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Issue 78: March 2013
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On stage this month

To Set the Stage

Backstage with Debra

Stage the Outdoors Too
Darlene Parris

This Agent Stages Every Listing

You're Invited To 2 Events
5 Simple Secrets to a Home Staging Business
Staging Diva Dialog

Stages of Success Contest Winner Gisela Mahlberg

5 Habits of Successful Stagers

Staging Success Spotlight
Marcia Kirkwood

Hats Off to Directory of Home Stagers Members Jennifer Metcalf and Sherry Multani

staging diva store

Did You Get Your Gift?

Birthday gift from Staging Diva

If you didn't get a birthday gift from me, click here to join my birthday list for free. I promise to send you a surprise on your day!

To Set the Stage

"Even if you're on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there."

- Will Rogers

Backstage with Debra

March is here and with it a fresh season and what feels like a fresh start. My own surgery and my teen's broken foot made February a challenge and inspired my blog post Is Your Home Staging Business Off Track?

In it, I shared the importance of taking breaks when we need them and not beating ourselves up over it. After all, a big perk of having your own business is the freedom and flexibility it offers.

Since many of us become discouraged by real estate agents, in this month's newsletter I introduce you to one Realtor who stages all of her listings, and the sales results she achieves because of it.

I also share the transformation of an outdoor patio area, 5 habits of successful home stagers, and how Staging Diva Graduates in both Germany and British Columbia are getting attention for their staging businesses.

You'll discover two March events I'm hosting and meet two new home stagers who just joined the Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers.

My goal is to give you the information and inspiration you need to create a successful home staging business. If you have a story idea or question you'd like me to answer in a future article, please email and let me know.

Happy Spring. Like you, I can't wait to see all the flowers and For Sale signs pop up in my neighborhood.

Debra

Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®
President, Voice of Possibility™ Group Inc.

Stage the Outdoors Too

As the weather improves it becomes even more important to stage the outdoors of your clients' homes, both front and back.

In the past we've discussed enhancing curb appeal, but it's also important to do the back yard, deck or patio area if your client's home (and budget) provides this opportunity.

This patio was just a slab of concrete with a barbeque pit and basketball hoop. Since the owner was willing to invest to turn this space into a place for entertaining, Darlene Parris of California-based UPSTAGED! by Darlene Parris had a larger budget to work with.

She started by having the tree cut back and clearing the space. The existing cement was leveled and Spanish tile laid. Lattice tops the brick walls now painted antique white for brightness. A custom patio cover adds shade. Seating, wall art, and seasonal plants and flowers complete the transformation.

patio before staging patio after staging

Photos provided by Darlene Parris of UPSTAGED! by Darlene Parris.

> Related story and video, Home Stagers Which White Paint Would You Choose For Home Staging?

This Real Estate Agent Stages Every Listing

About 95% of home stagers make the marketing mistake of thinking that real estate agents are their most important source of potential clients.

Staging Diva Graduates don't waste time cold-calling real estate agents. Instead they learn how to build their business by having home owners and home sellers come to them. It's much easier and less frustrating than chasing agents, and far more profitable.

dealing with real estate agents

That said, when I meet an agent who "gets" home staging, I love to draw attention to them. This encourages other real estate agents to embrace the benefits of staging, and it inspires stagers that finding the "right" real estate agents to deal with can be a win-win situation.

Here's what North Carolina real estate agent Angela Batchelor who stages every listing said on my blog:

"I am a REALTOR® who utilizes professional staging on every listing I put on the market. But it wasn't always that way (for many of the reasons you address in this article). I know the value staging provides and it far out weighs any dollar amount a seller would invest in staging. My seller clients sell their homes 5 times faster than the average seller in our Wilmington NC market and sell their homes for a minimum of 3.5% more. Staging is a vital part of my listing plan and my business would not be as successful without it. I never leave for my office for a listing appointment without already setting up a pre-scheduled staging consultation with my professional staging group and the potential seller."

I've written many articles to help stagers deal with real estate agents. Here are 3 examples:

> 5 Things Real Estate Agents Need to Hear from Home Stagers

> Stagers, Don't Let Real Estate Agents Discourage You

> Stagers, Realize Your Own Power in Real Estate

You'll find great comments at the end of each of these articles. Please add yours too, along with any questions you'd like to see addressed in future stories.

You're Invited: Save These March Dates

Times indicated are eastern (NY time). Please adjust for your time zone.

5 simple secretes to making money in home staging

Mar. 6 (8 PM)
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 FREE if you've never taken Staging Diva courses (otherwise you already know these 5 secrets!)

Staging Diva Dialog

Mar. 21 (7pm)
Staging Diva Dialog Coaching Call

For beginner and established home stagers. You don't need to be our student, $47.

Ask me questions and get semi-private coaching in a small group.

Last month we covered: Service agreements, contracts, getting paid, domain privacy, furniture sources, maximizing commissions, getting testimonials, sole proprietor vs LLC, getting unstuck, real estate license pro / con, staying motivated.

> Join us this month + get the recording too

You'll make at least $500 when you implement the ideas from a single $47 session.

Gisela Mahlberg Wins "Stages of Success" Contest!

It's important to take time to celebrate our large and small triumphs. Each time we do, we are proving to our voice of self-doubt that we are capable of achieving our dreams. This gives us the strength and motivation to keep moving forward.

That's why I created the Stages of Success™ Contest.

