First Impressions matter and as a result, it is important that your client feels assured that you are up to the task from the initial moments of your first communication. These few tips will help with your first conversation with your client.
#1. Prepare in advance
You can’t obviously start to prepare yourself in advance for an email or phone call as you do for a consultation or meeting. All the same, you can do certain things to help you with your first virtual conversation with business partners and clients. Get yourself prepared frequently asked questions and anticipate what your potential client might need to know in consideration of their specific needs. It is unprofessional to not be prepared to answer a question or offer advice when you should be able to.
#2. Grab the attention of the client
You do not want to appear too vulnerable or desperate when you’re talking with your client. Your objective is to make them know you find interest in what they are willing to discuss with you. Give them the necessary information that they will need, get their attention by being precise about the services you are willing to offer and how it can help them.
#3. Make a good impression
Believe in yourself and be assured that you can make a positive impression during your first conversation. Little things matter and can be a big deal without you noticing it. Your intro as a person and greeting should be able to send out a positive vibe about your brand and company, be professional in what you are doing, yet friendly and approachable.
#4. Be attentive to every detail
Every detail that will be exchanged between you and your client via mail or phone will need to be properly understood and absorbed by you. Pay proper attention to the needs of your client and what they are expecting from you. Get most of the details and information by listening to them and reading what they send you.
#5. Take notes!
Writing down some few important notes about what clients say is very essential and a smart tactic for your organisation. Do not get too caught up to the extent that you lose focus of what your client is trying to say; be specific in the details you take down, so as not to be involved in embarrassing scenarios where you get things mixed up.
#6. Be open for other initiatives
After the first conversation, a client will want to schedule a meeting with you hopefully, depending on how the conversation went; or you could probably make the initiative to meet up with them to explain things more clearly to him/her. Your goal should be to lay a solid foundation that will encourage them to want to meet you in person and know more about your organisation.
In all you do, be respectful, observant, not too persistent or pushy; professional yet friendly, and be a great listener whose attention is wholly given to the client.