Marketing for Designers is your fast-track to elevating your marketing game of your interior design business. Drowning in complicated marketing tasks? We're your lifeline. Get ready for no-nonsense advice you can actually apply and grow your biz. We've got 30-ish-minute episodes filled with pro tips on branding, social media, website messaging, SEO and more. Hosted by PRO messaging strategist and website copywriter who works exclusively with interior designers, Masha Koyen, we bring you insights to simply your marketing and attract premium clients.
#56 What to do to get featured in the media with Liana Zavo
Some designers get featured in magazines, land podcast interviews, and attract high-visibility collaborations—while others with equally beautiful work are barely noticed.
Here’s the thing.. It’s not always about talent. Often, it comes down to how well you tell your story.
In this episode, I’m chatting with a publicist Liana Zavo, CEO of ZavoMedia PR Group and a Forbes thought leader who has helped thousands of founders get seen, heard, and remembered. We’re talking about creating origin stories that get attention—not just from your audience, but from media outlets, collaborators, and even your dream clients. Whether you’re pitching yourself for press or just trying to stand out in a crowded market, this conversation will shift the way you think about your personal brand.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
The difference between a traditional bio and a compelling origin story (and why both matter)
What makes a story pitch-worthy to media and journalists
How to identify the key moments that shape your brand narrative
How to use past challenges as credibility—not baggage
The secret to tailoring your story for clients vs. media vs. partners
Why video content is essential for visibility today (especially on LinkedIn)
How to turn your design projects into case studies that build buzz
Memorable quotes from Liana:
"Your personal brand isn’t just what you do. It’s the story of who you are."
"People buy from people—not portfolios. Your story is the trust factor."
"I’m a college dropout and a single mom. That’s part of my story. It doesn’t make me less credible—it makes me real."
"Don’t let your best projects collect dust. Treat them like case studies and PR them."
"Your message matters. You are the messenger. Don’t self-sabotage by thinking otherwise."
Key highlights:
Why authenticity is the most magnetic part of your story
Liana’s own origin story, including how she turned health challenges into fuel
he #1 mistake designers make in their origin stories (and how to fix it)
How to develop multiple versions of your story without losing consistency
The mindset shift you need to pitch yourself with confidence
Why media visibility is more than just press—it’s a positioning strategy
Connect with Liana Zavo:
Instagram: @zavomediapr (https://www.instagram.com/zavomediapr) | @officiallianazavo (https://www.instagram.com/officiallianazavo)
Join her 21-Day Personal Branding Challenge
Need help with messaging strategy or copywriting for your interior design website? Connect with me, your host Masha Koyen, Messaging Strategist and Copywriter for interior designers:
GET MASHA’S WEEKLY EMAILS (https://subscribepage.io/lWqGRa)
Masha’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/masha.copywriter/)
Masha’s Website (https://contentvertical.com)
Book a call with Masha (https://www.contentvertical.com/contact/)
Don’t miss this episode packed with actionable insights!
26 Mar 2025
#55 How to make your personal brand work for you with Valerie Morris
If you’ve ever thought, “My work should speak for itself,” or cringed at the idea of showing your face on social—this episode is your permission slip to stop hiding.
Because the truth is, your personal brand already exists. Whether or not you’ve built it intentionally, your audience is making assumptions about who you are and what it’s like to work with you.
And when you're trying to attract high-end clients who trust your vision and don't second-guess your decisions, those assumptions matter.
In this episode, I'm talking with Valerie Morris, a digital marketing strategist, author, and speaker who helps professionals build authority and show up as the expert. With a degree in architecture and nearly 15 years in content marketing, she gets what it's like to be in the design world—and how to stand out in a saturated space.
We talk about what personal brand really means, how to show up online without feeling self-promotional, and why LinkedIn might be the biggest missed opportunity in your entire marketing strategy.
Whether you’re 2 years into your business or 10, this episode will challenge the way you think about visibility, positioning, and the kind of content that actually builds trust with decision-makers.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why you (not just your work) are the reason people choose to hire you
What "authority-building content" is—and how to create it
Why LinkedIn is a gold mine for designers (especially those who work with high-end clients or want to land commercial projects)
Simple profile tweaks to make your LinkedIn actually work for you
The type of content that builds credibility (without being salesy)
How to use personal stories strategically to connect and stand out
Memorable quotes from Valerie:
“Everyone has a personal brand, whether you invest in it or not.”“Your personal brand is just your reputation—what people think about you when they see your name or face.”“If you’re not showcasing your values or personality, people only see what’s out there. And sometimes that’s not enough.”“The algorithm on LinkedIn is friendlier. People are there for business. That’s what makes it powerful.”“Authority-building content gives people subconscious signals that you know what you’re talking about.”
