Whether you are working freelance or as a part of an office, dealing with clients is something that most professionals fail to avoid. No matter how good you are at your work, your clients are bound to give you a hard time! This is not because of some grudge but a normal feeling of someone who’s paying the bills: the clients are always under the impression that they are being taken for a ride. How can you manage your clients in a better, more professional way? Let’s look at the Top 5 tips from our experts:
- Communication: Never severe the lines of communication. Keep talking to your clients so that they are always in the loop about the progress and updates. It is only when clients do not see the entire picture that they begin to doubt your intentions. Maintain transparency and share your progress by asking your clients for feedback.
- Document: Do not leave things to hearsay or verbal instructions. Even when you have discussed something over the phone, send across an email and ask for a written green signal. It improves your chances of not being caught on the wrong foot of misunderstanding. Keep a track of these documents for future references.
- Care: Clients love to tie up with professionals who care about their business. Express genuine interest in the client’s business and improvement. That will dispel the air of mistrust that is usually associated in client dealings. A sympathetic attitude will go a long way in cementing stronger business ties.
- Deliver: There is no substitute for this! You have to deliver what you have promised them. Excuses cannot thaw a frosty client. You need to perform according to the standards that you have promised or set for yourself. Clients understand if there is some hitch because of unforeseen circumstances. However, if you fail to read the situation of the market or botch up your analyses, you cannot deliver to your optimum ability. Steer clear of such traps.
- Compromise: When dealing with clients, do not go in for confrontations. Compromise and design your plans as per the demands of your clients. You may think differently but if the client is bent on getting things done their way, so be it. You can offer some suggestions to the contrary but allow the client to take the final call.
