Who Is Your Ideal Client?

When it comes to business and with most businesses who your client is and what they actually want matters.

If your client actually wants and needs what you are selling or the service you are providing and you do what you said you will, then things can go well.

If you get someone who is not your ideal client doesn’t align with your values, or doesn’t want or need your products or services you could end up in a problematic business relationship. A large part of getting this right is asking the client the right questions and getting to know what they actually want or need and how you can help them in your business relationship.

There are people who can be a total nightmare to deal with and often you need to keep a stiff upper lip when you really want to say something if you are going to continue doing business with them.

Some clients can end up being so frustrating that you want to, or end up cancelling your business relationship altogether.

Luckily people like that don’t come along that often just every now and again. I have family members and relatives who don’t listen and trying to communicate facts to them are like trying to convert a Lion into a sheep you can try to but you will have a long frustrating journey ahead of you. 

The same goes with clients if you don’t see eye to eye on the odd rare occasion it may be time to drop them or let them go. 

I had one client for a few years I made him a funnel which generated him over 300k Euro in Sales. he was always penny- pinching complaining about paying £19 a month for his 300k sales funnel. Cancelling the autoresponder to save $30 a month and messing up the sales funnel in the process losing himself daily countless 50 Euro sales.

On the other hand, I had clients that listened to what I said and were completely hassle-free in fact I would chat with them for countless hours for free and we would do three-hour Google Hangouts together.

After dealing with clients for a while you often get to know if your new clients are going to be good clients.

Or may even become painful clients to deal with, one of the great things about being self-employed in a business is that you can choose who you want to work with.

You can choose whether to add stress or to add happiness to your life. And by picking and choosing your clients you can decide.

There is something about me that could be seen as either a good point or a bad point depending on your perspective, I no longer try to sugarcoat things I will tell you exactly what I think if you take my advice it could change your life 🙂 If you let it. 

Recently I was discussing my experience of dealing with corporate entities vs small business owners. and different customers with different ideals targets and beliefs are going either be a perfect fit to work with your business or in some cases may be well worth avoiding.

Dealing with clients effectively is crucial for building strong relationships, fostering loyalty, and ensuring business success. Here are some key tips to remember when dealing with clients.

1. Master Communication

• Be Clear and Concise: Avoid jargon and make sure your messages are easy to understand.
• Be Proactive: Don’t wait for clients to ask for updates. Provide regular progress reports, especially if there are any delays or challenges.
• Listen Actively: Pay full attention to what your clients say, both verbally and non-verbally. Ask clarifying questions to ensure you fully understand their needs, concerns, and expectations.
• Set Clear Expectations: From the outset, define the project scope, deliverables, timelines, communication frequency, and preferred channels. This prevents misunderstandings later on.
• Be Transparent and Honest: If there are issues or delays, communicate them openly and honestly. Clients appreciate candor, even with bad news.
• Adapt Your Style: Some clients prefer detailed reports, others prefer brief emails or phone calls. Tailor your communication method to their preferences.
• Respond Promptly: Timely responses show you value their time and are committed to their needs. If you can’t respond immediately, provide a realistic timeframe.

2. Build Strong Relationships

• Get to Know Your Client: Understand their business, industry, goals (both macro and micro), challenges, and even their preferred working style. This allows you to provide more tailored and valuable solutions.
• Deliver on Promises: Trust is the foundation of any strong relationship. Only promise what you can deliver and then follow through consistently.
• Go Above and Beyond: Look for opportunities to add value to their business, products, or services. Exceeding expectations builds a strong reputation.
• Personalize Interactions: Use their name, remember details from previous conversations, and show a genuine interest in their success. Small gestures can make a big impact.
• Be Consistent: Ensure the quality of your interactions remains high and positive across all touchpoints.
• Show Appreciation: Thank them for their business, celebrate their wins, and acknowledge their loyalty.

3. Handle Difficult Situations with Grace

• Stay Calm and Professional: Regardless of how a client behaves, maintain your composure. Don’t take it personally.
• Practice Empathy: Acknowledge their feelings and concerns. Say things like, “I can see this has been really frustrating for you,” to show you understand.
• Focus on Solutions: Once you’ve listened to their concerns, shift the conversation towards finding a resolution. Propose alternative approaches if necessary.
• Document Everything: Keep detailed records of all interactions, agreements, and progress. This provides clarity and helps prevent future misunderstandings.
• Set Boundaries: If a client is consistently making unreasonable demands, respectfully reiterate the agreed-upon terms and boundaries.
• Know When to Escalate or Terminate: If a client becomes truly unproductive or detrimental to your business despite your best efforts, it might be necessary to involve a manager or, in extreme cases, consider ending the relationship.

4. Leverage Tools and Processes

• Use CRM Software: Client Relationship Management (CRM) software can help you organize client information, track interactions, automate follow-ups, and get a comprehensive overview of each client.
• Have an Onboarding Process: A well-defined onboarding process sets clear expectations from the start and helps new clients feel welcomed and informed.
• Collect Feedback: Regularly ask for feedback (through surveys, conversations, etc.) to understand what you’re doing well and where you can improve. Act on this feedback.
• Automate Where Possible: Automate repetitive tasks like sending reminders or progress updates to free up time for more personalized interactions.

By consistently applying these tips, you can build strong, lasting relationships with your clients, leading to greater satisfaction, loyalty, and business growth.