The Social Stager

Only 18% of sellers actually hire a stager — which means most stagers are fighting for the same small slice of the market. In this episode, Heather sits down with stager and coach Catherine Lewis-Brown to talk about why that doesn't have to be the reality, and what it looks like to build a staging business that serves more clients, charges what it's worth, and isn't limited to physical staging alone.In this episode:Why stagers keep competing on price (and what's actually driving it)The difference between marketing staging and marketing your specific valueHow packaging your services can eliminate negotiation entirelyWhy the consultation is one of the most underpriced offers in the industryThe gaps your competition is leaving open — and how to step into themResources mentioned:Home Stager Business Strategies Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/themodernstagerCatherine's website: https://themodernstager.comThe Social Stager Club: https://socialsavvystagers.com/the-social-stager-clubConnect with us:Catherine Lewis-Brown: @catherinelewisbrownHeather Cook: @thesocialstager

Why Your Marketing Isn't WorkingIf you've been showing up consistently on social media, posting your work, and still not getting the leads and inquiries you want, this episode is for you. Heather Cook breaks down why the advice most stagers have been given was never designed to get them results, and what it actually takes to build a marketing strategy that gets you leads, not just likes.In this episode:Why posting for likes and posting for leads are two completely different things — and why that distinction matters for your businessThe difference between a posting habit and a sales strategy, and why one grows your business and one doesn'tHow to turn your before and after content into conversion content that showcases your expertise and gives clients a real reason to hire youThe Connect + Convert Method — the four types of content every stager needs and the specific job each one doesWhy a strong brand foundation makes your content more impactful, more reflective of your brand, and better at attracting the right clientsHow Heather built a multiple six-figure staging business by marketing her thinking, not just her resultsResources mentioned:Join The Social Stager ClubThe Standout Stager: Launching in April inside the ClubEpisode: The Four Types of Content Every Stager Needs:Episode: The Real Reason You Keep Losing to Cheaper StagersEpisode: From Stager to Staging AuthorityConnect with Heather:Instagram: @socialsavvystagerWebsite: socialsavvystagers.com

Most stagers believe authority is built through their portfolios, certifications, and years in business. It's not.In this episode, Heather Cook breaks down what brand authority actually is — and what it actually takes to go from being just another stager to being the obvious, go-to choice in your market. She covers the three building blocks of brand authority, why mindset is the piece most stagers skip, and what the shift from vendor to strategic partner looks like in practice.LINKS MENTIONEDThe Social Stager Club — The Standout Stager brand clarity course drops inside the Club in April. Six lessons built around helping you build your identity foundation, see your own value, and start showing up as the authority you already are.Brand Development Services — For stagers ready for deeper one-to-one work building their brand authority from the foundation up.The Real Reason You Keep Losing to Cheaper Stagers — The companion episode referenced in this conversation. If this episode resonated, start there.RESACON — Heather mentions an upcoming session on this topic at RESACON that is worth signing up for.

She came to me wanting to build a stronger staging brand. Halfway through the process, she stopped everything — and built something entirely different.In this episode, I'm sitting down with Danielle Pivirotto, founder of House of Wabi, to talk about her shift from home stager to lifestyle designer and the role branding played in making that transition possible. This isn't just a story about changing directions. It's about what happens when you finally stop forcing your business into a box that was never the right fit.If you've ever had an idea sitting in the back of your mind that you haven't given yourself permission to pursue yet, this conversation is for you.In this episode:Why Danielle fell into staging — and why it never fully felt like hersThe moment during the branding process when everything shiftedHow answering the hard questions revealed what she actually wanted to buildWhy House of Wabi had been living in her notes app for years before it became a businessWhat clarity around your brand makes possible — beyond just better marketingWhy your brand is a living thing and what that means for how you growResources mentioned: Brand Development: https://socialsavvystagers.com/brand-development Book a Brand Audit: https://socialsavvystagers.com/brand-clarity-auditConnect with Danielle: Instagram: @thehouseofwabi Website: thehouseofwabi.comConnect with me: Heather Cook: @socialsavvystager

