When it comes right down to it, video production is about relationships. Yes, you need skills to produce a project, but if you can't find anyone willing to hire you, then it's going to be pretty tough to make a living. Impressing a client is a crucial element that will help you get repeat business, as well as referrals. With that in mind, here are five tips to impress your next client.

1. Be Prepared

It seems obvious, but being prepared is essential if you want your client to have confidence in your ability. It's important that you show the client that you value their time, and that you are being as efficient as possible. This means showing up prepared for meetings, as well as planning out shoots to minimize down time. It also means giving your client a realistic timeline for the project that you can stick to, so don't promise the world if you can't deliver it.

2. Consider the Client's Ideas

As video professionals, we might hesitate at incorporating a client's idea into a project. But the truth is, the client is the boss, and we all want to make our bosses happy. So you should carefully consider any idea your client suggests, and attempt to implement it, so long as it's not going to negatively impact the project. The client will be more likely to give final approval if they feel like they have their stamp on the work.

3. Leave Some Tricks in Your Bag

Occasionally, you may have a great idea to really enhance a project, and you want to scream it to the world! However, I usually like to have a trick or two up my sleeve that the client isn't expecting in the final project. Once you've told the client about an idea they'll expect to see it in the project, but surprising them with a couple brilliant touches when they view the final project for the first time can really put their response over the top.

4. Be Responsive

We all lead busy lives, and some of us have to juggle many clients at one time. The trick is to always be responsive to your client. If you're busy, and you receive an email or phone call from the client, get back to them as quickly as possible, even if it's a quick callback to tell them when you'll have more time to discuss their project. Keeping open and honest communication is by far one of the easiest ways to keep your client happy.

I've been told numerous times by clients that they loved the final product, but that the most important aspect for them was actually the ease of producing it. In fact, the way the client feels about the process is often one of the biggest factors that affects their ultimate opinion of the product, so remember these tips as you forge through your next project.

5. Be Positive
 
Everyone has good days and bad days, and sometimes stress can get the best of us. It’s okay to vent to your friends and family about changes in a project, but make sure you remain positive when interacting with your client. Smile as they suggest time-consuming changes that you know they will ultimately decide they don’t like, and cheerfully acquiesce when they want to re-shoot that one scene because there was some minor detail in it that they didn't care for. Remember that they probably don’t realize that they’re asking you for the nearly impossible.
 
I’ve been told numerous times by clients that they loved the final product, but that the most important aspect for them was actually the ease of producing it. In fact, the way the client feels about the process is often one of the biggest factors that affects their ultimate opinion of the product. Remember these tips as you forge through your next project, and you’re bound to have a satisfied client who will happily write you that big check for all your trouble.

Image Courtesy of Bigstock.com

Greg Olson, Videomaker's Associate Multimedia Editor

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