Global Client Relations
In Public Relations, you can easily find yourself working with clients located all over the globe. Whether they are in Europe, Asia, South America or elsewhere, effective communication is essential. Without that, the relationship can get rocky very quickly. Here are a few tips to help build client relations with your client wherever they are in the world:
- Knowing how and when they like to communicate: Whether it’s by email, phone, Skype, or text, every client has a preferred method they like to communicate with. Communicating by their preferred method will go a long way to building your relationship. Also, be sure to know the time difference involved with where you are and where your client is. For example, emailing a client in Asia something urgent at 3:00 P.M. in Miami is probably not the best idea considering it is 3:00 A.M. where they are.
- Constant Check-Ins: Without the ability to meet face to face, constantly checking in on your clients’ needs is crucial. Relaying the status of projects, media, interviews, briefings and any sensitivities as well as receiving feedback from the client is what makes a great relationship. There’s a saying in life, “happy wife, happy life.” In PR, we truly believe in the saying “happy client, happy life.”
- Clearly articulating goals: Clients come from all over the world and all have different goals and dreams for their company. Knowing what media outlets they want to be featured in, what their sales goals are and what messaging they want conveyed to the consumer are all examples of goals that both the client and agency need to be on the same page about. Sharing statistics and analytics with your client also helps to show their return on investment and track progress. It also keeps both the client and agency focused on the clients target goals.
