In Mississippi, home staging is big business. Sellers and realtors are looking to maximize profits and turn properties around fast. You’ll find that there’s plenty of work for proficient and talented home stagers all over Mississippi, from Tupelo and Jackson to Vicksburg and Ocean Springs. If you’re considering a change in career, or you’re new to the job market, becoming a home stager in Mississippi could be an opportunity worth looking into, particularly if you have an interest in interior design.
To become a successful home stager you’ll need to be motivated and driven. To excel in this industry takes skill, but don’t worry, as the knowledge you need to be a great home stager is something you can learn, as long as you choose the right course. A course that teaches you everything you need, from design tips and tricks to small business know-how.
So, how do you become a home stager in Mississippi?
We’ll look at this from the point of view of starting your own home staging business. If you want to start with getting a home staging job, read our articles on resume tips, how to get a home staging job, and our overview of home staging careers.
While you can become a home stager quite quickly, it’s important not to rush in. Take time to think about what you want to achieve, and how you’re going to accomplish your goals. Consider if it would be beneficial to take home staging training in Mississippi before you embark on this new career. There’s so much to learn, and you’ll be much better prepared to run your own business if you’ve taken a course, such as those we offer here at the Home Staging Institute.
So, let’s take a look at everything you’ll need to do to get started in your new career as a home stager in Mississippi…
Steps to becoming a home stager in Mississippi
These are certainly exciting times. A new adventure as a home stager in Mississippi. You’ve got this! It won’t be long before the clients come flooding in, but in the meantime, you have some work to do…
Step 1: Take a home staging certification course
In Mississippi, you don’t need to be licensed to set up a home staging business. This makes it quick and easy to get started, you don’t need to buy an expensive license, but it also means that anyone can set up as a home stager. So how do you ensure that you stand out from the crowd? How do you prove your credentials to potential clients and realtors?
One of the best ways of reassuring people that you are a capable, talented and reliable home stager is to show them that you have earned a home staging certification. This shows that you’re not merely a hobbyist, or someone setting up a business on a whim. You’re proving that you’re dedicated and determined. You’ve successfully completed a course and, your certificate means there is no ambiguity here. Certification proves to the world that you know what you’re doing, and you’re a legitimate home stager.
Step 2: Understand the local Mississippi market
Every state is different, and special in its own way, and Mississippi is no exception. From the coast to the forests, its beauty makes it a perfect backdrop for any home staging project. While once home staging was usually only considered for the most high-value properties, these days, realtors understand that the power of home staging can maximize return on investment for all types of properties, and so the job has become more varied with regard to the types of houses you could be asked to work with. You’ll need to understand the environment and have a good idea of the sort of people who will be looking for each style of property. Then your work will involve setting the scene perfectly to attract the widest audience.
Step 3: Learn from other home stagers in Mississippi
Now is the perfect time to gather information that can help you in your new career. You’re just starting out, but there are plenty of other home stagers in Mississippi that have well-established home staging businesses. So search online for their websites, check out their social media feeds, and see how they are marketing themselves
Look closely at each website and social media page. Determine what makes it stand out from the crowd. Perhaps it is the color scheme, the images, or the striking logo. Maybe the business has a catchy name, or the stager offers some unique services that you hadn’t thought of before. Make notes and collect any information you can. You might pick up some hints for marketing, unique concepts for your website design, or just some ideas that you may wish to look back on further down the line when your business is more well-established.
Step 4: Start a home staging business in Mississippi
Once you’ve completed your home staging certification, researched the local area, and learnt from other home stagers in the area, you’re all set to get to work. So now it’s time to get your new business up and running.
On your home staging course you’ll learn a great deal about running a business, but here are some pointers to get you started…
- Understand your legal requirements – register your business
- Ensure you have all the right insurance policies in place
- Have a website designed, and set up your social media channels
- Choose the best accounting software for your needs or employ an accountant
- Organize a dedicated cell phone so your business has a unique number
- Collect contact information for tradespeople, suppliers and other useful contacts
- Start preparing content for marketing purposes, or consider hiring an advertising agency to work on this on your behalf
Step 5: Begin marketing
Marketing is a vital part of running a business. When you’re new to the industry, it’s going to be the main way you’ll reach potential clients. With experience, will come word-of-mouth recommendations, but in the meantime, you need to get the word out there, all across Mississippi. Advertising is going to be a great help, so it’s something you should put time, effort and money into. Get it right, and it could transform your startup into a thriving business quite quickly. Get in touch with realtors in your area. Ask them if they require a home stager to offer to their clients. This is often a great source of work and should certainly not be a step in the marketing process that you skip over.
It’s important to keep your website and social media content fresh and interesting too. Keep people engaged, and when the time comes that they require the services of a home stager, they’ll remember you, and know where to find you.
Other facts about becoming a home stager in Mississippi
How much do home stagers make in Mississippi?
Our research shows that home stagers in Mississippi typically earn between $32,000 and $52,000 annually, with hourly rates ranging from $16 to $25. Experienced professionals or those in high-demand areas may earn over $62,000 per year. Earnings can vary based on factors such as location, client base, and the number of projects completed.
Do I need a license to become a home stager in Mississippi?
Home stagers in Mississippi do not need a license to work. There is no legal requirement for this, and the industry is not regulated. The best way to officially prove your credentials is to earn home staging certification.
Do you need a degree to become a home stager in Mississippi?
No, if you want to be a home stager in Mississippi, you can simply take a home staging course to gain certification, to give you the best chance of success in this exciting industry.
