EntreArchitect

MARCH 21, 2017

Fees for Small Firm Architects. There are hundreds of articles, forums, blog posts and comments discussing how we architects are not paid enough and how our clients don’t understand what we do. Rarely are we developing pricing with the understanding and engagement of the basic principles of business.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Regulation 52

EntreArchitect

JANUARY 19, 2016

Seven years into owning our own small firm, Annmarie and I decided to make some changes. One of the most important habits I developed during that year is the preparation of a financial schedule. Before I scheduled these tasks, I found that I would fit them in around project deadlines and client meetings.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Management 52

EntreArchitect

JUNE 14, 2016

As small firm architects, we are responsible for so many different roles and responsibilities. We need to meet with clients, develop and distribute marketing, respond to important email, manage our social media accounts, send invoices, collect payments and so much more. 6 Digital Tools to Automate an Architecture Firm.

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EntreArchitect

SEPTEMBER 6, 2016

” When Annmarie and I launched Fivecat Studio more than 15 years ago we had no projects, no clients and no money. We were two young architects seeking the freedom of our own firm. I wrote a 3-part blog series a couple years back sharing the full story of how Annmarie and I started our own architecture firm.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Client 52

EntreArchitect

JULY 3, 2018

This is the transcript from EntreArchitect Podcast Episode 226, Successful Project Planning for Small Firm Architects. Do you know how to calculate the exact amount that you need to charge your clients in order to earn 20 percent profit on that project? Listen to this podcast episode or download the audio file here.

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EntreArchitect

SEPTEMBER 12, 2017

We make thousands of decisions during the development of a typical architectural project. We must protect ourselves, our firms and our families from the risk of legal action. We must create business systems that make these processes routine and automatic during the development of every architectural project.

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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. When we present our initial schematic designs to our client, we are selling. A Simple Sales System for Small Firm Architects.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Client 52

EntreArchitect

JANUARY 26, 2014

The confidence level of our clients has been riding the roller coaster of an uncertain, unpredictable economy. Below are two charts that present data collected throughout the history of our small firm architecture studio. This first chart shows the number of commissioned projects in reference to prospective clients.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Contract 52

EntreArchitect

AUGUST 9, 2016

Publication is a form of social proof indicating that our designs are worthy of our prospective clients’ attention. Any project can have a well developed detail or an interesting space. As we develop our projects at Fivecat Studio, we are continuously seeking these opportunities. For others, its a marketing strategy.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Client 52

EntreArchitect

APRIL 6, 2015

To complete the development of a standard residential additions and alterations project, it takes several months of focus and dedication. Most sole proprietors and small firms I know, struggle to meet the minimum requirements of operation. Leave a comment and share your tips and tricks. How do YOU make more money?

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Small Firm Firms Architect Client 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. Develop a Process to Communicate Your Schedule. Automate your Systems.

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Small Firm Firms Architect Management 52

EntreArchitect

FEBRUARY 6, 2022

Empowering architects to better serve the world with more than 681,000 total downloads in 2021, the EntreArchitect Podcast has grown to serve small firm architects from every corner of the planet. Number 3 with 7,011 downloads is episode 366 with Anna Laman – Attract Ideal Clients Through Better Messaging.

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Small Firm Firms Architecture Firm Consulting 98

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? We fear being restricted.

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Architecture Firm Firms Development Developer 52

EntreArchitect

JULY 25, 2017

. It may be the most critical step in the entire process of acquiring a new architecture client. We may have perfected our marketing, developed a strong reputation, executed a flawless sales process and have received our prospective client’s eager authorization to proceed with a new project. Make it “client friendly”.

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Architecture Firm Firms Development Developer 52

EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 13, 2013

A perfect storm has developed and we are taking advantage of our opportunity to be more efficient, more effective, more flexible and have more freedom. We had no clients, little money and were filled with confidence. We are blessed with many fabulous clients. First, A Bit of History. We would be successful.

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EntreArchitect

MARCH 30, 2014

Since that first guest post, I have connected and developed true friendships with dozens of bloggers throughout the world. I posted randomly whenever I found something worth saving and had no intent to develop the site into anything more. That post was my introduction to the online universe of fellow bloggers. Do you blog?

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EntreArchitect

FEBRUARY 2, 2016

All this month at EntreArchitect, we’ll be focusing on Business Development. Listen to the podcast , subscribe to the newsletter and return back here to the blog each week for more information on how to generate more sales for your small firm by creating long-term value from your clients, markets, and relationships.

