It is an often repeated rule that people buy from those whom they “know, like and trust”. That phrase is easy to remember and sounds great as a tweet, but what does that really mean? How do we do that? How might we connect with more people and become better known? How is it possible to be more “likeable”? How do we build real trust with those whom we seek to serve? How To Become Known as an Architect In order to know more people and to have more people know us, we need to … [Read more...]
Could Coworking Be Your Business Development Secret Weapon?
This is a guest post written by our friend Oscia Wilson. Oscia is the CEO of Boiled Architecture and the co-Founder of BIG Oakland, a new coworking space in Oakland, CA created exclusively for members of the building industry. Check out their Kickstarter campaign for more information. Coworking for Architects “You know, I’m going to be downtown anyway for another meeting. How about we meet at this coffee shop I know, instead?” This is my standard way of artfully dodging meetings in my … [Read more...]
How To Turn Prospects into Projects
I just returned from a quick three-day trip to San Francisco, California. I was invited by architect Rosa Sheng, the co-chair of the Missing 32% Committee at AIASF, to present as a member of a panel discussing entrepreneurism in architecture at the Equity by Design Symposium. The symposium was a fantastic event. If you want to learn more, I encourage you to visit their website and follow them on Twitter. My partners on the panel were Maia Small and Frank Pitts. It was a very interesting … [Read more...]
How To Find Your First Architecture Client
"How do I get noticed when I am first starting an architecture firm? I have no portfolio of my own to show clients. How do I get that first solo project?" I receive comments and emails on a regular basis asking these or similar questions. (Shout out to Andrew and Samantha most recently.) I've shared articles on how much it may cost to start your own firm and how Annmarie and I launched Fivecat Studio with no clients and very little money. Starting a firm from scratch is not easy. Many … [Read more...]
YOU are the Next “Starchitect”
For decades, a very limited number of architects have broken through to become superstars of our profession. A select few, mostly architects with connections cultivated during their time at the nation's top universities, were celebrated as pillars of the profession. Elite networks of wealthy individuals decided which works were worthy of support and controlled who would be viewed as leaders in the field. Trade journals followed suit, featuring these chosen firms on the glossy pages of … [Read more...]