Are you struggling to generate consistent, high-quality leads for your interior design business?
Many designers rely on social media and word of mouth, but these methods alone may not bring in steady, high-quality leads.
In this episode, Porsche Williams, CEO of The Prototype, shares her expert strategies for building a stress-free, scalable lead generation system that nurtures relationships and drives long-term growth.
She explains the biggest mistakes designers make—like focusing too much on new leads and forgetting past clients—and reveals how to create a simple system that keeps your pipeline full.
Plus, Porsche shares a step-by-step framework to help you stay top-of-mind with potential clients.
Don’t let lead generation overwhelm you. Tune in to this episode and learn how to create a scalable, stress-free system that allows you to focus on your creative vision while attracting your ideal clients.
Why you’ve got to check out today’s episode
- Learn how to re-engage past and current clients for steady leads
- Identify missing steps in your client experience that repel great clients
- Develop a plan for strategic gifting and industry partnerships (like working with realtors and builders) to generate high-quality leads faster
About the Guest:
Porsche Williams is the CEO of The Prototype, a business concierge firm specializing in client experience and lead generation for interior designers with a passion for streamlining business growth.
She helps designers attract ideal clients, nurture relationships, and scale with confidence, all while staying focused on their creative vision through The Prototype’s expertise in client experience and lead qualification.
Since 2020, her team has supported luxury interior design and architecture firms across the US, Canada, and Australia and partnered with IDS, ASID, Mydoma by Studio Designer, and more.
Now, she’s bringing her expertise to The Designer’s Guide to Reliable Lead Generation, a course designed to help designers build scalable, stress-free lead generation systems while strengthening relationships and driving long-term growth.
Connect with Porsche Williams:
Website: The Prototype
Instagram: @theprototypelifestyle
Check out these episode highlights
05:05 Common Mistakes in Lead Generation
Relying too much on passive marketing (social media, SEO, word of mouth).
Not having a clear qualification process for new clients, leads to wasted time on unsuitable leads.
Ignoring their existing networks and past clients, focusing instead on attracting new leads. Note: warm leads convert faster than cold leads.
07:47 Strategies for Effective Lead Generation
Nurturing existing relationships:
Checking in with past clients at strategic milestones.
Using strategic gifting to stay top-of-mind.
Strengthening referral relationships with builders, realtors, and industry partners.
Intentional networking:
Attending events with a plan—identifying missing connections in the network.
Connecting with real estate agents for mutual referrals.
12:53 Structuring Lead Generation & Client Retention
Systematized Gifting Strategy:
- Welcome gifts, project completion gifts, 1-year anniversary gifts.
Tiers of Support at The Prototype:
- Designer Foundations: Setting up lead follow-ups, workflows, and branding.
- Scale & Refine: Advanced client engagement, email marketing, and online presence updates.
- First Sketch: A 2-month trial for businesses wanting to test outsourcing lead management.
17:32 Practical Tips for Improving Lead Generation
Immediate actions designers can take today:
- Take 5 minutes to email past clients or industry contacts to stay top-of-mind. A simple “Hey, hello! How are you?” checking emails can quickly make you top of mind for contacts in your network.
- Implement a follow-up system to reconnect with leads who didn’t respond initially. This is to keep them warm without being pushy.
Example of persistence in follow-ups:
A client in Australia followed up for a year before finally securing a project.
Next Steps
Grab your freebies:
- Furnishings Investment Guide
- Remodel Budget and Timeline Guide
- Your Roadmap to a Career in Interior Design
- 3 Things I Wish I had known when I Started my Career
Take a Quiz!
- Find Your Perfect Interior Design Style if you are curious about your design style
- Find Out What Type of Interior Designer You Should Be!
Join the Design Mentor to kickstart a successful career in interior design!
Check out the best books every interior designer should have here.
Email me at [email protected] if you have suggested topics
DM me on Instagram at @rwarddesign if you have a burning question
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Related Episode
Thanks for listening! I hope this helps you discover if interior design is the career for you. See you next week…