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Managing Multiple Clients - How do you do it?

by Dan Ashburn
6 replies
I see hundreds of posts about getting your foot in the door, generating a client base, producing products and supplying services to local businesses which is all well and good, some quality honest info, however I am intrigued to know what your strategy is for managing multiple clients when you have successfully generated a client base. How do you keep them all happy, let them all know your there, ensure nothing is missed?

I use a small project management system with a built in CRM and to-do-list manager for each but I am sure there must be a more efficient way of managing time, what are your thoughts?
#clients #managing #multiple
  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Manage your communication with your clients by letting them know how you do business. Do this right up front. Expectation creates frustration. So don't let them expect that they're going to get an instant response from you when they send you an email or voicemail. Inform them of how you work. Give realistic response times ("To be most productive on your behalf, I check my emails and respond to them after 4PM every day.")

    The next thing you need is some kind of project management tool that you will use. This is like answering the question "What's the most effective exercise?" The one that you will do. Could be a white board...could be PM software...could be in Excel. Keep track of what's on the go, what needs to be done today, and stay organized.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan Ashburn
      Originally Posted by kaniganj View Post

      Manage your communication with your clients by letting them know how you do business. Do this right up front. Expectation creates frustration. So don't let them expect that they're going to get an instant response from you when they send you an email or voicemail. Inform them of how you work. Give realistic response times ("To be most productive on your behalf, I check my emails and respond to them after 4PM every day.")

      The next thing you need is some kind of project management tool that you will use. This is like answering the question "What's the most effective exercise?" The one that you will do. Could be a white board...could be PM software...could be in Excel. Keep track of what's on the go, what needs to be done today, and stay organized.
      Very true however I think you have misread my post. I was asking how other people manage their projects. I stated I already use a PM system...
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      • Profile picture of the author Deidra Renee
        Originally Posted by Dan Ashburn View Post

        Very true however I think you have misread my post. I was asking how other people manage their projects. I stated I already use a PM system...
        I may have misread it too because I was going to give a similar example. But I manage my clients through excel..I also made a document in Word with clients name, company name, number, etc..and any passwords that may pertain to that client's project (Cpanel password or something else)

        I don't use any type of software, just basically Word and Excel. I also have file folders with the client's info in case it gets lost in the computer somehow.

        As far as time management when dealing with the actual client. I let the client know from the beginning that I'll try to get back with them within one business day. That way (as previously stated) they won't expect me to just jump when they say jump. They can't complain about me calling back the next day because I've already explained that it may take that long.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jason Kanigan
    Nope, I didn't misread. Communication problems are a top killer of business relationships. Managing multiple projects means that you must have a way of stopping an avalanche of incoming requests, all "vitally important" from their senders, from overwhelming you. This is a major part of project management.
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  • Profile picture of the author jjjust007
    I try to set expectations for my clients upfront. Doesn't always happen, but I try. I manage my client using my SEO tracking software. I have clients that always want more keyword or more area once they are on the top of Google. I bill my clients 2 time a month, the 1st and the 15th. I know when billing time is getting close to run my rankings. When I get a lcient that is totally kicking tale, I then call then email them the the new ranking report and sell them more services. This way I just add it to their current billing. So far so good. I hope that is what you were looking for.
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    Joe

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  • Profile picture of the author run2win
    Google for this helpful article...
    sitepoint.com/16-project-management-tools-that-make-juggling-easy

    It mentions basecamp - which is very popular and my personal choice.
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