It is evident that while some companies manage to keep up with steady business growth over years other companies seem to dissolve. So what is the reason behind it? And the answer is ‘Strong Client Relationships’. In order to gain success and grow your business, it is important to create a solid foundation with loyal clients who returns to you over time. It helps to determine the future prospects of a company. Just like any other, client relationships also require communication, professionalism, dependability as well as empathy.
Here are some simple yet effective ways to gain your clients back and strengthen your relationship with them.
Make easy and comfortable communication
Can your clients reach you whenever they need to? If yes, do they know how? Well, if you haven’t thought about it yet, perhaps this is the time. To build a strong relationship with your clients it is important to keep active communication, which is only possible if they can easily connect with you. Tell your clients which mode of communication works best for and provide them with all the necessary contact details - mail, text, or even a call. However, that is just one side of the conversation. For their convenience, make sure you ask them how they prefer to be contacted.
The communication between you and your clients should be comfortable enough so that they don't feel hesitant before contacting you. Keep things light and open-minded so that your clients can consider you as a friend who can help in business.
Reassurance
Just like customers tend to buy products with a warranty or guarantee on them, clients find the companies trustworthy enough which can reassure them about its services. If a client contacts you when they face any problem, understand they might be in a vulnerable situation and needs your guidance. Assure your clients that they are in good hands as you and your company will do the best to help them with a solution. Once you gain their trust, represent your ideas so that you can mutually agree on the solution. Reassurance helps strengthen the relationship even further.
Treat them as individuals
Remember, you can show your expertise by telling your clients that you have dealt with such problems before but make sure you do not overdo it. It is a classic technique of dishing out that makes the clients feel like their problems are easier to sort. Treat them as individuals and carefully listen to them as to what they want to convey. Mixing up one client with another can create grave problems which will lead to the clients losing interest. Assist them individually while solving their problems.
Exceed expectations
"A good deed is never lost" and yes! It is true. Doing a great job with utmost professionalism and care provides clients 100% satisfaction and makes them loyal enough to come back again. Outperform your last quarter, grow more and show your dedication to the clients. If you can exceed their expectations, then you are proceeding in the right way. Also make some subtle personalized approaches that blow their minds and make them say, “Wow! I didn’t expect that”.
Being a good listener
Ever felt like your message is not really getting through while conversing with a person? You sure have and it is a frustrating feeling when you are not understood. You certainly don’t want your clients to feel this way or you will lose them. Do not appear like you are unable to communicate and try to be a good listener first. Before jumping to any conclusion it is better to listen carefully about the situation that arrived. Not all the conversations can be done via email only so try to make video conversation or phone calls, if needed.
Set a path
You cannot expect your clients to understand everything regarding your product, service, or niche industry. They came to you because they seek a solution which you are supposed to provide. Guide them properly and show them what they can expect. Setting a clear process at the beginning can help them to proceed without any uncertainty or the results.
Be responsible for your mistakes
While running a business or company, it is common to make mistakes and everyone has gone through that phase. The solution is to cover the bases and keep things running smoothly without any turbulence. It can be only done if you can take responsibility for the error. It is way more considerable than just disappearing from the situation and staying ignorant. If you deny, the worst-case scenario would be getting sued by a client and shutting down your company. Avoid such situations by claiming your mistakes in the first place and compensate them as soon as possible. Taking charge of the matter will help you earn the client’s respect even if you have done some errors.
Encourage feedbacks
If you want to serve your clients for a long term, seek feedback and start working on them. Your clients can tell your places of improvement and thus you get an idea of what they are looking for. It is the best source of information a client can provide. Working on feedbacks helps to strengthen client relationships as it shows that you are not just trying to sell products but also working on their requirements. Implementing clients’ suggestions will help in the growth of your business. But make sure you filter through the most important needs.
Show gratitude
You will find ‘Thank You’ texts, ‘We appreciate your business’ in any official mail or invoice template connected to a business. It is a way of showing gratitude to your clients. But if you want your clients to believe in it, try to show how thankful you are. Even small gestures count, and helps to retain clients to do business in the future.
Conclusion
While all the businesses are looking for shortcuts to success and taking big leaps, strengthening client relationships can provide fruitful results in the long run. Always remember “ Strong relationships make for a strong reputation”.
