You’re trying to build better client relations. How do you know if you’re succeeding?

1 Client satisfaction

One of the most obvious ways to know if you are succeeding in building better client relations is to ask your clients directly. You can use surveys, interviews, or testimonials to collect their opinions on your performance, communication, and value. You can also ask them to rate their satisfaction on a scale or to provide specific examples of what they liked or disliked about working with you. This will give you valuable insights into their perception of your work and your relationship.

2 Client retention

Another way to know if you are building better client relations is to look at your client retention rate, which is the percentage of clients who continue to work with you after a project or a contract ends. A high client retention rate indicates that your clients are happy with your services and trust you to handle their future needs. A low client retention rate, on the other hand, suggests that your clients are dissatisfied, disappointed, or looking for better alternatives. You can calculate your client retention rate by dividing the number of repeat clients by the number of total clients in a given period.

3 Client referrals

A third way to know if you are building better client relations is to track your client referrals, which are the recommendations or introductions that your clients make to other potential clients. A high number of client referrals means that your clients are not only satisfied with your work, but also willing to vouch for your reputation and credibility. A low number of client referrals, conversely, implies that your clients are not impressed or confident enough to endorse you to others. You can monitor your client referrals by asking your clients how they heard about you, or by creating a referral program that rewards them for bringing new business.

4 Client feedback

A fourth way to know if you are building better client relations is to analyze your client feedback, which is the information or suggestions that your clients provide to help you improve your work and your relationship. A high amount of client feedback indicates that your clients are engaged, interested, and invested in your success. A low amount of client feedback, on the contrary, signals that your clients are indifferent, detached, or reluctant to share their thoughts. You can solicit your client feedback by asking them open-ended questions, inviting them to review your work, or creating a feedback loop that encourages dialogue and collaboration.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?