On Being Responsive
Megan says: Don’t leave clients hanging. A little heavy lifting goes a long way.
It’s probably fair to say that brides are a different type of customer. We’re picky, obsess about details and do a lot of homework before we decide on anything from dresses to vendors.
I’m currently having trouble with the latter. After much research and deliberation, D and I picked a vendor—-an independent business person—-to help us with a very important component of the wedding.
I did all the right things. I answered the vendor’s emails in a timely fashion, included my contact info in every email, asked for a contract, sent follow-up emails to see how things were coming along and encouraged the vendor to call me.
Nada.
The problem with radio silence is that it prevents you from forming any kind of trust on which successful business relationships are built. It also leaves your client waiting, wondering whether they should fire your ass (even though you were their first choice) so they can shore up their second or third choices.
Whether you work for yourself or own a business, you owe it to prospects and clients to be responsive. A simple email response telling your client that, “Hi! We’re still on track; it’s just been a zoo here. Can we talk next Monday at 7P?” can go a long way to calm anxieties.
If you’re worried your workload will prevent you from committing to the client, just say so. It will allow both parties to walk away without hard feelings and with your reputation in tact.
Which is a pretty big deal when you’re talking about your business.
