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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1968
Location: Miami, Florida
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 Posted: Tue Aug 26, 2008 5:42 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | The Internet can be useful, but for architects its primary use is not in directionless wandering around search engines: its primary value is in enabling a cheap form of brochure which can be constantly updated. |
A quote from another thread by Richard Haut...a valuable and true point.
I never insinuated that word of mouth is the only tool that will get you business...on the contrary; word of mouth is the result of many years of hard work and quality service. Ie, your reputation.
I could put up posters at the bus stop if I were selling cars, or posters in toilet stalls if I were selling antacid, pre-drawn residential plans in home improvement stores if I were selling my soul...ahem. One can get them in the door, one can even get the contract and build the thing...but what did that client recommend to his friends and family, coworkers and strangers who ask about their house? "screw you...go find your own builder"? No...that client will give his/her opinion about their experience with you...and that is very important in staying in business.
mx2.5
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*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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Checkpoint43
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 74
Location: Lexington, VA
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| Posted: Thu Aug 28, 2008 7:28 pm Post subject: |
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If your work wasn't up to par, people in the building supply stores wouldn't recommend you.
This is where builders talk to other builders.
Posters at a bus stop? Not hardly.
It's more along the lines of "This guy does pretty good work. Can you tell me more about him?"
Anything else is "For Sale By Owner". |
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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1968
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Tue Sep 02, 2008 4:48 pm Post subject: |
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Uhhhhh...yeah. See, our clients don't frequent building supply stores. Typically, the builders we deal with may recommend us to potential clients...the ones who hire other people to go to building supply stores. A builder rarely if ever recommends to another builder a project they are bidding on. And Architects don't really sell services to the general public, in general. But if you're selling pre-fab drawings to low-end residential customers, then I can see your marketing strategy perhaps working.
But to clarify my point; reputation and word of mouth is a very powerful tool in getting new work. And what I am emphasizing is that it does not automatically mean an Architect should just do good work and they will come...the Architect has to work hard at promoting that reputation...exploit it even.
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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Checkpoint43
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 74
Location: Lexington, VA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 8:09 am Post subject: |
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The Stig,
As you can see by the many replies to you topic, "TIPS FOR PROMOTING NEW PRACTICE", some members like myself are willing to offer to help you to promote your business.
Many others will suggest you are on your own, and must rely on your reputation and history. This makes no sense when you are starting out, and have no history yet.
The rest of the replies are from members who claim they are so successful that they don't need any promotion, and proceed to put yours down.
Apparently, competition scares them.
Read all of the replies carefully, and ask yourself:
Is this a forum, or a pissing contest?
Checkpoint43 |
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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1968
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 10:51 am Post subject: |
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| Quote: | Most plans are sold to builders
And so it’s no surprise
We’re featured in the very stores
Where builders buy supplies |
Ask yourselves if this is just a big advertisement in itself for selling plans on consignment. My projects (currently 5 just under my direct supervision) are no smaller than $1.5 million dollar construction budgets. I've been doing this for over 12 years. No Architect sells plans in a Home Depot/Lowes/BillyBobs Hardware Store...sorry. At least not the serious ones. If you want to be pidgeonholed working on small nickel and dime projects,...then www.checkpoint.com will be glad to stick your predrawn, prefab, dime-a-dozen floor plan "blueprints" in between the other 300 floor plans of badly layed out residential designs. Caveat Emptor....
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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csintexas
millennium club
Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 1919
Location: USA
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 11:30 am Post subject: |
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I think many stock plans available over the internet are designed by architects. I don't know how many but at least enough to set a precedent for selling stock plans. I think this depends on what market you are trying to serve.
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Chris Stewart
Modern Texas Home Project |
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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1968
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Wed Sep 03, 2008 12:39 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | many stock plans available over the internet are designed by architects |
I disagree. Stock plans are mostly designed by residential designers...and the few architects that do are really residential designers trying to get custom work. But how do we prove this anyway? And besides, it's not common practice for Architects...at least those who are looking for larger paydays and for longterm repeat clients.
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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csintexas
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Joined: 06 Feb 2006
Posts: 1919
Location: USA
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Checkpoint43
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 74
Location: Lexington, VA
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| Posted: Thu Sep 04, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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"Stock" plans are originally drawn by both architects and residential designers, so your argument against them shouldn't originate there.
