Libby Langdon must have been a cheerleader when she was in school. She is up-beat, effervescent, motivating, funny, and much more. I mentioned that I had attended both of her presentations in an earlier post. The first, How we really live/What We Really Want: Insights from the Front Lines at Makeover Television, was held in the showroom of Braxton Culler, for whom she has designed a collection of upholstered furniture. The pieces are transitional, clean, and well-suited for modern lifestyles.
Libby’s description of the make-over TV process sounded hectic: no budget and no time and done in 12 hours or less. The designer has one or two days to create the design and the same time to source items. She said she received few measurements and blurry photos. The biggest challenge most people face is how to layout the furniture and they are afraid of having too much furniture. Libby has developed a magnetic furniture program called Quick Planner as a placement tool. Pop-up stores are becoming more popular and they encourage customers to expect something new every few weeks so for retailers, she suggests creating vignettes, using multi-purpose furniture and moving pieces around. Casart would be ideal to use on backdrop “walls” because of the ease of changing and the ability to use it again. Design should evolve and not be static. Other suggestion-mix woods in a room to add interest and use bold wall color for the fastest way to transform a room.
Her second presentation was Getting Published: Raising Awareness of Your Design Projects and Products. I took copious notes and there were so many good suggestions. First, determine why you want the awareness and then target your direction to achieve it. You are your own best PR. Know what you want. You are in control. Don’t leave it up to someone else to convey your passion. Your ideas are uniquely yours. Stay focused on what you are doing and trust your background. Libby said she found herself suddenly without a PR firm to represent her when the one she was using did not wish to continue representing her. At the time, she was going through some difficulties in her personal life. So, she decided to be her own strategist. She thought, “What’s the worse thing that could happen?” and answered her own question with, “Well, it already has, so what have I got to loose?” BE FEARLESS, DON’T JUDGE YOURSELF, STOP CENSORING AND TAKE CHANCES!
Set five year goals and attack them. Write what you can make happen, not what you hope will happen. Setting goals keep you on track. Every day do 3 things to get you closer to your goals. Stay open in your thinking.
Other suggestions: Grassroots approach works with postcards and local newspapers. Create content for subjects like entertainment, green design and home improvement. Write about who you are and what you do that is unique. Don’t rely solely on social media because it doesn’t convey energy. Build your own media list to include home feature editors of local and national publications, writers of blogs, email addresses, and magazine list. Write a book. It took Libby 13 months to write Libby Langdon’s Small Space Solutions.
Write a blog Be relentless and prolific. Trust movement-backward or forward. As long as moving, getting closer to your goals.
Following her presentation, Libby signed books. I introduced myself and told her I had attended both presentations and was energized. She responded, “Lorre Lei, you’re a real trooper.” At that point a staffer informed her she was still miked for the ballroom where people were still mingling!
Libby was the real trooper. See picture below.
– Lorre Lei
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