Building Rapport With Clients

Here’s a secret to help you supercharge your networking. Stop trying to hit home runs with every touch point. Instead, focus on small wins that move the conversation forward. I see so many people making big / vague asks up front: “Can you hop on a 30 minute call?” “Tell me how you accomplished [Big Thing].” These people are super busy and they’re receiving this email from you - a total stranger. The last thing they want is another item on their to do list. Instead, start with a small, simple ask that they can reply to in <30 seconds. Here’s a formula that's been really effective for me: “Hey [Name], your experience in [Industry] is really impressive. I know you're busy, but I just had to ask: If you had to start over and work your way back to [Insert Achievement], would you do A or B? A: [Insert Actionable Thing] B: [Insert Other Actionable Thing]” This formula makes is incredibly easy for them to say "I'd do A" or "I'd do B." Now the door is open! Go do thing A or thing B, get results, and report back. Let this person know you took their advice and then ask for more. This positions you as someone who values their advice and has an action bias -- someone worth investing in. That's going to lead to deeper conversations and stronger relationships!

Trust builds businesses. Lack of it? Kills them quietly. I’ve seen it firsthand in the businesses I coach: You don’t need to shout louder. You need to build deeper trust. Because trust is what transforms: → Visibility into credibility → Content into clients → Buzz into business that lasts And it’s built on what I call the 4 Cs: 1/ Competence → Share insight that moves people, not just fills space. → Give them the how, not just pretty frameworks. → It’s not about being impressive. It’s about being impactful. → Let them feel your expertise before they ever buy. Your clients don’t want more information. They want someone who helps them act. 2/ Conviction → Say what you actually believe. → It’s not about being louder. It’s about being clearer. → People don’t trust experts who play it safe. → Speak to what matters, not just what’s trending. The more grounded I am in what I stand for, the more naturally the right people show up. 3/ Credibility → Story over spotlight. → Teach through what you’ve lived, not just learned. → Share the scars and the solutions. → Position yourself as the guide, not the hero. Your story isn’t baggage. It’s your best trust-building asset, when you own it. 4/ Consistency → Show up even when it’s quiet. → Let your presence build predictability. → Brands are built in patterns, not one-off posts. → Create a rhythm that makes people say: “I knew you’d say that and I trust it.” It’s not about going viral. It’s about becoming recognisable. Reliable. Respected. Because trust isn’t built by chance. It’s built by design and by choice. PS: What’s your focus this quarter? -More reach -Or more resonance? I’d love to hear where you’re at. ♻️Repost to help others build trust

How I make my client interactions more personal. I don't work with too many clients at one time. My quarter revolves around scaling my services to my clients and adding probably 1 or 2 more every quarter. I love my depth of interactions with all of them. But how do I make my conversations more personal? I am always invested in my clients growth and outcome. But more than that I am invested in understanding their personal side. More often than not, most of them open up to me with their business challenges, personal developments w.r.t. their spouse, kids, education, hardships, opportunities lost, life, etc. (and not everything is a LinkedIn post. Be very mindful of that) And it's a pleasure to listen to them. I make it a point to know their spouses birthday and their anniversary. I send out personalised messages on special occasions. I always know their kids and spouses names. It is basic etiquette for me. I always enquire about their well-being and stay on top of their concerns and happiness. These small interactions make us more human and build a better level of understanding and trust. This is how I maintain a personal touch with my clients and they do the same with me. We are not only business professionals, but individuals with a life. We acknowledge that. 🩷 How many of you know your clients birthday or their anniversary? How many of you know their kids names, if any? PS: I follow the same thing with my writers. All of them have been with me for over 2 yrs now. 🩷 We are all invested in each other's growth. Show it and do it. 🩷

Not more funnels. No more DMs. You need more trust. If you’re a coach, freelancer, or founder trying to attract dream clients… this is the part nobody tells you: --> People don’t buy offers. --> People buy trust. Your next client is already watching. They’re reading your posts. They’re asking themselves: “Do I feel seen? Do I feel understood?” If the answer is yes—you’re halfway there. Trust has already done the selling. But if your content sounds like everyone else’s? Your dream client scrolls right past. 🙃 Here’s how to start building trust today: ✅ Speak their language Use the exact words they use to describe their struggles. Reflect their reality. ✅ Share specific stories Stories stick. Show them you’ve been there—your journey is your credibility. ✅ Offer micro-wins Don’t just inspire—equip. Teach something useful that creates a tiny result fast. This is what I shared at the eChai Ventures Mumbai event on personal branding. It resonated deeply—because it’s real. It works. People don’t follow the loudest voice. They follow the one they trust the most. So next time you post, ask: “Will my dream client feel like I get them?” That’s how content becomes client-magnetic. — How are YOU building trust? Let me know in the comment section.

