I have offered WordPress services for a long time and the best part which I like about my services to my one-time client always turned out to be returning client.
When it comes to Client and Freelancer relation, nothing could be better than getting returning clients. From my experience I have learned few things which I will be sharing with you, which will help you to convert your one-time client into returning client:
Tips to convert one-time Inquiry into Client:
First Email:
It’s truly said “First impression is the last impression” and it holds the same into Freelancing world. First Email in response to any inquiry of your client is most important part, and if you do it right, you can quickly convert those inquiries into clients.
For example, when ever I get any inquiry for my Blogspot to WordPress migration service, I explain them everything like what they are going to get into the package and how we can start with the process.
This gives a clear idea to the client about the process, things which they are getting in that package and more important it builds trust. So make sure when any client enquires about your services, your first Email should be strong enough to hold the client.
Instant communication method:
Who doesn’t like to get their question answered in seconds? Imagine you and your client are in a different time-zone, and your client has an inquiry. He/She needs to wait for at least
12 hours to get a reply for her email and some time time-difference costs you losing a client. Make sure you give the client some alternative method to contact you like IM, Twitter or if you have a business phone line, it would be great.
I add my clients into Skype, since it’s popular and globally used. And for my clients on the other side of the world, I extend my sleeping time and fix a meeting at the time which will be convenient for both of us.
Project requirement and Price:
When you do some big and ongoing projects like WordPress theme, WordPress plugin or anything which is complex. You should do the complete requirement analysis.
Make sure you have all the inputs from the client, which will help you to start and complete the project. Once RA is done, you should be clear about the pricing of the project and most important how you are going to charge for future maintenance, Bug fixing or enhancement.
This is a real life saver, and money matter will not annoy you or your client in future. If you make all this thing clear at an early stage, you will have an ongoing client.
Support:
When you deal with any client and develop or designed something for him, support become a necessary part of it. Support may include questions, consultancy, some minor bug fixing.
Most of the time freelancer fails here. Once they paid for work, they try to give low priority to support Emails. For those who falls into the same category of freelancers which I mentioned here, you should change your habit right away.
A better support means returning client along with nice testimonial, where as an annoyed client means, bad feedback and no referring client.
Other Services details:
Here is another one which is very important and I learned from my mistake. A few days back I migrated client blog from Blogspot to WordPress and after completion of the project.
We were talking on Skype, and I realized she is looking for some one who can design a WordPress theme for me. This is one of the premium services which I offer, and I find it surprising she was not aware of it.
I realize I never told her about my other services and lesson learned date day. From that day upon completion of any project, I started sending a pre-defined template in the format:
Hey Name,
It was a pleasure working with you and glad that I have your name on my client list. I hope you enjoyed my services and if you would like to give me feedback of testimonial, I would love to receive that.
Also, I would like you to know I offer various services around WordPress like
If you ever need any of these services or want to know more about them, feel free to get in touch.
Before I end this Email, I would love to connect you on Twitter @denharsh.
Thanks and Regards
————————
Isn’t it simple and effective?. After this strategy, you can easily increase your conversion ratio, and more over you can get returning client. One of the major benefits of having regular client is they trust you, and you will be the first person they will be suggesting their friends.
Do share your freelancing secret which makes your client a returning client?
No comments:
Post a Comment