Tamar Benashvili Design

22/10/2024

"I’m good at what I do, but there are so many architects out there offering the same thing. There’s nothing particularly special about me or my approach compared to others.

Sure, I might have some unique experiences, but ultimately, I’m doing the same job as the next architect.

I don’t see why clients would pay more for my services when they can just go to someone else for the same skills"

If you, just like me for 7 years, have worked in environments where architecture feels commoditized — especially in large practices,

or even in smaller practices where you merely draw what you are told to draw — you are probably used to viewing your skills as interchangeable with those of your peers.

If you haven’t been exposed to opportunities that reward innovation or specialization, you may struggle to see how your unique approach sets you apart.

A lack of feedback on your distinctive strengths can further cement this belief.

I get you. I've been there too.

When I transitioned into web design, I faced the same fear—there are so many web designers out there, how would I stand out?

But then I leaned into my unique background as an architect.

My knowledge of the industry's ins and outs, my attention to detail, my ability to understand complex systems, and my experience in different cultures gave me an edge.

I wasn’t just a web designer designing pretty websites.

As an architect, you stop competing and start owning your space when you realize what makes you unique.

15/10/2024

As an architect or an interior designer, you get most of your clients through referrals. Me too.

However, those referrals, guarantee, check your website.

Make sure it represents your brand well, just like your business card should!

15/10/2024

The hero section of your website should be as memorable and clear as the front of your business card

Because your website is indeed your online business card.

Let's make your online business card clear and memorable!

11/10/2024

One of the most powerful things you can do when writing a copy for a website is to make things concrete.

Concrete means that you can visualize it.

If you can visualize it, you can remember it.

On the hero section of this website for Ivy Home & living (Renata and Miia are the owners/designers) you read:

"If you could take your favorite outfit and turn it into a space, that would be the home we design for you".

Do you think you will remember this more than a generic "we design spaces for people" (so overused by architecture & interior design firms' websites, I am almost sick of it)?

Let me know in the comments & follow for more tips about effective website design that connects service providers with their clients!

08/10/2024

Your interior design business website is more than just a portfolio.

It is the tool to communicate the true value you bring to your clients.

In this project, I wanted to redefine the value proposition of Ivy Home & Living and designed a bold, aesthetically pleasing strategic website.

Let me know what you think!

06/10/2024

If you are an architect or an interior designer who wants to be found online, this blog post is for you.

Sharing all I know, holding nothing back: tips I've learned from running an interior design and home decor blog averaging 15K monthly views and working on web design projects for service providers since January 2024.

SEO for architects and interior designers should be the same as for other businesses. Yet, this is not the case: most architects and interior designers refuse or forget to include the key element that makes their websites findable by the search engines: text! Your work can speak for itself only afte...

05/10/2024

If you are a service provider considering refreshing or building your website, you might be hearing "value proposition" all the time.

While a lot of marketers would tell you that the value you bring should be related to money & time

(save your clients money & time or help them make more money..)

that's not the full picture.

Turns out, there are 6 value systems.

And depending on your service, you can let potential clients see the value you bring from different perspectives.

1. time
2. money
3. legacy
4. authority
5. attention
6. confidence

Let's take my web design services as an example.

1. In my content, I can talk about how the websites I design save time for my clients:

With the systems in place, I design and develop strategic websites that attract your ideal clients while repelling the leads that are not the best fit & prevent them from inquiring.

2. I can talk about how my website would make you more money:

strategic design that can increase conversion rates, i.e. you will make more money with the same traffic.

3. I can talk about how the website I would design for you would become a part of your brand identity.

It would help you attract like-minded people and opportunities & leave mark!

4. I can talk about how the website I'd design for you would help you be perceived as an authority in your industry.

5. I can talk about how the website I'd design for you would draw attention to you and your brand (in a good way)

6. and I can talk about how the website I'd design for you would help you become more confident in the services you offer.

Now, think about the services you offer and try to articulate the value you bring to your clients from those 6 perspectives.

04/10/2024

Website design for Menor Eva Salovová.

She's been wonderful to work with!

She wanted a website that was strategic in terms of messaging but also reflected her identity and personality in a visual way.

The inspiration for me was her hobby: scrapbooking. Who knows her in person, knows that she spends a lot of time creating scrapbooks!

So we decided to take this hobby of hers as an inspiration and translate into a web experience.

The visual elements, graphics, scroll animations make the whole website look like a scrapbook!

Check her website live:

Eva Salovova je učitelka a mentorka se zaměřením na poskytování personalizovaného mentorství pro učitele a ředitele škol. V mentoringu vidí cestu jak pomoci zájemcům se rozvíjet, měnit vzdělávání, vytvářet cestu novým příležitostem.

