Training and Member FAQ's
There are so many great things about
our 21-day, self paced, HSR Certification Training Program we can't
fit it all on the product and training page so we listed some of the
most frequently asked questions we get regarding our training here.
***Take a
glimpse of our Day One Training Overview Module |
|
Question: |
How are you different from other Staging
Trainings out there? |
|
Answer: |
We love our
competitors and appreciate that we are all driving each other to
offer more in this competitive industry. Here are a few things to
look for as you shop around:
Other programs
don't provide a directory listing OR will charge for the directory
listing, additional forms, recorded training, help or service
SEPARATELY. We want a long-term relationship with our Members and
we
know that setting you up for success is how we create that
relationship. We give you everything you'll need for this business
at one low flat price. We would be doing a disservice to you
otherwise.
Other programs
will give you business forms/guides or website pages littered with
their own brand and selling their own training programs. HSR gives
you all the guides and forms in Word, so you can customize them to
your OWN look and feel. HSR creates gorgeous websites that promote
you...not us or our training! Again, we want YOU to look good.
Other programs
have you attend a 3-day classroom or listen to teleconference
training and then you're done. HSR creates long-lasting
relationships and community with its members by providing ongoing
training, tools and materials through our extensive Members Training
Area. We are also available for our members at all times via email
and telephone. We keep your business current and are actively
interested in your success.
Buyers beware!
If you feel the staging training website is shoddy and lacks
professionalism, very likely their material will as well. If the
training does nothing but promote the specific owner, very likely
your materials will as well.
Don't take our
word for it! If you're serious about this, feel free to contact any
of our Members in our
directory for their feedback. HSR prides itself on having 100%
happy and satisfied members. No other training provider will tell
you to do that!
|
|
Question: |
Do I have to have a decorating and
design background to take this course? |
|
Answer: |
No, but HSR takes the approach that you
either have the passion AND "natural eye for design" or you
don't. If you don't love decorating then this is not for you.
If you're
an HGTV junkie and the one your friends always go to for design tips
then this is for you. If you
have subscriptions to every decorating magazine available and have been studying
this as a hobby or formally then this is
for you! Join a great industry where you can take your
decorating passion and skills and make money while helping people
get more money out of selling their most valuable commodity.
It's a highly rewarding experience!
This is not something that you can
easily "train" yourself on. We give you step by step guides,
photo galleries and detailed training to refine your skills but your
success lies in your staging talent and the ability to recognize
design problems and create solutions.
|
|
Question: |
Does the course really take 21 Days? |
|
Answer: |
HSR has put together a three week
training program online but it is self paced so you can go as fast
as you want or take your time to get through it...it's completely up
to you! Our goal is to help you get your business set up and
off the ground within 21 days. On average, it usually takes
about 4 hours a day for around 21 days to quickly go through
it. Your HSR Membership lasts a year, so you have plenty of
time to finish!
|
|
Question: |
Who gives the live training? |
|
Answer: |
Audra Slinkey, an internationally renown
speaker and published author is completely available to all our
Members for questions, feedback and advice. She does all the
live training and prides herself on using her own as well as veteran
members' extensive staging experience to create a training
program that is universal. See some of her work in
Anatomy of a Staging Day.
|
|
Question: |
First of all thank you for your website!
I am already in business and have been successful. I am looking at
the next step in the process & I am interested in the HSR
Certification
Training. Once I submit my payment, how long does the process take
until I can access the Member Area, use the HSR Certification and receive the business cards, letterhead, postcards
etc.? |
|
Answer: |
Many existing home stagers come to us to
take their business to the next step by taking advantage of our
beautiful and professional websites and marketing materials.
We promise that you will learn a lot of new things from our training
since it is focused on more non-traditional research and marketing
methods so although someone may come for the beautiful brand, they
learn and receive so much more!
Immediately after receiving payment
you get access to our extensive Member Area. Once there, you
will fill out the "Quick Website Builder" form and marketing
materials form so we can start working on your materials. It
usually takes 10 business days from there to receive your
professionally printed materials and new website. Your HSR
Certificate arrives in the mail after the week 3 live training has been
attended although your HSR Logo is on your website immediately.
|
|
Question: |
Could you please tell me the cost to
host my website and renew my directory listing after the one-year
membership is up? |
|
Answer: |
Complete renewal details can be
found at
http://www.homestagingresource.com/renewal.asp
After a year the website is yours*, so
at that time you can renew your domain yourself and host it elsewhere OR
renew your HSR Membership with us for $350 which means we will:
**Pay to renew your domain for
another year
**Pay to host for another year
**Pay to search engine submit your site
**Manage and update your
website at your request (up to 4)
**You keep your login access for a
year where we always add new info, training, forms, tools and
content
**Most importantly you keep your
Directory listing with us and this alone should bring in enough
business to justify $350 (we have new members getting calls the
very next day from Realtors as our Directory is the most
trafficked staging directory on the Internet* currently!)
For Members who DO NOT have the
marketing package it is only $250 to renew their directory
listing and all access membership.
*Images given are for the sole
purpose of the website as they are the property of HSR. It
is the Members responsibility to download their own website to
manage.
**According to an independent traffic monitor, Alexa
|
|
Question: |
I have a business
partner. Will we both need to sign up and pay for the HSR
Certification Training
Program? |
|
Answer: |
No, we have a significantly discounted
"Business Partner" sign up price located in the sign up
page or our
A La Carte page that we highly recommend.
Your partner will be tied into the
same Directory listing, website, postcards and letterhead but will receive
their own HSR Certification, Training Manual and business cards
(marketing package partners) as
well as sit in on all of our training as a separate member with
complete access to all the benefits of an HSR Certified Member.
