5 Tips to Better Manage Clients and Projects
Being a successful social media manager at a Digital Marketing agency requires a vast set of skills; some of these skills you can acquire in college and university but others? Not so much.
Navigating the social media realm on behalf of a client certainly requires essential knowledge of various software, platforms and tools available. Similarly, achieving a consistent and memorable brand identity through social media messaging is only made possible with a strong relationship that includes authenticity, transparency and trust.
Here are five simple communication tips that can help you to navigate professional relationships and evolve as a social media specialist.
1.Subject Headers
When communicating with a client, it is easy to get lost in the details. It is best to keep the conversation simple and utilize subject headers that define topic and intention as clearly as possible. Avoid continuing unrelated discussions under a specific subject header to streamline search and reference capabilities later on.
2.One Step at a Time
Big projects have a lot of moving parts, and it’s easy to get lost in the weeds. While you may not be a project manager by trade, you’re going to need to stay motivated, organized and task-oriented. Make a check-list and complete your projects component by component. Your clients will appreciate your approach as it reduces their stress and eliminates any risk of confusion. Be transparent from the start and outline any essential processes you may have in place to avoid ongoing questioning and concerns.
3.Phone Calls
When you try to be clear with emails, there is always a risk of being misunderstood or misinterpreted. It is best to avoid complicated conversations over email and opt for a phone call instead. From experience, the more I communicate verbally with my client, the better they can understand what I ultimately write in my emails. Avoid unnecessary tension and frustration by relaying this communication method and preference early on.
4.Manage Expectations
You may or may not have Toronto’s best marketing strategy, but your client relies on you for a sense of security and assurance. Always communicate to give them an idea of what exactly to expect. If you can deliver a simple quarterly plan, your client is less likely to follow up frequently as the plan is approved firsthand and readily available for reference. Keep in mind; it is always better to under-promise and over-deliver than vice-versa. The level of trust you develop is squarely related to your ability to manage expectations. Define, then deliver.
5.Create Consistency
When building a brand new professional relationship, it can be helpful to humanize the partnership and develop a certain level of consistency to establish a foundation for trust. Consider inviting your client to kickoff, weekly or bi-weekly meetings for a guaranteed opportunity to touch base, get to know one another on a personal level and ensure that no one gets lost along the way.
With these five tips in mind, you can begin to combine your incredible skill set with a strategic and logical communications approach to optimize career success and enhance the overall client experience. Let us know how these tips work for you.
