Pros Reveal: How to Make a Great First Impression With Clients
Dress to impress, listen to your client's needs and showcase your work in a professional way, say these pros
A potential client has spotted your work on Houzz or on your company website, and likes what they see. You’ve chatted over the phone or by email and now it’s time to meet them face-to-face. You’re one step closer to winning new business – here, pros reveal how to get it over the line by making a great first impression.
So how do pros go about making a great initial impression?
“The first, and most obvious, steps are to be punctual and dress professionally,” says Tristan Haddock, director at building firm Renotech Building. Write down the name of the client you’re about to meet along with the address of where you’re going so you don’t get lost and arrive late, he says.
“The first, and most obvious, steps are to be punctual and dress professionally,” says Tristan Haddock, director at building firm Renotech Building. Write down the name of the client you’re about to meet along with the address of where you’re going so you don’t get lost and arrive late, he says.
“Be friendly and personable and, if you’re meeting in a client’s home, show an interest in the space,” says Anne-Marie Kruithof, interior designer and principal at Fuchsia Interiors.
“Ask questions about the client’s home and how they want to live in it and use the space, giving them time to explain their ideas and requirements. Then tap into this to demonstrate that your aim is to help them achieve their vision and style, and not impose your own,” she says.
“Ask questions about the client’s home and how they want to live in it and use the space, giving them time to explain their ideas and requirements. Then tap into this to demonstrate that your aim is to help them achieve their vision and style, and not impose your own,” she says.
Not understanding the job at hand is a big no-no, says Haddock. “Prepare yourself by studying the plans or job requirements prior to the meeting. If possible, also have an estimate ready, based on previous or similar works,” he says.
Make sure you go to the meeting armed with the right equipment, such as your laptop or tablet, so you can take clients through prospective plans, products and examples of your previous work and help establish their trust in your expertise. “And don’t forget to fully charge all equipment ahead of time,” says Kruithof.
Any digital images you show potential clients should be high-quality and relevant to the prospective project so they can take inspiration from them – such as the projects you’ve uploaded to your Houzz profile, says Kruithof.
Find, follow, network with and browse the work of other professionals on Houzz
Find, follow, network with and browse the work of other professionals on Houzz
Investing in easy-to-use business software such as Houzz Pro, which presents your work in a professional way, can help you ace that all-important first meeting, says George.
“With Houzz Pro, you can create company-branded documents that look sleek and professional, which ultimately means that you can charge more for your work.
“It’s simple to use and helps you stay on top of inquiries. The Client Dashboard streamlines communications with your customers and makes working together a positive and rewarding experience,” she says.
“With Houzz Pro, you can create company-branded documents that look sleek and professional, which ultimately means that you can charge more for your work.
“It’s simple to use and helps you stay on top of inquiries. The Client Dashboard streamlines communications with your customers and makes working together a positive and rewarding experience,” she says.
Houzz Pro also comes packed with clever features that allow you to show a client your vision for a project at the first meeting, and provide quick estimates and timelines.
“The Mood Boards tool allows you to share products, colours and inspirational photos with a prospective client,” says George. “You can add products directly from the Houzz Pro Product Clipper tool, which captures and stores product images and information from Houzz and other websites.
“The 3D Floor Planner tool allows you to show exactly how products will look in a space, which creates a fun and interactive experience with your client,” she says.
“The Mood Boards tool allows you to share products, colours and inspirational photos with a prospective client,” says George. “You can add products directly from the Houzz Pro Product Clipper tool, which captures and stores product images and information from Houzz and other websites.
“The 3D Floor Planner tool allows you to show exactly how products will look in a space, which creates a fun and interactive experience with your client,” she says.
“With the Estimate Creation tool, you can quickly build accurate estimates for products, materials and installation costs related to your client’s project.
“You can also send tear sheets to clients directly through Houzz Pro and use the Clipper Tool to collect and source products online, which the client can then approve with just a click,” says George.
Find out how Houzz Pro can help you run your business and manage your leads
“You can also send tear sheets to clients directly through Houzz Pro and use the Clipper Tool to collect and source products online, which the client can then approve with just a click,” says George.
Find out how Houzz Pro can help you run your business and manage your leads
The first meeting with a client is a good time to take them through the software that you would use for the project, so they can become familiar with how it looks and functions, and ask you any questions, says Haddock.
“We try to set up client access to the portal ahead of the first meeting so we can show them the initial plans and information that have already been passed into the system. We can also show them a current job as an example, along with the level of access and information they would see as the job progresses,” he says.
Your turn
How do you impress clients at a first meeting? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story and join the conversation.
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“We try to set up client access to the portal ahead of the first meeting so we can show them the initial plans and information that have already been passed into the system. We can also show them a current job as an example, along with the level of access and information they would see as the job progresses,” he says.
Your turn
How do you impress clients at a first meeting? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story and join the conversation.
More
Keen to pick up tips from other pros on how to streamline your working day? Don’t miss this story – Pros Reveal How They Save Time & Increase Productivity Each Week
“Clients will often speak to more than one person when they’re looking to hire a professional, and making the best impression you can will help you convert that initial meeting to a win.
“A great initial meeting also opens up more opportunities to have quality conversations with prospective clients, and can potentially add to the scope of works on a project,” she says.