Consider this an introductory post to a new category addition here on Papertree Design Client Education.
This idea sprang from various conversations I have had with clients in the past and was put into action through the suggestions of one recent client in particular. He pointed out something that I have often told myself but never really though much of and that is the fact that I tend to talk (or walk) through various aspects of the process from planning through development in a very clear manner. A manner as he put it helps the less knowledgeable feel more at ease that we are making the right decisions and approaching the project from the right angles. One that puts a client at ease.
This seems to be part of my regular routine, yet I keep it limited to my one on one contact with my client. On the other hand I use this space, Papertree Design, to focus on a variety of topics but more often then not they are geared towards someone on the provider side of the equation.
Sure I give potential clients something. I give them my portfolio so they can see what I’ve done and sure I write halfway decent content that at the very least gives them some impression that I know what I am doing, but more than likely they are not really going to know what to do with a WordPress function nor do they care to know how to write one.
What I came to realize is that I should spend more time focusing on providing clients content concerning topics they do care about. Topics that will both benefit them and benefit those that work with them. Subjects such as: how they should go about choosing a designer, developer or consultant. How they can be better prepared when approaching a project and contacting the service provider. The value of working with someone and more importantly the value of what we do.
If clients are willing to listen then we should be giving them ample reason to continue doing so. The benefits are many on both sides of the equation. For one it makes your job quite a bit easier as time goes on, it can also make the job of others who may have future contact with this client. It helps to establish a good working relationship with the client by allowing them to feel comfortable and increases the possibility that they will become clients for an extended period of time. Last but not least, educating your client will help them to realize a more successful outcome.
So that’s it, Client Education will be focused on answering the questions and hopefully discouraging some of the myths.
This category will be filtered through a separate RSS feed as well and available through email. (This will be available shortly.) I encourage anyone both client and provider to chime in, add their thoughts and even suggest a topic.