EntreArchitect

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

We must protect ourselves, our firms and our families from the risk of legal action. Relative to the other expenses of a small firm, professional liability insurance is down right expensive… until you need it. Several small firms I know, mostly serving the residential market, are taking the risk of practicing without coverage.

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Insurance Small Firm Firms Architect 52

EntreArchitect

FEBRUARY 23, 2016

Originally published in 2013 as Part 4 of the original EntreArchitect Academy Blog Series, this final article of our month dedicated to Business Development shares my firm’s simple sales system. You can read the entire original 2013 blog series here. So share this blog with every architect you know!). We hit a wall.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Clients 52

EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 17, 2017

I’m a “scout dad”, a “swim dad” and a “row dad” I eat dinner with my family every evening (unless I have a conflicting client meeting). As a small firm architect running a virtual studio , I am wearing many hats these days. YOU determine when you meet with clients. It’s impossible.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Clients 52

EntreArchitect

NOVEMBER 20, 2017

Every magazine and blog is running an article about how to plan for 2018. I’m sure you’ve heard me say this or seen my write it somewhere here on the blog in the past. This quiet time would clear my mind and prepare me for the “chaos” that is running a small firm architecture studio. No Monday Meetings.

Small Firm 52

Small Firm Firms Architect Management 52

EntreArchitect

AUGUST 9, 2016

Publication is a form of social proof indicating that our designs are worthy of our prospective clients’ attention. Start a blog, a podcast or video channel. Share your stories and photos on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, Snapchat, Houzz or on your own blog. For others, its a marketing strategy. Build Your Platform.

Small Firm 52

Small Firm Firms Architect Clients 52

EntreArchitect

JULY 25, 2016

Most firms, here in the United States, experience a slow down at the same time every summer. Clients are focused on their own personal schedules and are away on their own vacations. For many of us small firm architects, this sounds a bit scary. 5 Steps to a Summer Shut Down at an Architecture Firm. No marketing.

Small Firm 52

Small Firm Firms Architect Management 52

EntreArchitect

MARCH 30, 2014

If you listened to the episode , you heard me talk about starting a blog as part of my Lead Conversion Action Plan. Following the launch of our website and working to keep fivecat.com well represented on the Google search engine, launching the blog was the most successful marketing strategy we’ve ever implemented.

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Client Clients Small Firm Site 40

Archmark

MARCH 29, 2019

How to make marketing work for your architecture firm. Recently, we asked Richard Marshall, Principal with Perkins+Will , about the importance of marketing for small firms, “The best organizations view marketing as just as important a skill set as design. . ” What makes your firm better or different than your competitors?

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Firms Building Architect Clients 95

EntreArchitect

APRIL 6, 2015

Originally published on the week of this blog’s relaunch on December 12, 2012, this article has been the most popular week in, week out. Every business, including architecture firms (yes, its true!), Most sole proprietors and small firms I know, struggle to meet the minimum requirements of operation.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Clients 52

Archmark

JULY 26, 2021

Five Architect Marketing Building Blocks to Grow Your Firm! Recently, we asked Richard Marshall, Principal with Perkins+Will , about the importance of marketing for small firms, “The best organizations view marketing as just as important a skill set as design. What makes your firm better or different than your competitors?

Firms 52

Firms Building Architect Clients 52

EntreArchitect

MAY 26, 2014

Many small businesses, including many small architecture firms, after years of finding ways to keep the doors open are succumbing to the years of economic instability and calling it quits. We’re spending only what needs to be spent to build a stronger firm… and much sacrifice remains. AIA Small Firms Resource Center.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Contract 40

EntreArchitect

APRIL 4, 2021

At Archmark Architect Branding & Marketing, we’ve seen architecture firms struggle to implement effective marketing strategies that help them get in front of better prospects so they can win better projects. Historically, architecture firm marketing has relied heavily on word-of-mouth referrals.

Architecture Firm 52

Architecture Firm Firms Architecture Clients 52

EntreArchitect

MAY 3, 2016

As we move into a new month, we are shifting our focus to a new category of small firm success. All throughout the month of May, we will be diving deep into the subject of Client Fulfillment. How do we best serve our clients? How do we manage expectations and keep our clients happy?

