[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about 4 Tips to Communicate Effectively with Clients.\n\nWhile many business owners believe they communicate effectively with clients, the reality is that few professionals know how to communicate effectively with clients to get the desired results.\n\nWhile there is no secret formula to practicing effective communication with clients, there are some tips to help you convey professionalism, integrity, and confidence. Just working at consistently enhancing communication is going above and beyond what most do, and therefore, will have a positive outcome. These four tips will help you become a guru in client communication. \n\nBeing a business owner goes far beyond the books and sales. You must be a forward-thinking problem solver who is continually evolving into a better business owner and person. Essentially, you become a leader the moment you start your own business and can never relinquish the title for as long as you own your business. Throughout the life of your business, it will be a continual refinement of processes and communication; adapting your approach to suit the needs of your clients.\n\nTake advantage of the complimentary special report on Keys to Working Less, Making More Money, and Having a More Balanced Life by going to www.AccountabilityCoach.com. Join the Silver Inner Circle (IT’S FREE) and receive 10% off on all products and services in addition to having access to many assessments and complimentary resources so you can begin achieving your goals in the timeframe you want, so you can have the life you desire. Get started today by going to www.AccountabilityCoach.com and Join the FREE Silver Inner Circle. \n\nAim for what you want each and every day! \nAnne Bachrach\nThe Accountability Coach™\nAuthor of Excuses Don’t Count; Results Rule and Live Life with No Regrets. Get your copies today."]]
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Aim for what you want each and every day!
Anne Bachrach
The Accountability Coach™
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(upbeat music) - Hello and welcome to the Accountability Coach podcast. We will discuss topics, ideas, questions and issues related to having a totally balanced and successful life. This is Ann Bakrak. Today we're going to talk about four tips to communicate effectively with clients. While many business owners believe they communicate effectively with clients, the reality is that few professionals know how to communicate effectively with clients to get the desired results. Effective communication with clients may seem like the least of your worries when you're running your own business, but it is more important than it appears at the surface level. How you conduct your communication with clients can create raving fans for scarce patrons and ultimately determine whether or not you get the results you are looking for. While there is no secret formula to practicing effective communication with clients, there are some tips to help you convey professionalism, integrity and confidence. Just working at consistently enhancing communication is going really above and beyond what most do and therefore will have a positive outcome. Let's talk about four tips that will help you become a guru in client communication. Number one, be confident. You can't communicate effectively with clients if you are insecure. Find a way to stand in your confidence before you begin communicating. Decide on a price for a product or service and stick to it. Never lowball an offer for your services since that will only show the client that you believe your services are actually worth what you say they are. However, that does not mean you can't offer some creative incentives. For example, let's say you typically charge $1,500 for your services and the client tries to talk you down to $800. You can respond by offering more than one option. Here's an example of what you could possibly present. I respect your need to remain within your budget and if a $1,500 upfront payment is not realistic at the moment, there are some options available to you. Perhaps you would like a few weeks to pull resources together to come up with the $1,500 upfront payment or I can offer a payment plan to break the payments down into smaller chunks. You could pay three payments, for example, of $525 for a total payment of $1,575. Provide an initial payment today and we can get started right away. This is a win-win situation. You provided your client with options and you did not lowball your prices. You offered an incentive to pay up front and in full. And a convenient payment plan, three payments of $525. That makes it easier for your client to begin getting the results they are looking for. In addition, with the payment plan, you're actually earning an additional $75, the convenience fee on a payment plan. Please note that it is very important to provide a thorough payment plan agreement to your client. Require a signature and initial deposit before you proceed with the assignment. Also, be sure they understand the additional money they are paying is a convenience fee, as well as the consequences of failed or non-payment. Action step number one. Revisit prices for your products and services. Does anything feel too high or too low? Lowering your prices should be your last resort instead of lowering the prices of your products and service, increase the value. The best thing to do is to take your business owner hat off and put yourself in the client's position. Reverse the tables. What would you be willing to pay for the product or service that you provide? Write down exactly what you would expect to receive as a client and a specific price. Then put your business owner hat on and apply that information to your business. Then add more value by including a bonus or additional benefits. Certainly you can throw in other products or other services in a package so they get even more value or more time or more products or more services for the amount of money. That doesn't really cost you anything extra. Number two. Be professional. Never sacrifice professionalism when communicating with your clients. During the first few communications, it's best to keep it on a professional level. If you cozy up to the clients too quickly, they might take advantage of you by trying to get you to lower your rates or worse. They may think that you're trying to build an inappropriate friendship. Plan safe and communicate effectively with clients by always maintaining your professionalism. You don't want to waste their time. When you are respectful of their time and keep to a specific agenda, they will appreciate you for that. If you don't have to say blah, blah, then say only, blah. Once you get to know your