Client management: Building relationships that stand the test of time

Knowing how to manage client relationships well will set you apart from your competition. Good client relationships lead to repeat business and can turn customers into fans who spread the word about your brand.   

In this post, we break down the basics of client management, explain why having strong skills in this area is so important, and give you some practical examples to help you build trust and keep clients coming back for more. Let’s jump in! 

What is client management?  

Client management is how businesses interact with their clients to build strong relationships. It involves understanding what clients need, providing excellent service, and creating trust. The main purpose of client management is to keep clients happy and coming back for more. 

Keep your growing client portfolio organized with a complete view of all your clients using Teamwork.com  

Why good client management skills matter 

Strong client management skills can make a world of difference for your business. Here’s how: 

• Builds long-term relationships: When you handle client interactions well, you create trust. This is where active listening comes into play. When you pay attention and respond to what clients say, you show them that their opinions matter and their input is taken seriously. When clients feel heard, they’re more likely to stick around and continue working with you. 

• Drives business forward: Happy clients tend to return for more services. For example, if you’re an agency that provides services like web design, social media management, and SEO, a satisfied client might be interested in additional services when you effectively communicate how they complement each other. This steady upsell increases revenue in your business. 

• Improves client satisfaction: By addressing client needs and solving issues that come up, you create a positive experience. Strong problem-solving skills are key here—they help you tackle concerns quickly, showing clients that you’re reliable. Satisfied clients are more likely to leave positive reviews and recommend your services to others, boosting your reputation. 

• Increases profits: Loyal clients are a powerful asset for any business. Not only do they return for more services, but they also tend to refer new clients, which brings in fresh business without added marketing costs. This kind of organic growth can lead to a steady increase in revenue over time. 

The 4 most important client relationship management skills 

Building strong client relationships requires certain skills that can make all the difference between a satisfied client who values your partnership and a disengaged client who may look elsewhere for support.  

Let’s chat through four key skills that are essential for effective client management.  

1. Become a great communicator 

Clear and open communication, whether in person or online, helps you set expectations, keep clients informed, and build trust. With Teamwork.com, you can communicate with clients in real time, keeping them involved at every stage. The platform allows you to share project updates, deadlines, and milestones effectively. 

Bring your clients directly into a proof to review, add feedback, and ultimately approve. 

2. Position yourself as an expert   

Sharing your knowledge and insights helps clients see you as a valuable asset who understands their needs. One great way to do this is to share your knowledge and insights through thought leadership content. Whether it’s through blog posts, social media, or videos, these posts showcase your expertise and increase your credibility, showing clients they can trust in and rely on you.  

3. Deliver top-quality service 

Consistently delivering high-quality service is crucial for retaining clients. Set clear standards, solicit feedback, and follow up after projects to ensure client satisfaction. When clients see you prioritize quality in everything you do, they’re more likely to feel satisfied and loyal to your brand. This commitment to excellence keeps clients coming back and results in positive referrals.  

4. Know when to say “No” to a client  

Set boundaries and ensure that you can deliver on your promises. When you recognize that a request may not be possible or isn’t in the client’s best interest, saying “no” can strengthen your relationship. It shows that you’re looking out for them and are committed to providing the best service possible. 

What is a client management system?  

A client management system (CMS) is a tool designed to help businesses organize and optimize their interactions with clients. The main goal is to simplify how client information and relationships are managed, helping teams keep track of important details about clients and their projects. 

Key features of a client management system include: 

• Contact management, which keeps client details and data organized in one place. 

With Teamwork.com, you can edit records to keep your client list up to date and apply filters to work with specific subsets of clients. 

• Project tracking, which helps teams monitor project progress and deadlines. 

Use Teamwork.com’s Project Health report to get a snapshot of all your projects and track their progress based on individual health status. 

• Communication features, which make it easy to share updates and have real-time discussions about projects. 

With Teamwork.com, you can monitor and review feedback from clients and team members all in one place.  

By centralizing client information in one place, businesses can provide a better service, improve efficiency, and establish stronger client relationships.  

Client management in action 

Client management can vary across industries, but the goal is always to improve client satisfaction and drive business success.  

Here are some specific examples: 

• Check in with clients: Regularly reach out to clients to see how they’re doing and what they might need. This helps you understand their expectations and minimizes any roadblocks down the line. 

• Create satisfaction surveys: After completing a project, send a survey to gather feedback on the client’s experience and identify areas for improvement. 

• Hold debrief meetings: Organize a meeting with your team to discuss what went well and what could be improved after a project. This helps you prevent similar mistakes in the future. 

   

• Use technology: Use tools like Teamwork.com to analyze client feedback on recent projects or tasks. With everything centralized in Teamwork.com, it’s easy to review client insights and make adjustments. This approach helps you refine processes to meet client expectations. 

With Teamwork.com, pinpoint changes that need to be made to a file or link by clicking on specific areas to add comments. 

• Provide educational content: Share relevant articles, case studies, or resources to help clients stay informed about industry trends and best practices. This positions you as an industry expert. 

• Personalize communication: Tailor your messages based on each client's preferences, whether they prefer updates through email, tools like Slack or Teamwork.com, or even phone calls. Some clients might want to receive weekly updates, while others may prefer a more hands-off approach. This shows that you value and respect their time. 

Why Teamwork.com is the perfect client management system for your business  

Teamwork.com offers a range of features designed to improve client management and overall efficiency. Its robust project-tracking tools allow you to monitor progress in real time, ensuring clients stay informed at every stage of the project cycle. The task management feature lets you assign responsibilities, helping everyone meet deadlines and exceed client expectations. 

Teamwork.com also includes communication features, such as built-in messaging and updates, which build seamless collaboration between your team and clients. With customizable reports and dashboards, you gain valuable insights into project performance. Teamwork.com’s user-friendly interface makes it a great choice for businesses looking to simplify their client management.  

Discover what our clients have to say about how Teamwork.com has transformed their business. 

 "I personally cannot put a dollar figure on the impact of Teamwork. To be able to track tasks, timelines, details and then have that information in report format to pull at a moment’s notice has made my job immeasurably more efficient."

Stephanie Deits, IDEA PLANET

Director of Accounting and Corporate Operations

FAQs about client management   

What are the key principles of client management?  

The key principles of client management focus on building strong relationships and delivering client satisfaction. Here are the essentials: 

1. Effective communication: Maintain open communication to build trust and quickly address any concerns. 

2. Understanding client needs: Tailor your services based on their specific goals and challenges. 

3. Setting clear expectations: Outline deliverables and timelines to prevent misunderstandings. 

4. Responsiveness: Be quick to respond to questions, showing that you value your clients’ time and input. 

1. Delivering quality service: Consistently deliver high-quality work while keeping the client’s best interest in mind. 

2. Feedback and improvement: Encourage client feedback and use it to improve your services. 

Is client management the same as customer service? 

No, client management isn’t the same as customer service. Client management is about building long-term relationships and understanding what your clients need. Customer service is focused on helping with immediate questions or issues as they arise. 

What is the role of a client manager? 

A client manager is the main point of contact between a company and its clients. They ensure client satisfaction by understanding the client’s needs, managing projects, and resolving any issues that arise. Their goal is to create a positive experience that builds lasting relationships.