When it comes to running an interior design business - or any business for that matter - process automation will always save time and as a business owner, this is what I’m after - TIME. In Dan Martell’s book, “Buy Back Your Time,” one of the key principles is the importance of delegating tasks to optimize productivity and personal fulfillment. Delegation could be to a human being or to tech - either way, saving time as an interior designer is imperative for healthy business growth.
4 ways we automate our processes at Studio 790:
1. Automated Sales Intake Process: Vet Clients Before the Discovery Call
Not every inquiry is the right fit (we learned this very early on), and spending hours on discovery calls with unqualified leads drains valuable time. At Studio 790, we use automation to pre-qualify potential clients before scheduling a call. When someone inquires, they receive a templated email with our Investment Guide and a Client Intake Form. The form gathers essential details about their project, budget, and timeline, allowing us to determine whether they align with our services before moving forward. By the time we get on a call, we already know they’re a good fit, making the process efficient and productive.
2. Smart Proposal & Invoice Automation with Houzz Pro: Get Paid Faster
Cash flow is everything, especially as our business has grown, and we don’t have time to chase down payments. At Studio 790, we automate our proposals and invoices using Houzz Pro’s invoicing tools. We can generate polished proposals in minutes, convert them into invoices, and even set up automated reminders for overdue payments. This keeps our finances in check and ensures we’re paid on time—every time. This also saves our bookkeeper time so that’s an added win!
3. Project Management: Keep Every Detail on Track
Managing multiple design projects used to mean endless emails, phone calls, and sticky notes everywhere. And admittedly, project management is not my strength so this was an area we REALLY needed to automate. Now, we use a couple of tools to assign tasks, track timelines, and communicate with vendors. First, we rely on Houzz Pro for client-facing project management, keeping clients updated on progress, budget and design approvals. And the second tool that has been a game-changer is ClickUp. ClickUp helps us manage our internal team workflows. It also allows us to automate task assignments, set reminders, and track project milestones, ensuring our team stays on top of every detail without constantly checking in manually.
4. Automated Marketing & Social Media: Build Your Brand and Market Your Work More Efficiently
Marketing is crucial for any design business, but it shouldn’t take over your schedule. Yes, you have to dedicate time to it. But, given how many incredible tools exist, the execution of your digital marketing should be efficient and still effective. At Studio 790, we batch-create social media content (namely for Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest and LinkedIn) and use Loomly to automate posting across multiple platforms. Loomly helps us plan, collaborate, and schedule posts in advance, ensuring we maintain a consistent online presence without the daily hassle of manual posting. This, of course, frees us up to focus on what we do best: designing dream spaces. And, it allows my marketing manager to focus on data, strategy and innovation which are big pillars in our brand!
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