{"id":21719,"date":"2019-11-13T09:37:38","date_gmt":"2019-11-13T15:37:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gigsalad.com\/blog\/?p=21719"},"modified":"2019-11-13T09:37:39","modified_gmt":"2019-11-13T15:37:39","slug":"creating-and-managing-your-clients-expectations","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gigsalad.com\/blog\/creating-and-managing-your-clients-expectations\/","title":{"rendered":"Creating and Managing Your Clients’ Expectations"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Empowering entrepreneurs to find their place in the market doing what they love is one of the great strengths of the emerging gig economy. A new era of small business owners, innovators, and service providers are unleashing their products on to an open sea of commerce. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But within this gig revolution, many entertainers and performers are quickly discovering that beyond a great product, they need business savvy and skill to stay afloat. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the most underestimated and often ignored keys to business success is the importance of creating expectations and then meeting them. Motivational Speaker and GigSalad Member Jessi Beyer<\/a> told us: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cMany gig-based entrepreneurs are so happy to get a gig that they don’t take the time to read the fine print and iron out the details.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The disconnect between expectation and reality can happen to any of us. We forget to outline travel needs, how many electrical outputs are required, what the exact arrival time is. By not clearly communicating what is needed and what is to be expected, we set ourselves up for a tough gig. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Managing expectations is a critical aspect of any contract or agreement, and could be the difference between frustrated customers and five-star reviews. Creating, clarifying, and meeting expectations must be the priority of every business leader. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Set clear expectations from the start<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Morgan Taylor of LetMeBank<\/a> states, \u201cHonesty is the best policy. Only guarantee what you can actually deliver or even promise slightly less than what you intend to achieve.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a rush to get the gig, many performers or providers will overpromise on what can be reasonably accomplished.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Don\u2019t be afraid to be very <\/strong>clear on what services you can and can\u2019t provide. Taylor went on to share, \u201cIf you’re competing against other firms for the work then you don’t want to under-promise much. Over-promising might secure the work but failing to deliver or compromising quality increases chances you won’t retain the client.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Perhaps this scenario sounds familiar. Eager to book their first wedding, a string quartet answers a bid request and quickly offers a competitive rate and promises they can play any request<\/em> the bride has. As the date approaches, the bride finalizes her list and the songs now require a sitar, a Balalaika, and a ukelele. This piece is the key to the perfect wedding, and you promised any request<\/em>. What is left is all too often bad reviews and ruined memories. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lead Digital Marketing Strategist for Fueled.com<\/a>, Ciara Hautau cautions, \u201cYou don\u2019t always have to say yes. Don’t just say yes to please the client, be sure that the yes has substance behind it and you truly believe the direction you’re taking the client in so you don’t lead them down the wrong path.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Utilizing booking agreements, over-communicating in threads and emails, and educating your client are all fantastic habits that ensure clear expectations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Be clear and consistent in your communication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A little louder for the folks in the back! Clarity, clarity, clarity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lawyer Nance L. Schick<\/a> gives these tips to a clear agreement: <\/p>\n\n\n\n