clients on a more intimate level over time, it's okay to become a bit friendlier with them. Action step number two. Clients are not friends, well at least initially, and rarely become friends. Remember, you are a professional, being paid to provide results. Treat your clients as you would like to be treated. Be punctual, respectful, and courteous. Do not expect, respect from your clients immediately. They will return it once you have proven yourself. Number three. Be personable. Always try to make an initial conversation in person or via the phone. Avoid negative first impressions by iming or emailing because the written tone can sometimes be misconstrued as probably we all have experienced. Establish a personable, yet professional connection from the first step. An effective communication will be much easier. Avoid using technology you are unfamiliar with, at least initially, when communicating with clients. For argument's sake, it could avoid the frustration of the learning curve that will inevitably show itself to your clients and your message. This will also show misspellings or misuse or unintended messages that could have been avoided. For initial communication with your clients, stick to the technology you know and regularly use. Choose a method of communication that you're comfortable with and that matches the level of your client. Avoid being unreachable during normal business hours. It's important that clients be able to connect with you on some level even while maintaining a professional appearance. It is when they can connect with you that you will gain loyal clients and of course rating fans. While it's an advantage to be reachable after hours and on weekends, it is best to establish a clear hour of operations. This will help avoid clients calling at 10 p.m. at night and expecting an immediate return. Whatever times you want to be available for your clients, be sure to clearly convey that information to avoid any miscommunication missteps. Here's your action step for number three. It is possible to remain professional and yet present yourself in a personable manner. Before you have in-person or telephone conferences with clients, take five minutes to clear your head and focus on the results your client is looking for you to deliver for them. The conversation is not about you. It's about them and how you can help them get the results they need to be more successful. Set clear boundaries from the beginning by providing set hours of operation unless of course your service happens to be on call. That would be different. When meeting with clients in person, give yourself plenty of time to prep your appearance so you look well rested, well dressed and you're on time. Number four, be willing to ask questions. When you're starting a new client assignment, it's easy to get excited and jump ahead first into the project. But don't let your excitement or enthusiasm get too far ahead. Remember your first priority is to remain conscious of effective communication and be sure that you and your clients are on the same page. Effective communication will allow you to jot down the necessary details before the project begins and save you possible embarrassment down the line. When you skip effective communication and jump the gun, you could find yourself in a situation that makes you or your business appear unprofessional and unexperienced or get wrangled into doing work that you don't get paid for. That wouldn't be good. If you are unsure about any detail of an assignment or fear your client may not have a full understanding, you must be willing to ask questions. Fixing misunderstandings is easiest at the beginning of an assignment, but not so easy after the work has already begun. Take the time to be sure you and your client are communicating effectively with each other and are on the same page. As a business owner, it's your responsibility to think ahead and head up any potential snags. It's important to make the process of working with you and your business as simple and easy as possible. Remember, your client is paying for results, not complications, so be sure you always take steps to communicate effectively with your clients. Here's your action step for number four. Be very clear from the beginning in service agreements and contracts. Set clear boundaries and details specifically what is being provided at the price, as well as any optional or extended services that will require additional funds, if any. Go over the details of the contract in person or over the phone whenever possible. Head off potential problems during the project early, as early as you can, as early as you have them brought to your attention. If you see something that throws a red flag, discuss it with the client early to avoid any big blowups. Being a business owner goes far beyond the books and sales. You must be a forward thinking problem solver who is continually evolving into a better business owner and a better person. Essentially, you become a leader the moment you start your own business and can never relinquish the title for as long as you own that business. Throughout the life of your business, it will be a continual refinement of processes and communication, adapting your approach to suit the needs of your clients. Well, my hope for our time together is that you got some value and an idea or two that will help you be even more successful, personally and professionally. Take advantage of the complimentary special report on keys to working less, making more money and having a more balanced life by going to www.accountabilitycoach.com. Join the Silver Inner Circle. It's free and receive 10% off on all products and services in addition to having access to many assessments and complimentary resources so you can begin achieving your goals in the timeframe that you want so you can have the kind of life that you truly desire. Get started today by going to www.accountabilitycoach.com and join the free Silver Inner Circle. Aim for what you want each and every day. Until next time, make it a great day. Today and every day. Thanks for listening. (upbeat music) Let me remind you that this recording is protected by copyright law and unauthorized distribution and copying is prohibited. (upbeat music) (upbeat music)
[[:encoded, "Today we are going to talk about 4 Tips to Communicate Effectively with Clients.\n\nWhile many business owners believe they communicate effectively with clients, the reality is that few professionals know how to communicate effectively with clients to get the desired results.\n\nWhile there is no secret formula to practicing effective communication with clients, there are some tips to help you convey professionalism, integrity, and confidence. Just working at consistently enhanc...
