It’s common for small business owners and independent professionals to focus their resources on gaining new business. However, new projects don’t always mean new clients. Building strong relationships with existing clients can set you up for repeat business. And even if clients don’t return to you, they may recommend you to colleagues. To build lasting relationships with your clients, follow these few tips.
Timely, efficient communication should be a priority. Of course, communication with a single client should not consistently and unreasonably encroach on your personal time or negatively affect your productivity. However, being available demonstrates that your client’s project and satisfaction are important to you. In addition to timely and thorough communication, it’s also important to make your clients feel comfortable being open and honest with you. They should feel that their ideas and concerns will be taken seriously.
While your relationship with your client is of a professional nature, acknowledging that you see them as a person—more than a paycheck—can go a long way. The extent to which this personal connection is appropriate will vary depending on your industry, client type, and the individual client’s personality.
As an independent professional, you often carry a number of responsibilities. As stressed out or overwhelmed as you may feel, it’s important to show a positive face to your clients.
If your client doesn’t understand your area of expertise, they may feel ignorant about the intricacies of the process and therefore disconnected from the development of the project. This is your opportunity to share information that will help the client understand what you do, which will build trust and confidence in the process. Explaining to the client what you did, why you did it, and how you came to your decisions will help them feel knowledgeable and in-the-loop.
Abdul Raffay and Company manufactures its products using specialized and flexible technology solutions for professional sectors. In all our production, quality tests are done during production process and before packing, the products must also pass an internal quality check (QC).