When it comes to presentations, computers can make miracles. You can do 3D walk throughs, show the entire design without paying a dime for hand renderings, and even show every single fabric sample without having to lug any extra weight to a client’s home. But, something is also lost. The tactile experience. The sensory experience.
Give Your Clients an Experience They Can’t Refuse
If you’re ever visited a farmer’s market, you know what I mean. The experience you get from shopping at a grocery store versus a farmer’s market is completely different. One is built for efficiency and convenience, the other is built for, well, an experience. Items are artfully displayed. Samples abound. An expert is right there to answer your questions. The products come alive in a way they just don’t in a grocery store. You want to pick up the products, smell them, experience them.
The same goes for a design presentation that is completely done on the computer. It’s efficient and convenient, but the experience of getting to know the products isn’t there. People use their senses to fall in love. With people, with places, with things. Whether it be silky sheets, baby soft hair, or chiseled sculptures. People are just hard wired to want to touch touchings that they’re interested in. There’s a real reason why museums are riddled with signs that say “Please Do Not Touch.”
Show and Tell How Life Changing Your Designs Are
So I say bring back lugging heavy samples to your design presentations. Especially any fabric that has a beautiful hand to it. Let the client really feel the lusciousness of a couch fabric they’ll soon be laying on. Or, the silkiness of a gorgeous, but maybe pricy, throw pillow. Any paint color that is particularly important to the design, show them an actual painted sample so they can see how the natural light dances on that color in their room. Let them “experience” the design as much as possible. In a way they can’t on a computer. Don’t just tell them how incredible your design is, show them.
And while you’re at it, it never hurts to engage the other senses. Give your clients a few aromatic and tasty pastries or drinks during your presentation (Just please don’t use a fake air freshener for an engaging smell. A lot of people hate them. Myself included). Engage as many senses as possible. And although I know this may all sound a bit silly, hokey, or just plain ridiculous, it’s not. How often are you pulled into a restaurant or bakery because of the tantalizing smell wafting outside? How often do you buy a sweater because of how cozy and warm it feels on your skin? How often do you want to test drive a car to see how it “feels” before you plunk down that down payment?
Help Your Clients Feel How Amazing Your Design Is
When you’re shopping online, the number one reason you probably return something is because what you saw online, and what you experienced when you got the product in person are completely different. When you see the quality of stitching in person, or feel the softness of a blanket with your hand, you become hooked. The same is with your design presentations. The more real of an experience you can give your clients. The more you can engage their senses. The more they can see and feel themselves enjoying this spectacular new design you’ve created. The more in love they’ll be.
So the next time you’re getting ready for a presentation, especially a big one, maybe bring a few more samples than you normally would. Encourage your clients to not only look, but touch and feel how incredible the selections are. Help them to engage with the products in a way that allows them to focus on what they’ll be getting, rather than what they’ll be giving up financially. Let them really experience the incredible design that will be coming their way. Help them fall in love with your design, with each and every one of their senses.
If you’d like even more ideas on how to provide an incredible service experience for greater profits, email me at [email protected] find out how!
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