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Development Developer Architect Firms 52

EntreArchitect

MARCH 10, 2013

” When one of my residential architecture clients finally reaches out and calls Fivecat Studio , these are some of the thoughts they may start with. Most of our clients are first time builders. You’re in the Client Happiness Business. .” “If I start now, I’ll be living in it by summer.”

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Client Clients Architect Management 52

EntreArchitect

JULY 12, 2018

If its a development project, what is the marketing strategy to sell it? 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. With clients? The client had a stellar vision. Website URL.

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Small Firm Firms Client Clients 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.

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Architecture Firm Firms Development Developer 40

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. If its a development project, what is the marketing strategy to sell it? With clients? Click here to learn how. Among team?

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Small Firm Contractor Client Clients 52

EntreArchitect

FEBRUARY 16, 2016

Running the numbers on business development. But when it comes to business development specifically, I realized it might just be my secret weapon. In my current state, I spend a lot of time on business development. I make an effort to consistently book two business development meetings with referral partners per week.

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Development Developer Contractor Firms 52

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. If its a development project, what is the marketing strategy to sell it? This was a development project. With clients?

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Construction Construction Permits Small Firm 52

EntreArchitect

JUNE 22, 2022

Beth was driven and extremely competent and loved by clients. But her death grip on every detail of project management was not leaving room in her schedule for meeting with clients and prospects to develop future work. Beth’s goals and the company goals were the same: focus on business development to be a firm owner.

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Management Civil Engineering Firms Engineering 105

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. We rely on word of mouth from previous clients. With clients? Click here to learn how. Project Name. Among team?

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Contractor Housing Permits Architect 52

EntreArchitect

MARCH 28, 2017

I speak with or communicate online with small firm architects almost every day. I want to know with what members of our small firm community are struggling, so that we at EntreArchitect might develop resources to help you build a better business. Every firm is expected to have exceptional design skills.

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Small Firm Architect Client Clients 52

EntreArchitect

OCTOBER 5, 2015

One of the keys to success for small firm architects is client satisfaction. Keep the client happy throughout the project and that happy client will lead you to more happy clients. Our clients don’t like surprises. Remember that your client most likely has no experience with the architectural process.

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Management Client Clients Small Firm 52

EntreArchitect

JUNE 28, 2018

If its a development project, what is the marketing strategy to sell it? It was a development. Do you have a regular business development process (pipeline) that you use to acquire the leads for the next project? As a development the design fee was “at cost” Is that your preferred fee structure?

Construction 52

Construction Construction Permits Small Firm 52

EntreArchitect

JULY 5, 2018

If it’s a development project, what is the marketing strategy to sell it? This allows us to educate future clients on what is important to us, how we work, what we are working on, what we’ve recently completed, what is available, etc. Our business development process is primarily through social media and online publication.

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Mining Housing Contractor Permits 52

Landscape Architecture Magazine

SEPTEMBER 14, 2022

A past national president of ASLA (1987–1988) and Rome Prize recipient, Barton was appointed in 2004 to the board of the San Francisco Bay Conservation and Development Commission, a California state agency. She plans to increase her activism in estuary protection and promoting investments in natural resources as capital assets.

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Design Firms Small Firm Restoration 95

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 Client Clients 52

EntreArchitect

JUNE 21, 2018

If its a development project, what is the marketing strategy to sell it? This client is the older brother of a childhood (and current) friend. Do you have a regular business development process (pipeline) that you use to acquire the leads for the next project? Withheld at clients request. With clients? Among team?

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Permits Architecture Client Clients 52

EntreArchitect

MARCH 6, 2018

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.

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Architecture Firm Firms Small Firm Architecture 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. Do you set limits?

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Schematic Design Client Clients Small Firm 52

EntreArchitect

JANUARY 30, 2018

Clients see us as all the same. In the eyes of our clients, we are all the same… unless we do something to stand out from the crowd. My firm does it differently than the rest. We’ve developed a process that’s fun. Our clients have a great time. One architect is just like another. But it’s not. It’s exciting.

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Architect Small Firm Sketching Client 52

EntreArchitect

MARCH 22, 2012

Leave him a comment and tell him we said “hi” Bob describes how he uses a narrative during the programming phase to learn what his clients want, both functionally as well as emotionally. It also helped with the development of the rest of my plan. For one, it’s lots of fun to dream big… with no limits.

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Development Developer Mining Small Firm 40

EntreArchitect

FEBRUARY 12, 2019

One platform may be your personal favorite over the many others, but are your prospective clients enjoying their time on that same platform? Where are our clients making the decisions that lead them to hire us? Most residential clients collect “wish list” images before they ever come to us for architectural services.

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