Savage counsel – building client/agency relationships
Chris Savage tackles your career and agency dilemmas in his weekly Encore advice column.
Hi Chris,
My clients are becoming less and less loyal. We used to have great partnerships; now we seem to be nothing more than a supplier. What do we need to do to build stronger, deeper relationships with clients in a harder nosed, more fickle business world?
In 30 years working with clients, not one has ever viewed me as a partner. I have always been seen as a supplier.
I would add to that. Take them out for lunch every once in a while, and buy them a bottle of something nice for Christmas.
I second the above – take the client out to lunch somewhere nice every so often.
Duchess the hell out of your clients..
As a shallow materialistic marketing manager, I am in it for what’s in it for me. If it helps the business, well that’s great too.
Have a conference at thredbo or queenstown during winter for a week – throw in ski passes, air travel and accomodation and finish the conference at 10am each morning ;p
You look after me – I approve your ridiculously overpriced estimates without hesitation.
Don’t forget that. You get it all back anyway.