The Social Stager

Most home stagers are pouring time into Instagram, only to wonder why their website traffic is flat and their inquiries are inconsistent. The problem might not be your content. It might be the platform. In this episode, I sit down with Pinterest marketing strategist Annie Russell of Annie Russell Media to talk about why Pinterest is one of the most underused and misunderstood marketing tools for home stagers, and what it actually takes to use it in a way that builds real, compounding visibility for your business.In This Episode:The mindset shift that changes everything: why Pinterest is a search engine, not a social media platform, and why that distinction matters for how stagers get foundThe number one Pinterest mistake that is costing stagers leads and traffic, even when they are already posting consistentlyWhy auto-publishing your Instagram content to Pinterest is not a strategy, and what to do insteadThe seasonality trap: why posting fall staging content in September means you have already missed your window, and how to plan ahead using a free Pinterest toolWhether Pinterest can work for stagers who do not have a blog, and the honest answer about what you actually need to make it worth your timeHow one food blogger’s Pinterest traffic outperformed her Instagram by 26 times, and what that means for visual service businesses like home stagingExactly where to start if you are setting up or refreshing your Pinterest account today, including the two places keywords matter mostResources MentionedFrom Annie:200 Pinterest keywords for home stagers — grab the list hereVisibility to Growth Checklist — annierussellmedia.com/visibilityLeads on Repeat — Launching in June for business owners who want a sustainable strategy for getting consistent leads with paid ads. Learn more here. Club members have access to a $500 discount. Join the Club today to get access to your discount.Affiliate disclosure: I am an affiliate for Leads on Repeat, which means I earn a small commission if you join through my link that I give Club members. I only ever share things I genuinely stand behind.Connect With UsThe Social Stager:Instagram: @socialsavvystagerInstagram (Club): @thesocialstagerclubWebsite: socialsavvystagers.comJoin The Social Stager Club: socialsavvystagers.comAnnie Russell:Instagram: @annierussellmediaWebsite: annierussellmedia.com

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

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

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

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.