When we get a new client at Imagebox, we like to get to know more than just the project-specific details. We believe that the best professional relationships are built on mutual understanding and respect, and that’s why we aim to get to know the nitty gritty about the businesses we have the pleasure of working with.

In my position, where I often write from the businesses’ point of view, it’s important that I capture the spirit of the business. From what makes them tick to what inspires them and their history, every piece of a business is important to understand. Here are a few tactics that help us get to know our clients so that we can build long-lasting relationships:

Research

There are some obvious things that you do in order to prep for that first initial meeting with a new client, and that includes a thorough Google search! I read their website, check for them on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, Pinterest, YouTube, and Instagram, and read their reviews on Yelp. I also like to read any articles that have been written about them locally to get the best possible feel for their business without hearing it from their own mouths.

Face-to-face meetings

Each of our new clients has a face-to-face meeting with our team in order to discuss their project, what they expect, and what we expect. I love these meetings because it is the first time that I get to hear my clients’ stories from their perspective. And because it is my job to take their story and write it to help them attract customers and best explain their business, this step is crucial.

This is also a great time to ask questions and get a feel for the tone that will need to translate into their web copy and blog posts.  Normally, if a client has a casual tone in their meetings, that translates well into everything they do. Seeing their facial expressions as we discuss ideas is also a great way to see what they are excited about and what they don’t love as much.

Space exploration

No, I don’t mean that we suit up and hit NASA headquarters. I mean that I love seeing the space that my clients work in. From the color of paint they picked for the walls to the trinkets sitting on their desks, you can learn a lot about someone based on what their workspace looks like. You can really get a feel for what clients are proud of and what is important to them outside of the office. And, with our small and medium sized clients, that can be just as important as knowing their budget and mission statement.

For instance, during a recent visit to one of our clients’ offices, we spotted a quote on the wall that they used to help build the entire premise of their business. I learned so much about their goals and motivations just by looking around their workspace.

Questionnaires

While knowing just the facts isn’t enough, knowing the facts is important. That’s why we’ve created a questionnaire that covers topics such as other websites clients like for inspiration, which social networks they are utilizing and which they’d rather avoid. We also collect social media logins, nail down what exactly our clients’ goals are, and find out which keywords they would eventually like to rank for. By getting this all down on paper, we help keep the project organized and allow our clients to sit down and really think about the content going in to their project.

We are continually building strong relationships with our clients, be they old or new. If you’re interested in working with us, email our Account Manager, Brad Meucci, at brad@imagebox.com.