There was a bit of a heated debate recently over who the typical home stager is. Recently, one of the people in this debate decided to write a blog (it may be here in AR, I haven't looked - I saw it on FB) about the typical stager, who they are, etc. Reading the blog, I realized something - perhaps a pivotal moment - I AM NOT THE TYPICAL HOME STAGER. I wrote the words to someone else on AR as I copied them on the blog stating I would keep my comments to myself and respectfully not comment on their blog. However, as is typical, I find myself on the outside of the debate wanting to make a few distinctions. Perhaps this is the best forum.... not getting into a debate on a blog, but stating my opinions in my own space.
Recently, at the 2010 RESA Conference in Las Vegas, during an excellend presentation by Ashley Whittenberger, the question was asked, "Who in this room feels they are making as much money as they should for the work they do?" (or something to that effect). I think about 5 hands went up - Ashley would know better since she was on stage. Still even if it is a few more - out of over 200 stagers in the room, only 5 or so went up. That's what? 2.5%
(thanks for letting me borrow your photo Karen Otto)
So, what does this mean? This means that the average home stager feels under compensated for the work they do - they work harder than their income shows and probably get burned out or simply run themselves out of business. So now what?
As one of the 2.5% of home stagers in that room who does feel fairly compensated for what I do, I would like to make the suggestion that you stop being average and start being UNUSUAL! Here are some tips for doing just that:
#1) Find some of those who do feel fairly compensated and start finding out what they do. What kind of business model do they have? What activities do they do on a daily/weekly/monthly/yearly basis that create the kind of business that makes them successful? Consider actually doing the same things......
#2) Stop comparing your business and how you do your work to everyone around you. Sure this sounds like the opposite of #1, but really it isn't. Why? Because most of the ones around you are not succeeding! There are tons of ways to work the business, figure out what works for you and be unique in your approach.
#3) As author and speaker David Avrin said at the conference, "Don't be the best kept secret. Let everyone know what you do and how you are different!" What are you doing that will make you distinctive and worthy of being talked about?
#4) Stop making excuses! Larry Winget says, "Shut Up, Stop Whining & Get a Life" (title of his book actually). Stop saying that you can't do something because of ...... you fill in the blank. There are endless excuses to not do something difficult - but so what? Be UNUSUAL and do it anyway!
finally....
#5) Decide it's OK to be different than everyone else. Mike Robbins, another conference speaker who wrote "Be Yourself, Everyone Else is Already Taken" reminds us that authenticity can only come from being ourself. Stop trying to be something to anyone else and find success in being you! Let your real light shine from inside of you and find the power of your own destiny!
Remember - life is a journey - it's not enough to fit in and be like everyone else. You were made for better things! Stop being typical and be uniquely you.....
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Melissa Marro, a published artist, now turned staging advocate and national speaker speaks her mind about real estate and the home staging industry. In her 'no holds barred' approach, audience members find real answers to the industries pitfalls and learn how to overcome them with tried and true information and guidance. With marketing as her passion, she turned a small home based business into one of the nation's largest home staging and training facilities. She now operates as the CEO of First Impressions Home Staging & Interior ReDesign as well as an instructor for Staging And Resign and regularly speaks at the StagerList Expos and Real Estate Staging Association (RESA)'s trade events.
For more information on having Marro speak at one of your real estate functions, please contact her at 843.822.2622 or email at marro.melissa@gmail.com
If you would like Marro's team to provide information on staging a property in the state of South Carolina, or the Greater Charleston Area, please visit www.WeStageSC.com, email marro.melissa@gmail.com or call 843.822.2622.
I think that many of us in the real estate field feel undercompensated for our efforts too.
That's just too sad Jim! We should all be working toward being fairly compensated! I think the biggest thing is to strive to be different and let everyone know why!
What a fantastic post Melissa! Congratulations on being one of the 2.5% percent doing well and being proud of it!!!
You are such a great role model for all of us and I always listen to and heed your advice from newsletters to other marketing concepts that that you have shared.
I'm newly inspired and am already implementing your advice.
I totally agree with Debra; you are a wonderful role model for us wanna be's. Thanks for mentioning the books as well, think I will get them.
