Staging Diva Dispatch June 2014

Beware This Staging Portfolio Pitfall

When I started staging homes for clients in 2002, I had quite a time trying to decide what home staging photos belonged in my portfolio.

I was very proud of all my work and it was hard to be objective. Plus I was overwhelmed by all the photos I took and it seemed like an endless task sorting them all out.

Perhaps you've had these problems?

I recently wrote an article in which I shared 5 ways to avoid the most common home staging portfolio pitfall.

My first tip was to pretend you've never been in the room when deciding which photos to use.

That's because when we do the staging, we remember all the lovely details. Many of these don't really show up in the final photos. We have to be careful not to "read" too much into the shots and look at them the way a stranger would. The transformation we created must be immediately obvious to the casual observer for the portoflio photos to be effective at selling our staging services.

See if you agree with the rest of my tips in this story. And be sure to check out the comments so far from other experienced home stagers and add your own ideas and questions!

Want more home staging portfolio ideas?

In the Staging Diva Ultimate Portfolio Guide for Home Stagers, I've gone through all the steps you need to get a great headshot, logo, and before and after photos of your home staging and redesign projects.

> Learn more about using the Ultimate Portfolio Guide to build your home staging business.

Latest Home Staging Job Posting

While Staging Diva Graduates are thoroughly trained in marketing for their home staging business so they know how to get their own clients, it doesn't stop there. They also get project referrals from us. In fact we've posted over 400 home staging jobs for both big cities and smaller towns in countries as diverse as South Africa, Israel, Canada and the United States.

Our latest home staging job is in Ohio for a home that's been on the market for about a year. As often happens, the frustrated home seller reached out to me, even though her real estate agent said her house was fine.

> More details on Ohio home staging job.

If you're not hearing about home staging jobs as soon as I post them, make sure you subscribe to Home Staging Busines Report.

> Click here to sign up for home staging job updates.

Clearly this house needs some home staging magic!

Did You Know?

Members of the Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers get first dibs on all projects and free job referrals. It's just one of the many benefits of joining.

From Kid-Dominated to Sophisticated and Sold

As any busy parent with young kids knows, their stuff tends to take over every single living space. This is fine for everyday living, but not so great when it's time to sell a house on the competitive real estate market.

Congratulations to Toronto Staging Diva Grad Red Barrineuvo of Redesign4More (ON) on the transformation of this living room and the rest of the house too, of course.

The proof home staging works is in the results of this project. The property sold in record time at $200,000 over the asking price. Clearly an outstanding return on investment for the home seller.

living room before home staging

Red writes:

"The Staging Diva Program has given me the confidence that I needed to finally give in to my passion for staging and decor. Within just a short time, I have accomplished so much by following Debra's advice.

I was named Redesigner of the Year, got featured in a major home design magazine, and more importantly, I've enjoyed the continued growth of my staging business! Thank you so much Staging Diva!"

> Read about another home staging project by this talented stock trader turned home stager.

You can learn the staging business success formula I taught Red through these products.

Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program

Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers

Staging Diva Ultimate Portfolio Guide for Home Stagers

Staging Diva Simple Marketing Plan Companion

Staging Diva Ultimate Design Guide for Home Stagers

Success Spotlight

Congratulations to Australia Staging Diva student Louise House of House Matters (Perth) on launching her home staging business after 12 years as a teacher followed by 3 as an office manager.

While many home stagers start their business on the side of another job, Louise jumped into home staging as a full-time venture. She says that she used to dread having to go to work but that's all changed now that she's found this new career.

"Now, I wake up every day and can't believe I'm getting paid to have so much fun. I have found a creative outlet and best of all I get to meet interesting people from all walks of life, and have the priviledge of sharing a transition point in their lives," Louise adds.

"The Staging Diva Program gave me the confidence to take the plunge into starting my own business. It was easy to follow, practical advice that helped me to be very professional in my approach to home staging right from the start. The spirit of generosity demonstrated by Debra Gould in sharing her knowledge is something I aspire to with everyone I come across who is interested in home staging."

> Read more feedback from our students.

Let's Talk Home Staging - Join me June 4 and 19

June 4 (8 PM Eastern)
5 Simple Secrets to a Home Staging Business: How to Make Money Doing What You Love
(Free Live Teleseminar + Recording)

You'll learn how to avoid following the faulty business formula that most home stagers fall into.

> Sign up here F'REE if you've never taken Staging Diva courses (otherwise you already know these 5 secrets!)

June 19 (7pm Eastern)
Staging Diva Dialog Coaching Call
For beginner and established home stagers. You don't need to be our student.

Ask me questions and get semi-private coaching in a small group for only $47.

Cindy Ryan (TN) said after a recent call: "Thank you for a great session tonight. Your voice has a magical spark of encouragement and calm that I needed. You're such an inspiration!"

> Join us this month + get the recording too

You're guaranteed to make $500 when you implement the ideas from a single session.

Hats Off To 5 Home Stagers

Join me this month in congratulating these 5 new home stagers in reaching significant milestones in their businesses and welcoming them to the Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers. Check out their profiles and get inspired.

Gayle Gilliam (FL) GG Interiors	Becky Moyer (IN) Indy Home Staging Pro LLC	Sherri Martin (FL) Sannibel Home Staging	Jolyne Garland (ON) J and K Real-a-Stagers	Patty Mamone (IL) Kallista Interiors Home Staging
Did You Know? With a Profile listing in the Staging Diva Directory, I'll custom design a brochure for you at no charge. Sample front & back of custom brochure Here's what Jennifer Farnham says about hers, "Many thanks for providing the brochure as part of the directory listing. I'll be using it in an upcoming silent auction to promote my business. Thanks again for all your help in this new chapter of my life. You provide much more than straight business advice. Your emotional and psychological support is just as important, if not more!" Learn how you can have a successful staging business like Jennifer and the other members of the Staging Diva Inner Circle.

Debra Gould has been a serial entrepreneur since 1989. She is president of Voice of Possibility Group Inc. with a mission of helping entrepreneurs create their ideal businesses and lifestyles.

An internationally recognized home staging expert, Debra created the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program with 8,000 students in the U.S., Canada and 20 other countries. She is the author of 5 guides, offers a Directory of Home Stagers to help home sellers and agents locate stagers in their area and is frequently profiled in the media.

Direct inquiries to: info@stagingdiva.com