Most of our peers refuse to move or take action on items that are completely under their control related to marketing and sales and that will make real difference in the current and evolving new architectural economy.  They quite literally remain imprisoned by fences of their own making and that is if they have any sort of marketing in place.  Mentally and emotionally and personally and in business.  Ultimately, this results in a financial fence.

Reality:  For every service that you can provide from the lowliest remodel to a complete new building (put a new city here if you want), there are clients still buying.  It’s up to the architect to make sure that prospective clients still know they are in business, ready and willing to take care of them regardless of what is the particular tone of the news that day, month, or week.

Another good reality right now (at least for the ones taking action) is that most architects are panicking and retreating instead of taking action.  

Could there be a better time to be investing in yourself and your own business?

Here’s the difference between those who are successful now versus those who are terrified, paralyzed, drying up and practically blowing away in architecture.  They are willing to stick to their knitting, work on their business, able and willing to unearth and capitalize on the opportunities provided by adversity (cheaper media rates spring to attention), paying more attention to the person they face in the mirror every morning than people over which they have no influence, more attention to creating and delivering value to their customers.  Being less distracted and more determined to stay on good side of Darwin’s laws.

When you encounter that colleague who complain about how bad business is right now here’s what to ask—what are the 5 things you’ve done most recently to follow-up on current and past clients and prospective clients?

What are the five non-architectural books you’ve obtained and studied most recently to somehow improve your lot in practice and life?  To acquire new sales or communication skills, to make yourself more valuable to your clients, to find new opportunities in your local area?  The media you’ve negotiated with to make a better deal?

When they have no answer to these questions, tell them that they need to start working ON their practice.

By the way, you can find information on my new Marketing Blueprint right here (ok, click here…)

Yeap, I made my deadline!