A Guide to Hosting a Successful Client Meeting

Face-to-face meetings are one of the best ways to build strong professional relationships with your clients. While online communication is a quick, hassle-free way to connect with your customers, it is less personable and may prevent a friendly rapport.

If you’re due to meet with a client to make a pitch, discuss services, or provide a quarterly business review, you must make it your mission to impress them, convey your expertise, and build a connection with their brand. Read this guide to hosting a successful client meeting.

Identify the Meeting’s Objective

Before inviting a client to your workplace, establish a meeting objective. If you host a meeting for a meeting’s sake, you will frustrate your client who will likely have many tasks to complete. Defining an objective will increase a client’s likelihood of attendance.

Possible meeting objectives may include:

• A marketing presentation
• Creative brainstorming
• A progress review

Don’t forget to identify your preferred outcome for a meeting, such as a client renewing a contract, signing up for additional services, or developing ideas to match their specific wants and needs.

Establish a Timeframe

Time is money in business, which is why you must establish a meeting timeframe. Your team and the client may have other appointments or meetings to attend and providing a time length will avoid frustration. If possible, finish a little earlier than expected to help your client get back on the road, which they are bound to appreciate.

Focus on Your Client’s Goals

Your client will not want to receive a pitch about a product or service they don’t need. Every meeting you host should focus on helping them reach their goals. If you have introduced a new product or service, only pitch it to clients who may require the service to avoid wasting their time. For example, B2B firms must consider their client’s specific goals to ensure they deliver a memorable presentation, impressive quarterly review, or a product pitch.

Hire Corporate Catering

Prove how much you value your client’s time and custom by hiring corporate event catering for an upcoming meeting. Serving delicious food and beverages will make a client feel appreciated and special, which could help your business retain their loyalty. The VIP treatment will increase the likelihood of a client upgrading their services or spreading the good word about your brand. Plus, it can prevent your client’s stomach from rumbling during a long meeting, which will ensure you maintain 100% of their focus.

Engage the Client in Conversation

As you may have much to discuss during a meeting, you might take over the conversation, which may cause a client to become bored or frustrated. Keep them engaged by asking many questions to maintain their interest and attention.

If more than one person from a client’s company attends a meeting, aim to engage with every participant in the room, from the business owner to their assistant. Make eye contact when making various points, encourage participation, and address people by name when they have a question or opinion. It will prove you’re a personable, friendly, and helpful brand, and it could help you develop a genuine rapport with people from across the business.