HOW TO CONNECT WITH YOUR CLIENTS

If you want your company to gain a consistent, loyal following of clients and customers, you need to make connecting with them a high priority. Build relationships with these people putting you in business by making the first move to create that connection, interacting with them in a personable yet professional way, and following up on their questions, comments, and concerns. Doing so will ensure a positive experience from start to finish and consequently create a positive relationship between client and company.

Make the First Move

Be bold! Take initiative in reaching out to people. Immediate introductions allow the customer to feel confident in their access to help or advice. Don’t pass up the opportunity these initial moments with the client give you to make a good first impression. Demonstrate your availability and willingness to help them in whatever way you can to provide a productive experience for them.

Be Personable Yet Professional

86 percent of consumers prefer interacting with human agents rather than chatbots. Human interaction invites confidence that the client will be heard and understood by real people with the authority to make things happen. This is also a key part of building a relationship between you and the client—take the time to get to know them, their circumstances, and what they want or expect out of what you are selling. Relate to them if possible, assuring them of that understanding and sensitivity. Throughout your conversation, maintain a level of professionalism so that they can also feel confident in your competence to help them out and take care of them. You are the expert in their eyes, and they want to feel secure under your advice. Show them you also value their experience with your product/service, and their trust in you will develop. Giving them incentives, such as loyalty programs and referral programs, is a great way to keep them feeling connected.

Follow Up

After your conversation with them is done, your communication with them shouldn’t be! After an appropriate amount of time, use the contact information they provided (if they are comfortable with you doing so) to reach out to them. Ask how their experience with your product or service is going, if they are encountering any frustrations or difficulties, if they have suggestions for improvements or if they have any general comments about the thing you have sold them. Demonstrate your investment in them and their success; this directly reflects your success as well!

Show your clients that you appreciate their business by expressing your desire to truly help, know, and follow through with them. The commitment that they will show you in return will benefit your company greatly.