If you have a partner that does not want
to go through the training, we ask that you purchase the HSR Program
WITHOUT the business marketing solutions package as this package is
for Members Only.
|
|
Question: |
Is the course on line or do you mail me
the course? |
|
Answer: |
We are in San Diego but in order to
reach our international graduates, all of our training is web based
and online. When you sign up for our HSR Certification Program you
receive instant access to our Training Member Section which walks
you step by step through the three weeks. You will receive in
the mail a large training manual that is all of our online materials
in print format.
|
|
Question: |
Will I receive accreditation? |
|
Answer: |
Upon completion of our three week
training program you can call yourself an "HSR Certified Professional
Home Stager". This is not an official credential as there is no
such thing as "accreditation" in the home staging business
(despite what some companies claim)! |
|
Accreditation implies an independent
authority monitors and approves credentials and standards in the
industry. No such authority exists in Canada or the US. Similar
to a "Microsoft Certification", HSR has it's own HSR Certification
for those who have completed our extensive program.
It is good to
research your choices in the field of home staging training. Make sure the website you are reviewing
REFLECTS the image and look and feel you want for your own business.
Usually if the staging training website is messy, unattractive and "unstaged"
it's a good indicator their materials will be as well!
|
(This is your downloadable logo for
when you complete the course to use as you please) |
|
Question: |
I am a veteran home stager. What
can HSR do for me? |
|
Answer: |
HSR is the MOST trafficked staging
website on the Internet so if you have a home staging business, you
really should be on our directory. Here is a quote from Ellen
in TX who has staged over 2000 homes and joined HSR: "With
every page I review I think "this is what I do or use or envisioned"
AND "I wish HSR was around when I started my business"! I worked
for 3 months straight preparing the infrastructure of my business in
the winter of 2001 so that I could launch with a professional face.
You've thought of everything, and more, than I did!"
We are the ONLY staging and redesign
company that allows ANYONE who has a successful staging and redesign
business to be part of our
Directory and membership. We want to unite the industry
and do not believe in exclusivity!
|
|
Question: |
Is the term "staging" federally
trademarked? |
|
Answer: |
NO! Although some would have you
believe it is. When in doubt, do you own simple research by
checking with the Trademark office
click here.
Again, buyer beware in this unregulated industry.
|
|
Question: |
Also, once the website is up and
running, what does it cost to add or delete information to the
site. For example if we move offices and change phone numbers? |
|
Answer: |
We are happy to make those kinds of
simple changes to your website (up to four changes in a year) but
ask that you think through your content before filling out your form
so that we can keep our prices down for everyone.
|
|
Question: |
I am very interested in taking the
training that you have to offer. However, I am wondering if you
offer any payment plans? I see that you offer the ala carte, but
this route does not offer everything that the full training has to
offer... |
|
Answer: |
You're right, our A La Carte products
don't even compare to what you get with the full program.
Unfortunately, we don't offer any payment programs due to the nature
of our materials and because we invest quite a bit up front in our
Members portfolio, marketing materials and website.
Remember, you are starting a new
business which always involves an investment. A terrific small
business credit card that I recommend that can assist you in getting
your business up and running is Advanta
www.advanta.com who offers the
best rates and no costs I've come across (I even opened one for
myself when I started my business).
|
|
Question: |
Can I make color and font changes or mix and
match the marketing styles? Can I have the image to use
elsewhere? Can I use my logo for the marketing materials? |
|
Answer: |
No. Because each marketing theme
has been painstakingly put together to MATCH the website,
they cannot be altered and are set templates. That being said,
you provide the content and wording and let our "marketing
creative's" fit it into the style you choose. You ALWAYS have
the option of getting your HSR Certification WITHOUT the marketing
materials and website for $945. For those who have a marketing
and web design background we recommend you go with the $945 program.
No. The brand image is the exclusive
property of the Home Staging Resource so the images are not to be
taken or used without the written permission of HSR as they are
copyrighted material.
Your logo will look gorgeous on your
website but does not have a place on the marketing materials (except
the brochure.)
|
|
Question: |
I love your Marketing Materials and
styles! Can I buy them separately without the HSR
Certification? |
|
Answer: |
No. Our gorgeous marketing styles
and matching websites are for HSR Certification Graduates only and
are provided to them heavily discounted because of their membership.
|
|
Question: |
I have a partner who does not want to go
through the training, can we still take advantage of your gorgeous
marketing materials and website? |
|
Answer: |
No. Our gorgeous marketing styles
and matching websites are for HSR Certification Graduates only and
are provided to them heavily discounted because of their membership.
You may still go through our intensive, 21-day program but we ask
that you do so WITHOUT the Marketing Package if you have a partner
who is not an HSR Member.
|
|
Question: |
Tell me more about your training and why
I should pick you? |
|
Answer: |
We consider our 21-day process an A-Z
training and business set up process which is something that NO
ONE else offers. We not only train you on the elements of
successful home staging and redesign but take your business to the next level by
providing you with a cohesively branded domain, website and
marketing materials. We give you every kind of form you would need to
run your business, advanced Internet marketing techniques to build
your business, two detailed walk thru guides to assist you as well
as an in-depth product (the DIY Manual) you can sell for additional
revenue (among many other things).
We are a training provider but more
like a "Business in a Box" so that you are not spinning your wheels
doing this kind of business set up when you can be staging homes and
making your business grow!
Also, the beauty of going with an online
training provider means you have instant access to everything you
need as well as continued content and ongoing training. Home
Staging is not a stagnant industry...we are in the decorating
business so you need to be constantly hooked in to a resource with
their finger on the pulse of what makes homes sell! We want to
help you become successful, and earn your business today and many
years to come!
|
| |
