Freelancers are constantly having to meet with clients. It’s different than if you work for a company because they usually have everything set in place to conduct a successful meeting. One thing that a company doesn’t have, and you do, is YOU. You are the deciding factor for a client to make his/her final decision to work with you or not. Last week, while in Tampa, I met with over 20 different clients. I had a blast, and I had a great time meeting with all these people.
Here are the things that I did to ensure that they wanted to continue work with me:
- Dress professionally – My mother used to always say this to me when I was growing up. “It’s better to be overdressed than underdressed.” Wear a business suit the first time you meet with the client. Take your cue on how the client dresses and the discussion to decide on what to wear the next time you meet.
- Maintain eye contact – When the client is talking, make sure to make eye contact with them. The worst thing that you can do is let your eyes wander around while they are speaking. It shows a lack of respect, and you can say “au revoir” to that client.
- Smile – When the client is speaking, don’t just maintain eye contact, also smile. Don’t go overboard, like Matt Dillon in “There’s Something About Mary,” but ensure to occasionally smile.
- Find something in common with them – I once took a public speaking course, and the professor said something that stuck with me. He said that try to find something in common with your client, even if it isn’t about business. A lesson that has helped me many times. It puts the client and you at ease, and you are able to be yourself.
- Listen to the client - When the client is talking, listen. I’ve been in some meetings where the client will answer something, and then someone will ask the same question the client just answered. It makes you look bad, so pay attention.
Do you have any tips that could help with meeting new clients? Share them.
Photo Detail: group date on the moon, originally uploaded by ~BostonBill~.