The issue of "Stock" plans is that they are bought by distribution companies, such as coolhouseplans.com or 100dollarhouseplans.com.
Even the copyrights are transferred to these jpeg distribution companies as well.
This means that the original designer (Architect or Residential Designer) no longer has any legal access to them. They can't even create derivatives of the designs.
In short, they have "sold out".
Meanwhile, the distribution companies make multiple copies on a Xerox machine, and sell thru mail order.
They are not able to modify these drawings themselves, because they are not architects or residential designers.
(Here's proof: Reversed plans are sold, but you would need a mirror to read them.)
Requests for modifications of these plans are expensive, because they must outsource this work. Perhaps they have some "Cad Monkeys" they call on.
This practice makes it understandable to object to my business.
The noble practice of architecture and residential design has been tarnished by a "Buy off the rack, and get it quickly" marketing system.
However, I have said several times that displaying your own work is simply an invitation to the customer to come to you directly.
This gives the true architect and residential designer a chance to get back into the minds of customers who have been bombarded with magazine marketers.
It's a chance to level the playing field and take back the customers that were stolen from you.
It may seem like a step down in the way you do your marketing, but in a dog eat dog world, sometimes you have to bite them right back where they bit you.
If they are attempting to pick up customers in supermarkets, bookstores, and even building supply stores, then you should be allowed to advertise as well.
Of course, I don't think supermarkets and bookstores are appropriate, so I have made it a policy to avoid placing displays there. I wouldn't even consider putting a display in Walmart.
You deserve exposure, but not for the price of dignity.
Checkpoint43 |
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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1968
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 7:46 am Post subject: |
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I never said that there are NO Architects that sell pre-drawn "stock" plans. Re-read what I did write and try to understand what I am saying. I am NOT contradicting either of you. I am simply disagreeing that this is the way to go. Of course many will disagree with me, as you both do, which is your right and God willing....both of you will make tons more money than I ever will.
What I am saying (and don't get it twisted please) is that stock plans offer little to Architects in general. Architecture by nature is not in the business of prefabricated ideas, planning, designing. Heck, even you Chris do not subscirbe to this business model. Not sure why then you are against me on this. Checkpoint's business in the brokering of these plans so of course his view is biased...he has to sell this point. Whereas I am not buying...which is my opnion and right, of course.
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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Checkpoint43
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 74
Location: Lexington, VA
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| Posted: Fri Sep 05, 2008 3:26 pm Post subject: |
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Any one else with TIPS FOR PROMOTING NEW PRACTICE?
Or just more criticism for a business model which is designed to do precisely that?
www.checkpointplans.com |
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mx2
millennium club
Joined: 18 Jan 2006
Posts: 1968
Location: Miami, Florida
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| Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 1:35 pm Post subject: |
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If you can't take the criticism then don't post in a public forum.
I notice all the big firms and successful architects don't sell predrawn stock plans...sounds like a model of desperation. Good luck!
mx2.5
_________________
*Art of Architecture: The conscious use of skill and creative imagination in the production of an aesthetic building.
*Science of Architecture: The calculated use of technical skill and knowledge in the construction of a functional building. |
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Checkpoint43
Joined: 22 Mar 2007
Posts: 74
Location: Lexington, VA
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| Posted: Sun Sep 07, 2008 3:54 pm Post subject: |
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mx2,
If you'd like to tell everyone how successful you are, then maybe you should start a new thread.
This one is about offering tips for promoting a NEW business.
I am happy for you, but I don't understand your reason for replying to this topic. You've said a lot, but contributed nothing.
Checkpoint43 |
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djswan
Joined: 17 Aug 2007
Posts: 848
Location: Montana, USA
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| Posted: Mon Sep 08, 2008 1:51 pm Post subject: |
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You could throw a big party. You are all invited.
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BuildingNUT
Joined: 03 Sep 2008
Posts: 6
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| Posted: Wed Sep 10, 2008 9:27 am Post subject: |
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Good tips all around... but I would say the best thing is to network, meet people, make many friends... word of mouth is key.
A lot of people in industries such as ours believe 'networking' means meeting a lot of people to just improve business (which comes across as fake). I would disagree... networking is basically making new 'real, quality' friends, get to know them, maybe find things in common and have good quality discussion. Going to an upscale bar once a week and talking with locals is a good way to broaden your network. Talk with fellow business owners... not just to give them your business card... you can learn a lot from them.
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www.buildingNUT.com |
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