Learn to handle clients smoothly.
Otherwise, you will work for someone who does.
When I first started freelancing, my focus was acquiring new clients.
I would complete a project, get paid, and then move on to the next client.
I quickly realized that this approach was unsustainable and stressful.
I felt I was in an endless loop.
Hunt clients. Do work. Hunt Clients. Do Work.
This was exhausting. Plus:
- High client acqusition costs (money + time)
- Lack of stable income
- Missed opportunities for long-term relationships
I was tired of this loop.
I felt like I traded one rat race for another.
I decided, enough is enough. I need a better way to ensure consistent income and business growth
Because, if there is no growth, then I might as well keep working for someone else.
One day, after losing a client I thought was satisfied, it hit me: I wasn’t nurturing my client relationships.
I thought that I was doing a good job at client satisfaction. Reality: I wasn’t.
This hit me like a bomb.
That is when I decided to approach this systematiclly.
And I discovered client relationship management (CRM).
I had heard of CRMs before, but I always thought they were modern contact diaries. Nothing more.
My LinkedIn and twitter posts were filled with expert advice;
USe a CRM tool to manage client interactions and follow-up.
Honestly, this is hectic. And can’t be scaled.
So, what is the point of having a system in place if it can’t be scaled.
After some more deep research, I found that you just need a simple client relationship tracker.
And I built one in Notion to build and nurture strong client relationships.
The theory of Dunbar’s number holds that we can only really maintain about 150 connections at once.
And my business only needs 3-5 good relationships to grow consistently.
I need 5-7 friends to have a good time.
1-2 personal relationships for fulfilled life.
So, in essence, you only need to manage 15-20 good relationships for a good life.
Imagine, if you could mange 150 connections at a time, what would your life be like?
Fascinating. Isn’t it?
You could become a millionaire in a year.
Have amazing opportunites come your way.
All of this is possible through relationship tracker in Notion.
Here’s how the CRM (Customer Relationship Management) framework can help you improve client retention and boost personal relationships as well.
Framework: Relationship Management
Goals:
- Maintain a history of communications.
- Track follow-up actions and deadlines.
Once you have your framework in place, it’s time to deploy it using a Notion template.
But before that I need to bust a limiting belief for you which is hindering your growth.
The Myth of Client Retention
A lot of new and experience freelancers think that keeping clients happy is about delivering quality work.
This is a big myth and someone needs to talk about it.
I am not against quality work.
I am against turning blind eye towards all other factors in client retention.
High-quality work is crucial , it’s not the only factor in retaining clients.
I used to believe this too.
- Meet deadlines
- Deliver good results
Clients will automatically stay loyal.
The reality is more complex.
Client retention depends on:
- Building and maintaining strong relationships
- Understanding their evolving needs
- Continuously engaging with them beyond project completion.
This is possible through a client relationship tracker.
My life got a lot easier after implementing that.
I can keep track of client interactions and feedback, address concerns promptly and hsow clients that their business is valued.
Notion Template Implementation
Notion Template: Client Relationship Tracker
To make things easier for you, I created a Client Relationship Tracker template in Notion.
Here’s how you can use it:
- Tracker Setup: I created sections for client details, interaction history, follow-up actions, and feedback.
- Data Entry: Regularly update the tracker with new client interactions and follow-ups. I do this every Sunday.
- Personalization: Use the information in the tracker to personalize communications and tailor your services to each client.
- Check-In Schedule: Set reminders for regular check-ins to maintain engagement.
- Feedback Analysis: Record and analyze client feedback to improve your services and strategies.
