earning loyal clients through selfless actions

This is not a time to be selfish. Whether it is playing your role in social distancing, or helping a client in need, acting in a selfless manner can ultimately build loyal and long-term relationships. 

A recent story highlights this point.

I am an investment partner in a boutique winery in Anderson Valley, CA. The managing partner of the winery told me yesterday that our business is taking a major hit by shutting down our tasting room while we fight COVID-19. 

In order to save our business, we need to increase our online sales. We hope to accomplish that through the help of a digital marketing company we have engaged for smaller projects in the past.

The dilemma – we don’t have enough cash to pay the digital marketing company upfront for this important campaign.

Their message to us – “Let’s not worry about the payment now. Let’s worry about increasing your online sales to save your business. You can pay us when we are done with the project."

We were all relieved to receive this kind of support in a critical time of need. More importantly, the digital marketing company won over a loyal client.

We should all be thinking of ways to selflessly look through the lens of the client to see how we can help them. Think of ways to support your clients and prospective clients in times of need that might not have a bill attached to it. If your work does require a bill, perhaps be flexible on fees and payment terms.

This is a time to get creative to help your clients. Selfless acts that are of minimal cost to you but could be of tremendous help to them could be:

• Offering 15-20 minutes of free consultation to address the critical issues they are facing.
• Performing a small piece of work at no cost or a reduced cost. This will not only help your client's budget challenges but also give them an opportunity to see how you work.
• Supporting them through social media. Follow them on LinkedIn or Twitter and praise their business any way you can.

This is a time when we all need to work together as a team. Anything you can do to help may result in winning new loyal clients in the long term.

Take care and stay healthy!