Positive Client Relationships — Near or Far
By: Julie Clark
Creating and maintaining client relationships is a must, not only for the success of your client but for your success as well. Client retention depends on connection. Your clients need to feel like they are your one and only, even if they aren’t. So, how exactly can you grow connections, benefit from brainstorming, and foster responsibility and commitment to a common goal from afar, especially in today’s post-pandemic workplace? Here are five tips for building positive client relationships, near or far.
- Get to know your clients. Just because you can’t sit down in their offices face-to-face does not mean you can’t make them feel special and important. Know their companies’ histories; study their products and services; dedicate time to learning their names, roles, and families. Only then will you be equipped to not only acknowledge but also help them celebrate business and personal milestones. Consider asking your clients and their teams to participate in a survey or team-building exercise or simply asking them questions when you have time.
- Schedule monthly, bimonthly, or quarterly video meetings. Instead of only using emails or phone calls, suggest your clients meet you face-to-face on Zoom, Google Meet, or FaceTime. Not only does this check the box for helping you forge a personal relationship, but it also feels more professional and shows your clients you are willing to carve out time, regularly, just for them.
- Document everything. Providing your remote clients with a branded quarterly report shows just how much work you have you put in. You can use reports to update them on progress, deliverables, provide statistics and analytics, and more. Thorough reports also remind them just how much you really do for them day in and day out.
- Engage on their social media channels. Sure, you work for them, and you may even be the one creating their social media campaigns, but it is still beneficial and thoughtful to like, comment, and share their content. Make sure you are following your client on all their platforms and that you are active when they need you. The same goes for newsletters—be sure you click subscribe!
- Meet and exceed expectations. Letting your client know up front just what they can expect from you and when goes a long way in establishing yourself as a valuable part of their team. Create and meet deadlines and know their expectations.
With these tips, you will be sure to impress. Your clients will quickly learn that despite not working side-by-side, you intend to give them your all and help ensure their success.
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