Staying ahead of the competition in digital marketing is challenging, especially when so many businesses are coming up with new ways to target customers. However, as marketers continue finding new ways to reach consumers, it is also becoming easier. Thanks to cloud-based software and services like Google Apps and Salesforce, marketers have more access than ever to affordable tools that enable small businesses to operate an in-house marketing department.
A recent study found that the adoption rate of cloud computing services among small and mid-sized businesses has grown by almost 20 percent over the past two years alone. As a result, there has never been a better time for marketers to get together and plan their strategies for clients. Let us look at some dos and don'ts for getting the most out of your next client meeting so you can get back to work with renewed enthusiasm.
Be honest about what you can and cannot do.
As a marketing consultant, you probably have a wide variety of strategies. You likely have a little of everything in your bag of tricks, from email campaigns to brand identity management strategies. It is important, however, to keep in mind that each client has different needs and goals. Therefore, while you might have successfully implemented an email campaign for one client, that same campaign might not work nearly as well for another.
The best way to avoid this is to be honest about what you can and cannot do. This will help you better identify which strategies will work best for each client. Suppose you notice a client struggling with a specific part of their marketing strategy. In that case, you may also want to consider taking on that part of the campaign. This might mean extending your contract with the client or making a few adjustments to your services.
Go into your client meetings prepared.
This should go without saying, but the best way to make a great first impression is to be prepared. Before you meet with a client, take the time to look over their marketing materials and website. This will give you a great starting point for finding a few areas where you can offer some suggestions and brainstorming sessions. If you see that a client's logo is poorly designed, for example, you may be able to help them to redesign it or find a designer who can help them to re-brand. You can also use the time to research starting dates and deadlines.
Although many clients have a general idea of what they would like to accomplish with their marketing campaigns, they may not have a specific timeline. If you know when a client needs to have their marketing materials completed, you can ensure that you stay on schedule. Alternatively, you may want to suggest a few different timelines and let the client choose what works best for them.
Don't be afraid to say no to ideas that aren't working.
One of the best ways to help a client build a successful campaign is to see what isn't working and why. Once you've worked with a client for a few weeks, you'll have a good idea of what is (and isn't) working. At that point, you should feel comfortable letting them know what isn't working and why. This is the best way for clients to adjust their campaigns and focus their efforts on what will work best for them.
It's also great for you to start finding the best ways to help the client. Once you've been able to help the client to find a solution to a problem, you can start to focus your efforts on finding other solutions to other problems. This will make you significantly more valuable to your clients and allow you to take your campaigns to the next level in a shorter time.
Do offer feedback on what is working and what isn't
As you're working with a client, paying close attention to what is and isn't working is important. There may be times when you have a hypothesis about a certain part of the campaign. Still, you cannot confirm or deny it until the entire campaign is complete. If you notice that a certain strategy is working extremely well, it's important to let the client know.
This will not only help them continue to use that strategy but also allow them to see that you are paying attention to their campaign and are invested in their success. If you notice a problem with a certain strategy, you should also let the client know. Sometimes, the problem isn't that the strategy isn't working; the client isn't using it effectively. This is a great opportunity to offer some suggestions on how to make the strategy more successful.
Don't be afraid to suggest new ideas or strategies.
Although you should pay attention to what doesn't work, you should also keep an eye out for new opportunities. After working with a client for a few weeks, you'll notice that certain times of the year (or days of the week) are better for certain types of campaigns than others. You may notice that certain types of content perform better than others. As you continue working with the client, you may notice that one of their strategies isn't working well.
At this point, you can offer a new strategy or suggest a new type of content. Remember, however, that you may not want to change everything all at once. If you change too much, the client will have difficulty remembering what is working and what isn't. Try changing one aspect of the campaign at a time, and then give the client a couple weeks to evaluate the new strategy before making any more changes. This will help you to make changes without overwhelming the client.
Ask for feedback on your current strategies.
Just as you should offer feedback on the client's current strategies, you should also be open to receiving feedback on your campaigns. Let your client know that you are willing to receive and appreciate any feedback they have on your current strategies. This will make the client feel more comfortable providing feedback and help you better understand what the client thinks works well and what still needs work.
And finally, be flexible!
During your client meetings, you'll need to be flexible. You may find that a client's campaign evolves or changes over time. If this happens, you should be flexible enough to work with the client to adjust your strategies as necessary. This will help you build a strong relationship with your clients and provide them with even better service. Be flexible with your schedule when meeting with clients, as well as with their suggestions and feedback.
Remember these dos and don'ts as you plan your next client meeting. This will allow you to provide the best service to each client and help you get the most out of your client meetings and digital marketing campaigns. These meetings are a great way to get to know your clients and provide them with the best service possible. They are also an excellent opportunity for you to learn from your clients, build stronger relationships with them, and increase the value that you provide to your clients.
Wrapping Up
When planning client meetings, digital marketers should keep a few key dos and don'ts in mind. First, do make sure the meeting is purposeful and that everyone involved knows the objectives. Second, don't make the meeting too long - keep it focused and to the point. And third, do use technology to facilitate the meeting, but don't rely too much on it. Follow SYP.net for more informative articles.