Marketing Mistakes Designers and Architects Commonly Make (and How to Fix Them)

Even the most brilliant designers and architects can hit a wall when it comes to marketing. It’s probably not what you got into this business for—but like it or not, it’s key to getting your work seen (and your phone ringing). The good news? You're not alone—and the better news? Most marketing missteps are totally fixable. Here are a few common ones I see all the time, plus some easy ways to turn things around.

Mistake 1: Inconsistent branding
Your logo, fonts, colors, and messaging should match across your website, social channels, and proposals. If they don’t, it weakens your brand.
Fix: Create a simple brand style guide and stick to it. Marketing for Design can help! Or, limited marketing funds - have your heard of Canva?

Mistake 2: Letting your portfolio speak for itself
Your work is beautiful—but people need context.
Fix: Tell the story behind the project—what problem did you solve, what was the client’s reaction, what made it unique? People have short attention spans these days and can be hard to hook. Think about what is design adjacent and incorporate that into your storytelling.

Mistake 3: Neglecting email marketing
Relying on social media alone is risky.
Fix: Start a simple monthly newsletter with recent projects, tips, or industry news. You own your email list—it’s a powerful asset. No time? Another reason taking on a marketing consultant like Marketing for Design can help your business.

Mistake 4: Not setting marketing goals
Posting sporadically or “when you have time” leads to inconsistent results.
Fix: Set clear goals—like booking 2 discovery calls a month—and build your marketing around that outcome. Marketing for Design is here to help keep you on-track with monthly or quarterly marketing focused calls. Let’s set goals together!