How to manage your business clients better

As business owners and freelancers, we rely on our client relationships to make a living. But managing them can sometimes be a struggle. In this episode, Mike and Leanna discuss defining your ideal client, setting expectations and having emergency protocols in place, and how to deal with difficult clients.

You’ll learn:

• That defining a target market is essential for successful client relationships [5:53]
• The importance of doing intro calls to learn about a new client’s values [14:47]
• Why you should set boundaries and expectations when you have a business relationship with a friend [18:00]
• The idea of a client relationship as a bank account [19:40]
• That having protocols for yourself and your business is helpful for when stressful situations arise [24:09]
• Leanna’s strategy for dealing with a client conflict: leave money out of it [26:48]
• Mike’s strategy for dealing with a client conflict: control the quality of your work [28:36]
• That having protocols and systems in place can help you objectively reflect on a conflict [33:09]

  Show notes:  https://bettermental.fm/episodes/manage-business-clients

Chapters

• 5:53 That defining a target market is essential for successful client relationships
• 14:47 The importance of doing intro calls to learn about a new client’s values
• 18:00 Why you should set boundaries and expectations when you have a business relationship with a friend
• 19:40 The idea of a client relationship as a bank account
• 24:09 That having protocols for yourself and your business is helpful for when stressful situations arise
• 26:48 Leanna’s strategy for dealing with a client conflict: leave money out of it
• 28:36 Mike’s strategy for dealing with a client conflict: control the quality of your work
• 33:09 That having protocols and systems in place can help you objectively reflect on a conflict