Stuff They Don’t Tell You: Client Relationships
- A Thread
- A Thread
1. Promote yourself shamelessly
No self-respecting client is going to take you for that coffee unless they’ve heard of you already, or at the very least seen examples of your work.
No self-respecting client is going to take you for that coffee unless they’ve heard of you already, or at the very least seen examples of your work.
Making sure they've seen your work is your responsibility. Make a website, get vocal on Twitter, curate the hell out of your Instagram feed, send a CV and some samples of your work in the mail. Sign up to LinkedIn even and stop sleeping on it.
2. Get a friend to recommend
When work is lean, your pals are the best people to help out. Hit them up for work leads or for introductions to potential clients. If you’re good at what you do, you shouldn’t be ashamed to use your network to find new jobs. I do this it and works
When work is lean, your pals are the best people to help out. Hit them up for work leads or for introductions to potential clients. If you’re good at what you do, you shouldn’t be ashamed to use your network to find new jobs. I do this it and works
3. Steal clients from your old employer
Unfair? It’s dog-eat-dog out there, folks. The majority of freelancers I know have pinched clients from old employers. These may be the only people with whom you have a proven track record and can start work with immediately.
Unfair? It’s dog-eat-dog out there, folks. The majority of freelancers I know have pinched clients from old employers. These may be the only people with whom you have a proven track record and can start work with immediately.
4. Maintain a dialogue
Keep the communication flowing, let them know in advance if circumstances change or you need to extend deadlines etc, never leave room for assumption. Once you’ve wrapped up a project, check in with them occasionally to see if they have any more work.
Keep the communication flowing, let them know in advance if circumstances change or you need to extend deadlines etc, never leave room for assumption. Once you’ve wrapped up a project, check in with them occasionally to see if they have any more work.
5. All clients are equal
When big and exciting jobs are thin on the ground, it's easy to get disheartened and look at filler jobs with disdain, but go in with as much enthusiasm and as strong a work ethic as with the exciting jobs.
When big and exciting jobs are thin on the ground, it's easy to get disheartened and look at filler jobs with disdain, but go in with as much enthusiasm and as strong a work ethic as with the exciting jobs.
Often these small jobs are a perfect place to meet new contacts. Always give a 110% whether it's a paid or unpaid gig, clients always remember your name when something bigger comes along. Never think the small jobs are beneath you.
6. Don’t get too comfortable
You could have one or two very regular clients which make up the majority of your business, but you shouldn’t rely on that in the long term. You should always make time for looking into new leads and opportunities to find new relationships. Guppy. M
You could have one or two very regular clients which make up the majority of your business, but you shouldn’t rely on that in the long term. You should always make time for looking into new leads and opportunities to find new relationships. Guppy. M
7. Don’t take it personally
A long-term client may pass you over and choose someone else for a job. Cut the beef and stop worrying, that’s not necessarily the end of the relationship.
A long-term client may pass you over and choose someone else for a job. Cut the beef and stop worrying, that’s not necessarily the end of the relationship.
Equally, you should feel comfortable letting go of a client if you can no longer service their needs or you’ve grown out of the relationship, it's good for the both of you.
8. Get an agent
If all that has made your head spin then to hell with it, get an agent! They can take care of the hard work of dealing with clients for you.
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#branding #marketing #clients
Excerpts from the article by James Cartwright @WeTransfer
If all that has made your head spin then to hell with it, get an agent! They can take care of the hard work of dealing with clients for you.
-
#branding #marketing #clients
Excerpts from the article by James Cartwright @WeTransfer
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