Since those costs are well above what our market will bear I would suggest a menu pricing starting at a consult, light staging using home owners own things, next adding small items and accent pieces to doing a full fledge complete home staging. Sometimes only a room or two are needed. Give plenty of options and Realtor discounts. Team up with agents and offer some of your consult services as a door prize at a realty company meeting or broker open.

Jennifer,

There are many wonderful stagers here on Active Rain, and I would suggest you follow them such as Kathy Streib, Sharon Tara who are two of our favorites that come to mind right away.  There are several others, that are here offering great advice.  A

I have found that letting people pay at closing from proceeds can be a huge incentive to using a stager, replacing carpet, etc. People often have their cash tied up in their homes.

Jennifer - I think offering something up for free (consultation) would at least get you in the door. I also think tiered pricing would help. It may get you a few smaller jobs and get your business some exposure.

Good luck.

Good Luck.

For that price point it would need to be a property with a hefty sales price...

I would recommend having 3 different options of staging per room (light/medium/full). You can also see if you can use the clients furniture, etc.. and change a consulting fee. 

Good luck with your business. You should call the otehr stagers on AR and get some tips. If I were selling my house I would like the idea of paying for it at the closing .  .

Jennifer, I think any home stager should be confident enough to collect payment upon the sale at closing.  The client knows you have skin in the game just like the real estate agent. 

I think its a great idea, very creative and everyone is tempted to say yes as long as the pricing is reasonable and affordable

Jennifer - congrats on your new business.  

Personal introductions versus email may be a good route for you to take.  

Visit brokers during caravan days or open house events.  

Maybe offer a high-profile agent a sample staging before it hits the market or before it is re-introduced with a price reduction.  

Maybe a broker/office manager will allow you to make a short presentation at an office meeting to introduce youself and what makes you different from others.  

I like the suggestion by Alexandra Ron and Alexandra Seigel about networking with some of the stagers who are quite active here on ActiveRain.   

Jennifer Lane - welcome!

You can offer initial consultation at 50% off! Provide them the report on how you can help them, a la carte - buy 2 get 1 free etc.

I'm guessing that you'll have professional photos taken to put together a portfolio of your work. Offer those photos to the listing agent to use in their marketing as well. I also like Debbie's suggestion of tiered pricing, and any part of the payment that can be deferred until a successful closing always helps.

I'm with Debbie Reynolds. The only reason I haven't used or recommened professional stagers is cost. Anything you can do to lower the cost (stage one room or just do a little to make a photo more interesting) would make a difference in my use of stagers.

Jennifer, what's the win/win?

I am running a business. What's in this for me? (don't assume I know it, tell me.)

Start your promotion to agents with your success evidence followed by FREE CONSULTATION with seller.

What are people, that includes real estate agents, willing to pay for?

Not new stuff we need to learn!

What we want is to do is what we are currently doing but, easier, cheaper, faster, better or cheaper. Demonstrate any of those and your phone just might start ringing.