Why old clients are important and how to reconnect with them
As a graphic designer, illustrator, or student, you know that it's important to maintain good relationships with your clients.
As a graphic designer, illustrator, or student, you know that it's important to maintain good relationships with your clients.
But what happens when you lose touch with one or more of them?
After some time has passed, it can be difficult to reconnect with them. This has been a problem for me in the past. In this blog post, I'll discuss how to re-engage old clients and why it's so important.
I'll also give you tips on how to stay in touch with them so you don't lose touch with them again. So let's get started!
Why it's important to stay connected with old clients
Maintaining good relationships with past clients is important for several reasons.
First of all, they may be a valuable source of future work. Secondly, you may be able to get referrals from them, which can help you expand your business. Finally, it's always good to have positive references available should you need them.
Staying connected with old clients can be beneficial for both you and your business. By maintaining good relationships with past clients, you'll create a solid foundation for future success.
How to reconnect with them
There are several ways to reconnect with old clients. One is to send them an email or social media message. You can also offer them a special discount on future projects or provide them with updates on your work. Whatever method you choose, make sure you stay in touch regularly and keep your lines of communication open.
If you haven't spoken to a client in a while, it's always a good idea to check in with them before reaching out with any requests. This will help ensure that they still remember who you are and that they're interested in hearing from you.
It's also important to be aware of the fact that not all clients want to be contacted after a project is completed. Some may prefer to move on and forget about the whole thing. In such cases, it's best to respect their wishes and let them be.
What to say to them when you contact them?
It is critical to be respectful and professional when contacting an old client. To reconnect with them, a simple email or phone call is usually all that is required.
When contacting them, you could say the following:
- "I appreciate the opportunity to work on your project; I enjoyed working with you and am pleased that we were able to achieve the desired results."
- "I hope everything is fine with you and that you are doing well."
- "I'd like to talk about any potential future opportunities we might have together."
- "I hope we can stay in touch and talk about any new initiatives or opportunities that arise."
What can you do to make the process go more smoothly for them?
Making the process easier for your existing clients can help them stay connected with you.
Here are some ideas to get you started:
- Maintain current and easily accessible contact information.
- Make it simple for them to locate your portfolio or case studies from previous projects.
- Maintain regular contact with them, even after the project is completed.
- Stay in touch with them on social media.
- Provide them with offers on future projects.
Sample email or letter template
A sample email or letter template can be a useful tool for reconnecting with old clients. It can help you to stay organised and ensure that you cover all the important points in your message.
Here are two simple templates that you can use to get started:
Sample 1
Hello [name of client],
I hope you are doing well! I just wanted to reach out and say thank you for the opportunity to work on (project name). I enjoyed collaborating with you and learned a lot. I hope to work with you again in the future.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Freelance Graphic Designer
[Your contact information]
Sample 2.
Dear [Client Name],
Thank you for choosing me as your Graphic Designer for the [project name]. I enjoyed working on it and I'm glad to hear that you're happy with the results. I would like to invite you to stay in touch with me, as I would love to work with you again in the future.
Here are a few ways to reach me:
- [Email Address]
- [Twitter Handle]
- [Website URL]
- [Phone Number]
I hope to hear from you soon!
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
What to include in your template:
- A brief introduction
- A thank you for the opportunity to work together
- An invitation to stay in touch
- Your contact details
- A closing statement
What you can offer them that's new and different
It's critical to offer something new and different when reconnecting with old clients. This could take the form of special offers on future projects, new services or products you're offering, or simply keeping them informed about your work.
Here are some new and different things you can offer them:
- A fresh perspective: It's easy to become complacent in our work as time passes. Your old clients may appreciate your new graphic design ideas and approaches.
- Updated portfolio: Keeping your portfolio up-to-date is an excellent way to demonstrate your abilities and attract new clients. Make sure to highlight your most recent work, as well as any recent awards or accolades.
- New services: Are you introducing any new services that your existing customers might be interested in? Perhaps you've begun doing video or web design work? Whatever it is, make sure to notify your previous clients!
Whatever you decide, make sure it's something they're interested in and can't get anywhere else.
This not only keeps them interested in what you have to say but also increases your chances of getting future work from them.
You'll be one step closer to retaining your old clients' business if you can keep them interested in what you're doing.
Tips for staying in touch without being too pushy or annoying
When staying in touch with old clients, there are a few things to keep in mind. First and foremost, avoid being too pushy or annoying. You don't want to inundate them with messages or emails, especially if they don't want to hear from you.
Second, try to be considerate of their time by sending communications that are timely and relevant. Don't contact them unexpectedly with requests or updates that aren't relevant to them.
Finally, ensure that your messages are properly written and professional. This will demonstrate to your clients that you are still an expert in your field and take your work seriously.
Here are some suggestions for staying in touch without being pushy or annoying:
- Remain in touch on a regular but not excessive basis. It's important to maintain contact with previous clients, but you don't want to bombard them with updates every day. Send a friendly email or message once a month, or occasionally reach out to them on social media.
- Do not bother them. If you contact previous clients and they do not respond, stop bothering them. They could be too busy or simply uninterested in working with you again. Move on and respect their decision.
- Keep your messages relevant. When communicating with previous clients, ensure that your messages are relevant to them. If they aren't interested in your new projects, don't send them updates on them. Stick to topics that they will find interesting or useful.
- Always be professional and courteous. When contacting previous clients, always be professional and polite, even if they are difficult or unresponsive. Remember that you want to keep in touch with them even if you're no longer working together.
What to do if you've lost touch?
Even if you've lost touch with a past client, there are still ways to reconnect. One method is to search for them on social media. You can search for their name or company on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter. If you're able to find them, reach out to them through a message or post.
Another way to reconnect is by contacting their old suppliers or partners. If you have the contact information for their old suppliers or partners, reach out to them and ask for an introduction.
If all else fails, you can try mailing them a letter. This may be the most time-consuming option, but it can be very effective if done correctly. Address the letter to the person who used to be in charge of the account, and include a personal note and your business card.
Tips for maintaining the relationship after re-connecting
Once you've re-connected with a past client, it's important to take things slow and not rush things. This will help ensure that the relationship is genuine and that both parties are interested in continuing it.
As stated earlier, you should avoid contacting them too often, as this can be annoying and overwhelming. Limit your communications to once or twice a month. This will help keep the relationship fresh without overwhelming either party.
Finally, make sure your communications are relevant and interesting. Don't contact them with updates about your personal life or anything that's not related to your work.
Final thoughts on why old clients are important and how to reconnect with them
The significance of maintaining positive relationships with previous clients cannot be overstated. You'll be one step closer to getting future work from them if you stay in touch with them and stay relevant.
Here are some closing thoughts on why old clients matter and how to reconnect with them:
- First and foremost, previous clients are valuable because they can provide you with future work. If they were pleased with your previous services, they are likely to return for more in the future. Furthermore, word-of-mouth is a powerful marketing tool, and your previous customers can help spread the word about you or your company.
- Second, keeping in touch with old clients is an excellent way to maintain relationships with them. These connections can lead to additional work and referrals in the future. Strong relationships are essential for any freelance business to succeed.
- Finally, reconnecting with old clients is simple! There are numerous ways to contact them, including email, social media, and even a personal call or visit. By taking the time to stay in touch with them, you demonstrate that you value their company and want to continue working with them.
That's all there is to it! These are just a few ideas for why old clients matter and how to reconnect with them. Maintaining a positive relationship with your clients positions you for success now and in the future.
Have you had any success reconnecting with old clients? Let me know in the comments below!