Long-lasting relationships can be critical to a sustainable business. To ensure your business stands the test of time, you must forge a strong connection with every client. By doing so they will be less likely to abandon your company for a competitor.
Satisfied customers can often lead to more referrals and positive word of mouth, which in turn can help your brand’s reputation grow. Here are some tips on how to develop a long-lasting relationship with a client.
Get to Know Your Clients on a Personal Level
Take the time to get to know your clients on a deeper level. Allow conversations with clients to run on a little longer, so you can talk about their family, hobbies or passions. You don’t need to be intrusive to develop a stronger relationship with a client, but knowing each other on a more personal level can lead to greater rapport and relaxed conversations. This could help secure their business once the contract or transaction is complete.
Strive to Exceed Their Expectations
You should always provide your clients with a high-quality product or service. Instead of simply meeting their expectations, however, you should strive to exceed them. Sales is often selling an experience. The better the experience, the greater the potential loyalty you can engender with your clients.
Say Thank You
Prove how much you value your client by regularly saying thank you. In today’s digital world, a handwritten note can be a thoughtful touch. Once a client signs a contract, or you could even send them a thank you gift, such as a bottle of wine or any sports tickets for sale they might like. A simple thank you can go a long way!
Aim to Communicate Regularly
A lack of communication can lead to frustrated clients, who might be quick to articulate their disappointment or eager to move on to a competitor. Ensure you are both on the same wavelength by regularly communicating with your clients. You could drop them an email to update them on a project’s progress, give them a call to check they are satisfied with a service, or interact with them via social media, if appropriate.
Use Your Expertise
Utilize your expertise to help your clients grow their businesses. You could offer your advice, tips or resources to help your clients speed up their productivity and increase their revenue. This shows your clients that you want to see them succeed and can offer value that will help them. This could result in them referring you to their business associates or signing a bigger contract.
There are numerous ways you can impress your clients, from sending them a thoughtful gift to going above and beyond to help them grow their own business. Look for opportunities to add value to your clients and provide a meaningful experience. This will help ensure they return to your company time and again.