Before the Leads Come Calling: 8 Things Interior Designers Need to Know

Your design skills are top-tier. Clients love your work. But lately, the leads have slowed down—and your confidence is taking a hit. You’re not alone.

Marketing your design business can feel overwhelming when all you really want to do is design. Between social media, websites, email lists, and figuring out what to say… it’s no wonder so many talented designers procrastinate or avoid it altogether.

Before you dive into strategies, there are a few things you need to think about first—things that can shift your energy, focus, and results long before you hit “post.”

Here are 8 things to start wrapping your head around now if you want more of the right clients calling.

1. “I Just Want to Design!” — The Talent Trap

Many designers believe that great design will naturally attract great clients. And while talent does matter, it’s no longer enough. The most booked designers are usually the most visible, not just the most talented. Visibility is a business skill—not a personality trait—and it can be learned.

2. Where Did the Day Go? Time Is Not the Problem

Marketing doesn’t have to take over your week. In fact, most designers don’t need more time—they need more structure. Time batching, themed days, and choosing just one platform to show up on consistently can make all the difference. A focused 15 minutes a day will beat a full day of scattered effort every time.

3. Lead Flow in 2025 Looks Different

It’s not just you. Many designers are noticing a shift in how (and how fast) leads are coming in. Economic changes, buyer hesitation, and over-saturated platforms mean designers need to get proactive—not panic. Now is the time to re-engage your network, clarify your message, and stay visible—even if it feels slow.

4. DIY Marketing Is Not a Dirty Word

Don’t have a team? No problem. Most designers start solo. You don’t need a full brand guide and a content manager to get visible. You need consistency, a clear message, and the willingness to take messy action. Start small. Start where you are. Done is better than perfect.

5. The Work You Can’t See Is the Work That Pays Off

Pretty posts and polished portfolios are nice—but they’re not enough. The real lead-magnets are invisible: your positioning, confidence, voice, and clarity. When those are dialed in, every piece of content you create starts working harder for you.

6. It’s Not Just Strategy—It’s Nerves

Marketing can feel deeply personal, which makes it easy to avoid. What if I sound pushy? What if no one likes my post? What if I mess up? Truth: the fear behind visibility is often the real reason designers don’t show up. But you don’t need to become someone else to grow. You just need to start showing up as you—a little more consistently, and with a little more intention.

7. Stop Rewriting Your Bio

If you’ve spent more time tweaking your About Page than actually talking to potential clients, you’re not alone. Designers often get stuck in the weeds trying to “say it right” instead of simply saying it. The goal isn’t to impress. It’s to connect. And clarity wins every time.

8. Get Known, Get Booked

Here’s the truth: someone out there is looking for a designer exactly like you. But they can’t hire you if they don’t know you exist. Visibility creates opportunity. And when your message and marketing match who you are and who you help—everything starts clicking into place.

Ready for More?
Join us in the Lead Lab by The Design Bakehouse. a month-to-month visibility and lead generation membership made just for interior designers.