Tips for Meeting with Local Clients
Do you ever take the time to meet with your clients in person? In the past, it seemed as if I never had the opportunity to do this. As of late, things have changed quite a bit. It seems that every other week I am meeting with clients face to face. While this can be a bit strange at first, over time you will probably find it to be a lot of fun.
If you are worried about meeting in person with local clients, these tips will go a long way in helping you out:
1. Be prepared. When speaking on the phone or communicating via email it is easy to prepare as you go along – the same cannot be said for an in person meeting. You are going to be put on the spot, time after time, and you need to know exactly what to expect.
2. Don’t be afraid to turn the tables. Most freelancers feel that a client meeting is time for them to answer one question after the next. While this is sure to be the case, it is important to open your mouth at the appropriate times. There is nothing wrong with asking questions of your own, and leading the conversation when the opportunity arises.
3. Get an agenda in advance. This goes along with point number one. Unfortunately, many people overlook this detail. Before you meet with a client, ask them what they want to discuss, if they need anything in particular, and so on. It is much easier to prepare for a meeting with confidence if you know what is going to take place. You won’t always know exactly what is going to happen, but you should attempt to find out as much as possible.
At some point you may find yourself meeting with local clients on a regular basis. When/if this time comes, follow the three tips above.
