SpecKeeper: The Post-Project Client Relationship Engine for Designers

You finish a design project. The relationship ends.

Six months later, a client wants a recommendation for a contractor. They don’t call you. They call someone else.

Or worse, they need to refresh a room, and they hire a different designer because they haven’t heard from you in months.

You’re losing money every time a project ends.

“We’re always working ourselves out of a job.”

-Steve Mickley, FAIBD

Here’s the reality:

Your best clients are the ones you’ve already worked with. They know your style, trust you, and would spend money with you again.

But once the invoice is paid, you move on to the next project. The relationship dies.

What If You Could Change That?

SpecKeeper keeps you connected to clients long after the project ends and helps you make money in the process.

Here’s How It Works

After you finish a design project, you upload the project spec (SpecKeeper will do as much of this as possible for you):

• Products you specified (flooring, appliances, fixtures, paint, furniture, etc.)
• Manuals and warranty information
• Care instructions and maintenance tips
• Recommended contractors (plumbers, electricians, painters, etc.)

Your clients get:

• A digital hub with everything about their project
• Automated reminders (“Time to clean your dishwasher filters,” “Annual furnace inspection,” “Grout resealing due”)
• Easy access to product information and manuals
• Recommended local contractors when they need help

You get:

• Stay top-of-mind: Regular touchpoints keep you in their inbox
• Affiliate income: Every product link you include can earn you commission (Amazon, Sweetwater, REI, etc.)
• Referral fees: Connect them with plumbers, electricians, painters, and contractors—you earn a referral fee when they book
• Follow-up projects: Clients remember you exist and call you for remodels, refreshes, and new spaces
• Recurring revenue: Instead of project-based income, you make money long after the project ends

Real Example

You design a kitchen for $5,000. You’re done, client is happy, project closes.

Without SpecKeeper: You never hear from them again.

With SpecKeeper:

• Month 1: They get a reminder to clean filter on the range hood (you earn $2 affiliate commission on the replacement filter they buy)
• Month 6: They need a plumber for the sink—you refer someone and earn a $200 referral fee
• Year 2: They want to redo the bathroom—they hire you again because you’ve stayed connected

What used to be one $5,000 project becomes an ongoing relationship worth $10,000+ over 3 years.

Who Benefits?

Building Designers and Architects can provide clients with project documentation and earn referral fees from contractors.

Interior designers can monetize through affiliate commissions on the products they specify.

Landscape designers can stay connected to clients year-round and recommend seasonal services and products.

Kitchen/bath specialists can keep clients engaged with maintenance reminders and contractor referrals.

The Vision

SpecKeeper does three things:

1. Keeps clients engaged with automated reminders and useful information
2. Keeps you top-of-mind for follow-up projects and recommendations
3. Generates income through affiliate commissions and contractor referrals—long after the original project ends

You’re not just selling design anymore. You’re building a relationship engine that keeps making money for years.

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Ready to tell me more about your experience with this problem? The survey below will help me understand exactly how designers could benefit most from SpecKeeper.

Are you a designer, architect, or other design professional?Building DesignerArchitectInterior DesignerOther

How long have you been in the design industry?Less than 2 years2-5 years5-10 yearsMore than 10 years

On average, how many client projects do you complete per year?1-56-1516-3030+

Do you currently stay in touch with past clients?No, we lose contact after the projectOccasionally, when they reach outYes, I try to stay connectedYes, I have a system in place

Have you ever lost a client to another designer because they didn't hear from you after the project?Not sureYes, this has happenedNo, but I think it’s possibleNo, I stay in touch

What's your biggest pain point with client relationships after a project ends?

When past clients need recommendations (contractor, product, service), who do they ask?They don’t ask meThey ask me, but I don’t have a good way to track/manage itThey ask me, and I manage it through email/notesThey ask me, and I have a system for it

After a design project is complete, how often do clients contact you for recommendations or help?Never (once it’s done, they’re done with me)Rarely (maybe once or twice)Sometimes (a few times per year)Often (regularly throughout the year)

Would you be interested in a tool that helps you stay connected to past clients WHILE making you extra money?Not reallyMaybe, depends on the featuresYes, definitelyAlready doing something similar

If such a tool existed, how would you want to make money from past clients?(Check all that apply)Affiliate commissions on products I recommendReferral fees from contractors (plumbers, electricians, painters, etc.)Subscription fee from clients (premium design advice)Commission on follow-up design workNot interested in monetization

If this tool cost $29-49/month, would you use it?Definitely notProbably notMaybeProbably yesDefinitely yes

What would be the #1 feature you'd want in this tool?

Can I reach out to you?

With follow up questions.

Name

Email Address

Consent

Yes, you can contact me.

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Building designers, interior designers, architects, and even landscape designers spend months building relationships with clients…then the project ends (and so does the relationship.)

SpecKeeper solves this.

After you finish a design project, SpecKeeper helps you:

• Stay top-of-mind with automated maintenance reminders (“Time to clean your oven filters,” “Furnace inspection time”)
• Keep clients engaged with product recommendations and care guides
• Make extra money after the project ends through affiliate partnerships and referral commissions
• Build recurring revenue instead of constantly hunting new clients

Think of it as a client management tool that keeps generating value (and income) long after you’ve been paid for the design.