Architecture Firm 52

Architecture Firm Firms Development Developer 52

EntreArchitect

JANUARY 2, 2018

“How do I get noticed when I am first starting an architecture firm? I have no portfolio of my own to show clients. I’ve shared articles at this blog in the past on how much it may cost to start your own firm and how Annmarie and I launched Fivecat Studio with no clients and very little money. Be Certain.

Architecture Firm 52

Architecture Firm Firms Architecture Clients 52

EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 6, 2013

“How do I get noticed when I am first starting an architecture firm? I have no portfolio of my own to show clients. I’ve shared articles on how much it may cost to start your own firm and how Annmarie and I launched Fivecat Studio with no clients and very little money. How do I get that first solo project?”

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Client Clients Architecture Firms 52

EntreArchitect

MARCH 29, 2015

The blog is one of the most effective tools a small firm architect can use to foster community. The goal when writing a blog is to gain an audience. Small firm architects are busy people. A successful blog requires interesting content, well written and published on a consistent basis.

Small Firm 52

Small Firm Firms Development Developer 52

EntreArchitect

DECEMBER 5, 2017

Years before launching EntreArchitect, I published a quarterly newsletter for my own residential architecture firm, Fivecat Studio. With more than 5,000 subscribers, I have built a strong community of like-minded small firm architects who look forward to my letter and respond in kind with thoughtful communication.

Architecture Firm 52

Architecture Firm Firms Building Architecture 52

EntreArchitect

JULY 28, 2014

Periodically, I like to pull an older post from back in the archives and share it again on the blog. We recently recommended one of our consultants to a client. Our client was happy and we were looking good. Our client was NOT happy. Day three; no report and again, a promise… and a fuming client. Under-promise.

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Client Clients Consulting Small Firm 40

EntreArchitect

JULY 12, 2018

Firm Address. Our firm built the Atlas Tiny House project with our own money. The biggest two things are getting contracts over to the client quickly and following up with them frequently. Yes, we utilize prior clients, advertise on Google, update our website, and use Thumbtack. With clients? Project Name.

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Small Firm Firms Clients Client 52

EntreArchitect

APRIL 10, 2018

Almost 40 tips for Starting an Architecture Firm. After obtaining my license as an Architect in New York, I brainstormed several long term goals and decided to start a personal blog, develop design projects, and learn everything that I could about starting an architecture firm. Time management will be difficult.

Architecture Firm 52

Architecture Firm Firms Contract Architecture 52

EntreArchitect

APRIL 6, 2014

From the point of view of our clients, great architecture is where we start. So, yes, great design is important, but it’s not what’s going to keep our clients happy? The first step, before you ever put your pen to sketch paper, is to know what your client is looking for. We’re in the Client Happiness Business.

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Clients Client Sketching Small Firm 52

Life of an Architect

MARCH 9, 2014

One of the items in that post was the list “ Top 5 Reasons to work in a Small Architectural Firm ” which is somewhat biased because I didn’t really represent the benefits to working in a large architectural firm. Democratic Work Ethics Some firms, mine included will tend to have an open space office.

Architecture Firm 102

Architecture Firm Firms Small Firm Architecture 102

EntreArchitect

JANUARY 23, 2022

The laptop suffices for many, but a bunch of humans can make more things better, so firms of humans result: These gatherings are organized somehow, usually by one or three who know more and some who know less, and are learning, by helping to make things. So communication within a firm is crucial. That is User/client communications.

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Architecture Clients Client Firms 90

EntreArchitect

JUNE 21, 2016

Years before launching EntreArchitect, I published a quarterly newsletter for my own residential architecture firm, Fivecat Studio. With more than 5,000 subscribers, I have built a strong community of like-minded small firm architects who look forward to my letter and respond in kind with thoughtful communication.

Architecture Firm 52

Architecture Firm Firms Architecture Clients 52

EntreArchitect

MARCH 9, 2010

A blogging friend, Katie Hutchison , sent me a link to a recent talk by Michael Bierut , a partner at Pentagram. swissmiss, Michael discusses his take on clients; the good, the bad and the ugly. The post Clients…by Michael Bierut of Pentagram appeared first on EntreArchitect // Small Firm Entrepreneur Architects.

