That's right - the end of a project should not signal the end of a relationship between client and contractor. Getting satisfied clients to raise your profile through their own word-of-mouth referrals or other formal endorsements can be an effective tool in your marketing arsenal.
Happy clients don't exactly sell to prospective customers, but they can definitely sell those interested parties on your business and the high-quality experience they enjoyed with you. Here is some quick information on turning your clients into the perfect sales rep.
First things first
To start, you better meet or exceed your client’s expectations on their project. Client satisfaction is crucial to every business. If you deliver on your promises to clients, you have increased the likelihood that they will go out of their way to share their positive experience with others. Take care of you current clients!
Keep in touch
Once again, the end of the project is really just the beginning of the next phase of the relationship, and having an active and open line of communication can help you gauge customers on their level of satisfaction and their willingness to potentially speak on your behalf. Some clients, no matter the stellar job you performed, just aren't as forthcoming as others, which makes it all the more important to keep active tabs on all your clients to find those who are motivated to advocate for you.
Gather customer testimonials
One of the most powerful weapons in your marketing toolkit is customer testimonial. These content pieces can take many forms (blog, video, case study, white paper, social media post, Q&A) and are among the most potent forms of marketing. Customer testimonials not only put your achievements and outcomes on display; they also put a relatable face behind them. Your clients can essentially speak to other organizations in their industries and relay how your firm was able to meet unique needs, which could be a big selling point.
Continually encourage clients to share their stories
Just as your business would need to keep salespeople motivated, your base of clients’ needs to be kept similarly inspired. Though some may be so excited to share their experience that they won't need prodding, your clients are businesspeople themselves and have their own jobs to worry about. Offering total support and assistance helps your clients not only feel comfortable in becoming advocates, but eases the barriers to doing so.
At Keystone Construction, our clients are more than just customers we service through a project and move on from. Each business we work with becomes an integral and trusted partner to our firm's history, and every win we deliver is a shared one. Contact us today for more information on how we can help in your next construction project, or better yet talk to our clients!