EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 17, 2017

I’m a “scout dad”, a “swim dad” and a “row dad” I eat dinner with my family every evening (unless I have a conflicting client meeting). As a small firm architect running a virtual studio , I am wearing many hats these days. YOU determine when you meet with clients. It’s impossible.

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EntreArchitect

FEBRUARY 23, 2016

Originally published in 2013 as Part 4 of the original EntreArchitect Academy Blog Series, this final article of our month dedicated to Business Development shares my firm’s simple sales system. You can read the entire original 2013 blog series here. So share this blog with every architect you know!). We hit a wall.

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EntreArchitect

NOVEMBER 20, 2017

Every magazine and blog is running an article about how to plan for 2018. I’m sure you’ve heard me say this or seen my write it somewhere here on the blog in the past. This quiet time would clear my mind and prepare me for the “chaos” that is running a small firm architecture studio. No Monday Meetings.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Management 52

EntreArchitect

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

Relative to the other expenses of a small firm, professional liability insurance is down right expensive… until you need it. If our business systems failed and the firm was required to defend itself without a policy, we certainly would have been crushed by the costs involved in such a legal action.

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EntreArchitect

AUGUST 9, 2016

Publication is a form of social proof indicating that our designs are worthy of our prospective clients’ attention. Start a blog, a podcast or video channel. Share your stories and photos on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, Houzz or on your own blog. For others, its a marketing strategy. Build Your Platform.

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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 #ArchiTalks Blog Series.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Management 52

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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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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EntreArchitect

MARCH 29, 2015

The blog is one of the most effective tools a small firm architect can use to foster community. The goal when writing a blog is to gain an audience. Small firm architects are busy people. A successful blog requires interesting content, well written and published on a consistent basis.

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Small Firm Firms Developer Development 52

EntreArchitect

MAY 26, 2014

We’re spending only what needs to be spent to build a stronger firm… and much sacrifice remains. Small Firm Architects Are Saying Good Bye to the AIA. I do hope that as the organization evolves, executes the Repositioning initiative and that more focus is directed toward the small firm architect.

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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. Start a Blog.

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EntreArchitect

JULY 28, 2014

Periodically, I like to pull an older post from back in the archives and share it again on the blog. We recently recommended one of our consultants to a client. Our client was happy and we were looking good. Our client was NOT happy. Day three; no report and again, a promise… and a fuming client. Under-promise.

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EntreArchitect

APRIL 6, 2014

From the point of view of our clients, great architecture is where we start. So, yes, great design is important, but it’s not what’s going to keep our clients happy? The first step, before you ever put your pen to sketch paper, is to know what your client is looking for. We’re in the Client Happiness Business.

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Clients Client Sketching Small Firm 52

EntreArchitect

MARCH 9, 2010

A blogging friend, Katie Hutchison , sent me a link to a recent talk by Michael Bierut , a partner at Pentagram. swissmiss, Michael discusses his take on clients; the good, the bad and the ugly. The post Clients…by Michael Bierut of Pentagram appeared first on EntreArchitect // Small Firm Entrepreneur Architects.

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Clients Client Small Firm Firms 40

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

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

JULY 12, 2018

The biggest two things are getting contracts over to the client quickly and following up with them frequently. Yes, we utilize prior clients, advertise on Google, update our website, and use Thumbtack. With clients? We also hired Josh into our firm because he has construction experience. The client had a stellar vision.

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EntreArchitect

MARCH 10, 2013

” When one of my residential architecture clients finally reaches out and calls Fivecat Studio , these are some of the thoughts they may start with. Most of our clients are first time builders. You’re in the Client Happiness Business. .” “If I start now, I’ll be living in it by summer.”

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Clients Client Architect Management 52

EntreArchitect

DECEMBER 11, 2017

When performing our Design Development phase with clients, we typically assist them in selecting all their finishes, plumbing fixtures and lighting. It’s an Additional Service , but one that most clients are happy to have us complete. Present too few and your client may not feel well served. The #ArchiTalks Blog Series.

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EntreArchitect

AUGUST 16, 2018

EntreArchitect: Behind the Design is a weekly blog series where we feature work designed, developed and/or built by small firm entrepreneur architect members of The EntreArchitect Community. Good client relations and good PR to keep our name out there. With clients? Click here to learn how. Project Name.

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EntreArchitect

AUGUST 2, 2018

EntreArchitect: Behind the Design is a weekly blog series where we feature work designed, developed and/or built by small firm entrepreneur architect members of The EntreArchitect Community. We use TinkerBox as our showroom where we meet with clients, hold seasonal open houses and design unveilings for new projects.

