DIGITAL MARKETERS, LISTEN UP! PITCH AND RETAIN CLIENTS WITH THESE 5 COMMUNICATION SKILLS
Digital marketers are the backbone of any business, if they don’t understand the core of the brand, it is impossible to project the values upfront. They are the cinematographer of a blockbuster movie, representing the stardom from behind the scenes
When it comes to displaying the right vision, a profound marketer needs unmatched communication skills. It is one of the crucial ways to adapt to the environment, deeply necessary.
No matter how quickly you ace your projects, if you aren’t using your communication skills effectively you are on the shallow end of the learning curve and pleasing your clients.
However, we are here to make your life smooth, lets us understand how to develop and practice the top 5 communication skills that will swiftly drive you to the top in the digital world.
Ready? Let’s get right into it!
Keep your ears open and mouth shut- The ability to listen
Of course, listening belongs to the list and there is a good reason for it to be the first one up.
We’ve seen extremely talented marketers give what seemed on the surface level, the most received presentation. It was only later, after digging in a bit deeper, we realized that it didn’t resonate with the brand's intended audience.
No matter how fancy the presentation was, the critical issue arises when none of the clients or stakeholders feels that the topic was addressed properly, even after being communicated previously.
As digital marketers, some are so busy beautifying the project that creating tiny solutions for simple problems gets missed sometimes.
Perhaps, it is very vital to listen to what the client wants, take notes of the issues/challenges, and if need be then asks questions until things are crystal clear.
Be clear as glass – The art of brevity
People hire digital marketers as they don’t have the time to cover all spectrums of the business. There is a plethora of work aligned for attention and you are hired to ease the digital journey. They are busy, so get the point quickly! Without being rocket science, this is easy to master. You preparing before any pitch or presentation gives you an upper hand. Make a brief, even if it something you’ve copied from somewhere else. Having a prepared brief gives your client an insight that you are fully aware of their vision and that makes an impeccable impression that you are right for the job.
Ability of understanding and communicating the “why”
Convincing clients to hire you and retaining the project are two different ball games. After all, you should have the ability to sync with their demands. When someone is trusting you with their business, inevitably, they don’t have questions on their mind (either they are asking openly, or maybe subconsciously). Even for a second, if you divert from their question, the game is over.
- Why are we doing this ad?
- Why are we revamping the site, again?
- How will you help with escalating the number?
- Or something as basic as – what will I get by going digital?
- It is very crucial to understand your client before the meeting and understand the kind of questions you might have to face. The only way to master this is - question yourself. Always ask, Why am I communicating this?
- Is this beneficial for my client?
- Does it represent their vision?
Once you have these answers at your fingertips, you’d be able to solve all the queries in the meeting upfront and confidentially.
Relatability - ability to use an analogy
It is a human tendency to automatically feel more connected they feel related. When it comes to decision-making, no matter how good you are at your job, relatability is like an extra nudge. To achieve that, always use few different analogies, depending on the client. For example, if the client is in infrastructure space, referring to remodeling the website to building a house always works. Another similar example, if you are looking to introduce SEO to their website, use analogies surrounding open house exhibits. Explain to them that putting a well-built house in a marketplace will pour in walk-in customers, exactly like search engines. These types of analogies can only be attained if you’ve done a detailed study before the client meet. Creating relatability gives your client the comfort that you understand them and are appropriate for the job.
Clarity – Repeat if need be
Leaving your clients guessing about your next move for their business is a downhill development. Your communication has to be crystal clear and periodic. Keep them in the loop regarding your plans and vision. Sometimes, even the most talented marketers get repetitive with content. It is purely because they wouldn’t take the pain to communicate and ask for fresh inputs. In years of experience, one thing is certain - if the communication isn’t strong, retaining the client is impossible eventually, as you’d be answerable for the collapse. Even if it requires long email threads, numerous phone calls, or maybe meeting them in person, do whatever is required to keep them updated about your plans and take fresh inputs about the brand activity regularly.
Bottom line
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