If the content you put out into the world isn't helping you, it's probably hurting you. Web and social media content are important tools. Do more than remind customers you’re there. Define your aesthetic, assert your personality, and create your tribe. Here’s why most companies are missing the mark.
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6 Blogs Every Designer Should Be On
As a designer, there are a few essential blogs that you're probably dying to be on. For a designer, translating your brand and ethos into an evocative story that is a must-print for any publication can be challenging. What angle do you take? What tone do you use? What photos should I use? But telling that evocative must-print story is also how you can score press for your brand. An important part of telling a great story, is making sure that you share it with the right audience - a publication who's coverage aligns with what you do, and how you do it.
To help decipher the best-fit publications for you and your brand, we've broken down some of the top blogs in the design world.
Dwell
Who Should Be Here: Residential and Interior Architects, Designers
Why You Should Be Here: Dwell is the authority on the hottest modern residential well…..dwellings. Their stories focus on how people live in their well-designed, modern spaces. so make sure your clients are open to a little publicity, themselves.
The Jungalow
Who Should Be Here: Floral and Landscape Designers, Interior Designers
Why You Should Be Here: Designers with a green thumb take note: The Jungalow, has taken the boho-plant-loving world by storm. Jungalow Creator, Justina Blakeney was named by L.A. Weekly as one of 2016’s Most Fascinating Characters. With The Jungalow’s over 400k Instagram followers, Blakeney’s blog has quickly taken root as the place to see and be seen for the succulent sect.
Apartment Therapy
Who Should Be Here: Designers, Architects, Makers of all stripes
Why You Should Be Here: Apartment Therapy was a pioneer in the digital world of lifestyle and design. They started back in 2004 (eons ago in internetz years). In 2009 Forbes called Apartment Therapy, “one of the most influential interior design sites on the Web." With everything from style guides, to ikea furniture hacks, and house tours, Apartment Therapy is a destination for those from every corner of the design world. A house tour or diy project submission that shows off your design chops in this publication is instant press.
Curbed
Who Should Be Here: Real Estate Developers, Real Estate Agents, Architects
Why You Should Be Here: Ok sure, I'm a little biased. But nobody does real estate and architecture quite like Curbed. I mean who doesn't appreciate a little wry wit with their real estate news? In addition to Curbed National, Curbed is great because of its city-based editions that take a deep dive into local real estate and architecture related news. If you’re looking for a local audience and have a thick enough skin to take a few barbs from commenters, Curbed is your read of choice.
Design Milk
Who Should Be Here: Product Designers, Furniture Designers, Architects
Why You Should Be Here: Design Milk, “offers what’s new in art, architecture, interior design, furniture and decor, fashion and technology.” Whether you’re looking to showcase a new build, amazing reno, sleek new restaurant or storefront, or your architecturally-inspired product, Design Milk covers it all - often from a designer's perspective, and always with great pictorials.
Kinfolk
Who Should Be Here: Furniture Designers, Makers of All Stripes
Why You Should Be Here: Kinfolk is more than a magazine, it’s a movement - check that, I mean, a #movement. Kinfolk is a slow lifestyle magazine. It caters to and attracts those looking to appreciate everything from handicrafts to a good back-to-the-land movement.
The Bottom Line About Design Press
To learn more about how to tell a great story to garner press in the design world, give STRUKTR a shout.
Why Instagram Really Matters For Design + Architecture Pros
Instagram really does matter for design and architecture professionals - and it may not be for the reason you think.
Instagram is more than place to gawk at photos of beautifully composed plates of food. On Instagram, the amount of followers you acquire can translate to real business leads and architecture and design publicity. As a design pro or architect, Instagram has the ability to elevate your brand and your business. Here are 5 reasons why Instagram really matters for you.
1. It's an active community
The majority of engaged audiences are congregating on Instagram. Obviously there are still plenty of other social media outlets like Facebook, Pinterest, Snapchat, Linkedin and Twitter, but Instagram has over 500 million active users per month. That means you have access to an audience of 500 million people who not only have accounts, but actually use those accounts on a consistent basis. You would have to add snapchat, Twitter and Pinterest together to equal that in active users. In 2015, Twitter even reported its active user base stopped growing entirely, virtually coming to a complete halt.
2. It’s how you make a great first impression
Your Instagram gallery may be the first interaction people have with your brand - even before your website. Curating engaging and beautiful visuals in your Instagram gallery is integral for creating a quality first-impression. The photos in your Instagram gallery have the power to establish you as a design expert. On Instagram, followers come for the gorgeous aesthetics, and they stay for the engaging content you’re sharing.
3. Instagram is a built-in audience of design-lovers.
Forget about wondering where you can reach your audience - they’re waiting for you on Instagram. The platform is built entirely around aesthetics. Its user base is already design-oriented; they are predisposed to like what you, as a designer, are offering. Instagram is a natural fit for your brand.
4. It converts
Instagram generates leads. No, really. It does. I say this from personal experience. Every week I significantly grow my follower base and every week I generate real leads that become phone calls, in-person meetings, and client signings. With consistent growth it’s possible to generate high quality leads without spending big advertising bucks.
5. Instagram makes hiring easy
As your business grows you’ll no doubt be looking to add active, engaged employees who love your brand. You’ll likely need to look only as far as your own Instagram following to find the perfect candidate. These potential candidates are people who are literally following your brand - it doesn’t get any more engaged than that.
This blog post was originally written by STRUKTR Studios for HomeAdvisor.