Navigating Business Development and Marketing in Architecture with Alicia Yau

Marketing and business development in architecture are not just support functions. They shape how a practice explains its work, finds opportunities and builds trust.Stephen Drew speaks with Alicia Yau about moving from architecture into recruitment, marketing and communications, PR agency work, client relationships, media relations, fees, valuing work and the business side of architecture.The conversation covers: How architecture training can transfer into marketing, PR and business development Why client relationships and media relationships matter commercially How low fees affect practice quality and professional confidence What candidates can learn from non-linear career routes Why communication is a serious architecture career skill ____▶️ Watch this episode on YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xc4BuNoGvLk📝 Read the full write-up, with the key takeaways:https://architecturesocial.com/podcast/alicia-yau-marketing-and-business-development-in-architecture/Architecture Social is where architects and designers find honest career advice, insight from practice, and live roles worth applying for:https://architecturesocial.com/The fastest way to get hired is to be better at the things practices actually ask for. Revit, Rhino, rendering, BIM, portfolio work. Our learning partner ArchAdemia is built by architects, for architects:https://archademia.com/architecture-social/Use code ARCHSOCIAL10 for a discount on monthly or annual membership.____Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:27 Catching Up and Personal Updates 01:13 Alicia's Journey in Architecture 03:04 Internships and Industry Experience 04:25 Transition to Recruitment 08:06 Challenges and Insights in Recruitment 09:47 Moving into Marketing and Communications 12:01 Working in a PR Firm 16:19 Client Management and Time Management 17:55 Comparing Recruitment and Architecture 18:44 The Importance of Client Relationships 20:14 Balancing Client Work and Media Relations 21:58 The Impact of Low Fees on Architectural Practices 25:09 Negotiating Fees and Valuing Your Work 30:40 The Consequences of Budget Cuts in Architecture 34:08 Encouraging Architects to Fight for Their Worth 39:46 Final Thoughts and Contact Information (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:27) - Catching Up and Personal Updates (01:13) - Alicia's Journey in Architecture (03:04) - Internships and Industry Experience (04:25) - Transition to Recruitment (08:06) - Challenges and Insights in Recruitment (09:47) - Moving into Marketing and Communications (12:01) - Working in a PR Firm (16:19) - Client Management and Time Management (17:55) - Comparing Recruitment and Architecture (18:44) - The Importance of Client Relationships (20:14) - Balancing Client Work and Media Relations (21:58) - The Impact of Low Fees on Architectural Practices (25:09) - Negotiating Fees and Valuing Your Work (30:40) - The Consequences of Budget Cuts in Architecture (34:08) - Encouraging Architects to Fight for Their Worth (39:46) - Final Thoughts and Contact Information