In the world of Instagram, it can feel like a never ending battle to get your work noticed. Over the years working with interior designers on their branding, web design and social media management, we’ve experienced it first hand. The quickest way to gain notoriety, exposure and inquiries as an interior designer is to effectively market your latest projects and have your interior design work published. There is no clear blueprint on how to go about getting published. It feels like unless you have an expensive marketing team or costly publicist, getting your work published online or in print is next to impossible.
Harlowe James Home Tour. Photography by Torrey Fox.
We spoke to some of our favorite designers who shared their tips on how to get your interior design work published.
1. Keep it offline.
Keep all project photos offline until officially published (sneak peeks in Instagram Stories is okay because they are only visible for 24 hours). Hold off on adding them to your portfolio as well. Large publications are looking for new, original content to captivate readers and that almost always means exclusivity. Once it has been published, it’s fair game to share and promote.
2. Pitch One Publication at a Time.
To help ensure exclusivity, pitch just one publication at a time. You don’t want to be accepted by multiple publications and have to backtrack when they want exclusivity.
Clara of Banner Day, who has been published in Architectural Digest, Rue Magazine and Domino to name a few says:
“It’s often the case that I will submit a story and while there is initial interest, the editor falls off and I have to follow-up to see what the status of the story is. I never take a lack of response from an editor or rejection personally. Editors are often juggling many balls when they’re deciding whether or not to publish a project. They are most likely considering other projects, seasonal features, deadlines, etc., all while trying to satisfy the discerning eye of the executive editor. I pitch to only one publication at a time and follow-up without being too annoying (hopefully). Persistence is key! It’s taken as long as a year working with a publication to have a story published.”
Many publications (especially blogs and digital magazines) can’t respond to every submission. After two weeks, one follow up email is appropriate. If you haven’t heard anything after your follow up email, you can submit to the next publication. This politely lifts your exclusivity and opens your opportunity to submit elsewhere once those two weeks have passed.
Banner Day Design featured on Rue. Photography by Aubrie Pick.
3. Submit Professional Photography
It is imperative at any phase in your design business marketing, that you have your projects professionally photographed. Most digital publications will require high-resolution, already edited photography. Submit no more than three photos of the project and offer to provide a Dropbox link should they need more.
Chrissy, of Harlowe James, broke down the significance of professional photography and how it has helped her land literally dozens of editorial features at some of the largest publishers online.
“For as long as I have been blogging, submitting content to online publications has drastically changed my online presence. When I first started this endeavor I just had a blog and wanted to get my content and name out there anyway possible. I created a bevy of very curated lifestyle photoshoots with the intent of being featured on a larger site with a specific following. Shockingly everything I have ever submitted has been published by at least one of the places I submitted to.
4. Research + Carefully Select Which Publication You Submit To
Scout Modern featured on Lonny. Photography by Bree McCool.
Ashley of Scout Modern has had every project successfully published online.
“First and foremost, you should know about the publication you are submitting to. It’s essential that your project lines up with their readership. I keep my submissions quick and casual, sending a zip file or dropbox link with high res images- but only enough to get the publisher interested! I like to include mostly wide shots of the room but at least one close-up/ styling shot as well. I make an introduction and a couple sentences that describe the project (what makes this project special?). I recommend waiting a week or so before submitting elsewhere; publications almost always want the exclusive so be sure to let them know upfront if the project has been already been featured someplace else.”
Kitchen Design by Decorotation featured in Domino Mag. Photography by Lauren Andersen.
5. Tell A Story
6. Engage
Glitter Guide Home Tour of Harlowe James. Photography by Torrey Fox.
A Few Publications to Submit to + Where to do it:
- Apartment Therapy: Adrienne Breaux adrienne@apartmenttherapy.com
- Arch Digest: Lindsey Mather lindsey_mather@condenast.com
- Better Homes + Gardens: Allison Maze allison.maze@meredith.com
- Domino: Anna Kochanan akochanan@domino.com
- Dwell: Jensen Power jensen@dwell.com
- Elle Decor: Abby Wilson awilson@hearst.com + edsubmissions@hearst.com
- Lonny Mag: Jill Slattery jill.slattery@lovingly.com
- Rue Mag: Kelli Lamb submit@ruemag.com
- Sunset Magazine: Chantal Lamers readerletters@sunset.com
To learn more about leveling up your business, check out Studio Sessions; our online mastermind courses for interior designers.
