5 Ways Yakkety Yak’s Approach to Client Relationships is Different
Maintaining client relationships and fostering new ones is the bread and butter of any business. It often requires walking a fine, sometimes shifting, line between professionalism and friendship. Here at Yakkety Yak, we’ve been fortunate enough to have gained the trust of some incredible clients over the years—an accomplishment we honor because it’s been earned through hard work and dedication. Word-of-mouth referrals have been a huge part of our growth and success because our clients know their referrals are in good hands, and that’s a privilege we don’t take lightly.
How do we do it? Like a garden, we grow, nurture and tend to our clients’ needs so they can bloom into their fullest potential. Below we break down five of our top strategies for creating positive, lasting relationships with clients.
1. Accessibility is Vital
One of the biggest advantages we offer as an agency is our level of accessibility. Put yourself in the mindset of a client and what you would want from a company in terms of customer service. Does this person operate strictly 9 to 5, or can I call them after-hours? Are they quick to respond to emails? Can you text them? You’re acting on behalf of your client’s best interests, so it’s crucial that they know you will not just make time for them, but actually be there for them when they need you. Let your clients know what your desired business hours are, but that if they need you outside of that—they can count on you.
2. Communication is a Core Value
As a communications agency, we know this is key. When it comes to your clients, think of communication like breathing: you have to do it—a lot—to thrive and survive. Keep your clients up-to-date on project timelines, answer their questions and address their feedback. Make sure you’re keeping a professional tone, but be your authentic self, too. Have regularly scheduled check-ins to keep all parties on the same page, and don’t be afraid to pick up the phone to clarify something. If you know email or text is preferred, use that! We speak with our clients on a daily basis through a variety of communication channels and have dedicated account managers who work hand-in-hand with our clients to ensure they’re satisfied. When they are, we are.
3. Follow Through is Essential
Just like a delicious sandwich, don’t start something you can’t finish—or it will spoil. Your relationship with your clients old and new is the same way. Even if you really want to take on a project, be realistic—if you don’t have the manpower or resources, don’t promise something you know likely won’t make it to the finish line. Hiring a project manager, like we have at Yakkety Yak, helps to make sure timelines are smooth and all the details are being worked out. We always see projects through from start-to-finish, so our clients know they can fully rely on us.
4. Nimble Approach Separates Us from the Rest
“Life happens” is more than just a phrase your aunt says—to serve your clients best, you must be willing to adjust plans and think on your feet. Life does happen, for us and for our clients! Flexibility is essential to keeping our relationships strong. They know that if a deadline needs to get bumped up or if a project now belongs on the back burner that we can easily re-adjust. Conversely, if we need an extra day to tighten up our research or get a new website absolutely perfect, our clients will understand because they know we’ll deliver a home run.
5. The Yak Pak
We aren’t afraid to brag about our amazing team—aka the Yak Pak. Our office is like a beehive, buzzing with excitement, energy and with all of our team members both owning their individual roles and collaborating together. Take the time to hire the right people and ask them about what they’re good at, and what they like to do. When your team is happy and fulfilled, they’re more productive and can focus better on doing awesome work.
At the end of the day, you get out of a client relationship what you put into it. It’s important to establish clear boundaries, and forming a healthy relationship from the get-go will help mitigate problems in advance. Not all clients are meant to be, but we have formed tight bonds with ours because they know we’re dependable, honest and will keep them informed every step of the way. When clients put their trust in us, they become part of the Yak Pak, too.
Want to get to know us more? Contact us today!
