Build a wall around your clients...

The days of client loyalty are largely over. With online shopping, Yelp reviews, paid campaigns on Facebook... competition has access to even your best clients at a level that grows by the year.

Remember the medieval days, where castles and towns were protected by walls and moats. If you want to keep your clients, you need to build a wall around them. The question is how do you do it?

Start with the understanding that clients a far ranging list of options to choose from. They also...

• Have different demands (some want quality, some want price, some are in the middle)
• Some are loyal to a point
• Others are not
• Are using different types of communication
• See marketing on different platforms
• Have a lot of people / marketing speaking to them

The field is wider than ever, so what are the key things you can do to build a wall around clients? Start with...

• Stay in front of them / keep yourself at the top of their mind when they think about your products or services
• Communicate on as many platforms as possible... text, calls, e-mails, Facebook, Instagram and more...
• Always keep your word to clients
• Provide service above what you promised... over-promising and under delivering is the fastest way to lose clients
• Know what your competitors offer and offer more / better products and services
• If you can, do business with your clients (pay it back) or refer others to them
• Build the relationship outside of work if possible
• Ask for referrals and repeat business... asking reminds them that you are their go to person

The wall is based upon the value you bring to that person, the quality of your services, and the relationship you build with them. The idea that past clients will call you when they need you is no longer one you can count on. Their past experience with you, combined with an ongoing relationship will dictate if they call you, or if they don't even think about you when they need you next.

An amazing client experience will encourage them to call... so look for ways to make yourself stand out from others. But you must communicate often, provide value and build a wall to keep your clients from the grasp of others.