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Customer vs. Client

by Valiant
19 replies
From what I have learned, using the word "client" has a better connotation than "customer." Would you agree or disagree with this statement?
#client #customer
  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    I think of a customer as someone that makes a purchase, and more of an acquaintance. I think of a client as someone that I am working with more closely, and where there is an ongoing job or relationship where we know each other. So it would be pretty difficult to have 1000 clients, but easy to have 1000 customers.
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    • Profile picture of the author jedz
      Banned
      Originally Posted by dvduval View Post

      I think of a customer as someone that makes a purchase, and more of an acquaintance. I think of a client as someone that I am working with more closely, and where there is an ongoing job or relationship where we know each other. So it would be pretty difficult to have 1000 clients, but easy to have 1000 customers.
      Client and customer are two different words. Good explanation has been said.
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  • Profile picture of the author fasteasysuccess
    a client is about building relationships and providing your service. The word client also puts into the perspective that you are providing value and working with versus selling and getting them out of your life.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    A client has to be at least 10 feet tall, and usually has . . . oh wait, that's a giant.

    Nevermind.


    Okay, seriously, customers come and go, a client represent an ongoing relationship.
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  • Profile picture of the author Kris Turner
    I'd feel a bit pretentious calling someone a client if they bought a $27 ebook.
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  • Profile picture of the author FloridaRay
    To me, the word client is more professional. The word customer reminds me of a person ordering at McDonalds.
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    • Profile picture of the author wisedave
      Originally Posted by FloridaRay View Post

      To me, the word client is more professional. The word customer reminds me of a person ordering at McDonalds.
      That is exactly how I feel as well. Restaurants have 'customers'. I can even go a step further with this. A retail shop like ASDA, Target, Safeway, Tesco, etc....they have customers. A business that provides a professional service has clients.

      A hooker has a customer, an escort service has a client. See how that classes things up a bit? :p

      Enjoy!


      -Dave
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  • Profile picture of the author Kris Turner
    I really don't think single purchases qualify someone as a client, no matter how big the purchase.

    If I buy a $5,000 TV, I'd still consider myself a customer.
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    • Profile picture of the author Anonymous Affiliate
      Originally Posted by Alex Taylor View Post

      I really don't think single purchases qualify someone as a client, no matter how big the purchase.

      If I buy a $5,000 TV, I'd still consider myself a customer.
      I agree. A customer is more of a one-off sale. A client is a repeated customer who've become to trust you and your products/services.
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  • Profile picture of the author Online Bliss
    It's your Business.
    Treat them all like a client.
    I want all my customers to be returning satisfied customers (Clients).
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Oh, oh, wait...I'm having an idea flash. Customers...or clients?

    How about we call them clustomers?

    That's it! From now on the more clustomers I have, the better.
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  • Profile picture of the author Nick Bentley
    Somehow in the long run an avid customer can become a client, when both already built a strong relationship.
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    • Profile picture of the author Tina Golden
      Customers buy products, clients buy services. That's how I've always looked at it.

      Tina
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      • Profile picture of the author Michael Oksa
        Originally Posted by TMG Enterprises View Post

        Customers buy products, clients buy services. That's how I've always looked at it.

        Tina
        Same here.

        I suppose certain customers (depending on the niche) could graduate to clients, but that's not to say one is more valuable than the other.

        There are lifelong customers, and lifelong clients.

        There are also one-time clients, and one-time customers.

        All the best,
        Michael
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  • Profile picture of the author Andyhenry
    I'd say a customer is someone you sell to - and a client is someone you work with.
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    nothing to see here.

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  • Profile picture of the author R Hagel
    My definitions match Tina's...

    Customers buy my ebooks, reports and other products.

    Clients ask me to write their ebooks and create their sales letters.

    Cheers,
    Becky
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  • Profile picture of the author Shaun Lee
    Customer: Regular buyer (valuable).

    Client: Service buyer (even valuable).

    Simple is always best. That's why I like keeping things simple.

    -Shaun
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  • Profile picture of the author seasoned
    Client has the connotation of someone worked with on a consistant basis for the SAME thing. You can't just sell someone an ebook and say they are your client!

    Lawyers, fitness instructors, lawyers, money managers, publicity agents, etc.... WORK with people on an ONGOING basis towards the same end, so THEIR customers are clients!

    Steve
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