EntreArchitect

APRIL 6, 2015

Originally published on the week of this blog’s relaunch on December 12, 2012, this article has been the most popular week in, week out. Most sole proprietors and small firms I know, struggle to meet the minimum requirements of operation. This is a repost from deep in the archives. How do YOU make more money?

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EntreArchitect

JULY 25, 2016

Most firms, here in the United States, experience a slow down at the same time every summer. Clients are focused on their own personal schedules and are away on their own vacations. For many of us small firm architects, this sounds a bit scary. Your clients need to know. ” The United States Slows Down Too.

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EntreArchitect

NOVEMBER 20, 2017

Every magazine and blog is running an article about how to plan for 2018. This quiet time would clear my mind and prepare me for the “chaos” that is running a small firm architecture studio. An urgent email sent by an concerned client can quickly ignite into an inferno if not attended to promptly. Scan Email.

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BD+C

AUGUST 19, 2024

We are using it to enhance presentations, take meeting notes, generate action items, and transform conversations into articles. This article is a great example of a practical workflow. Companies that encourage and equip their people to leverage AI will out-compete even large firms that are slow to implement AI.

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EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 6, 2013

I have no portfolio of my own to show clients. I’ve shared articles on how much it may cost to start your own firm and how Annmarie and I launched Fivecat Studio with no clients and very little money. Your first clients may come from relationships built during your time as an employee. Be Certain.

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EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 13, 2013

We had no clients, little money and were filled with confidence. In 2003, with many accolades and a determination to take our firm to the next level, we moved out of the darkness of the basement and into a light-filled 2,000 square foot office space in Pleasantville. We are blessed with many fabulous clients.

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EntreArchitect

DECEMBER 2, 2024

From grueling all-nighters in architecture school to managing relentless client demands, architects have historically worn their stress as a badge of honor. Morgan recounted how she and her clients practiced brief moments of silence—whether during a commute or in a parked car—to reset their minds before transitioning between work and home.

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EntreArchitect

JULY 28, 2014

Today I am re-posting an article from March 2012, nine months before relaunching Entrepreneur Architect as my 12/12/12 Project. We recently recommended one of our consultants to a client. Our client was happy and we were looking good. Our client was NOT happy. One approach results in an disgruntled client.

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Archmark

MARCH 29, 2019

Recently, we asked Richard Marshall, Principal with Perkins+Will , about the importance of marketing for small firms, “The best organizations view marketing as just as important a skill set as design. Read on to learn about five effective marketing building blocks that contribute to architecture firm growth.

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Archmark

MAY 13, 2022

Set Up and Use Your Linkedin Profile to Find, Attract, and Connect with Your Ideal Architecture Firm Clients Archmark's Definitive Architecture Firm Marketing Guide to Perfecting Your Linkedin Profile. Have your clients or prospects ever made any of the following statements?: “We Sorry, but it’s true.

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Life of an Architect

JULY 19, 2014

A while back I wrote a post titled “ Architectural Interns ” where I stated: Other than slowing things down, interns aren’t very useful in small firms because we run fast and lean. I did not edit these articles in any way and I gave them no boundaries, any sucking up they did was of their own volition.

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Architecture Small Firm Firms Students 101

Architizer

MAY 7, 2024

Crafting a well-defined business strategy is crucial for the success of any business, architecture firms included, but according to the most recent AIA Business Survey Report in 2022, only 26% of small firms, 40% of medium-sized firms, and 71% of large firms have one written down. So, where do you start?

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Life of an Architect

OCTOBER 11, 2015

They find refuge in academia with its impressionable young students eager to learn what they have to say (since their prospective clients were not interested). You will find yourself and your place in the world around you, and surprisingly, you will find clients and opportunities that may lead to opportunities. What a thought!

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EntreArchitect

APRIL 4, 2008

From AIA Soloso: Small firms and their clients can benefit from offering construction management services. Clients have a single point of contact throughout the project and potentially reduce delays, project completion time, and nontangible costs such as those associated with change orders. Download the article here.

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EntreArchitect

FEBRUARY 26, 2007

The February issue of Architect magazine includes an article written by Fred Bernstein titled, Getting The Publicity You Need. firm she lead as president for five years, and moved across town to her new position as the head of public relations for the Pritzker Prize winning architect, Santiago Calatrava. Send out regular mailings.

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EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 15, 2014

As many of you may already know, tomorrow is a big day for small firm architects. . I will be speaking at the summit, so I asked Enoch if he would write a quick article to introduce my topic to the readers here at Entrepreneur Architect. Join other small firm practitioners at the Business of Architecture Summit.

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EntreArchitect

DECEMBER 10, 2007

The September issue of Architect magazine had a very interesting article about Segal. No clients. From the article: Last year, he sold 141 apartments, in five separate developments, to a group of investors. Without clients to rein in his aesthetic choices, Segal has also won a slew of local and national design awards.).

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Life of an Architect

NOVEMBER 30, 2014

Rarely does our office take on a project where the clients want to cut out the construction administration portion of our jobs. This is the time when the clients get to see the house evolve and come to life – sometimes it becomes apparent that they might not have understood the drawings as thoroughly as was believed.

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EntreArchitect

SEPTEMBER 4, 2018

For years architects have been looking for ways to justify their fees and hourly rates to their clients. We need to take the time to understand our clients’ needs and concerns and then educate them about the value-added aspects of our service. Refer to Maister’s article, Quality Work Doesn’t Mean Quality Service ).

