If you and your team have posed the question, how can we help build trust with new clients?- you’ve come to the right place.
In today’s volatile, unstable economic climate, it’s more important than ever to establish trust with new clients immediately from the onset.
All too often, business owners overpromise on deliverables, only to fall short of expectations, causing a breach in trust and a loss of retention.
But when you make continuous, genuine strides to earn each client’s trust, this effort will pay off.
Case in point: check out these recent findings from Deloitte.
- On average, customers will invest 25 percent more money in a business they trust.
- They’re 5.4 times more likely to recommend a business that shows credible expertise.
- They’re 2.4 times more likely to support a business that will own and resolve mistakes.
- They’re 2.3 times more likely to use a product or service from a business that’s reliable.
So how can you build this crucial foundation of trust for secure, long-term client relationships?
It all comes down to customer service and experience.
Clients are the backbone of your success, so treat them like valuable partners and collaborators.
Set this precedent, and you’ll be seen as trustworthy.
Here are a few actionable tips to start you off.
Protect All of Your Clients’ Sensitive Data
As business touchpoints and transactions become increasingly virtual, clients want to know their personal information is safe online.
In fact, 84 percent of consumers agree that a business can effectively restore broken trust with strong data protection initiatives and transparency over how data collection is used.
If a client entrusts you with private, confidential information, your first job is to make sure it won’t be compromised.
Enforce robust security measures, explain to the client what these protocols are, and never misuse their data for any reason.
Be Respectful of their Time and Schedule
Your clients lead busy lives––chances are, they don’t want to rearrange their calendars for an hour-long Zoom call that could’ve been an email.
Today’s customer has no patience for tedious exchanges and slow responses, but you’ll win them over with efficiency and convenience.
On average, consumers will pay 19 percent more for immediate service, a recent study points out, so respect your clients’ schedules.
Answer as soon as possible (within reason) when they reach out, arrive on time to all meetings, and be proactive to manage issues.
Prioritize Effective, Honest Communication
When it comes to trusted client relationships, solid communication is absolutely non-negotiable.
99 percent of consumers feel it’s important for a business to communicate effectively with them, but 96 percent agree the companies they work with can improve in this area, and 68 percent will sever ties with a business due to poor communication.
On the other hand, when you make it a priority to be clear, honest, transparent, and accessible to clients, they will know what to expect and feel consistently in the loop, which reinforces trust and confidence.
Show Them Measurable, Real-Time Results
Ultimately, clients want assurance that you can offer them a strong return on investment.
This is the main reason you were hired, after all, so don’t leave them in the dark to question whether your services enhance their bottom line—prove it with quantifiable metrics.
Are they wondering how successful you’ve been in the past?
Show them a case study from another satisfied client.
Are they curious as to how your deliverables are helping them scale?
Collect real-time analytics to share with them.
These measurable insights will confirm your expertise.
Building Trust with Clients Leads to Successful Long-Term Relationships
When a new client feels comfortable trusting you on the front end, chances are, they will stick around for years to come.
Trust is the bedrock of any successful relationship, so follow these action steps, and you’ll do more than attract clients—you’ll retain them long-term.