{"id":399,"date":"2015-12-22T16:34:55","date_gmt":"2015-12-22T21:34:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/?p=399"},"modified":"2015-12-22T16:34:55","modified_gmt":"2015-12-22T21:34:55","slug":"how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition","title":{"rendered":"How to Stay Ahead of the Competition"},"content":{"rendered":"Did you know that becoming a certified designer isn\u2019t the end of your journey towards a professional career? Once you\u2019re working in the industry, your next challenge is to stand out amongst the competition! There are many different steps you can take to set yourself apart from the crowd.\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/#1_Seek_additional_training\" >1. Seek additional training<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/#2_Practice_and_learn\" >2. Practice and learn<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/#3_Network_on_and_offline\" >3. Network on and offline<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/#4_Establish_a_solid_brand\" >4. Establish a solid brand<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/#5_Be_proactive_about_opportunities\" >5. Be proactive about opportunities<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/#6_Specialize_but_stay_diverse\" >6. Specialize but stay diverse<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/#7_Build_a_positive_reputation\" >7. Build a positive reputation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/#8_Be_innovative\" >8. Be innovative<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/2015\/12\/how-to-stay-ahead-of-the-competition\/#Show_them_youre_worth_it\" >Show them you\u2019re worth it!<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Seek_additional_training\"><\/span>1. Seek additional training<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nJust because you\u2019re officially certified doesn\u2019t mean you can\u2019t continue learning.\n\nLook into master classes designed to perfect your skills and take them to the next level. If you\u2019ve already complete master classes, think about expanding your skill set. Perhaps learning a complimentary art or trade will be helpful?\n\nClients might be excited to learn that you can decorate their living room and then help them organize their kitchen, too!\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Practice_and_learn\"><\/span>2. Practice and learn<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.qcdesignschool.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/In-Post-Design-Logo-130x130-4.jpg\" alt=\"interior design student practicing her skills and techniques to improve\" width=\"850\" height=\"500\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13722\" \/>\n\nYou already know that the best design professionals are always learning. There are, however, other ways to learn outside of completing additional training.\n\nKeep up with the latest trends by following blogs, vlogs, and other industry-related publications. Consider finding a mentor in the community who can challenge your skills and help you learn new ones. Mastering trends keeps your skills and services in fashion and makes sure you\u2019re always evolving.\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3_Network_on_and_offline\"><\/span>3. Network on and offline<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nIn the design industry, one of the best ways to get new clients is by referral. Clients who are very happy with your work will tell their friends about their wonderful experience.\n\nClients aren\u2019t the only people who might refer you, though. Other professionals within the industry can recommend you to their clients or business contacts as well. Network using your social media platforms and by attending tradeshows to build professional relationships with contractors, photographers, architects and so on. You don\u2019t want to force your business card on anyone, but you do want to get your name out there as much as possible.\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-402\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Certified-event-planner-networking-online.jpg\" alt=\"Certified designer networking online\" \/>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_Establish_a_solid_brand\"><\/span>4. Establish a solid brand<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nMany designers work professionally, but they don\u2019t necessarily build an actual brand. Whether you\u2019re working with a design firm or concentrating on freelance contracts, establishing your own recognizable brand complete with a name and logo can be to your benefit. You\u2019ll appear organized, professional, and legitimate compared to other professionals who haven\u2019t built a marketable image yet.\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"5_Be_proactive_about_opportunities\"><\/span>5. Be proactive about opportunities<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nSometimes, if you\u2019re very lucky, great opportunities will find you. The most successful professionals, however, are those who seek out opportunities for themselves between contracts.\nDown time is nice, but you should use it to create styled shoots, submit your work to publications, build your online presence, and network. Stay professional and avoid being too forward, but put your name out there and show people that you\u2019re ready to work.\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"6_Specialize_but_stay_diverse\"><\/span>6. Specialize but stay diverse<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nOne unique way to stand out from the crowd is to become an expert in something. If you\u2019re the only designer in the area that offers feng shui services, you\u2019ll have cornered part of your local market. Anyone looking for that service will come to you.\n\nBut having a specialization doesn\u2019t mean that\u2019s the only kind of service you should offer. Keep your skills diverse and stay current in other areas of design so you can still give clients a full range of services.\n\n<img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-404\" src=\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/12\/Feng-Shui-design-specialist-work.jpg\" alt=\"Feng Shui design specialist work\" \/>\n\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"7_Build_a_positive_reputation\"><\/span>7. Build a positive reputation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nEven something as simple as your attitude toward clients can help to set you apart from the crowd.\n\nBeing professional is important, but if you\u2019re friendly, approachable, and fun to work with, you\u2019ll build a reputation for giving clients positive experiences. Clients who enjoyed your company AND your skills will refer you to their friends and write more positive reviews about your services, which means more clients for you!\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"8_Be_innovative\"><\/span>8. Be innovative<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nRemember that most of your clients probably aren\u2019t professional designers. Even those who want a simple redesign will be drawn to you if you can show them a mix of what they\u2019re looking for and the true creativity you\u2019re capable of. Displaying your most innovative or unique events alongside your fundamental skills shows clients that you\u2019re well rounded. This will impress them more than designers who only ever display pictures of designs that are safe and trendy, even if that\u2019s what a client will choose.\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Show_them_youre_worth_it\"><\/span>Show them you\u2019re worth it!<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\nStanding out from the competition isn\u2019t about showing why you\u2019re better than everyone else. Try to rise above constant comparison. You want to show clients why you\u2019re talented and valuable in your own right. By investing time and effort in your own knowledge and skills, you\u2019re investing in your professional career and therefore a better future in design!\n<h3 align=\"center\"><i>Have you ever taken steps to set yourself apart from your design competition? Tell us about how you did it in the comments below!<\/i><\/h3>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Becoming a certified designer isn\u2019t the end of your journey towards a professional career. Once you\u2019re working in the industry, your next challenge is to stand out amongst the competition!","protected":false},"author":21,"featured_media":13724,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"ppma_author":[517],"class_list":{"0":"post-399","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-your-design-career"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v26.7 (Yoast SEO v26.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>How to Stay Ahead of the Competition - The Focal Point<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Becoming a certified designer isn&#039;t the end of your journey into a professional career. You&#039;ll have to stay ahead of your competition! 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