How can you create lasting relationships with clients as an account manager?

1 Know your clients

The first step to creating lasting relationships is to know your clients well. This means not only knowing their business goals, challenges, and preferences, but also their personalities, interests, and values. You can use various tools and methods to gather this information, such as surveys, interviews, CRM systems, and social media. The more you know your clients, the more you can tailor your communication, service, and solutions to their needs.

3 Add value

Adding value means going beyond your contractual obligations and providing extra benefits to your clients. You can add value by offering insights, suggestions, or resources that can help them solve their problems or achieve their goals. You can also add value by anticipating their needs, exceeding their expectations, or surprising them with something positive. Adding value shows that you care about your clients and that you are invested in their success.

4 Be reliable

Reliability is the foundation of trust, and trust is essential for lasting relationships. You need to be reliable in delivering what you promise, meeting deadlines, and following up on your commitments. You also need to be reliable in being consistent, honest, and transparent with your clients. You need to avoid making excuses, blaming others, or hiding mistakes. If you make a mistake, own it, apologize, and fix it. Reliability builds your credibility and reputation as an account manager.

5 Seek feedback

Seeking feedback is a way of showing your clients that you value their opinions and that you are willing to learn and improve. You can seek feedback by asking questions, conducting surveys, or requesting testimonials. You can also seek feedback by observing your clients' behavior, reactions, and satisfaction levels. Seeking feedback helps you identify your strengths and weaknesses, adjust your strategies, and measure your performance. It also helps you demonstrate your respect and appreciation for your clients.

6 Nurture relationships

Nurturing relationships means maintaining and strengthening your connections with your clients over time. You can nurture relationships by staying in touch, showing interest, and celebrating milestones. You can also nurture relationships by providing ongoing support, sharing relevant information, and offering referrals or introductions. Nurturing relationships helps you retain your clients, increase your referrals, and create advocates for your company.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?