"Brag" about your success as a home stager on The Staging Diva Facebook Wall to acknowledge your achievements to yourself and others. You'll give our supportive community a chance to help celebrate your "Stages of Success" and inspire others at the same time!

Congratulations to this month's winner, Staging Diva Grad Gisela Mahlberg of Wandelwind Home Staging & Styling in Schleiden, Germany:

"I received 1000 Euros (USD $1300) and great publicity for being among the Top 10 in a Business Plan Contest for my home staging business idea being particularly promising. Then I got a call from one of the two big newspapers in our area. They read about me being among the Top 10 and want to write an article about my home staging business! Debra, thank you for being my teacher and inspiration."

How You Can Win $25 in the April Contest

Simply post your success on The Staging Diva Facebook Wall. Perhaps you just landed your first project, were interviewed by the media, gave a presentation, or did a TV shoot. Maybe one of the homes you staged just sold, or you're marking the anniversary of starting your business!

Germany home stager
Winning home stager Gisela Mahlberg (Germany).

Stages of Success

These are all important milestones in your journey and I want to give you a place to celebrate with a group that will truly appreciate your experience and success. You don't have to be a Staging Diva Graduate to win.

Each month, we'll draw one name at random. The winner will receive a $25 coupon redeemable on any purchase in the Staging Diva Store of $25 or more. Post as many times as you like, as long as you only post the same news once.

> If you already have a success to celebrate, click here to post it to The Staging Diva Facebook Wall for your chance to win $25.

Did You Know?

Staging Diva Graduates live in 22 countries, in both small towns and large metropolitain cities. The reason our home staging business training program works no matter where you live is because you're learning proven home staging business principals, and the thinking behind them.

All Staging Diva Graduates receive personalized certificates plus free Grad Badge artwork for their marketing materials and websites.

Unlike other staging programs, Staging Diva Graduates DO NOT PAY AN ONGOING FEE to be "certified" or "accredited" after completing this program.

Once you've completed the 5-course training program, you'll be able to say "Yourname is a Graduate of the Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program" for as long as you like. We don't put a time limit on this like other companies do!

Staging Diva Graduation Certificate

Do some research before enrolling in home staging training so you're sure what you're buying.

> How to know what you're getting.

Staging Diva Graduate Badge
> How to save up to $830 with a 5-course staging training package.

5 Habits of Successful Home Stagers

I've spoken with thousands of home stagers over the years and I can usually spot who will be successful early on in their home staging business.

It doesn't matter what country they live in or whether they are in a smaller town or a larger city. They all seem to possess the same 5 habits or traits that help them stand out from their competitors.

By the way, you might be surprised to learn that these habits aren't related to how talented they are at rearranging furniture or choosing colors.

5 success secrets

These success traits carry them forward and enable them to build their own business doing what they love. If you don't have some of these as habits, all is not lost. You can cultivate these success traits by being aware of them.

1. Curiosity

Successful home stagers realize that they will always be learning as their business grows. They ask thoughtful questions and consider themselves lifelong learners of: decorating, real estate, marketing, etc. In fact, it's this very aspect of always learning new things that is part of what excites them about having a business.

2. Resourcefulness

Like Tony Robbins says, "It's not the resources you have but how resourceful you are." Running your own business requires you to step into the power you already have. Instead of saying "I can't" and giving up in the face of a challenge, ask "How can I?" and look for solutions.

> Find out if you have the remaining 3 habits of successful home stagers and how you can cultivate these.

Staging Success Spotlight

Congratulations to Staging Diva Graduate Marcia Kirkwood of Sunny Brook Home Staging (BC) on implementing my marketing idea of presenting at an event. She writes:

"I was doing my Home Stager Happy Dance this morning after I landed a speaking engagement at Arbutus Ridge. I've been asked to write for their newsletter as well. I'm very excited to start educating folks and getting Sunny Brook Home Staging on the map! Thanks again for your help and our Business Accelerator Coaching call."

home stager British Columbia

Hats Off to Directory of Home Stagers Members

Are potential clients able to find you online? Do you have a professional web presence once they do? When you're a Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers member, it's easy for agents and home sellers to hire you! PLUS, members enjoy FREE project referrals, notification of guest speaking opportunities, media interviews and quarterly coaching with me!

Congratulations to these 2 new Staging Diva Graduates! Visit their Directory Profiles and get inspired:

Wisconsin home stager

Burlington home staging

Extra Benefits for
Profile Listings!

You can have a free brochure produced by Staging Diva for your company when you have a full year Profile Listing.

brochure sample front brochure sample back

Sample front & back of custom brochure

Plus, you'll get a download link on your Directory Profile Page so your customers can access your company brochure instantly!

Download Brochure link

Sample download button

Social Media Links!

You can add these Social Media icons to your Directory Profile and link them to your accounts on these sites:

Social Icons for Directory

Sample icons

Social Media links are a FREE perk with an annual commitment, or $75 on quarterly billing.

Jennifer Metcalf
Wisconsin

Madison Staging and Redesign

Sherry Multani
Ontario

Re-Dzine Interiors Inc

Be The Top
Directory Listing!

When you're the first stager to join the Directory for your chosen locations, your listing will always come out on top in a Directory search, no matter how many people join after you!

If there are others listed above you for certain cities or neighborhoods, your rank will move up if any of them leaves the directory.

> How to get your own Profile Page

> How to get a Mini Listing

The sooner you join, the higher up on the list you are for your locations.

Plus you can choose up to 3 states/provinces and 10 cities, town, neighborhoods or counties to be listed in!

About Staging Diva

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 7,000 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

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