Are you sometimes looking for a way to improve your client relationship? Are you frustrated with you client's behaviour?
Have a look below for a way to change this.
You might find this useful as my clients do, and its all about your clients.
I often get feedback from my clients, that they are frustrated with their own clients and looking for ways to try new things.
If you don't come across this problem then that is great news, and you might be able to pass this advice to others, as they might find it helpful.
My mission is to make sure I can reach as many people as possible to explain how trying new things and making simple changes can improve their business, and their client relationships.
What kind of clients this applies to:
I am talking here about an issue that happened somewhere down the line between you and your client.
For example you disagreed on a fee, or they asked you to do something you didn't want to do for free. They may have made a comment about your business, which you took personally, or they simply said they were going with someone else and didn't give you any reason.
Frustration may have built up, dissatisfaction or resentment, and however you call it, it has now saturated that relationship and it is not going the way you want it to.
There are things you can do to change that, and here are a few to try. How to start making changes: To begin please do understand that this is a process, and that not everything works immediately. Saying this I also need you to remember that it is definitely worth trying, as you will see results over time when you apply these.
Every time you speak to your client, you need to make sure to remind them that you are here to help. You can of course say it differently, say it your way, but pick something that will strengthen your relationship and remind them that you care about them - that they are important.
Whatever your attitude is to your problematic client, as these are the ones I am referring to here, who use to be one of your best, but now it seems like you are drifting apart, you want to remind them why they chose you in the first place. If it is not because you cared, but because you provide superior quality or the most competitive price, then say that. At the end of each email, as a comment during each call, and in each meeting you have until it sinks in. You will recognise it quickly when it does, so don't worry about rushing this.
Each person is different and it might take them a few weeks or months, but it is worth it as it reminds them of why they chose you before, and why they should be working with you still.
What else you can start doing:
In case a client is avoiding contact, or not speaking to you as much as they use to, try and get a meeting with them. Hopefully this will do the trick, as during that meeting you will get the perfect opportunity to remind them why they chose you in the first place.
You also get to tell them about what your business plans are, how you want to grow, and how you will make sure to take care of their business in that process too.
Whether you have the meeting or not, it is worth adding to your calendar a reminder to reach out to them (ideally using their preferred method of contact) on a regular basis. You choose what suits you best - fortnightly, monthly, quarterly - and reach out to make sure they can see you trying.
That is the main part of this process in your client relationship - for them to see you're making an effort.
Proven case and final thoughts:
Hope this gives you an idea of how you can start making changes. This is also a very good way to get rid of frustration, as once you tried a few different ways to improve that client relationship, and it hasn't happened despite your efforts, it is then so much easier to let it go...
Let go of the frustration and of wishing they would be different, as you can't force others to change. You can only change how you see and approach them in hopes they will see your value much clearer moving forward.
This worked very well for at least 3 of my larger clients, which is why I am recommending it as a tried and tested way to change your client relationships to what you want them to be like moving forward. They got more work, better quality work, and managed to eliminate big sources of their frustration that way.
Try it today and see what you can do starting with one particular client, with what it is you want your relationship to be like, what's the reason they hired you, and reminding them of it until they understand and you get the results.
Let me know if you have any questions, as I am here to help! Whenever you would like to have a chat, I'm here and here is my easy to use calendar link