04/10/2024

How do I sell my services if I don't have a proper portfolio? This is Part 2, so make sure to check the part 1.

I faced the same problem when transitioning from an architectural designer to a freelance web designer.

Here are some strategies I used and here's how you, as an architect can get started with your new offer even if you don't have a relevant work portfolio yet.

#5 Offer Free Resources, Mini-Consultations or digital products that are priced almost like an "impulse purchase".

Since you're trying to build trust and a client base, offering a free downloadable resource (like a "Renovation Planning Checklist") or a limited-time mini-consultation could attract prospects.

These resources can provide immediate value, get people engaged, and then direct them toward your main services.

There is a very fine line between providing free value and letting people abuse your time.

It's common that when you offer consultations for free, people who want only free advice come and take advantage.

So, I do not recommend giving away free consultations and especially leaving your calendar open for everybody to book a time slot.

I recommend having a very affordable mini-offer that sounds almost like an impulse purchase.

This can be a 15-minute phone call where they get to ask you for advice or this can be a digital product that gives your ideal client a "shortcut" to solve a very specific problem.

#6 Use Testimonials and Partnerships

Even if you don't have portfolio pieces, past clients or colleagues may be willing to provide testimonials about your skills and professionalism.

If you collaborated with contractors or other designers in the past, ask if they'd be open to partnering on projects to build your portfolio.

Partnering with adjacent service providers is one of the best strategies to grow. So, think, with whom you share an "ideal client".

Real Estate Agents? Contractors? Custom Cabinet or Furniture Makers?

Think about professionals who often have high-end clients who care about layout and design in their home renovations. Partnering with them could open doors to projects where clients are looking for both custom designs and structural updates.

The partnership can be as simple as a % of the amount for a word-of-mouth referral. Or it can be you getting in front of their audience online if they have one.

For example, think of a custom furniture maker brand with a lot of followers and think about how you can add value and show expertise to them.

These kind of partnerships are mostly paid.

I run an interior design and home decor blog. I average around 15K monthly visits from Pinterest - a very targeted traffic. Designers who offer location-independent (online) services do guest posting.

P.S. all these will help you get more leads. Make sure to have a strategic website to convert those leads. I can help you in creating one. Check my website to know how.

04/10/2024

Architects wondering: how to sell my services if I don't have a proper portfolio.

I was facing the same problem when transitioning from being an architectural designer to a freelance web designer.

Here are some strategies I used and here's how you, as an architect can get started with your new offer even if you don't have a relevant work portfolio yet.

#1 Create Case Studies from Previous Projects OR Spec Projects. You don't need clients to create spec projects.

Unless you are a complete beginner trying to build a business right during first year of your studies, I assume you DO have some work experience.

Even if your past projects don't fully represent your ideal work, you can frame them as valuable experiences that showcase your expertise in one area or another.

Try to find an angle that is best aligned with the offer you want to sell more of.

Create in-depth case studies highlighting the design process, the challenges faced, and the value you brought.

#2: Sell Your Expertise, Not Just Past Work

When I still worked in the industry of architecture and design, I also used to make this mistake: confusing the pretty end results with the whole value.

As an architect you are not just a designer who solves aesthetic problems and presents pretty renderings to clients.

Focus on selling your ability to solve problems, guide decision-making, and offer personalized design advice.

Let's say you are an architect who focuses on renovations of existing houses. Here’s how you can frame your offer as a solution to problems:

Initial Consultation: Stress the value of helping clients make informed decisions early, saving time and costs in the long run.

Layout Consultations: Position yourself as a problem solver who can unlock the potential of any space, offering clever solutions.

You can absolutely create spec projects as well to showcase your ability to solve those problems.

Spec projects are a great way to get your foot in the door when getting started with something new. That's how I transitioned from working as an architectural designer for over 7 years into a full-time freelance web designer.

#3 Leverage Edited Designs as a Portfolio Alternative

This is yet another variation of spec projects.

This allows you to present hypothetical "before and after" examples, demonstrating your design vision.

Potential clients will be able to see your style and how you think through design improvements, even if they aren't fully realized projects.

#4 Show the Design Process

Potential clients might not need to see completed projects as much as they need to understand how you think and approach design.

Use your website or social media to create content that shows your process—from conceptual sketches, to mood boards, to problem-solving scenarios.

You can also share tips and advice about specific decisions, which showcases your expertise and establishes trust.

Pro tip: video is the most effective way to do it!

Unfortunately, LinkedIn has a character count restriction. I will continue this topic in the next post!

Stay Tuned!

04/10/2024

A couple of months ago I wrapped up a web design project for a Mentor Eva Salovova.

Last week I also designed business cards for her:

She attends a lot of in-person events and wanted to have a complete consistent brand package that looks similar online or in-person.