Whether you are part of a large PR or marketing agency, a smaller organization, or you work solo, managing client relationships is no easy task.
It takes effective communication, understanding, and constant efforts to ace agency-client dynamics.
While many clients are a breeze to work with, at some point, we’ve all encountered clients who are a nightmare to handle.
And like any relationship, even the amazing ones can be difficult at times.
Things happen.
Whether it’s the client who keeps unrealistic expectations or the one who never seems to know what they want, the truth is they’re part and parcel of agency life.
One must know how to tackle them well to succeed. Gone are the days of “the client is always right.”
Sometimes, it’s a communications professional’s job to outline and champion best practices.
And that means saying “no” when a client requests something you consider black hat or simply inadvisable.
Whatever the case, here are six ways to effectively deal with difficult clients and deter them from hampering your team’s productivity.
Set the Right Foundation
As in every relationship, it’s important to set the right foundation from the very beginning.
Even though you might be tempted to impress the client at every stage, remember this is your biggest chance to be transparent about how your team works.
So be sure to lay out your process and state your expectations clearly.
Be assertive in your communication.
Stand your ground and let your client understand they must not take you for granted.
Practice being polite yet firm from day one and you’ll evade sticky situations in the future.
Manage Expectations
Managing expectations is the key to strong agency-client relationships.
When you are assigned a new project, understand the client’s expectations.
But do not be afraid to be realistic in your commitments.
The worst thing to do is to overpromise and under-deliver.
If your client asks you for a revision, ask them for clear and constructive feedback in line with their expectations.
This will save both you and your client time.
There will always be those clients that tend to be rather unrealistic about deadlines.
The best way to deal with this is to assess the workload your team is grappling with and negotiate timelines before beginning any work.
If the client insists on expanding the scope of work, make sure you restate this in your contract and are compensated for it.
Provide Updates
Whether you foresee an increase in expenses, face roadblocks along the way or need to share updates on project status—it is a good idea to keep your client informed at every stage.
Do this by sending them status reports, calling them at the end of each day or initiating weekly meetings.
As the project driver, you must be proactive in your approach.
Don’t wait for questions, give updates or highlight issues as soon as they’re known.
Keep the client involved from the first stage and make them aware of your efforts.
Document Everything
It can be infuriating when a client has a sudden “change of heart” and decides to go back on their word, thereby sabotaging your efforts.
While you cannot change your client’s indecisive ways, you can document the agreed upon plan as it unfolds.
After important meetings or phone calls, email the meeting minutes to the client and your team. This will help keep everyone on the same page.
And when it comes to seeking approvals, ensure you have them well-documented before acting.
After all the work you do, the last thing you want is an accusation of misunderstanding or not doing a proper job.
Stay Calm
When you’re stuck with a disgruntled client who is making life miserable, there may be instances where you’re tempted to write a scathing retort.
But at such times, remember not to act impulsively.
And even though staying calm is hard to do, it is the best way to deal with the situation.
Losing your temper and arguing with the client won’t get you anywhere.
Stay calm, put your point forward clearly, and communicate your side of the story rationally.
If the situation worsens, then escalate matters to those with higher authority.
Know When to Walk Away
After spending so much time securing clients and working on their account, it may be upsetting to part ways with them.
However, when a client becomes difficult to handle and refuses to meet midway, or if you or your agency must make a stand on a particular issue, it is often best to call it quits.
Neither party is being served well if the relationship is unsustainable and increasingly toxic.
You’ll save time and energy by working with clients who respect your time and have a better understanding of what you can do for them.
When deciding to part ways, do it gracefully and convey the actual reason behind taking this step.
Have an honest, professional conversation and explain to the client how it is the best course of action for both of you.
How to Tactfully Deal with Difficult Clients
As a communications professional, you have always been told to keep your clients happy, remain professional, and work towards a long-standing partnership.
But you must understand this is a two-way street.
There is no way to build a solid agency-client relationship if collaboration and understanding do not come from both sides.
So use these six tips to understand better how to tactfully deal with difficult clients and avoid giving in to them unnecessarily.
Photo by Nik MacMillan on Unsplash