You’re not losing staging jobs because you’re too expensive. You’re losing them because your value isn’t clear.In this episode, I’m breaking down the real reason you keep losing to cheaper stagers and why this is a positioning problem, not a pricing problem. I share a story from my own staging business, the moment a long-time realtor stopped calling, and what I realized I had failed to communicate about my work.If you’ve ever felt frustrated watching a lower-priced stager win the job, this conversation will hit home.In this episode:• Why price is almost never the real objection• What is actually happening when a client chooses the cheaper stagerthe-real-reason-you-keep-losing…• The difference between running a staging business and becoming the local staging authority• Why pretty before-and-after photos are not enough to justify premium rates• The two shifts you need to make to get out of the race to the bottom• How defining a signature offer changes the entire sales conversation• What happened in my own business when I rebranded and clarified my positioningResources mentioned:Brand Development:https://socialsavvystagers.com/brand-developmentBook a Brand Audit: https://socialsavvystagers.com/brand-clarity-auditConnect with me:Heather Cook: @socialsavvystagerIf this episode resonated with you, share it with a stager friend who keeps lowering her prices and wondering why nothing is changing. The more we shift this conversation in our industry, the stronger all of our businesses become.

Running a staging business shouldn't mean working 60-hour weeks or losing your passion for the work. Lori Fischer, founder of Rethink Home Interiors and the Staging Business School, shares how simple systems can help you reclaim time, reduce stress, and grow with confidence.In this episode:Why most stagers hit capacity faster than they realize (and what to do about it)The "Groundhog Day" exercise to identify what's working and what's not in your businessHow to start documenting your processes so you can eventually delegateThe mindset shifts required to move from doing everything to leading a teamWhy pricing and capacity planning are connected (and how to fix both)Resources mentioned:Accelerate by Staging Business School: https://rethinkhomeinteriors.com/sbs/The Social Stager Club: https://socialsavvystagers.com/the-social-stager-clubFree Home Staging Starter Kit: https://socialsavvystagers.com/staging-starter-kitConnect with us:Lori Fischer: @stagingbusinessschoolHeather Cook: @socialsavvystager

4 Types of Content Every Home Stager NeedsYour content isn't the problem—your strategy is. Heather breaks down the four types of content every stager needs to grow their reach, build authority, connect with their audience, and drive real business results.In this episode:Why posting the same type of content repeatedly isn't convertingThe four content types and what each one does for your businessHow to balance your content strategy without posting moreReal results: How one staging brand increased reach by 5,000% in 90 daysResources mentioned:The Social Stager Club: https://socialsavvystagers.com/the-social-stager-clubFree Content Guide: https://thesocialstager.myflodesk.com/instagrampostideasConnect with me:Instagram: @socialsavvystagerWebsite: thesocialstager.comEmail: [email protected]

If reaching out to real estate agents feels uncomfortable, awkward, or discouraging, this episode is for you.Many home stagers want steady realtor referrals, yet hesitate to put themselves out there because they question their value, fear rejection, or assume they are not established enough. In this conversation, we unpack why mindset is often the biggest blocker and how shifting how you see yourself changes everything about how you show up.In this episode, I’m joined by Marianne Cherico, a longtime coach and former real estate professional who helps home stagers build confidence, own their value, and create strong, sustainable realtor relationships.We talk honestly about what actually works, what gets in the way, and how to start taking action even when you feel unsure.In this episode, we cover:Why mindset plays a bigger role in realtor relationships than marketing tacticsHow imposter syndrome quietly stops stagers from reaching outWhy owning your value comes before visibility and outreachWhat realtors actually care about when deciding who to work withHow to approach agents without sounding salesy, desperate, or awkwardSimple ways to start building long-term relationships, not one-off jobsWhy consistency and patience matter more than quick winsThis episode is especially helpful if you want more referrals, stronger partnerships, and a clearer way to talk about what you bring to the table.Resources mentioned in this episode:Marianne’s free resource, Three Steps to Fully Book Consults with Agent Referrals Marianne’s podcast, Home Stagers and Designers on FireWork with MarianneThe Social Stager Club for home stagers who want simple, strategic marketing supportThe free Home Staging Starter Kit, a free week of The Social Stager ClubIf marketing or outreach has been holding you back, this conversation will help you rethink how you show up and take the next step with more confidence.

No one tells you the truth about marketing your home staging business, and that’s what makes it feel so frustrating.In this first episode of The Social Stager Podcast, I’m sharing the honest marketing lessons I learned while building and growing a staging business for over a decade. This episode isn’t about trends or tactics. It’s about perspective, branding, and understanding what actually helps your business grow consistently.