As a new or aspiring interior designer, you know you’ll need to try a few different methods to get clients. In this post, I break down the details of interior design networking groups, what happens at networking events, my personal experience, and what to do if networking isn’t your thing.

What are interior design networking groups?

There are multiple types of groups and membership options. Typically, these networking groups host weekly or monthly events that you can register for. The people who attend are likely other small business owners or sales people.

What do you do at a networking event for interior designers?

The goal for participating in interior design networking groups is to mingle with other professionals and build connections for future projects or partnerships. At one of these networking events, you should expect to socialize with around 40-50 people. A lot of events are hosted at local restaurants, coffee shops, or breweries.

You take turns introducing yourself and your business (some people take very detailed notes so they can follow up with these connections). You might spend 5-15 minutes chatting with an individual or small group of people – think of it like speed dating but for small business owners. The goal of joining interior design networking groups is to spread the word about your business, in the hopes of connecting with someone who needs your services.

Other examples of interior design networking groups:

In addition to the less-formal “coffee shop style” networking event mentioned above, there are several types of formal, exclusive networking groups that you can consider joining:

“Members-Only” Club - These social clubs charge a yearly fee. If you belong to a club like this, you will be attending their events quite often and most likely seeing the same people at these events. You’ll have the opportunity to make true friendships and build a more reliable network compared to events where you meet somebody one time for a few minutes. Members-only clubs tend to generate more business opportunities because you have a longer standing connection with the people you socialize with.
Country Club - This is another level of a “members-only” club. They have a golf course, upscale restaurant, pool, and other amenities where members can spend time networking. These clubs can be the most effective for getting interior design clients because the club is full of people who have disposable income and enjoy spending time mingling with other members. It’s likely that you’ll be able to build friendships and connections with people who are looking to hire a professional interior designer for their home.
Women’s Business Network - These groups host events that are exclusive to women. Oftentimes, there will be a guest speaker sharing her personal experience and success to inspire others. You have a chance to build relationships with other women in business.
Young Professionals Network - These are groups tailored to small business owners or professionals under a certain age, typically around 30-35. They host several monthly events and provide opportunities for you to make connections with other younger people in business.
Business Networking International (BNI) - This is an organization that meets regularly and is known for creating business growth for its members. There is typically a yearly fee associated with joining this networking group, and you have to provide a certain number of monthly referrals in order to further the growth of the group.
Chamber of Commerce - Your city most likely hosts networking events at local venues for all businesses registered with your city’s chamber of commerce.

I highly recommend doing a Google search for what’s available in your town, as these groups vary widely based on location.

Are interior design networking groups worth the money?

If you’re considering investing in one or more of these networking groups, you need to be sure it’s worth your time, energy, and money. I like to think of networking like going to the gym - you can’t go a few times and expect to see any changes. You need to go consistently for several months to see any results.

The same is true for networking. Attending a few events and passing out some business cards will not result in tons of new leads. Not only do you need to attend a lot of events to build the right connections, but you also need to be diligent in your follow ups. You need to put the effort in to nurture that connection into a potential client for your business.

So, yes, if you’re willing to do all of those things, then interior design networking groups are worth the money! But, before you jump in, read on to determine if networking events are suitable for you and your personality.

Are interior design networking groups right for me?

I know some people who have been very successful using this method of getting clients. They attended weekly networking events for months on end (I’m talking 6+ months straight), took meticulous notes about each person they met, followed up consistently, and eventually turned those connections into clients.

This method absolutely works for some people. If you’re extroverted and really enjoy the process of putting yourself out there to meet new people, networking groups are for you!

However, not everyone enjoys networking to get clients, so I recommend you attend a free or low cost event before joining a membership so you can see if you actually enjoy the process! And the good news is, if the thought of attending networking events makes your skin crawl, I’m here to tell you that there is another reliable way to get clients without attending a single event.

My Personal Experience With Interior Design Networking Groups

When I worked for an interior design company in the past, I had to attend several networking events for my job. I despised going. It was extremely draining for me and honestly made me want to crawl back into bed for the day to recharge. If you’re anything like me, you can relate to that feeling of your social battery being drained from an event where you’re forced to mingle with people you don’t know.

So when I launched my own interior design business from scratch, I made the decision that I would never attend another networking event. But how was I going to get clients?

Here’s my secret - I invested in my marketing efforts to bring in consistent leads instead of needing to invest my time, energy, or money into networking events. And you can do this, too!

How To Get Interior Design Clients Using My Proven Marketing Methods (+No Networking Events)

I chose to invest a small amount of money into my digital marketing efforts to bring new people to my website. They were able to browse photos of my work and decide if they liked my style or not. This way, I was connecting with people who already knew they wanted to hire an interior designer and found me themselves, instead of chasing them down at a networking event. Seriously, I’ve never had to chase clients with this marketing method.

Now, I teach this method of how to get interior design clients inside my group for interior designers, Design Business Secrets+. Not only will you learn the basics of how to get new clients, but I also provide tons of premade templates that you can use in your business, along with essential tools & training for interior designers.

Check out Design Business Secrets+ today if you’re in need of new clients without having to drain your social battery!

How To Get Interior Design Clients Through Networking Events (+What To Do If Networking Isn’t Your Thing)