Have you ever received a customer service email that made you smile? One that felt like it was written by a real person, not a robot? That's the power of a well-crafted, personal response. I recently had an experience with Blue Apron that perfectly illustrates this. When my lentils arrived spilled, their response wasn't just quick - it was warm, empathetic, and genuinely helpful. This got me thinking about what makes customer service emails truly effective. I've identified three key elements: A casual, conversational tone: Write as if you're speaking face-to-face. It's about being relatable, not formal. Genuine empathy: Show that you understand and care about the customer's situation. It's not just about fixing the problem, but acknowledging the inconvenience. Personal pronouns: Using "I," "we," and "you" makes your email feel personalized, not copy-pasted. Imagine if every customer interaction left people feeling heard and valued. It's not just good for customers - it's good for business. Happy customers are loyal customers. I've seen companies transform their customer relationships by implementing these simple strategies. One client saw their customer satisfaction scores increase by 30% after we revamped their email communication style. But here's the thing - writing effective emails isn't just an innate talent. It's a skill that can be learned and improved. With the right techniques, anyone can craft emails that build rapport and resolve issues efficiently. Was this helpful? If you want more ideas like this, just sign up to get my weekly articles sent right to your inbox! https://lnkd.in/gPE-K7XS

After closing dozens of deals over the years, I can confidently say that trust isn’t built through a pitch. It’s built through presence. I used to think trust came after results. Now I know: trust creates results, and it starts way before the contract is signed. Some of the best client relationships I’ve built didn’t begin with sales calls. They started with conversations about life, not business. Listening actively and showing empathy have opened more doors for me than any cold outreach strategy ever could. Sometimes, deals were closed not because of what I offered, but because someone felt understood. If you’re an early-stage founder or own a business at a scaling stage, here’s something worth building into your daily practice: ..1..  Listen Actively Let people feel heard, not just responded to. Put away assumptions and give your full attention; it changes the energy of the entire conversation. ..2.. Show Empathy Relate to their challenges as a human, not just a service provider. Shared experiences build emotional bridges that no pitch deck can match. ..3.. Offer Value Don’t just deliver, overdeliver. I’ve built trust by underpromising and then exceeding expectations with small surprises that mattered. ..4.. Personalize Communication Generic messages are forgettable. Tailoring your language and approach shows your client they’re more than just another name on your list. ..5.. Be Dependable Trust grows when you do what you say. Be reliable in your words, timelines, and tone; especially when no one’s watching. Trust is slow-earned but long-lasting, and it’s your biggest asset. What’s helped you build trust with potential clients? I’d love to hear your perspective. Remember, if your marketing isn’t building trust, it’s just noise. I help founders turn clarity, empathy, and strategy into real growth. If you’re ready to build trust and scale, let’s connect. #AskQueJay #ClientTrust #EarlyStageFounders #EcommerceGrowth #RelationshipMarketing #MarketingStrategy 

One bad conversation can stall a deal.  (Let's fix that.) Here's the trap even the best can fall into: ✅ You said, “Can I get 15 minutes?” ❌ They heard, “You’re just a name on my calendar.” ✅ You said, “Here’s our pricing page.” ❌ They heard, “You’d better be ready to commit.” ✅ You said, “Do you have any questions?” ❌ They heard, “I’m done talking, it's your turn to buy.” In client development, tone is strategy. And the difference between pressure and partnership? Just a few words. Because the real challenge isn’t getting time  with a client. It’s making that time count. Here are 12 proven phrases to build trust  (without sounding like a sales rep): 1. “How have things been going with [X]?” → Feels personal, not transactional. 2. “What’s your thinking around [this topic] these days?” → Opens a door, not a pitch. 3. “What would success look like if everything went right?” → Focuses on their goals, not gaps. 4. “What’s one thing you’d love to improve in 90 days?” → Specific, hopeful, and actionable. 5. “What feels risky or fuzzy about this?” → Makes doubt safe to share. 6. “Want to sketch some options together?” → Co-creates instead of prescribes. 7. “Want me to mock up a few paths forward?” → Shows flexibility, not a fixed pitch. 8. “Want to hear how others tackled this?” → Adds value, zero pressure. 9. “What would need to shift to make this a priority?” → Respects their timeline, invites partnership. 10. “Would a custom version be more helpful?” → Tailors the next step to them. 11. “Great point, can we unpack that together?” → Builds trust through collaboration. 12. “What’s the best way I can support you right now?” → Puts their needs first, signals partnership. These phrases do more than sound better. They feel better. Because they reflect how great BD actually works: 👉 With empathy 👉 With curiosity 👉 With clients, not at them Try one this week. It could turn a stalled deal into a deep conversation. Which one will you lead with? 📌Follow Mo Bunnell for client-growth strategies  that don’t feel like selling.

