10 Tips for Interior Designers: How to Handle Clients Who Ghost You After a Proposal or Inquiry
We've all been there - you've spent hours crafting a perfect proposal or eagerly responded to an intriguing inquiry, only to be met with silence from your prospective client. Don't fret! Ghosting isn't exclusive to the dating world; it can happen in the interior design business, too.
Recently, I asked a solar company to give me a quote for a Tesla battery for my solar system. At the time, my husband was working around 50 minutes drive away and we were thinking of purchasing an electric vehicle. It made sense that we got a battery to store all our excess energy. If you know anything about solar energy, you would know that purchasing a battery makes little financial sense. We were prepared to suck up the cost, but in the meantime, my husband was being headhunted for a job in Hong Kong.
This job came through- and we are moving to HK in May. This means that he no longer needs to drive 50 minutes a day, we will no longer be using as much energy as we did in our house as it will be rented and our need for a battery has fallen by the wayside.
Of course, there was a period where things were a bit up in the air, and when the solar company followed up, I put them off. This happens all the time. Designing your home is a huge investment and often clients are juggling a lot of moving parts.
So if this happens to you, here are ten tips to help you navigate the sometimes-tricky terrain of ghost clients and ensure you maintain your professionalism and poise.
Give them time: Sometimes, clients need time to process the proposal or may be juggling other priorities. Wait for at least a week before following up on your proposal or inquiry response.
Follow up professionally: If you haven't heard back after a week, it's time to send a friendly follow-up email. Have an email template at the ready. This template normalises being ghosted- it is a lot more common than you think! Keep it polite and concise, reminding them of your proposal and expressing your interest in working together. It is always helpful to put an expiry date on your proposal if you they seem undecided.
Pick up the phone: If your follow-up email doesn't elicit a response, consider making a phone call. This personal touch may prompt a response, and it could provide valuable insights into why the client hasn't responded yet. If they don’t answer your phone, leave a gracious message inviting them to call you back or asking them to send you an email to let you know.
Look for signs of change: Sometimes, clients ghost you because their circumstances have changed. Keep an eye on their social media or company news to see if there have been any significant shifts that could explain their silence.
Evaluate your proposal: Use this time to revisit your proposal and ensure it's well-crafted, competitively priced, and tailored to the client's needs. Sometimes, radio silence means there's room for improvement.
Don't take it personally: Though sometimes this can be a challenge, remind yourself that ghosting is often not about you or your work. Clients may have various reasons for not responding, and it's essential to maintain your confidence and self-esteem.
Reach out to your network: Connecting with other interior designers and industry professionals can provide valuable advice and support when dealing with ghosted clients. You might even discover new clients through these connections.
Stay busy with other projects: Don't dwell on the ghosted client. Focus on your other projects, clients, or marketing efforts to ensure your business continues to thrive.
Learn from the experience: Turn the ghosting experience into a learning opportunity by reflecting on your client communication, proposal process, and any potential red flags you may have missed.
Move on gracefully: If you've exhausted all follow-up efforts and still haven't received a response, it's time to let go and move on. Maintain your professionalism and don't burn any bridges, as the client may resurface or refer you to others in the future.
Ghosting can be frustrating, especially when you've invested time and effort into a proposal or inquiry.
Sometimes, clients can take months to respond, and you have filled up your pipeline with other projects. If this is something that could happen, ensure that you warn clients in your pipeline that this is may occur and you may not have time to take on their project.
By following these ten tips, you can navigate the situation with grace and professionalism, and continue to build a thriving interior design business. Remember, you're not alone in this experience, and every interaction offers a chance to learn and grow.
Hi 👋🏽 I’m Joanne!
I’m an interior designer, educator and business coach. After studying Economics and Education at uni, the design world beckoned, drawing me to Christie’s in London, where I completed post-grad studies in art & design and then to Hong Kong, where I founded Eclectic Cool, a design firm and design store. . Eclectic Cool represented international brands such as Gubi, &tradition, HAY, Armadillo Rugs & Dinosaur Designs to name a few. My work and store have been featured in Monocle, Conde Nast Traveller, Elle Decor, Expat Living, Cathay Pacific inflight magazines, South China Morning Post and the ABC (Australia) network and more. I live on the south coast of Australia on a country property between the beautiful Australian bush and the Pacific Ocean with my husband and cavoodle. I’m the mum of three adult children.
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