Building Long-Term Client Relationships – Part 1: Why
April 16, 2008 by Lillie
Table of contents for Building Long-Term Client Relationships
- Building Long-Term Client Relationships – Part 1: Why
- Building Long-Term Client Relationships – Part 2: Getting Started
- Building Long-Term Client Relationships – Part 3: My Business Model
- Building Long-Term Client Relationships – Part 4: Example – The Beginning
- Building Long-Term Client Relationships – Part 5: Example – The Relationship Continues
- Building Long-Term Client Relationships – Part 6: Nine Tips for Success
Perhaps I should title this series “How I Build Long-Term Client Relationships.” Many of my methods will not be appropriate to everyone. If you are interested in writing for magazines only, you won’t be interested in my advice on expanding your services. However, I hope you will find some helpful tips that you can adapt to your own situation.
I have two types of long-term clients – continual and intermittent. I do work for continual clients every month, sometimes every day, and bill them at the end of the month for all the hours I’ve worked that month. I do work for intermittent clients only every few months or even a couple of times a year, but whenever they need any of the services I offer, they come to me. I bill them at the end of each project.
Why should a freelancer want to establish long-term client relationships?
- It’s much less expensive and time-consuming to sell more to an existing client than to acquire a new one.
- Having a base of regular clients can ensure that you will always maintain a steady income without experiencing the famines that are so common in the freelancing life.
- Having that steady income can ameliorate uncertainty and worries about money that can lead to stress.
- Referrals from satisfied long-term clients can lead to additional business.
- Clients you work will regularly and closely can become friends.
Is there a downside to long-term client relationships?
- Having a significant portion of your income coming from one or a few clients can be risky; if you lose that account, you’ll be in a famine until you find other clients to replace the income.
- If you don’t screen clients properly, you could be stuck working closely with someone you don’t like or who makes you uncomfortable.
- You risk experiencing the feast of freelancing if several of your clients have large projects at the same time.
Do you have other reasons for pursuing or avoiding long-term client relationships?
Next, we’ll talk about starting off the right foot.
Other thoughts on building long-term client relationships:
Building Client Relationships at Entrepreneur.com
How to Build a Strong Relationship with Your Customers – a Guide to Customer Relationships for Freelancers and Self-Employed at All Freelance Directory
Long Term Client Relationships at Small Business Bible
The Six Laws Of Authentic Client Relationships at Robert S. Warren
[tags]client relationships, freelancing[/tags]
You know Lillie, I can see the makings of a book with all your wonderful information and series here at your blog.
You always offer such useful tips and insights.
Yvonne Russell’s last blog post..Is The British Prime Minister Following Me On Twitter? And Takeaway Lessons For Writers
Brilliant! Simply brilliant!
Sorry I’ve been a stranger for so long, Lillie. I am back now and so thrilled to come here and read your excellent advices, as usual.
Mig
Mihaela Lica’s last blog post..Higher Blog Monetization through Blog Ads
Yvonne,
Thank you for the lovely compliment. I’m glad you find my tips helpful.
Mig,
It’s good to see you back again. I’ve missed you!
Great topic, Lillie! I am still pretty new to freelancing, but I do have a few clients I’ve sold several things to. I’d love to build that up to several clients, though!
Renae’s last blog post..Light
This post is very well put. I must agree that my long term clients are worth far more to me than the short term ones.
I liked this post so much I wrote a stumble review which I don’t often do.
Craig’s last blog post..Buy a book about London
Thanks, Craig. I’m glad you liked the post and agree with me. Thanks for the stumble!
Lillie, this is excellent advice. Long term clients also add sanity to your schedule. When I started out I was running from project to project and working round the clock. As I got established the long term clients helped me to have a sane work schedule. I mix in short and long term to stay busy. I love your mix of continual and intermittent. This is really good advice! Thank you so much for sharing it.
Karen Swim’s last blog post..Perseverance Completes the Meal
Karen,
Sanity is another good reason for long-term clients. My schedule is pretty demanding because some of my clients want everything yesterday. But I can focus my time on working and not on chasing jobs. That’s a big boost to my sanity.
[...] Build long-term client relationships. Spend less time marketing and more time earning with repeat business. [...]
I responded to every comment when it was made. However, when I moved my blog threaded comments, including my responses, were lost.
Renae,
I hope my advice will be helpful to you.