In my last post I explained what the difference is between customers and clients and recommended that any entrepreneurs out there should develop client-based consumer strategies whenever possible. In this post I will provide some tips on how to create and maintain client relationships.
1) Share your client's problem. If a client comes to you for a product or service you should view their need as a shared event. You should take an interest in their problem, make recommendations on how to resolve it, and follow up with them to see if it was resolved to their satisfaction.
2) Keep in touch. Stay connected with your clients. Some people find it forward and are discouraged from asking if they can do anymore business with their clients. It's not. But if you feel that way, I suggest you develop a personal relationship with your clients and regularly meet for a coffee every quarter. That way it's less formal and it doesn't feel so "businessie"when you get together, but you still have the opportunity to touch base.
3) Keep informed. More often than not, your client is counting on you to be an expert in your field. They rely on you to have the capabilities that they don't and keep them competitive. What that means to you is that you have to stay at the top of your game. You can't expect your client to keep doing business with you if you're skill level hasn't kept up to date over the years.
Thanks for reading.
- L
Great series of posts - with useful information, particularly for anyone thinking of being in business for themselves. Industry publications/journals are always looking for columnists - might be something to explore?
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