Staging Diva Dispatch September 2012

Home Staging Warms Up Boxy Condo

Modern condo towers sometimes look architecturally interesting from the outside, but inside these buildings often feature boring, boxy, too-small rooms.

So how does one condo listing stand out from the others? With home staging of course!

Carefully selected furniture and accessories make the rooms seem more enticing in the MLS listing photos and are more likely to draw potential buyers.

Once buyers visit the condo unit, the staging will also help them visualize how they can live in the space. This is especially true (and necessary) in units that are under 800 square feet— very common in major cities.

Congratulations to Staging Diva Graduate Sylvia Glazenberg of Unique Space Lift Staging & Redesign (Ontario) on staging her first condo.

condo living room after staging

This condo living room transformation is by Staging Diva Graduate Sylvia Glazenberg. Notice how she has successfully used reflective surfaces and scaled-down pieces to help the living room feel larger.

> Get more home staging tips and ideas in the Ultimate Design Guide for Home Stagers

Sylvia shares her feedback on the Staging Diva Program and how she felt doing her first home staging project:

"Staging Diva, thank you for sharing your knowledge. Your home staging courses are very informative and straight forward. I also like the fact that I can listen to the recordings while I'm doing the laundry, cooking or other chores around the house. What a time saver, how great is that?!

Going into my home staging business I wasn't sure how to start or how to go about it. I think any change is a little bit scary but you gave me the confidence. I love the fact that you keep in touch and it makes me feel like someone is looking out for me.

Whenever I have questions about something I just turn to your blog, Home Staging Business Report. I would like to share my favorite quote with you 'There are no impossible dreams, just our limited perception of what is possible!' I really believe this.

By the way, even before I finished all 5 of your courses I was offered my first staging job! I have to be honest with you when I went for that home staging consultation it was easier than I thought and I really enjoyed staging the property. What a reward when you see the finished job!
Thank you Staging Diva, now I can truly say I love what I do."

>Please share your story too. You will inspire others and get some free publicity for your business. Here's how to get featured!

You can learn the staging business success formula I taught Sylvia through these:

Staging Diva Simple Marketing Plan Companion

Staging Diva Ultimate Portfolio Guide: Winning Clients With The Perfect Home Staging Portfolio

Staging Diva Home Staging Business Training Program

How to Deal With Home Staging Bullies

During the back to school season we always see a new crop of stories about how to deal with bullies at school. But what about when you're a grown up and you run into bullies in your work or personal life?

These bullies can take many forms. Their primary goal is to make you feel insecure so that they can feel more powerful and successful.

Here are examples with links to stories I've written about dealing with these situations or stories of others facing the same barriers and how they moved past them.

- Real estate agents who tell you staging doesn't work.

- Stagers who insist their "staging credentials" are better than yours.

Your Internal Bully is Worse

There's an even more insidious dream-crushing bully, the one that lives inside your head! We've all heard that voice saying things like:

"You don't really know what you're talking about."

"Who are you to think you can make a living following your dreams?"

"You won't be able to take a vacation if you have your own business."

"You'll neglect your family if you become a home stager."

When you learn how to deal with these internal and external bullies, you'll be on the path to a way happier and more satisfying life.

You'll no longer be letting your fears run your life. You'll actually be standing in your power.

When you learn how to deal with bullies, you'll be on the path to a way happier and more satisfying life and career.

Standing in your power becomes easier the more you practice!

Is this easier some days than others? Of course, that's true for all of us. But you only get one life and this isn't a dress rehearsal. It's time to get on with it, don't you think?

>Please email me 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.

Is That Camera Giving You Stage Fright?

With the tremendous traffic on sites like YouTube (and the fact that it's becoming easier to add video to your website, blog or Facebook), more and more home stagers are wondering if they shouldn't finally figure out how to do a video to promote their business.

Most of us are afraid of the unknown (and technology) and the idea of making your first video surely triggers those. I know it does for me! I worry about things like:

- What to wear and how I'll look.
- Where to shoot it and the equipment required.
- Will I remember what I want to say?
- Will it look professional enough if I do it myself?
- What will it cost to hire experts?

When I saw that Tasmania Staging Diva Graduate Adam Luttrell of Shift by Design had produced an awesome video for his home staging business, I couldn't wait to interview him! I asked about all the unknowns that kept me stuck in my own fear of doing my first video.

I've written an article with Adam's answers to my questions, along with a copy of the video itself, so we can all learn from his example.

> Click here to learn more about doing your first home staging video.

Once you've read the article and seen his short home staging video, I'd love for you to add your comments to my blog post. We all learn from each other and an important part of Home Staging Business Report is the community we're building together there!

> If you have your own staging video and you'd like me to write an article about you, don't forget to share your story too!

Not Ready to Jump Into Video?

> Whether you're an experienced or beginner home stager, you'll find 14 marketing ideas that you can implement right now in this special report!

Congratulations Staging Diva Graduate Adam Luttrell on your home staging video! It's 4.5 minutes of marketing gold to build your staging business.

Mark your calendar!
Sept. 20, 7PM (eastern)

Beginner and experienced stagers welcome! You don't have to be my student to join Staging Diva Dialog. Check out this small group coaching call and mastermind session!

> Learn how to be part of the next Staging Diva Dialog conference call.

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 or renewed! Visit their Directory Profiles and get inspired:

Jayne Steuart
Year 4
Jayne Steuart Design

Alaska home stager Stacey Goade
Year 3
Alaska Premier Home Staging

Georgia McCurdy
Year 2
Five Star 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!

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 F'REE perk with an annual commitment, or $75 on quarterly billing.

New Jersey home stager Francoise Hautecler, NJ
Haute Home Staging and Redesign

Diana Wing,
BC
Dwell Decors Inc.

Kathleen Homschek Fields, GA
A Feathered Nest

Be The Top Directory Listing!

When you're the first stager to join the Directory for your areas, 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 10 locations.