You can do what everyone else in business does or you can stand head and shoulders above the competition and make a real impact and remarkable difference. The “10 Wickedly Simple Ways to Woo Your Clients” described here will help you stand out when you implement them on a consistent and persistent basis with your clients current and former.
In fact, the fastest way to deepen your client relationships and ensure client loyalty for lifetime value and revenue producing referrals is to craft a regular touch campaign like that described here. In the age of technology, trust is most rapidly achieved by high touch and often old fashioned methods. Never under estimate the personal touch and business is about people, so it’s always personal.
Which of the simple strategies here do you already use?
#1 Send a Hand Written Note
In today’s digital age and with the daily avalanche of email most professionals are subject to, snail mail stands out. A simple card with your logo, a funny cartoon, an enticing image, or a powerful word can speak volumes.
You don’t have to say much more than “I am glad you’re my client,” “delighted always to be of service,” “so appreciate the opportunity to work with you,” or something similar. It is less about what you say than that you took the time to write personally (not Send Out Cards, we can tell when it’s computer generated.)
#2 Celebrate the Anniversary of Your Doing Business Together
Yes, you can send a birthday card on your client’s birthday. I get one every year from my insurance agent and chiropractor, YAWN. So much more interesting and unexpected if you, instead, celebrate the initiation of your work together. Whether it was years ago or perhaps you are sending a celebratory 90 day or 6 month anniversary card. Be different!
#3 Feature Them on Your E zine or Website (Case Study or Spotlight)
We all love case studies and project stories in a spotlight and, as long as you’ve asked permission, featuring your client’s project(with your talents and services) is a great way to woo your client. If you prefer, you can simply feature them with a “Congratulations on Your New Home (New Office)!” Depending on how many clients you serve, this can be biweekly, or monthly. People love to be recognized.
#4 Make Them a Star on Your Facebook Page or LinkedIn Feature
When you have a business profile on Facebook it can be a bit dry and uninteresting. One effective way to juice it up and get more traffic is to feature one of your clients in their business. You may know this “Fan of the Week” or “Fan of the Month.”
It’s an easy way to add consistent content, while providing appreciation and recognition as well as a reason to get in touch with your client with a link to the feature and sharing it on other social networks.
#5 Be the Go-To-Resource Beyond Your Niche
Recently I was coaching a designer who was struggling to build a team. While we had created the organization chart for big picture growth, and we’d nailed down job descriptions, she wasn’t moving forward with hiring. I provided key contacts in her local area to facilitate her search and streamline the process. While I’m not in the business of recruiting, I go above and beyond to meet my clients needs.
Woo your clients by keeping a ready digital rolodex of party planners, financial advisers, childcare specialists, physicians, housekeepers, and more for those requests that may not be design related.
#6 Post a Personal Postcard
Before the advent of email, every trip I took, I’d pick up as many as 120 postcards the first night. I’d apply mailing labels that I brought with me, local postage and a quick personal note. When I returned, inevitably, I’d find those postcards stashed on a desk blotter or bulletin board, or even posted on the refrigerator. They kept me top of mind.
You may not travel much but there are a boatload of postcards available with funny cartoons, powerful words, relevant quotes and more, more interesting than just your logo. Keep them on hand for regular mailing, you’ll stand out.
#7 Contribute to Their Favorite Charity or Cause
Do you know your client’s favorite charity? There is no greater way to show you care about who they are and what matters to them than by providing a donation, in any denomination to their favorite cause. Even better if you attend the event when they are chairing it or being honored.
#8 Write a Review of Their Book, Blog Post, or Article
This is also a fantastic way to get onto someone’s radar that you want to work with. As an author, the most valuable recognition is comments whether it’s on a blog post, a review of a book on Amazon or another site, or commenting on an article. Be generous, this is easy to do when you have a Google Alert on their name and get notice of their newest content release. While you may only your client as a stay-at-home mom, she may actually maintain a blog, have written a book, or be a rockstar online.
#9 Frame Their Latest Media Recognition
With that same Google Alert, you can keep track of their latest PR and go old fashioned with sending a clipping of the article they wrote or were featured in. Better yet, go the extra mile and have it either framed or a plaque created for display. Recognition is something everyone responds to and it means you are keeping up.
Years ago, on my annual medical exam, when I was in talking with my doctor, I was surprised (and delighted) to see a file folder with clippings of all the press I had gotten in business. He had his nurse keep track of all of his patients (and there were a lot) and fill this folder with recognition. Unforgettable.
#10 Keep Them In the Loop and Up to Date (Without Being Asked)
Whether you work with a client for 30 days, 90 days, or several years on a project, update them regularly on progress. Even if it isn’t more than “everything is on schedule,” they’ll appreciate knowing you are on top of it and they don’t have to chase you for an update.
Relationships in business deserve to be romanced to produce the greatest results. Building the right relationships ensures more business and a boatload of referrals. Woo your clients for greater revenue.