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Client Clients Small Firm Firms 40

EntreArchitect

JUNE 15, 2015

It was originally prepared in February 2013 by my friend Steven Burns, FAIA as Step 7 of the original EntreArchitect Academy “12 Steps to Success” Blog Series. Steve is the creator of ArchiOffice ® the leading office, project management and time tracking software used in more than 1,000 small and mid-sized architectural firms.

Architecture Firm 52

Architecture Firm Firms Development Developer 52

EntreArchitect

APRIL 5, 2016

A Culture at Your Architecture Firm Will Make or Break Your Firm. As your small firm grows beyond its infancy of the sole practitioner and you develop a strong team , the culture of your firm will evolve. Your firm’s culture and how you manage it is critical to the success of your firm.

Architecture Firm 40

Architecture Firm Firms Development Developer 40

EntreArchitect

AUGUST 16, 2018

EntreArchitect: Behind the Design is a weekly blog series where we feature work designed, developed and/or built by small firm entrepreneur architect members of The EntreArchitect Community. Firm Address. Good client relations and good PR to keep our name out there. With clients? Click here to learn how.

Construction 52

Construction Construction Permits Small Firm 52

Life of an Architect

FEBRUARY 27, 2014

I have almost always worked in small firms – except for that one time when I didn’t, which wasn’t a bad year but it cemented in my mind that my skill set is better suited for a small architectural firm. Here are my Top 5 Reasons to work in a Small Architectural Firm: 1.

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Small Firm Architect Firms Architecture 105

EntreArchitect

AUGUST 2, 2018

EntreArchitect: Behind the Design is a weekly blog series where we feature work designed, developed and/or built by small firm entrepreneur architect members of The EntreArchitect Community. Firm Address. It’s a great place for future clients to see the quality of our homes in person. With clients?

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Small Firm Contractor Clients Client 52

EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 16, 2018

EntreArchitect: Behind the Design is a continuing blog series where we feature work designed, developed and/or built by small firm entrepreneur architect members of The EntreArchitect Community. Firm Address. We rely on word of mouth from previous clients. With clients? Click here to learn how. Among team?

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Contractor Housing Permits Architect 52

EntreArchitect

JULY 11, 2017

These positions can be critical to your firm’s success. Below are 5 tips to help you hire the right people for your firm. Sometimes hiring someone with different personality traits can be a good thing for your firm if the goals for company culture and vision are maintained. Created by Objective Inc. developers.

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Firms Architecture Recruitment Utilities 52

EntreArchitect

SEPTEMBER 15, 2013

When architects ask me how much it will cost to launch an architecture firm, I say, “as much as you need.” ” Below I will discuss the very basics required to launch a sole proprietor architecture firm. I’ve written about many here at the blog before and many others will be covered in subsequent articles.

Architecture Firm 52

Architecture Firm Firms IT Architecture 52

EntreArchitect

JUNE 28, 2018

Firm Address. Virtually 100%, the benefit of doing development work, no client input or approval required. Were there any conflicts with clients or contractors during the process? Do you have a post-construction process to follow up with the satisfaction of your client? Project Name. Project Location. Mill Valley, CA.

Construction 52

Construction Construction Permits Small Firm 52

EntreArchitect

DECEMBER 11, 2017

When performing our Design Development phase with clients, we typically assist them in selecting all their finishes, plumbing fixtures and lighting. It’s an Additional Service , but one that most clients are happy to have us complete. Present too few and your client may not feel well served. The #ArchiTalks Blog Series.

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Schematic Design Clients Client Small Firm 52

EntreArchitect

AUGUST 30, 2016

This post is my contribution to an international blog series called #ArchiTalks. This month, the #ArchiTalks topic is “Back to School”, so I am encouraging my fellow small firm architects to go back to school themselves and learn what they need to know to find the work they want and live a life they’ll love.

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Architect Small Firm Firms Information 52

EntreArchitect

FEBRUARY 7, 2021

Working with many architecture firms over the past several years our agency, Archmark Architect Branding & Marketing, has been approached by many architects who have struggled to establish a consistent, repeatable, and reliable process to attract new clients and projects.

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Architecture Firm Professional Services Clients Client 52