Excellent advice Melissa! You are so kind to share this with other stagers who may be struggling to find their way. I was very happy to see you in Vegas, it's always a pleasure.
Debra - thank you for the kind words. Good for you on taking action! it really is what separates the 2.5% from the rest....
Connie - I'm so excited to get the books - actually I just got a box from Amazon today so I'm sure a couple are in it.... looks like TV will be on the back burner tonight!
Chris - As always I love seeing you and your mom. Too bad we didn't spend much time together, but then you were hanging out with 'the in crowd' .... lol. I can't really compete with Jackson, Duncan and Kathleen... lol! I know I could have gone, but just would have been worthless in the morning. Despite popular opinion, I actually require a full 8 hrs every night!
You're part of the "in" crowd in my book. I just didn't have to get up early so I figured since I was in Vegas... : )
Chris - aw, shucks and thanks! I know I could have gone, but I DID have to get up early - too early. What was Shell thinking? 7am Vegas time?
Melissa - Your post is so true. Thank you for keeping the motivation momentum coming! You truly are inspiring.
I absolutely believe 100% in what you are saying. I am also part of that 2.5%, who feels I am compensated fairly for what I do, but I worked very hard to get where I am. I recently was asked what my annual sales were last year and anticipated to be this year, only to be told by other stagers that was far too much money and my goals were unrealistic. I was bothered by this at first, then quickly realized there are far too many stagers that I know personally operating thier businesses full-time with only a few staging jobs per month. There is so much work out there...with the right business model we can all be insanely busy! Great post.
What a great post! If you feel like you're not getting compensated for your work (monetarily or otherwise), it will show, too.
It is difficult especially as Staging is very new here on the East coast and especially here in the Pocono Mountains. I have been at it for 3 years and I feel like I am starting to get there as far as compensation. We work very hard for our clients and spend TONS of hours on their projects. The more experience you have, the more confidence you get to charge what you need to make it all worth it. If you don't push on to get there though, you will surely get discouraged and...you will not survive!
It is all about believing in yourself and what you do!
Melissa...you are a true inspiration! We met at the RESA event in NJ about a year ago...I loved all the great speakers there....I'm going to make it to Vegas next year...that is, if I keep getting COMPENSATED!!!
Melissa - Yet again, another great post.... we are all unique, doing the same type of work. To me to be successful is do have faith in myself in what I do, deliver what I preach and become friends with each stager out there. Sure there is competition, but that is what makes me stronger, I do ask for a lot of advice from the pros on the West Coast, but that doesn't mean that I will do exactly what they are doing, I'm unique! Well and stubborn too I guess, I like to be different, have different things than others and do differently too. To me that makes me unique. Like Valerie said, Staging is not as popular as it is on the West Coast, we do have to figure out what is going to make things click here and work with that, it will be different in each area, and therefore we all need to be unique in our own business!!!!
Again, thank you for another wonderful post!
Melissa,
Excellent post and very inspirational. Although I've been doing interiors for a long time, I'm starting my 4th year of staging this month. I finally am seeing the seeds begin to really take root and I stay pretty busy. However, if a few days go by w/o a call, I still get worried. I will bookmark this blog and refer to it when I get nervous!
By the way, I was unable to make the RESA conference, but am very curious why my picture is on the screen in the top photo! Were you guys talking about me????~~~~~~~~~~~
Thanks for a great blog,
Mel
Excellent post Melissa. I knew I should have gone to the RESA conference! Next year for sure. . . . Think I'm going to go look into those books and authors you have referrence and learn a few things!
Patti - you're welcome!
Lisa - Good for you! I took a peek at your website and it looks great! Curious, do you have your own inventory or do you use a rental company?
Shoshana - I agree. Maybe not at first, but eventually for sure. It will come across in cutting corners or in poor customer service. neither of these are acceptable for long term business.
Valerie - as an East Coaster (charleston, SC) I know exactly what you mean. It has taken years of education to get to this point - but that's what it takes when they know nothing to begin with!
Randy - GREAT comments! I hope to meet you someday... maybe at RESA next year.
