Your first meeting with a potential client is usually the one which determines whether you get the job. In the short time available you need to convince them that you are a right person to design their space – be it a garden, a park or a public square. To succeed, you have to develop certain skills besides your design abilities; a lot of empathy and a bit of applied psychology will take you a long way! You must convince your potential customer that the service you provide is going to be of the highest quality. Developing a personal relationship with them is of the greatest importance, especially when it comes to designing private gardens. The following guidelines, once applied will help you gain your customer’s trust and earn you the job you desire! 1. Ask detailed questions
Children will dramatically impact which way your design turns out, so find out about them. Image credit: shutterstock.com
This way you will show your interest in your customer. Make sure you know their habits, if they have children, own pets, enjoy parties or like to sunbathe. Ask about their colour preferences, favourite plants and garden styles. Do not forget about allergies and possible disabilities. Take your time, make them feel looked after, show them you care. This will help you understand and anticipate their needs as well as support your design process.
2. Make notes Write down everything you hear and all the things you observed. Do not trust your memory – it will fail you when you least expect it. It does not make a good impression to repeat all the questions – your customer might think you did not listen to him. It is even worse to design a garden that clearly goes against the customer’s wishes simply due to forgetfulness.
Check out how garden designer Amir Schlezinger addressed his clients needs in this contemporary garden, CLICK HERE!
Try to walk in their shoes for a while. If you design for a family with young children, imagine yourself as one of them, even if you are single and detest kids. Always remember you design for a specific person or group of people, but approach the subject like you were one of them.
4. Design for the Client, and not for yourself Always remember, that the garden you design will be used by your customer, not by you. Never follow the mindset that allows you to think that you know better what is best for the user. You may present your ideas and proposals, but at the end of it all, it is your client’s opinion that matters. If they ask for a country garden full of flowers, do not try to give them a modern and minimalistic design.
5. Observe your client’s surroundings and personality They can tell you a lot about your customer and their preferences, even if they weren’t mentioned aloud. People’s interior design and the way they dress speak volumes about them. Good observation skills are essential for anyone working with people, providing services for them. Always remember – the space must fit the user, not the other way round!
When the exterior compliments the interior. Credit: Amir Schlezinger
This world is full of beautiful, but underused spaces. This happens very often because the designer forgot to properly connect with the client before and during the design process. Remembering about those few simple rules will help you achieve the desired results. What is more, the engaged and emphatic way of approaching your potential customer might win you an amazing job and get you a reputation of a designer, who truly cares. Isn’t it just what you want?
Check out the following articles to see how a good working relationship with the client leads to successful designs: Stunning Contemporary Garden Design! Contemporary Japanese Garden in The English Countryside Floating Roof Garden on the River Thames Article written by Marta Ratajszczak
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