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Small Firm Contractor Clients Client 52

EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 16, 2018

EntreArchitect: Behind the Design is a continuing blog series where we feature work designed, developed and/or built by small firm entrepreneur architect members of The EntreArchitect Community. We rely on word of mouth from previous clients. With clients? Click here to learn how. Project Name. Among team?

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EntreArchitect

JUNE 28, 2018

Virtually 100%, the benefit of doing development work, no client input or approval required. Were there any conflicts with clients or contractors during the process? Do you have a post-construction process to follow up with the satisfaction of your client? How much control did you have over the design of the project?

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Construction Construction Permits Small Firm 52

EntreArchitect

AUGUST 30, 2016

This post is my contribution to an international blog series called #ArchiTalks. 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. Who are you?

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EntreArchitect

MAY 3, 2016

As we move into a new month, we are shifting our focus to a new category of small firm success. All throughout the month of May, we will be diving deep into the subject of Client Fulfillment. How do we best serve our clients? How do we manage expectations and keep our clients happy?

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EntreArchitect

JANUARY 23, 2022

But the ping pong game starts when the user/client sees the options we define, with their preconceptions, and hopes fully presented, then variants, then fully reconsidered ideas derived from the same database the user/client gives you. The ideas of user/clients are thus transformed by the open creative process.

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Architecture Clients Client Firms 65

EntreArchitect

JULY 26, 2018

EntreArchitect: Behind the Design is a weekly blog series where we feature work designed, developed and/or built by small firm entrepreneur architect members of The EntreArchitect Community. With clients? How involved was your client throughout the design process? Click here to learn how. Project Name.

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Space Permits Small Firm Schematic Design 52

EntreArchitect

JULY 19, 2018

With clients? The clients had a wonderful trust in me and I was able to maintain the design intent throughout the process. How involved was your client throughout the design process? Were there any conflicts with clients or contractors during the process? Which communication tools did you use? Among team? With contractor?

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EntreArchitect

JUNE 21, 2018

This client is the older brother of a childhood (and current) friend. Withheld at clients request. We are a husband and wife design firm (architect husband, interiors wife). With clients? We are looking at Basecamp right now at the request of another client. Photographer Instagram Account. mcweeneyphoto.

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EntreArchitect

JANUARY 2, 2018

“How do I get noticed when I am first starting an architecture firm? I have no portfolio of my own to show clients. I’ve shared articles at this blog in the past 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. Start a Blog.

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Architecture Firm Firms Architecture Clients 52

EntreArchitect

FEBRUARY 2, 2016

Listen to the podcast , subscribe to the newsletter and return back here to the blog each week for more information on how to generate more sales for your small firm by creating long-term value from your clients, markets, and relationships. Start a Blog. This week we’re starting from scratch.

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Development Developer Architect Firms 52

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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Architecture Firm Firms Architecture Clients 52

Life of an Architect

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

I have almost always worked in small firms – except for that one time when I didn’t, which wasn’t a bad year but it cemented in my mind that my skill set is better suited for a small architectural firm. Here are my Top 5 Reasons to work in a Small Architectural Firm: 1.

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Small Firm Architect Firms Architecture 109

EntreArchitect

JANUARY 5, 2016

The all-new EntreArchitect is built exclusively for you; the small firm entrepreneur architect. We’ve developed a comprehensive content calendar for the entire year, which will allow us to systematically improve our firms, step by step. Return to this blog each week throughout the month to learn more about money.

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Small Firm Finances Firms Management 52

EntreArchitect

MAY 1, 2018

We’ve read the EntreArchitect blog and listened to the podcast. We may even perform the calculations explained in the free EntreArchitect Profit Course and discover the amounts of revenue needed to flow into our firms in order to be profitable. Will our clients pay that amount? Profit allows us to serve our clients better.

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Architect Small Firm Firms Clients 52

EntreArchitect

APRIL 20, 2020

The content for this article, published here with permission, was first published on March 25, 2020, on the Win Without Pitching blog here. Keeping current clients active. I’m going to avoid offering guidance on broader finance and personnel management issues, like right-sizing your firm. The client replied, “I might not.”

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Clients Client Management Finances 52

EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 13, 2015

As small firm residential architects, the most effective and least expensive way to accomplish this process is to start online. Knowing whom you seek to serve, plan a strategy that will introduce your firm to that market. What are the best ways to place your firm in the minds of your potential clients? Who are you?

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