Melody - This was during breakfast and they were showing random photos of stagers that had been submitted or that Shell had copies of.
Roberta - definately you should have! I'll see you there next year though, right?
I read this post a couple of days ago and had to think about it for awhile.
Thank you for the inspiration you continually provide. I have heard the back and forth about this topic since it started and just want to say that RESA is an outstanding resource for all stagers who strive to be professional and have an individual business model. We are all different, not just because we are people, but because we come from different areas. What works for me as a price point in KY would be laughed at in other places around the globe.( I laugh at it too this week and need to make some changes so I can be in the 2.5%!) From all of the research I have done, the programs that you are affiliated with have provided top notch training and support and had I found them prior to my training, I would have gone that route. It is never too late though and that may be on the business plan for the upcoming year.:)
You hardly need affirmation from me, but I just thought I would say thank you and please continue to be a leader in this fabulous industry!
Very Sobbering words Melissa! We have certainly had this conversation more then a hand full of times. Maybe we need to start an SA (Stagers Anannomys) We can start all of our conversations like this. "Hello this is Gary and I',m not a typical Stager."
Sheila - thank you for the kind words. What has been great about RESA is that it has given the opportunity for us to have open discussion with stagers with so many different business models. We can see that there are many different options for success.
I've made it my point to only teach the best in the market since my name is attached to it. There are a lot of things that we can't control - but our reputation should be one of them! I would love to have you in one of my classes ....
Gary - You think? Goodness have we ever had this conversation!! Let's continue to sing it from the rooftops though - shall we?
Hello Melissa,
It was to meet you in Vegas. As a fairly new stager, I'm still trying to figure out what works and what doesn't. So as you can imagine it's difficult to get paid what I'm worth. I've been watching what the sucessful home stager are doing and listening to their advice. And in the process I hope and believe that I too one day soon will be sucessful like them. There is an old blief that if you following the sucessful people, sucess will rub off you. I believe that to be true because you can't help but learn and emulate what you see. Shoot for the stars if you miss you're still in heaven!
Melissa,
Another great post. Thank you for sharing thoughts I share and couldn't express as well as you.
Thank you for joining me in bringing this "Silent Plague" of under-earning which permeates our industry to the forefront. Yes, there were about 5 hands. I knew there wouldn't be many, as I've been researching this for a couple of years, but I have to say, I was surprised at just FIVE.
Until we start charging accordingly as it relates to the value we bring to the marketplace, we won't be taken seriously and our industry won't grow to its fullest potential.
It's wonderful that RESA has brought together so many resources to help our industry. I hope that at next year's conference, we see at least half of the room stand up. In the meantime, I'm declaring a WAR ON UNDER-PAID STAGERS! (I'm not actually declaring war on the stagers... I guess on the under-earning epidemic... well, you know what I mean.)
Melissa-I don't think you are "typical" anything and I mean that in the best way. You are the cream that rise to the top no matter what you do.
Thanks Melissa for all the inspiration that you bring to us!! The RESA conference was superb thanks to Shell, you and the other great speakers at the conference. You are a true leader and encourager (does this word exist?). You are definitly one of my top stager role models and I want to thank you for that. I just wish that there was a little bit more time to talk to you in person at the conference.
Carmella - love the positive attitude and yes! Shoot way!
Sharon - Thank you!
Ashley - lol... Yes, war on the underpaid part, but not the stagers themselves... lol!
Michele - Thanks! That means a lot coming from such a savvy agent!
Birgit - if that word doesn't exist, it should... at least in the urban dictionary. Thank you for the kind words. Next year!
I LOVE this blog....It's all about AUTHENTICITY....LUVLUVLUV it...Great blog girl
Catz
Excellent post! My business model is different than what my local competition practices and I DO feel fairly compensated! I am unique and deserve my rates. Every once in a while I cut someone a deal and it confirms to me that my business model/structure is just as it should be. I have had a few clients try other, cheaper Stagers over the years and they come back because the "deal" wasn't as good as me. It seems many women have a hard time charging for their time because they feel like they don't deserve getting paid or should just give it away. Staging, especially the hands-on moving and re-arranging, is HARD work.