First Meeting Outline

From Principles of Applied Arts

Step 1 Explaining the interview process

Enter the door and communicate with your client. When you first meet your client you need to explain how this meeting will go Initiating job procedure.

Step 2 Project discussion and client interview

Asking questions this is how you start. Trying to determine your customers color preferences can be very difficult sometimes. Asking them directly to pick out the colors that they want for their project works some of the time but most often you are met with a response like "I'm not sure what do you think" or "why don't you decide for me" hesitate from answering these questions it may lead to disaster. When clients give you these answers meet them instead with a list of questions to better determine their wants like:

Do you want the room to be bright?
Do you see your project being rich and warm or lively and cool?
What is the space going to be used for?
What will be done in the space?
How do you want to feel in the space?
How do you want others to feel in the space
What time of day will be spent in the space?

Walk through thier project asking them about what they want and take notes. (see project walk through form) These notes will act as your guidlines when you are making the proposal and the control sample. Just because your customer doesn't know how to articulate their preferences doesn't mean that they don't know what they want! After asking a lot of questions like these you can better determine how they want to feel in that room or house when you are done and gone. If your customer can say at the end of the project that it's exactly what I wanted, when in the beginning they said "I don't know what I want", at that point you are a true craftsman.

During the interview presses you should be taking good notes of key words that they say. Try to prompt them to use as many different words as possible. Once you have this list of key words you can then determine which colors you should have in their project. For example: If your customer says they want their room to be bright and exciting then you know you should be using high intensity cool colors like blue, violet and yellow. At this point you should ask them what about blues , violets, or yellow if they respond “ I hate yellow!” make a note to have no direct yellow or strong yellow undertones in your final color. Ask them "do you like blue or green better?" If the respond with "I love green" then you have your hue decided. Do they like pastels? If yes then make note that the final color will be a tint. If they don't like pastel colors the you need to determine if they want this green color to be muted a little and if so how much? As you can see with this process you can help your customer better articulate their wants. Your success rate will be increased by this process. There are a few more things you can do. Ask your customer to show you their favorite things in the house, you may be able to pull an acceptable palette from these things and keep the presses simple. Observe their surroundings; people usually have colors in their homes that reflect their personalities. With experience you can determine the business protocol for dealing with a pink person vs. a warm green person etc...

Step 3 Portfolio presentation

After walking through thier project asking them what they want and taking notes it is time to show them what you do.

You will need to develop three different types of portfolios and may have several of each type

Case Studies should includ your work with an inspiration photo, before and after photos, color palate, possible an inspiration photo and small sample board all laid out nicely. Only include 3-5 examples.

Finishes portfolio will have sample boards of various finishes. Do not include anything that you do not have the exact recipe for.

Inspiration portfolio is a three-ring binder with various pictures of rooms, objects, etc.

Creating a good portfolio for the public to see is easier than ever now with the tools we have in the 21st century. Internet marketing is booming and you should take advantage of it. Creating an online portfolio accompanied by your bio is easy to do and fun to update as your career progresses. This should reflect your personality without limiting you diversity. Another thing you should do is create a presentation portfolio to show your prospective clients what you have done, what you can do, and what innovative ideas you have for projects to come. This port folio doesn't have to be bursting with content as most craftspersons would like it to be. You need to remember that your best clients are going to be designers and architects etc. and what impresses them is good taste. This will not only impress these clients but all others as well. Try to make your portfolio in good taste for example; try to make the finishes and pictures that sit next to each other match etc... Don't over complicate it keep it simple to understand by having tactile finish samples next to pictures of finished projects next to them. At first you may have to showcase your skills by doing them in your own home. One professional photograph in your presentation will be better than one hundred armature ones. Don't show your customer an overwhelming amount of visual stimulation it can confuse them and create decision anxiety. Try not to overwhelm your portfolio with thing of your taste only diversity is the key to success here. Remember to rely on your interview process to decide their taste and this presentation is only to showcase your skills not decide on their finish.

You will want to take the time to explain to your customer your job procedure as best as possible. This will show your professionalism tell them what time you usually start in the morning and ask them if you need to make any adjustments for their schedule. Fully explain to them their responsibilities like moving the furniture etc... and make sure that they understand the preparation procedure that you use, telling your customer that you will cover everything not to be painted is sometimes a question your customer wants to know but will not ask. If there is any special things they need to know such as strong odors will be present for the finish they chose tell them now. Assure them that your schedule is tight but efficient and you will not be staying past 6:00 pm every day so as not to conflict with their evening routine (and stick to it!!!).And finally let them know when you will have their estimate ready for them and schedule your second meeting to explain it to them in person and close the deal.

Step 4 Measurements and pictures

After you show your client your portfolio it is time to leave them with the inspiration part of it and do your walk through to take measurments. Measuring Square Footage is to fully measure and diagram every surface to be covered with your work (this is usually done to the square foot, width times height). Taking pictures with a digital camera at this point is a great idea the photos can be used for future reference in conversation with the customer ensuring that you don't have to travel back to the job site to efficiently communicate changes or new ideas. If at any point on the job the customer sees a spot of paint on their expensive rug you will have proof the it was the previous painters who actually spilled it and your insurance company will love you so while taking pictures look for these things and be sure to point them out to your customers as you see them politely as possible because they may be the previous painters. These photos can also act as before pictures in your portfolio.

Step 5 Set time to return with proposal

Once all of your measurements are complete go back to the client and set an appointment to return with the proposal. Make sure you leave them with somthing about your business when you leave like a folder to look at your referencese or a brochure.