Navigating Business Development and Marketing in Architecture with Alicia Yau

Marketing and business development in architecture are not just support functions. They shape how a practice explains its work, finds opportunities and builds trust.

Stephen Drew speaks with Alicia Yau about moving from architecture into recruitment, marketing and communications, PR agency work, client relationships, media relations, fees, valuing work and the business side of architecture.

The conversation covers:

• How architecture training can transfer into marketing, PR and business development
• Why client relationships and media relationships matter commercially
• How low fees affect practice quality and professional confidence
• What candidates can learn from non-linear career routes
• Why communication is a serious architecture career skill

Read the episode on Architecture Social: Marketing and Business Development in Architecture

Watch the video on YouTube: Alicia Yau on marketing and business development in architecture

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Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
• 00:27 Catching Up and Personal Updates
• 01:13 Alicia's Journey in Architecture
• 03:04 Internships and Industry Experience
• 04:25 Transition to Recruitment
• 08:06 Challenges and Insights in Recruitment
• 09:47 Moving into Marketing and Communications
• 12:01 Working in a PR Firm
• 16:19 Client Management and Time Management
• 17:55 Comparing Recruitment and Architecture
• 18:44 The Importance of Client Relationships
• 20:14 Balancing Client Work and Media Relations
• 21:58 The Impact of Low Fees on Architectural Practices
• 25:09 Negotiating Fees and Valuing Your Work
• 30:40 The Consequences of Budget Cuts in Architecture
• 34:08 Encouraging Architects to Fight for Their Worth
• 39:46 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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• (00:00) - Introduction and Guest Welcome
• (00:27) - Catching Up and Personal Updates
• (01:13) - Alicia's Journey in Architecture
• (03:04) - Internships and Industry Experience
• (04:25) - Transition to Recruitment
• (08:06) - Challenges and Insights in Recruitment
• (09:47) - Moving into Marketing and Communications
• (12:01) - Working in a PR Firm
• (16:19) - Client Management and Time Management
• (17:55) - Comparing Recruitment and Architecture
• (18:44) - The Importance of Client Relationships
• (20:14) - Balancing Client Work and Media Relations
• (21:58) - The Impact of Low Fees on Architectural Practices
• (25:09) - Negotiating Fees and Valuing Your Work
• (30:40) - The Consequences of Budget Cuts in Architecture
• (34:08) - Encouraging Architects to Fight for Their Worth
• (39:46) - Final Thoughts and Contact Information