Key highlights:
Valerie’s unexpected journey from architecture to marketing—and how her design background informs her approach
The biggest mistake designers make with content (and how to avoid it)
Why sharing personal anecdotes (even goat stories!) can boost engagement and connection
How to rotate different types of content so you never sound repetitive
The power of showing—not just telling—your values and expertise
Why even your personal Facebook account can be a quiet marketing machine
The real reason LinkedIn outperforms Instagram when it comes to connecting with decision-makers
Connect with Valerie:
Website: tinterocreative.com
(https://www.tinterocreative.com/)
LinkedIn: Valerie Morris (https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerielmorris/)
Connect with Masha: Need help with messaging strategy or copywriting for your interior design website? Connect with me, your host Masha Koyen, Messaging Strategist and Copywriter for interior designers:
FREE GUIDE: 7 strategies to attract affluent clients (https://subscribepage.io/affluent-client-guide)
Weekly marketing tips (https://subscribepage.io/lWqGRa)
Masha’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/masha.copywriter/)
Masha’s Website (https://contentvertical.com)
Book a call with Masha (https://www.contentvertical.com/contact/)
19 Mar 2025
#54 How to grow your email list with Kendra Corman
Relying solely on social media to attract new clients to your interior design business is a risky move. One algorithm change or platform outage can derail your visibility overnight. That’s why email marketing is so important for interior designers. It’s the one channel you fully control, allowing you to nurture relationships with potential clients and stay top of mind when they’re ready to hire.
In this episode, I sit down with Kendra Corman, a marketing strategist, email expert, and author of Mastering AI in Communications. With over 20 years of experience, including her time as the Jeep Advertising Manager, Kendra now runs H2H Consulting and helps business owners simplify their marketing, leverage AI, and make email work for them. She’s sharing five practical, non-salesy ways interior designers can build an email list that actually generates business.
If you’ve been ignoring email marketing because it feels overwhelming (or worse—like an outdated tactic), this episode will change your mind.
What you’ll learn in this episode:
Why email marketing is still one of the most effective ways to stay top of mind
How to grow your email list without feeling like a pushy marketer
Five places to add an email opt-in link that you’re probably overlooking
The secret to writing a compelling email sign-up call-to-action (hint: it’s not ‘Join my newsletter’)
Why your website’s 404 page is an untapped list-building opportunity
How to leverage social media to grow your list without relying on the algorithm
Why short, simple lead magnets convert better than long, complicated ones
Memorable quotes from Kendra:
"Your email list is the only audience you truly own. Social media can disappear overnight, but your emails land directly in your audience’s inbox."
"Never, ever say ‘Join my newsletter.’ Nobody wants more emails. Tell them what’s in it for them."
"You don’t need thousands of subscribers to see results. A small, engaged list is way more valuable than a big, unengaged one."
"Your website’s 404 page is an underrated list-building tool. Don’t let it go to waste."
"Consistency is key. Whether you email weekly or monthly, set a schedule and stick to it."
Key highlights:
Why email marketing builds trust better than social media
The best places to include an email sign-up link that most designers overlook
How to frame your email list as something valuable (instead of just another newsletter)
How to use social media strategically to drive email sign-ups
How to make list-building feel natural through real conversations
Why a short and simple lead magnet often works better than a detailed guide
How often to ask people to join your email list on social media without sounding repetitive
Connect with Kendra Corman:
Website: kendracorman.com (https://kendracorman.com)
Instagram: @KendraCormanCoach (https://www.instagram.com/kendracormancoach/)
Free resources & lead magnets: kendracorman.com/freebies (https://kendracorman.com/freebies)
Connect with Masha:
Need help with messaging strategy or copywriting for your interior design website? Connect with me, your host Masha Koyen, Messaging Strategist and Copywriter for interior designers:
FREE GUIDE: 7 strategies to attract affluent clients (https://subscribepage.io/affluent-client-guide)
Weekly marketing tips (https://subscribepage.io/lWqGRa)
Masha’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/masha.copywriter/)
Masha’s Website (https://contentvertical.com)
Book a call with Masha (https://www.contentvertical.com/contact/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
6 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 68 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
88
Social presence
94
YouTube
0
Engagement
77
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