Managing client relationships is a vital aspect of the success or failure of a company. The path to obtaining and maintaining loyal customers is easier than you think. I’m going to share with you some of the best practices I have used for growing client relationships.
Best Practices
Go the extra mile – Exceed expectations
To build a lasting relationship with your client you need to go above and beyond. Sometimes this may mean you need to go outside your usual offerings. Other times it may be achieved by adding a little pizazz to the finished project. No two clients will be the same so you will need to learn a bit about them to get this part right.
Communicate well and often
It is important to always have lines of communication open with your client. Always respond in a timely manner and be as transparent as possible. Provide updates whether that be related to their project, your offerings, or any other changes that provide them value or builds your company’s credibility. The client should always be made to feel comfortable when being open and honest with you.
Get to know your clients and their company
The only way to nurture a relationship is to get to know the other party. In this case, you want to learn a bit about the client as an individual as well as their company and industry. Knowing the basics of their business will certainly boost the relationship. Being able to connect on a personal level will give it that little extra something.
Earn trust
Building trust with your client is vital to ensuring a lasting relationship. It is always best, to be honest even if that means informing them that something is off course with their project. A client will almost always appreciate the truth rather than finding out later you were hiding something. Once trust is lost it is exceptionally difficult to recover.
Educate and share knowledge
Never assume your client understands all pieces of the project or processes you use. Always encourage the client to ask questions and walk them through the procedures. Explain what you did, why you did it, and how you came to your decision. You will elevate your clients understanding and promote their confidence.
Similar to an old saying my mother used to tell me, treat “clients” how you want to be treated. Put yourself in the client’s shoes and take actions that would transform you into a loyal customer. With a little practice, managing client relationships will be a breeze.
If you’re interested to know why customer loyalty is so important, check out my other blog post Customer Loyalty is Everything! Want to share tips and tools of your own for building client relationships? Drop us an email and let us know!
