If you’re a home staging company looking to build a successful business, collaborating with other professionals in the industry can be a game-changer. Through industry collaboration, you can share resources, learn from one another, and even expand your client base.

Here are some tips on how to collaborate effectively in the staging industry:

Do this: start or Join a Local RESA Chapter

RESA® (Real Estate Staging Association) is an international organization that represents home stagers, designers, and real estate professionals. By joining a local RESA® chapter, you can connect with other staging professionals in your area and tap into a wealth of resources and knowledge. Through RESA®, you can collaborate with other stagers on larger jobs, share referrals, and learn from one another.“Collaborating with my fellow stagers has been invaluable to me. Everyone brings something different to the table and we have the opportunity to learn from each other. We become better stagers, thereby strengthening the industry as a whole. It’s a win-win –for us and for our clients.” – Nicole Schenk the RESA® Ontario Provincial President & Founder of Simple Elements Home Staging 

Not that: Working in Isolation

Working in isolation can limit your opportunities for growth and development within the industry. By connecting with other staging professionals, you can expand your network and learn from one another.

Do this: Share Resources and Best Practices

Collaboration is all about sharing resources and best practices to benefit everyone involved. Consider renting your staging inventory to other stagers in your area, or connecting another stager to your photographer. By collaborating, you can expand your offerings and provide more value to your clients.

Not that: Keeping Your Resources to Yourself

It’s important to remember that collaboration is a two-way street. While it’s great to connect with other RESA® stagers and learn from them, it’s equally important to contribute to the relationship and share your own resources and knowledge.Don’t be the stager who only takes from others in the industry and never offers anything in return. This can create an unbalanced relationship and may cause other staging professionals to hesitate before collaborating with you in the future.Instead, be willing to share your own resources and knowledge with other RESA® stagers. This could include anything from sharing industry tips and tricks, to offering help with a difficult project, to referring clients to other staging professionals in your network.By being a collaborative partner, you can build stronger relationships with other staging professionals and contribute to the growth and success of the industry as a whole. So, don’t be the stager who only takes from others in the industry – be the stager who gives back as well.

Do this: Work Together on Larger Jobs

Large-scale staging jobs can be overwhelming for a single stager or company. By collaborating with other staging professionals, you can pool your resources and expertise to tackle larger projects with ease. Plus, working together can be a great way to build relationships and expand your network within the industry.

Not that: Trying to Tackle Large Jobs Alone

Attempting to tackle large staging jobs alone can be a daunting task. It can quickly become overwhelming, and you may find that your potential for success is limited when working solo. Instead, consider collaborating with other staging professionals to take on larger projects with confidence and efficiency.

Do this: Refer Clients to Other Stagers

Sometimes, you may not be the right fit for a particular client or job. Rather than turning them away, consider referring them to another stager who would be a better fit. By referring clients to other stagers, you can build trust and goodwill within the industry, which can lead to future collaborations and referrals.

Not that: Turning Away Clients You Can’t Help

In addition to limiting your potential for growth and referral opportunities, turning away clients you can’t help can have other negative effects on your business. It can create a reputation for being difficult to work with or unhelpful, which can deter potential clients from seeking your services in the future.Moreover, the clients you turn away may share their negative experience with others in the industry, which can harm your reputation even further. It’s important to remember that the home staging industry is a relatively small community, and word travels quickly. By turning away clients without offering an alternative solution, you risk damaging not only your reputation but also your relationships with other professionals in the industry.On the other hand, by referring clients to other stagers who are better suited to help them, you not only build goodwill but also foster relationships with other professionals in the industry. This can lead to future collaboration and referral opportunities, ultimately helping to grow your business in the long run.