A client, talented and booked out, told me, “I keep landing clients who drain my time and question my value.” They weren’t attracting the wrong people by accident. Their habits were doing the heavy lifting, and not in a good way. We cleaned up their positioning, reworked their boundaries, and simplified how they communicated their value. The shift? Fewer red flags, more aligned leads, and smoother deals. I call it the Aligned Client Method. Because better clients aren’t found, they’re filtered in by how you show up. 🔸 Talking Like a Brochure • You’re polished, professional, and totally forgettable. • People don’t connect with buzzwords. They connect with real voices. Lesson Learned: Speaking with heart builds more trust than sounding like a script. The more real you sound, the more real conversations you’ll get. 🔸 Posting Only When You’re Selling • You disappear for weeks, then pop up with a pitch. • It makes people feel like they’re just a number, not a relationship. Lesson Learned: Showing up when you don’t need anything builds the trust you’ll need when you finally do. 🔸 Replying Late to Warm Leads • Someone reaches out and hears back days later. • By then, the spark’s gone and the window has closed. Lesson Learned: Quick replies show you’re ready. The faster you engage, the more momentum you keep. 🔸 Saying “Let Me Know” and Leaving It There • You give them the mic, but no direction. • Most people won’t follow up unless you lead the way. Lesson Learned: Clear next steps move things forward. Ambiguity makes people second-guess. 🔸 Trying to Please Everyone • You water your message down to avoid turning anyone off. • But that also means no one is truly drawn in. Lesson Learned: Being clear and specific may push some away, but it pulls the right ones closer. 🔸 Creating Without Listening • You post what you think they want, but you haven’t asked. • Content without audience awareness often misses the mark. Lesson Learned: When you listen first, your content stops guessing and starts resonating. 🔸 Overexplaining to Prove Your Value • You list every detail, process, and step to sound thorough. • But most clients just want to know you get it. Lesson Learned: Simplicity builds confidence. When you say less but mean more, people trust you faster. Sometimes it’s not your offer that’s the problem. It’s the patterns behind how you present it. From unclear messaging to saying yes too quickly, certain habits quietly shape the kind of clients you attract. ⸻ ♻️ REPOST if this resonated with you! ➡️ FOLLOW Rheanne Razo for more B2B growth strategies, client success, and real-world business insights.

I froze for a minute when a client asked me “How do I know my data is safe with you?” Not because I didn’t have an answer But because I knew words alone wouldn’t be enough. After all, trust isn’t built with promises. It’s built with systems. Instead of just saying, “Don’t worry, your data is safe,” I did something different. I showed them: 👉 NDAs that legally protected their information 👉 Strict access controls (only essential team members could ) 👉 Encrypted storage and regular security audits 👉 A proactive approach—addressing risks before they became problems Then, I flipped the script. I told them- “You’re not just trusting me, you’re trusting the systems I’ve built to protect you” That changed everything. → Clients didn’t just feel comfortable—they became loyal. → Referrals skyrocketed because trust isn’t something people keep to themselves. → My business became more credible. And the biggest lesson? 👉 Security isn’t just a checkbox. It’s an experience. Most businesses treat data protection as a technical issue. But it’s an emotional one. When clients feel their information is safe, they don’t just stay. They become your biggest advocates. PS: How do you build trust with your clients?

Your clients won’t always be honest about what they really crave from you. Sure, they’ll say things like: “We just need results.” “We’re looking for ROI.” But underneath that corporate-speak, here’s what’s actually going on in their heads: 1️⃣ 𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗶𝘁𝘆 Nobody wants to feel lost. Your clients hired you because they’re tired of guessing. They don’t need vague promises or jargon—they need a clear roadmap. → Break things down. → Use visuals. → Say, “Here’s where we are. Here’s what’s next.” When you give clients clarity, you’re not just delivering a plan—you’re delivering peace of mind. 2️⃣ 𝗤𝘂𝗶𝗰𝗸 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘀 Want to build trust faster than your competitors? Show early results. I don’t care if it’s something small, like improving response rates or nailing down their first piece of creative. Give them a win—something they can point to and say, “Okay, we made the right call hiring these people.” Quick wins aren’t just about results; they’re about momentum. And momentum is what keeps clients bought in. 3️⃣ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 Here’s a killer stat: The #1 reason clients leave is because they feel ignored. Don’t let it happen to you. If a client has to ask you, “What’s the status on this?” you’ve already lost. Beat them to it. Send updates before they ask. Anticipate their needs. Proactive communication isn’t just professional—it shows you care. Your clients don’t want to manage you. 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂. And trust doesn’t come from flashy deliverables or big promises. It comes from the little things done consistently.