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Archmark

MAY 31, 2020

Perfect Your LinkedIn Profile to Attract Your Best Clients & Projects. The Definitive Architecture Firm Marketing Guide. These are actual statements from architecture clients that have been said within earshot of the architect. It’s easy to blame the clients for these statements. I designed this home/office , etc.”

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Architizer

SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Farmer Payne Architects drew on some of these precedents, but also innovated while tailoring the program to the clients’ needs, resulting in a home that appears open and airy, rather than bulwarked. To see more of Farmer Payne Architects’ bold yet timeless work, visit the firm’s in-depth Architizer profile.

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Structure Contemporary Architecture Firms 99

Life of an Architect

SEPTEMBER 7, 2015

It is literally Labor Day – a holiday – and I’m sitting in my customary spot on the couch writing this article. Another bit of irony is that I took a break from working so that I could write this article, which is essentially more work. I can’t even begin to convey the irony of this post. When I’m done.

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Archmark

JULY 26, 2021

Recently, we asked Richard Marshall, Principal with Perkins+Will , about the importance of marketing for small firms, “The best organizations view marketing as just as important a skill set as design. When thinking about your site, think about the questions they are trying to answer: What does your firm do best?

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EntreArchitect

MARCH 31, 2007

When I launched our firm’s website back in 1999, there were few architects online. We started Fivecat Studio with no clients and no cash. A few friends commissioned us to design small residential, retail and restaurant projects. Unless you’re not interested in new clients, it is essential that you are online.

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EntreArchitect

NOVEMBER 1, 2016

He approached the publisher and proposed a new Home of the Week series, where he contributed articles, photography and contacts. His leadership as a writer gave him credibility and exposure with the publisher as well as with weekly readers… some of whom became clients. The publisher agreed and the series was born.

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EntreArchitect

MARCH 13, 2018

He approached the publisher and proposed a new Home of the Week series, where he contributed articles, photography and contacts. His leadership as a writer gave him credibility and exposure with the publisher as well as with weekly readers… some of whom became clients. The publisher agreed and the series was born.

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EntreArchitect

APRIL 4, 2021

Keep reading below to learn our recommendations for implementing a better marketing strategy to help your firm achieve more visibility in the market, grow your influence so you are seen as the go-to expert, and gain new relationships that will lead to better clients and projects. Increase your firm’s visibility (online).

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EntreArchitect

SEPTEMBER 5, 2017

In a recent conversation with a professional colleague who is a small firm practitioner (3 people total), he expressed his frustration with not being able to get to the ‘business of his business’. To assist my friend, I provided him with a copy of my ‘FM Cycle’ graphic and its brief supporting article. Track Your Time.

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EntreArchitect

MAY 4, 2007

Besides creating wonderful residential architecture, marketing our firm well and encouraging our clients to spread the word about Fivecat Studio , I believe a major part of our success is “likeability” Clients expect architects to design well. It is actually rather difficult to distinguish your firm from others.

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EntreArchitect

AUGUST 30, 2016

This month, the #ArchiTalks topic is “Back to School”, so I am encouraging my fellow small firm architects to go back to school themselves and learn what they need to know to find the work they want and live a life they’ll love. As small firm architects, how do we get noticed by those prospects? Back to School.

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EntreArchitect

APRIL 21, 2013

There are hundreds of articles, forums, blog posts and comments discussing how we architects are not paid enough and how our clients don’t understand what we do. The value of architecture and the services we provide are established by you and me, not our clients. We’re a disgruntled bunch of professionals.

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EntreArchitect

MARCH 29, 2015

The blog is one of the most effective tools a small firm architect can use to foster community. Small firm architects are busy people. When potential clients searched for “Westchester Architects”, they would find the first page filled with links to fivecat.com and Living Well in Westchester (which has since been retired).

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EntreArchitect

JULY 4, 2015

And yet residential architects have a challenging situation when finding new clients: we rarely know who may be thinking about remodeling or building a new residence. This makes it very difficult to find new clients unless they come seeking us out. Do you enjoy working for this type of client? Pick The Right Bait.

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EntreArchitect

MARCH 1, 2012

We recently recommended one of our consultants to a client. Our client was happy and we were looking good. The client needed the report to move to the next phase and the consultant lead the client (and us) to believe that they would deliver the report promptly. Our client was NOT happy. I called to follow up.

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EntreArchitect

JANUARY 10, 2017

How to Achieve Your Goals as a Small Firm Architect. In December of 2015, in preparation for the coming year, I recorded a podcast episode and published an article describing my idea for establishing just one goal for 2016. We’re developing new resources and working on better ways to serve small firm architects.

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EntreArchitect

JUNE 15, 2015

Still one of the most popular posts on the blog; in this 3-part article Steven walks us through the step-by-step process of developing a powerful Profit Plan for our architecture firm. Be sure to read the entire 3-part article by clicking the link at the end of this article. Clients are attracted to winners.

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EntreArchitect

JUNE 12, 2014

As a bonus this week, in lieu of the podcast, I am sharing an additional blog article. I thought his words were so valuable for others to read, I asked him if I could share them here as an article. Turning away a potential client that comes to you for help is never a PR move , even if you refer them to a colleague who does a great job.

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