1. Ask for clarity

In the world of marketing, communications and advertising, clients are often unclear on exactly what they want — and this comes through in their briefs.

Insist on a proper brief and push back if you don't get one. Ask questions and offer suggestions in the briefing stage if appropriate, so that you know what you're quoting for. It's difficult to produce excellence — first time and in time — from a poor brief. 

2. Get the context

Never stop asking the question, 'Why?' You should also ask:
  • What is the client trying to achieve and for what reason?
  • How does the piece of work they want you to do fit into their ultimate goal?
  • What’s the bigger picture?

3. Be confident but not arrogant

The client is coming to you because you are the expert; own that and be confident about your role (if necessary, fake it until you become it) — without being a know-it-all.

4. Listen and offer suggestions

What the client thinks they want might actually be different from what they need.

If a client comes to you and wants a Facebook campaign to connect better with their customers, for instance, but you can see this is not an appropriate channel to market for them, tell them your reservations and point out how other channels might be more appropriate.

5. Get to know your client

Of course, this takes time.

But the better you know your client and the more you trust one another, the better the prospects of success in working together. Try to connect with your client on a personal level, not just pure business (unless they seem disinclined to do so).

6. Communicate, communicate, communicate

This is part of what it takes to deliver excellent service. Frequent and relevant communications are the best tool to manage your client's expectations.

If you're running late on something, let your client know before it's an emergency. Check-in with your client in a number of ways — these can include:
  • a quick WhatsApp to tell them about an interesting article you've seen that pertains to them
  • an acknowledgement that you've heard them on the radio
  • a weekly email to share the highlights on their account
  • a timely monthly report, so they’re abreast of what’s going on, or
  • a quarterly presentation they can easily share with their board.

7. Underpromise and overdeliver

Companies such as Takealot do this superbly in South Africa. The company says that it will be delivering on a Tuesday, but actually delivers on the Monday.

Give your clients clear timelines for projects of any size, then stick to them; or even better, deliver ahead of time. Never, ever be tempted to rip off a client, even if you're in a position to do so. 

8. Provide quick turnaround times

A familiar client refrain is that they have to wait too long for their agency to deliver their work. A client doesn't care that you have other clients to service, or that you may have internal issues such as a lack of capacity or other big projects to push out.

Every client wants to feel like they are the only one in the world. Provide quick turnarounds without compromising on quality — particularly at times when the client knows it's extra difficult for you, like on a weekend or public holiday — and you'll have your clients for life.

9. Build a partnership

You will always know more about your area of expertise than your client, but they will always know more about their business than you. It's when you put your heads and hearts together and collaborate that marketing magic really happens.

10. Construct accountability

Any good partnership requires accountability. When drawing up contracts when onboarding clients, for instance, set out clear areas of responsibility for both the client and the service provider.

In meetings with your client, develop action items for both, and follow these up with meeting notes that clearly show action points and who is responsible for what. Stipulate timelines and communicate dependencies, so if a client is slow with an approval, for instance, they know it will affect the project's timelines.

11. Invite feedback

Set up meetings with your clients to solicit feedback. Ask the questions:
  • What could we do better?
  • Are you happy with our service and work?
  • Is there anything you would like to raise with me?
Try to have no agenda for this sort of meeting, other than to listen. And it's difficult but don't be defensive. Just listen and then act quickly after the meeting.

12. Don't take anything personally

This can be really hard — especially when you and your team pour your heart and soul into a piece of work and your client doesn't see it for the exquisite masterpiece you believe it is. Move on, do better. A client isn't there to stroke your ego.

13. Avoid demonising clients

You are always going to have some clients you like more than others. It's easy for you and your team to turn against a person; after all, 'othering' is a way of building a sense of team, albeit a negative one.

Don't tolerate the demonising of clients, no matter how difficult they are. If you do, it won't be long before your negative attitude comes across.

14. Apologise quickly and move on if you have erred

A good tip is that it is often not the mistake that matters as much as what you do afterward. Don't sweep your mistakes under any carpets; confess to them and put things right. (And don't make any mistakes in your apology.)

15. Be transparent

Always be transparent with a client about what you're not going to do and clear about what you are going to do. If you know, for example, there are hidden costs the client might not be aware of, point them out upfront. This will help to build trust between you and your client.

16. Pay attention to the paperwork

It's worth putting in some administration time to ensure the groundwork for success is well laid and to help you should anything go wrong with a project or relationship.

For example, it's a good idea to get a client to sign a contract, or at least a quote, before beginning work. Then have sign-offs at important stages of a project if it's a large one. Then, if there's a dispute or the client changes their mind, you have evidence to back up your actions or decisions.

17. Have integrity and use your company values to guide you

Integrity will never go out of style. Be honest always. And use your company's values to guide you in times of difficulty. For example, if one of your values is "our people are our greatest asset" and you are aware of a client bullying or belittling your staff, you would need to step in to stand up for your team.

18. Keep the bigger picture

Business is about playing the long game — never lose sight of a client's potential contribution to your business over the lifetime of your relationship.

If you lose money on a small job, for example, that's ok, as long as you can eventually recover it or have good reasons for this client to be a "loss leader". In other words, you might lose in the short term, but gain new business or positioning that outweighs your loss due to your association with that client.

19. Beware of scope creep

Scope creep is the bane of many a business. Agree on the scope and brief upfront and stick to this. If the client pushes for more, quote and charge them for the extra work (without ever being greedy). Being a pushover is not good for profitability.

20. Use different channels of communication

People have different ways of learning or absorbing information.

For example, some people are better visual thinkers, some are more verbal, some are naturally logically and mathematically minded, some absorb information better in a social setting with others, while others are the opposite and communicate best one on one.

So it's best to mix up the ways you communicate, until you know your client well enough to cater to their preference. A client who is a verbal learner will enjoy a written report, for instance, while a more visual learner would prefer graphics.

21. Ask the right questions

It's not ever about having all the right answers. It's always about asking the right questions. Ironically, to ask the right questions, you need to do your homework. If you've invested some time in a new client or brief, you're likely to ask better questions and make a better impression.

22. Learn your client's industry

The better you know your client's industry, the more insights you'll have and the better client service you'll be able to give. 

23. Pick up the phone

Consider following up an email with a call. It's easier to clarify or reinforce points in a call than in a mail. Emails can be impersonal; actually hearing someone's voice makes for a better connection (and seeing someone in person, particularly in the disconnected times we are in, is even better).

24. Say thank you

Everyone likes a thank you. This can be in the form of anything from a note, card or WhatsApp, right up to a discount on future work for a loyal client.

25. Deliver excellent work

There's nothing that builds a client relationship better than you delivering excellent work every time, on time. Be there for your clients — go to war for them if necessary. Stay up all night if you have to; just get whatever they need done and done well. If you're able to do that, your client relationships will be solid.

For more information, visit www.flowsa.com. You can also follow Flow Communications on Facebook, Twitter or on Instagram.