How to Keep Your Clients Happy

Regardless of your profession, you probably have clients that cause unnecessary stress. Here are a few simple and effective ways to minimize their impact on your workday.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Positive attitude
• 30 minutes

1. 

   Communicate quickly. Return all phone messages within twenty four hours, even if you don't have an answer to every question the caller has asked. Your return call shows the client that he or she is important to you.

2. 

   Be honest. If you do not know the answer to a client's question, tell them so. If they need something from you, tell them when you can reasonably accomplish the task. WRITE A DEADLINE FOR THAT PROMISE ON YOUR CALENDAR.

3. 

   Be available. People want to be seen and heard. Unexpected visits from clients, or "walk-ins," can disrupt your entire work schedule, if you let them. When someone arrives at your office to meet with you unannounced, take 5 minutes to wrap up whatever your working on, save your place, and meet with them quickly.

4. 

   To avoid a lengthy meeting, tell them outright how many minutes you have to meet with them. If that is not enough time, tell them you would be happy to schedule more time later that week.

5. 

   Follow through. When your actions are congruent to your words, you can command respect as a professional. It is unprofessional to say one thing and do another (or not do anything at all).

Tips & Warnings

• No matter how much money you make per hour, every person's time is equally valuable.
• Keep a call log to keep track of calls that have or have not been returned. I use Microsoft Outlook's to-do list for this purpose.
• Never ignore a person. This poorly reflects on you, your company, and your profession. If you neglect a client for too long, you will miss deadlines, cause them problems, and lose their business.

[lighthouse1958]

on 7/10/2009 Good pictures and good tips also. thanks 5*

[ampersand]

on 6/23/2009 Wonderful advice for keeping positive client relationships!

[Susang6]

on 6/21/2009 Useful tips, especially step one, two and five. Honesty, communication and follow-through. Will keep your clients happy and you will build a word of mouth business.

[saikano]

on 6/20/2009 great advice. 5* and recommend

[jenng]

on 6/20/2009 GREAT TIPS 5*