| Issue 73: October 2012 |
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To Set the Stage
Backstage with Debra
Birthday Sale Announcement
Why Staging a Master Bedroom is Key
Too Many Ideas Too Little Time
Save the Dates
5 Simple Secrets to a Home Staging Business, and Staging Diva Dialog
Julie Cartwright Wins Staging Diva Contest
Staging Success Spotlight
Lori Fischer
Hats off to Directory Members
Anne McCann-Condie, Jennifer C Farnham, Kate Rudd, Marcia Kirkwood, Lyn Macomber, Pamela Roberts
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Your Own Birthday Present Awaits!
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To Set the Stage
"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." - Antoine de Saint-Exupery
Backstage with Debra
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It's my 53rd birthday this month and I'm continuing to adjust to my new life as an empty-nester.
That's why I've been writing about how to stop procrastinating and get more done. It's been on my mind a lot as I question how I want to move forward and develop new goals and plans.
In this month's newsletter you'll see a great example of how to stage a master bedroom, discover a crazy revelation I had that totally changes how I choose what ideas to pursue, have a chance to sign up for a no-cost teleseminar with me and meet 9 inspiring home stagers.
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That cold nip in the air is reminding me that the holiday season is almost upon us and with it the end of this year's busy home staging season.
Did you accomplish everything you wanted to in 2012 as a home stager?
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Whether you're a new or established home stager (or you're only in the early planning stages), I want you to be the first to know about my Big Birthday Sale starting today. You'll find significant savings on a whole range of products and services to take your staging career to a whole new level.
I've learned a lot the hard way on my journey as an entrepreneur since 1998 and home stager since 2002. This means I can cut a ton of corners for you. So if you're feeling life is short and there's no time to waste, I hope you'll take the opportunity to get the training or coaching needed to follow my succcess blueprint. You'll save time, energy and frustration when you know how to turn your creative talents into a profitable staging and redesign business.
I hope you enjoy this issue of Staging Diva Dispatch.
Happy Fall (or Spring for my Australian readers)!
Debra Gould, The Staging Diva®
President, Voice of Possibility™ Group Inc.
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P.S. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. I wrote Heroes of Home Staging with ways to support research and saluting home stagers who have battled their way back from this terrible disease.
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Why Staging a Master Bedroom is Key
While much attention is paid to the importance of kitchens and bathrooms, I feel it's key for home buyers to see they'll have thier own personal sanctuary in the home too.
Most of the homes I stage have a master bedroom that was never properly decorated. Often it's also a dumping ground for mismatched furniture and clutter. When it's time to put the home on the real estate market, this problem must be addressed— especially in higher-priced homes!
Remember we are painting a picture of how they can live in our client's home, and creating a vision that's far more compelling than how they live right now, or how they might live in comparable homes on the market.
Congratulations to Staging Diva Graduate Jayne Steuart of Jayne Steuart Design (Colorado) on this fantastic staging of a master bedroom.
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Jayne shares her feedback on the Staging Diva Program:
"I completely enjoyed the Staging Diva Program! It has given me everything I need to organize and start my new business. Every day seems to come to an end too quickly. I am truly having the time of my life! This is too much fun to be called 'work'!"
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Too Many Ideas and Too Little Time
| I'm addicted to new business and marketing ideas. This is one of my greatest strengths, and also a weakness because it can get in my way. |
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Too many ideas can be paralyzing
Which to do first? What if I pick the wrong one?
I had a revelation last night that will let me release many of my ideas so I can focus on the ones that matter most.
Here's my revelation
Thinking "life is short, it's time to get on with things," doesn't always move me to take immediate action.
It still leaves room for procrastination because there is no fixed deadline unless you have a life-threatening illness.
While you might resolve to do better tomorrow, next week or next month, will you really do it? Sometimes I do and sometimes I don't, which is frustrating.
So I decided to quantify things
Let's say I work for 20 more years (perhaps you'll use a bigger/smaller number).
Assuming I take two months off every year (for vacations, illness, grandchildren I hope to have, and other life events that take priority), that means I only have 200 months.
Now let's say I can tackle one new big idea every 2 months. That means I only get to do 100 more of them in my lifetime if I work until I'm 73!
When 100 is all there is
If I only get 100 more ideas to implement for my lifetime, that clears a whole pile of stuff off my desk! Instead of chasing every "shiny penny," I'm going to be VERY selective and let go of a lot of "stuff" from now on!
> What do you think of this idea? Please email your reply and let me know your thoughts on this topic. I'd love to turn this into a bigger article on the subject, as I know it's one we all struggle with.
> Click here to learn how to stop procrastinating and get 8 things done now.
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Save the Dates
Times indicated are eastern (NY time).
Please adjust for your time zone.
Oct. 11 (7pm)
Staging Diva Dialog
Open to all beginner and established home stagers.
If you could ask me absolutely anything about your home staging business, what would it be?
This month's event is part of the Birthday Sale! Ask me questions and get semi-private business coaching in a small group.
You are guaranteed to make back 10 times your small investment in this event if you implement only one idea from our conversation!
> Join us this month + get the recording too!
Casting Call for 2 HGTV shows. Many US cities in October or apply online.
> Get full casting details here.
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Staging Success Spotlight
| Congratulations to Staging Diva Graduate Lori Fischer of Rethink Home Interiors on implementing my marketing idea of presenting at an event. She writes: |
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"I did exactly what you said and signed on to teach an adult education class in my community. I was absolutely sick when I signed the contract. I ended up having fun prepping for it and had a terrific experience teaching. It really makes you realize that you do have knowledge that others don't. I left the experience understanding the value I can bring to clients much better— something I might have continued to struggle with had I not just jumped in and committed myself before I felt ready."
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Julie Cartwright Wins "Stages of Success" Contest!
It's important to take time to celebrate our triumphs (both large and small) because each time we do we are convincing or voice of self-doubt that we can move forward. This gives us the strength and motivation to keep going, which is why I created the Stages of Success™ Contest.
"Brag" about your success as a home stager on The Staging Diva Facebook Wall. 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 Julie Cartwright of Mystyle Property Designs in Sydney Australia. She posted:
"Debra, since completing your course I have been very fortunate to have 2 real estate agents approach me to work with them. I have also been asked to furnish and style 3 empty homes and another partially furnished, all within the last month. It's pretty surreal. Thanks again Debra for all your guidance and support."
Here's how you can win next month
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!
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Sydney home stager Julie Cartwright wins this month!
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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.
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.
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Did You Know?
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 "{fname} 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!
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Do some research before enrolling in home staging training so you're sure what you're buying.
> Here's how to know what you're getting.
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| > How to save up to $1030 with our 5-course staging training packages during the sale! |
Hats Off to Directory of Home Stagers Members
Once you're a Staging Diva Directory of Home Stagers member, it's easy for agents and home sellers to hire you! PLUS, members enjoy F'REE project referrals, notification of guest speaking opportunities and media interviews!
Congratulations to these 6 Staging Diva Graduates who joined! Visit their Directory Profiles and get inspired:
 Anne McCann-Condie, ON
Final Touch Staging and Design
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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.
 
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!
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:
Sample icons
Social Media links are a F'REE perk with an annual commitment, or $75 on quarterly billing.
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 Lyn Macomber, CA
StageItLoveItSellIt
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 Marcia Kirkwood, BC
Sunny Brook Staging
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 Pamela Roberts, ON/QC
Dwelling in Expression
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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.
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