5 simple ways to build trust with potential clients

Building trust with potential clients begins with being honest, open and transparent. Communicating a sincere desire to listen to their needs. Demonstrating your professional expertise. Then delivering on your promises by providing them with a high value service.

Below we look at these key thoughts in a little more detail. 

1. Showcase proven results

There are few more effective ways of building trust and credibility than positive feedback and testimonials from previous clients, and for converting casual browsers into loyal customers.

In a digital world where everyone is promising great results, your potential clients are far more likely to trust the experiences of real people. This is why you should take every opportunity to highlight success stories – to share case studies and examples of how you helped others achieve their goals. 

2. Be transparent in communication

Being open and honest upfront about pricing, timelines, and deliverables is a crucial factor in building trust, and for establishing secure and lasting client relations.

This means a clearly defined breakdown of all costs associated with a project, labour, materials and other relevant expenses, including any possible overruns. Decide whether to offer a fixed-price or time and materials to suit a client’s budget. 

Set realistic and achievable timelines and deadlines on projects, keeping the client updated on progress or possible changes, and define deliverables to ensure they meet the client’s expectations.

3. Provide valuable insights and thought leadership

To create thought leadership for your company, you need to demonstrate that you are a trusted source of valuable professional insights and expertise.

More than that, you must express original and thought-provoking views that establish you as a recognised authority in your industry. 

This is done by consistently creating highly engaging and influential content via channels such as blog posts, social media, videos and any other work you produce, all of which shows you are a voice to be listened to and respected. That you don’t merely follow trends but set them.

4. Highlight certifications and awards.

Industry awards and certifications aren’t just nice things to win, they also demonstrate your deep industry know-how. For that reason, featuring them on your website and marketing materials can significantly enhance your credibility for potential clients.

Certifications show that your team is qualified and experienced, while awards highlight your business’s accomplishments and track record of success.

Besides providing visitors with tangible evidence of your high standards, they differentiate your business from your competitors. They also instil confidence in visitors that they’re making the right choice by choosing your services or products.

5. Start with low-risk engagement

Offering a free audit is one way to show off your professional abilities to a potential client, the hope being that they’ll give you some paid work in the future.

A discovery session is a relatively brief initial meeting with a potential client, giving you both an opportunity to decide if you’re on the same page, and to discover if you can have a productive working relationship. 

Short-term pilot projects are similar and are designed to demonstrate how you handle a small-scale project, with a view to a client allowing you to proceed with something bigger.

Help your new business pipeline with Alchemis.

As the first new business agency specifically for the marketing industry, Alchemis have consistently generated new business and growth for our clients in all types of marketing, creative and communications agencies. 

If your company works within any aspect of the marketing or creative communications industry and you would like to find out how Alchemis can support your new business efforts, please fill in our form or email Jim@alchemis.co.uk or Davidn@alchemis.co.uk.