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Build rapport in 4 easy ways
When it comes to effective communication, rapport is everything! This article will give you an idea where to start, great for if you struggle to pick up the phone!
As an expert telemarketer, the first advice I give to people is to build relationships through good rapport…
Rapport means building a strong relationship.
But, building rapport with clients means the relationship has to be deeper, and it’s in your best interest to get to know them properly in order to be able to tend to their needs.
And, while you may not necessarily see customers in real life if they’re just buying a product – shoes, for example, you need a much more hands on approach when establishing a relationship with a client.
If you’re able to build rapport with a client, it means you’ve been able to make a true connection that makes your brand relevant on a purposeful and human level.
At the same time, building rapport leverages your loyalty where trust leads to long term business.
Regardless of which industry you are in, or the position you hold for that matter, knowing how to build rapport can bring endless opportunities.
You probably already know some basics, like smiling, being friendly and making a little small talk. But building trust and rapport with clients takes a lot more skill than it once did.
As the saying goes, “it’s all about who you know”, so here’s 4 easy ways to build rapport with clients, and create a trusted network of people that can help you and your business become more successful.
1. Talk About Them
People love talking about themselves because it feels more comfortable.
And when you let them, they leave the conversation feeling good which helps to build on your connection.
It’s so easy to do too, all you need to do is listen to them and make a conscious effort to find out more.
And when you appear curious and ask thoughtful questions, it allows the other party to share and open up, which leads to trust.
Plus, asking questions and letting them talk about themselves gives you the opportunity to find commonalities, helping you to build rapport quickly and have a more engaging conversation.
2. Show Real Interest
Naturally, we as people are self-focused, but tunnel vision is not good for building rapport.
Simply, you will find it difficult to build trust and rapport with a potential client if you’re only focused on closing the deal.
And so, it’s important to learn about the client, actively listen to understand their needs and craft a solution tailored to them.
For instance, you can start off the conversation by recapping what you already know about their company goals, what their biggest pain points are and their current situation.
By doing this, you will come across as empathetic, in that you know their business and understand where they are coming from, putting you in the best position to help them move forward.
So, try to get them to open up through open-ended questions like:
- Where do you see your business in 5 years?
- What would you say the biggest obstacle you’re facing right now is?
- How have you tried to overcome that?
In essence, you want to try and broaden your knowledge of the client, their goals for the future and how you can help them achieve those.
3. Be Yourself
It’s important you remain authentic, even when your interests don’t necessarily align.
The reason being, people can easily tell when you’re being fake. And people would much rather prefer listening to someone that talks passionately over someone who’s forcing a conversation about last night’s football match.
In other words, if you’re not a fan of small talk, then don’t do it – there’s no point forcing something where both parties feel uncomfortable.
Instead, let your new connection see you for who you really are. Relax, smile and always hold a positive attitude. Never try to be something you’re not or adopt a sales-like tone, and try to give genuine compliments; don’t just say you like their office if you think it’s tacky, for example.
Lastly, try not to overdo it either – most people will associate over-friendliness with fakeness.
4. Always Keep Your Word
This is especially important at the beginning of any professional relationship and helps you to establish initial trust.
Therefore, keep your word in both the little and big things. For instance, if you’ve set a time for a meeting or a video call, don’t change it last minute and show up on time.
At the end of the day, you don’t want to be that person who makes promises quickly, but disregards them just as much and this can consequently lead to mistrust between you and your potential client.
As small as it may seem, keeping your word is more than just doing what you said you would – it builds credibility in an honourable way and demonstrates your respect for others, as well as yourself.
After all, if you don’t stick to your word, then why should someone else trust it?
Final Words about Building Rapport with Clients
Whilst there are many ways to charm your potential clients into becoming genuine connections, your rapport-building technique should be focused on being sincere, being a good listener and having the willingness to learn about others.
Having the ability to build rapport effectively and opening yourself to meaningful connections will help your business reach new heights.
You’ve probably heard this before, but people buy from people and if a client can see how similar to them you are, and how you can help each other out, it’s a pretty nice way to do business!
To learn more, get in touch with us today.
