Strategies to build strong relationships with your clients

COVID-19 has highlighted the many ways in which our seniors are being failed, and with the 65+ population being 18% of our total national population, caregiver demand is at an all time high.

Caregiving can be a rewarding and stable career choice, but it can also be very stressful at times. At Alto we lessen the stress by allowing you to choose your own hourly rate so there is no negotiation, decide on your own schedule and choose which jobs you would like to accept. This means you can focus on what matters, which is connecting with your client and enjoying the work you do. 

Here are some tips to help you build strong relationships with your clients.

Stay consistent.

Consistency is key. Whether it comes to the steps you follow when bathing someone or the greeting you use when showing up to a booking, you always want to try and remain consistent. Just like the majority of repeat purchases are based on customer experience, clients are more likely to rebook you if you deliver the same level of service each time. 

Be reliable.

Remember that clients are looking for someone to help them at a vulnerable time in their life.  They need someone that is reliable, someone they can depend on. This means responding to booking requests quickly, showing up when you are booked, and completing the tasks you agree to.  Being reliable builds trust in the relationship you are working to develop with your client. 

Be honest and transparent.

Part of relationship building and selling your services is being honest and transparent with your clients. Even if things don’t go as planned, or you don't get around to something they requested you to do, be honest.  Lacking transparency can cause misunderstanding and frustration, so communicating things that went well or did not go well is important.  

Communication

Communication is the utmost important part in developing a strong relationship with your client and increasing your chances of being rebooked.  As the professional in the relationship it may fall on you to open the communication pathway. Use the Inbox in your Alto account to start a respectful back and forth conversation about the clients wants and needs.  Sending a message before the booking to say hello and ask any clarifying questions helps to open the dialogue between you. Allow the client to ask you questions they may have. Remember that providing friendly answers is important as the client may be trying to understand your personality more and decide if you are a good fit for their needs.  

After the booking is finished you should consider messaging them and letting them know how the booking went. 

You can also send them general questions to open dialogue, such as asking for feedback on how they thought your services were and asking if they had any questions or concerns.  

Not everyone is going to be a great match, and when working alone it can be difficult to find clients that match your personality and work style. At Alto we provide you with the information and tools to make finding compatible clients easy.