Client interactions can make or break a deal. Knowing how to communicate effectively and professionally plays a huge role in successfully mastering client interactions. Whether you are looking to ramp up sales or just stabilize and build lasting relationships with your clients, here are ways to be more interactive with your clients.
1. First Impression
The first impression you make on potential customers will stick with them. It is important that you look and act professionally. Keep your communication polite, professional and informative. Do your best to answer all of the customer’s questions and provide as much information as needed to sound knowledgeable about your service or product. This provides your customers with confidence that you know what you are doing and that they are in good hands doing business with you.
2. Engagement
Encourage customer engagement as best you can by including them in any decision-making required, asking for feedback and communicating regularly. If you are looking to make changes, consider asking trusted clients for feedback on changes they believe may improve the service or product. After all, they are using your business and have firsthand experience. The goal is to build a bond of trust between yourself and your customers so that they feel engaged and appreciated. Brand or company loyalty is typically the result of improved customer engagement.
3. Connect
Email, social media and website interactions are all ways customers can expect to connect with your company. Reach out with follow-up emails and find ways for your business to connect and interact with your clients on social media. Make interactions personalized. It may be helpful to keep notes on each client with details to help make the conversation more personalized or remember key details for your next conversation. This is especially useful when you have a lot of clients or do not personally speak to those clients frequently. This can be time-consuming, but if you want to increase interactions with customers, try to send regular emails and make phone calls to check-in. On social media, post frequent, relevant and quality content to spark engagement. Consider using giveaways or contests to help market the company more and to increase engagement and following. If you see negative reviews or unhappy clients, reach out and figure out what happened, what you can do to make the customer happy and how to correct any issues that may be recurring. Customers want to feel heard and appreciated, especially if they are unhappy with a product or service. Let all of your other customers, current and potential, see you respond to disgruntled clients in a positive, professional, empathetic and helpful manner online.
4. Communicate Effectively
The ability to communicate effectively can help in all facets of life, especially business. Being honest and open is a great start. Clients want to be informed, so provide information in a well laid out, easy to understand manner. Respond quickly to questions or concerns so that your customers know that you are involved and will do whatever it takes to help them in a timely manner. Aim to be transparent in all communications to build trust and grow your relationship with your customers.
5. Get Out There
One of the best ways to improve interactions with clients is to get out there with your clients. Show face more, whenever and wherever possible. You can choose to interact throughout the community through donations, volunteer opportunities or booths at local events. Sponsoring a youth sports team can get your name out there, prompting more interactions with potential customers. If there are related and applicable conventions or meetings, consider attending or even speaking at them. These can be great chances to spend more face time with customers.
The golden rule for all interactions is to remain professional, polite and helpful. There is a balance between confidence, knowledge and empathy that should be displayed. Always remember that you never know who is watching or where you may find your next client! Effective communications can help spark customer engagement, satisfaction and lead to new referrals.
