Having a strong relationship with your client is essential. It is the base for getting multiple projects and opportunities and growing your business. Yet, many companies focus more on developing their business and neglect client relationships. It happens more than you think, and it can lead to having a bad reputation, which will only lead you to lose clients and the opportunity to grow.
Moreover, when you maintain a strong relationship with your clients, you don’t have to worry about finding new clients from scratch. Why? Because that client will come back to you because of your talent and how well you keep them in the loop. Also, your pipeline will always be full of work through their referral to other clients. Below, we share a few tips to maintain a better relationship with your clients.
-
Focus on actual communication
When you first meet a potential client, you share your business card or, in these modern times, your digital business card with them, right? You hope they will use the contact details in the card to follow up and connect with you when they need to work with you. However, when you start working together, communication is not the priority; it is completing work. That is a massive mistake because if effective communication is missing, the relationship with your client will suffer.
However, long you work with the client, communication should be clear and consistent. Communication with any client doesn’t have to overshadow your personal life or work. Yet, knowing that you are available for them makes them comfortable with you and your work ideas, which is necessary for business growth.
-
Do not shy away from sharing knowledge.
Every business has a work process that others don’t know and understand. Thus, sharing knowledge about how your company works is essential when working with any client.
It will allow them to understand your company’s process, and you will have the freedom to work. So, explain to your client how your services or products will help them, how long a project will take, etc. Be transparent with them and share any knowledge about challenges that come up with the project.
-
Know what they want and how they work
Do you know in sports, coaches spend months overseeing their opponents and their play for signs of weakness and strength? All this helps them design a game plan which is effective and efficient. To build a strong client relationship, you have to do the same.
When you meet a client for the first time, you should have enough knowledge to make a good impression, which is necessary for a solid relationship. Research your client to learn about their past works, client contacts, and confidence. Discuss anything mutual between you two or how their latest work is commendable.
-
Personalize your relationship with your client
Building a professional relationship doesn’t mean that you should not acknowledge them as a person. However, you have to show them that you do not see them as only a paycheck, show them that you care about them. To what extent does this work depend on your company, client, and industry.
However, a few basic things, like asking them how they have been when meeting? Or ask them about their children (if any) or more. You have their email; use that to send warm wishes when they accomplish something big and more.
-
Get their feedback
Let your client know that you value their feedback and always try to get better. Also, it isn’t about asking for feedback after you complete a project. It’s about asking at every step whether they like what you are doing and if they wish to see any improvements? Little things make the most impact, and getting feedback and respect is one of those things.
Wrapping up:
These tips are helpful for strong client relationships. However, to succeed, you must also understand that sometimes clients jump ships, and you have to let them go. Yet, even if the professional relationship ceases to exist, a personal relationship doesn’t have to, and with these tips, you can have the assurance of the same.