IDCO Studio is a full-service creative studio for interior designers and boutique lifestyle brands. Offering bespoke branding, web design and social media content creation, we help brands built around beautiful living elevate their digital presence to represent the physical spaces they design. Our recently launched limited-release website templates are the perfect way for interior designers to get a luxury website on a budget. These templates allow designers to maintain control of their content. Want to work together? Shoot us an inquiry here.
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Much appreciated advice and content, Anastasia. Thank you for always having a pulse on what your tribe needs to know.
You are so sweet LaToya – thank you so much for taking the time to read it + leave such a thoughtful note. XO
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Thank you so much for this post. Really useful take-aways and specifically appreciate the editor contact info!!
You are SO welcome! I hope it helps + sincerely hope I get to see your work on one of these publications soon! XO
This is so helpful- esp. the contacts !!
I’m so glad you found it so, Carly! Thank you for taking the time to read it!
thanks for the helpful post! i believe anna’s last name and email is spelled wrong above just wanted to let you know…
To show your creativity to the online community, you should make it online and the points listed in the blog to publish the interior design are good and really helpful. The kitchen interior designs can be adopted when carrying out remodeling to get a new look for your kitchen space.
How i connect with editor on domino magazine?
Thank you for the wonderful article.
You’re so welcome! Thanks so much for taking the time to leave a note.
Very nice write-up. I certainly appreciate this site. Continue the good work!
Dear Anastasia, it feels as though you wrote each post just for me! Despite the distance, I get so much clarity from your blog. With your specific action steps you guide me to become more focused and productive, and to block out all the daunting noise. In great appreciation, from Zürich, Switzerland
I am SO glad you find it helpful! It’s such an incredible honor to have you along reading from Switzerland. PS – I was caught overnight on a layover unexpectedly in Zürich, and it was possibly the most beautiful land I’ve ever seen!
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Good Article to read about interior design and I really enjoyed your article.
I think the most important aspect of decorating your home is that it reflects who you are, your personality.
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Very useful advice and thanks for the legwork of the contact details. Do you happen to know how to contact the NYT Style magazine – contact details are elusive. Many thanks for any advice
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Anastasia! Your website, the content of information, the beauty of the aesthetic…….I am in love. Thank you so, so much for sharing such valuable tips to all of us! You’re Bad A** and I have huge respect for what you’ve created!! Get it girl.
This is SO incredibly helpful. Thank you so much for sharing! 🙂
Anastasia,
Never fails when I am pondering on something about my business, you suddenly blog or post about it. That’s some good telepathy there woman! 😉Thank you for the article…it’s exactly what I hope to work on in 2020 and I didn’t really know where to start until now. You are such a godsend to this business industry.
Sincerely,
Judi
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Interiordesign plays the major role in any kind of building, like; home, office or any other commercial building.
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This article is very informative 👏 I will use these tips for sure to grow my business. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences 🙏
Greetings from India 🇮🇳
Hi Ruchi – So glad it was helpful! Thank you for your comment. Glad you’re here!
Dear Anastasia! The way you did explained very concise and it replicates the blog. every point is focused and concentric about the design. We are mostly worked on Home decor so in this case your contents are tremendously working for me.
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Really good article I really enjoyed, moreover you made my concept for interior design very clear. Your work is highly impressive and creative thanks for sharing such good work.
Hi – Thank you for the great info! Are these contacts up to date since it’s a few years old? I’d like to try a few…
I’m learning so much as I read your posts. Thank you for all the hard work your pour into helping. It’s truly appreciated!
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You are so sweet LaToya – thank you so much for taking the time to read it + leave such a thoughtful note. XO
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