web promotion for architecture?

June 24, 2009 9:30 AM

How to promote my work online. I am an architect. NY and Mexico. I am trying to figure ways to build myself/my work. How to submit your work/name to design blogs, etc. w/out being a jerk? No name here; I'm not using this place for that purpose.
posted by ebesan to work & money (6 comments total)

Start your own blog at wordpress or blogger. Or incorporate a blog into your existing website if you have one.

Post pictures and details of your work. Write about architecture in NY/Mexico.

It's easier to promote if you have something for someone to look at.
posted by royalsong at 9:33 AM on June 24

You need a firm and then a firm website. Then attach a blog with your sentiments and design philosophy, which you must update regularly. I know a guy in Colorado that does great firm websites for low cost. MeMail me if you need more info.
posted by Ironmouth at 9:38 AM on June 24

i have a good website to link to
posted by ebesan at 10:06 AM on June 24

Think about what makes your work different from that of others. Highlight this.

Are you working on special high-end houses? Market to these folks - go to events they attend that may have an online connection; try and have a feature article about you in a local e-magazine they read.

Do you focus on a type of commercial work? Healthcare/municipal/office upfit/campus planning all have different interests - so focus on places they gain information.

Tie into events related to your area.

I'm not sure if you're only interested in web-promotion, so I'll throw out this thought which you probably already know: figure out who are the decision-makers in these groups and make a personal connection. Write a reply to something they have said, either on their blog/website or maybe in the paper - get your name somewhere in the back of their head so it will be more likely for you to be remembered.
posted by mightshould at 10:44 AM on June 24

1. make sure that your site is multilingual and has an easy way to switch between languages.
2. make sure that your contact information is really, truly easily accessible and that you give people options. Some people hate the phone but love email, or vice versa. Also make sure they know WHO they are getting in touch with. Provide a name and a face and a phone number and an email address. This is very important.
3. make sure that your site can be crawled by search engines (flash is not ideal for this).
4. hire an SEO guy to make sure that you are getting a decent rank for relevant keyword searches in the major search engines.
5. get projects published in design or trade magazines (even small ones). Get photos taken by real photographers. Make sure your firm's website is mentioned in the articles.
6. submit links to the online versions of those articles to other bloggers or news outlets.


other ideas:
- you could try some form of guerilla marketing, like this guy, who I've seen a lot of lately. Anything that sets you apart, even if it's a bit gimmicky.
- win awards. list the awards on your website. publish press releases when you win awards.
- network with local AIA members and affiliates, and if you use someone's product or service, offer to provide a testimonial for their website. The idea is to get your name and website address on as many other peoples' sites as possible. All roads will lead back to your website and hopefully generate business.
- write articles about your areas of expertise, run a forum for a topic you're enthusiastic about, or maintain a blog of your thoughts and project work or even the process and construction progress on a single project. People who are interested in the same things that you are interested in will find these sites, and through that, they will find you.
posted by Chris4d at 1:32 PM on June 24

good all. thanks.
one question tho; how to reach design blogs; how to make submissions; just send them your stuff? or is that considered no-good? should the submission be made by "someone else"?
posted by ebesan at 4:38 PM on June 24