to pick me up since we live about four houses apart (I never do that, what was I thinking?) We went to a lovely country club nearby, Mountain Top if anyone is looking. In just 2 short hours (or long from my viewpoint) he managed to get completely smashed and couldn't form a complete thought, let alone a sentence or his name.

I realized quickly that I had to find an alternative means home if I wanted to make it in one piece on pitch black mountain roads. I disappeared to the ladies room and got the staff to help me. They took him home while I hid out until he left. I got a ride from another guest. How convenient the builder has no recollection and I'll never forget! Dating in today's world is not for the faint of heart. For more entertaining tales from the trenches, check out my upcoming blog, these stories are too good to be kept to myself. All names changed to protect the guilty.

Six Figure Interior Design Professionals is the name of my new Face Book group. I am providing weekly lessons in how to build your design practice (decorators, stagers, and redesigners welcome too) to a comfortable six figure income. I'm including articles, blog posts, teleclasses and ebooks all free to those who participate! Design is on the rise, no matter what the economy is doing, get your fair share and have fun while living your passion.

Prosper by Design,

MG

Melissa Galt, Inc.
Where Life Comes Together

"Dream as if you'll live forever; live as if you'll die today."
~ James Dean, Actor and Icon

Goodwill Hunting

Let's review the basics of customer service:

1. The customer is always right.
2. When the customer is wrong, refer to rule #1.
3. A happy customer will tell 2 friends.
4. An unhappy customer will tell 2200 friends, associates, and colleagues.

Now, I am not suggesting that you lose your shirt in any deal, or that if your letter of agreement (aka contract) states clearly your terms and they are breached that you should ignore it. I am recommending that there are times when it is better not to fight a client/customer and instead, in the interest of goodwill, make concessions.

I had a recent "incident" with a local furniture company representing a national brand. It had taken me three painful weeks to finally put together an order for me (the most difficult client I have) that was going to be in stock. I had married two lines that ironically were NOT designed compatibly yet had the same finish, same title, and both were Home Office. (I agree, who was out to lunch when this was launched!?) Ironically, within 24 hours of approving the order, my cabinet maker came back to me and said he could do all pieces in the time frame desired at same or better cost. I know him, I love his work, and he is easy to do business with, the vendor had been difficult at best.

I cancelled the order, or so I thought. This led to a flurry of calls and faxes to the store sales person and manager. They argued it could not be cancelled because there were two pieces they weren't going to carry (for a wholesale total of $400). Long story short, they ate it, but not after creating so much ill will that I have shared the story, will never use or recommend them and ultimately will write the president of the national company a letter regarding the well designed but non-coordinated collections.

Had they been accommodating, reasonable, and avoided the "snarkiness" (only word that fits) on the part of their manager in his final communication to me, I could avoid mentioning never to do business with Eller & Owens in Franklin, NC. And the national company is Bassett. Surprising because the stores I've been in are ghost towns, and they seem to want to climb from their discount status to more midrange in the market, this isn't going to help them.

Article Marketing

Do you want more exposure to your marketplace? One of the most effective ways I've found to make headlines and gain instant credibility is with article marketing. It doesn't take much to write an article. You don't have to write more than 350-500 words. Keep it focused, on target and of value to your audience.

The key is in submitting these. There are any number of online ezine and article directories, including www.ezinearticles.com, www.goarticles.com, www.ideamarketers.com, www.articledashboard.com. You can quickly check out which are the best fits and find even more with a simple search. Many are free. You will need to be familiar with the individual site requirements and guidelines (nothing complicated, I promise), or better yet, hire a Virtual Assistant to tackle this task for you.

If you aren't a writer, then consider using www.elance.com, www.freelance.com, or even posting on www.craigslist.com to find someone who can write for you for a nominal fee.

As a professional and a designer*, you always have something to say about the trends, latest product, tips on color and more. Let your audience know your expertise, build your credibility, get writing!

*Designer refers to designers, decorator, stagers, redesigners and home furnishings industry professionals.

Find Me, Find Business

The home furnishings and design industry is way behind the curve in the social networking world. More than 50% of designers and decorators still don't have a website, and less than 20% are active in online networks. This is not about chit chat, though that certainly happens, it is about connecting in the virtual world as a step to connecting real time today. With crazy schedules and global economies becoming one, it is increasingly important to get your head out of just your local market and realize there is money to be made on a grander scale. If you use the networks for nothing but staying in touch, you will be ahead of those that don't bother, are afraid to try, and simply leave opportunity and money on the table.

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/prosperbydesign
• Facebook: friend me on facebook
• Linked In: http://www.linkedin.com/in/melissagalt

I have done business in design in 7 states to date all while based in Georgia simply because I have a significant internet presence and know how to stay in touch with technology. It doesn't have to take more than a few minutes every other day or so, or a dedicated hour a week to keep up. You can pick your favorites, and my links to profiles on the most popular sites are shared here. This is about strategic networking, and while you surely want to make it personal and fun, it can garner business connections, resources, and even much needed support at times.

Yes, there are many more sites, but the three above are the most important. Creating a profile takes from 2 minutes on Twitter to 30+ on Face book and an hour on Linked In. It is worth the time and effort. I urge you to climb on board now and be available for the opportunities that are there.