Architecture is a profession that revolves around reputation, credibility, along with financial stability. These are all easy to achieve if your firm attracts high-profile clients. These clients come with unique projects that are innovative and challenging.
This can help the firms to make their name in the market by working on a project that can turn out to be a trendsetter. The increase in media attention can result in providing a free public advertisement. The increase in visibility is something that every architect craves.
What is a better way to grab a high-paying project and become famous because of it?
“All architects want to live beyond their deaths. They want to build in a way that is timeless. But you need a great client to make that happen.” - Philip Johnson
Imagine landing high-profile clients and watching your firm's revenue soar. Not only that, but these clients could also open doors to prestigious award recognitions, setting your firm apart from the competition. If you're ready to achieve sustainable growth and solidify your position as a leader in the fiercely competitive architecture industry, let's explore some steps and strategies to help you get there.
Exciting, right?
Let’s dive into some strategies and tips that will help you attract high-profile clients to your firm.
1. Craft a Powerful Portfolio
Oscar Niemeyer said these words which can also be implemented in your portfolio. The portfolio of a firm is like a window that the clients use to judge it all together. Your portfolio should have the ability to impress your client in seconds.
The visual resume of your firm should have one of your most impressive projects which portray complex and high-end designs. The projects should be highly detailed.
“My architecture is easy to understand and enjoy, I hope it also is hard to forget.”
There should be the addition of all the challenges you faced and how you handled those to get the best results. The photographs and visualizations should be extremely professional. The images should be of high quality and captivating. Include virtual tours and top-notch 3D visualizations.
Tools to use -
Behance is not only limited to showcasing your architectural talent. A platform that offers all kinds of artists to showcase their skills. Build a strong and captivating portfolio and share it on platforms where you can get discovered.
Zaha Hadid Architects is one such firm that has a very striking portfolio. The deconstructive architectural approach sets it apart from other firms. The portfolio contains notable works like the Guangzhou Opera House, Heydar Alivey Centre, London Aquatics Centre, and many more.
2. Build a Brand
Building a brand in architecture gives the opportunity to grab the attention of several clients and welcome different types of projects to their firm. Architecture is a profession that is highly dependent on having a number of quality connections. In this field, a structured plan is required to thrive and grow. These firms use several strategies.
Utilizing social media for promotion.
Establishing a strong online presence by leveraging SEO techniques to develop a higher reach.
Content and email marketing in specific geographical areas.
Paid advertisements
Measuring and iterating results by having a regular check on the progress of projects.
Creating a strong brand image is crucial for your architectural firm. Your brand should reflect the quality and style of your work, attracting high-profile clients who seek architects capable of delivering top-notch results tailored to their needs.
“Architecture is an expression of values.” This quote by Norman Foster indeed stands true to his values. Foster + Partners is an architectural firm that has a unique brand name in the architecture industry.
3. Smart Networking
As said before, networking in architecture is one of the most crucial requirements for a successful business. Any news spreads the fastest from person to person, and the quality of the work that your firm offers also is known by people through people. The importance of networking can not be stressed enough in the field of architecture.
Perkins and Will engage in all the smart networking techniques for having a robust online presence. The firm is highly active on social media, holds regular virtual conferences and webinars, and is overall a great example to understand how networking can improve the brand name of your firm.n
There are several ways for you to let people know what kind of service you provide to your clients:
Getting out there and mingling will not only attract new clients, but it will also open a window for learning the latest trends and techniques. We all go to parties to find out new people to hang out with. We tend to portray our best face in front of all strangers to give one of the best first impressions. Networking is just like socializing but on a professional level. Many high-profile clients and influential figures in this field tend to trend industry events and competitions. This makes a great platform for putting out your firm and selling it.
Mingling with these influencers is not only limited to letting them know what your firm does. You can even collaborate with them to increase the credibility of your firm. These influencers have a high reach already, so working with them is bound to benefit your circle of audience too.
Numerous professional organizations are known to add integrity to your firm which makes them highly reliable. The American Institute of Architects (AIA) is one such professional organization that provides valuable opportunities and resources to firms.
Which aspect of an architectural firm's brand influences your decision the most when choosing a firm for your next project?
Innovative design and aesthetics
Strong online presence and portfolio
Client testimonials and case studies
Awards and recognitions
4. Advertising Your Firm
In today's world, the media has given architectural firms a significant advantage in advertising their brand to reach a wider audience. This means that through various media channels such as social media, websites, and digital marketing, architectural firms can showcase their designs and projects to capture the attention of potential clients. How does this information align with your current interests or projects?
There are several renowned publications like ArchSlate, Architectural Digest, ArchDaily, and Dezeeen among various others that provide a platform of visibility for reaching out to editors and pitching your projects. Moreover, you can boast about your successful projects by issuing press releases and newsletters to keep your firm in the spotlight of success. Engaging on social media to promote your brand has proven to be one of the most helpful marketing strategies these days. Platforms like LinkedIn, Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook are huge assets to showcase your portfolio to the world.
5. Create Loyal Clients
The clients of an architect define where they stand in the competitive leaderboard of the industry. When their expectations are met to the fullest, and they are satisfied with how their requirements are being met, a firm gains a loyal customer. These clients then promote these firms and enlarge their reach. Now the question arises, how do these firms get themselves loyal clients? It is quite easy and manageable.
Have clear communications with your clients
The firm needs to have a clear understanding of the needs and requirements of the client. The clients should be informed of regular updates on their projects so that they can suggest changes and additional requirements while the work is still in progress. Timely communication gives the clients satisfaction that they Picked a reliable firm. Tools like Slack or Trello can help give regular updates and transparency.
Project Management
Meeting deadlines in the field of architecture is immensely important to give good impressions and get outputs. A client is already impatient to get his project completed at the latest hour. You do not want them to be disappointed by extending deadlines unless it is extremely urgent. Asana is a great tool for managing your projects and engaging with your team to get desired results along with developing a practical and fruitful timeline.
Feedback and Improvement
Feedback is the most reliable source of understanding the demands of clients and reaching into the depths of their thoughts. Even in the Total Quality Management industry, feedbacks are considered to be crucial. SurveyMonkey and Google Forms are great tools for navigating feedback easily. Miro can be used for getting collaborative feedback from your clients.
In Conclusion
By implementing these strategies, you can not only attract and retain loyal clients who will advocate for your firm's services, but you can also enhance your reputation and visibility within the industry. This increased integrity and visibility can help you attract high-profile clients who are seeking reputable firms to handle their projects.
An architectural firm gains fame through the quality of work that they provide. The better the quality of work, the more high-profile clients they will gain. These strategies are quite basic but highly beneficial. However, the steps for having a functional and successful firm are not limited to just these five strategies. There are several tips and strategies to have a clearer look at all your architecture-based problems and doubts.
Zenoya is a platform that will provide you with the basic answers to all the questions you have.