How to Make a Great First Impression on Potential Clients
Dress to impress, listen to homeowner needs and showcase your work in a professional way
A potential client has spotted your work on Houzz or on your company website, and likes what they see. You’ve chatted over the phone or by email and now it’s time to meet them face-to-face. You’re one step closer to winning new business. Here, pros reveal how to get it over the line by making a great first impression.
“Be friendly and personable and, if you’re meeting in a client’s home, show an interest in the space,” says Anne-Marie Kruithof, interior designer and principal at Fuchsia Interiors.
“Ask questions about the client’s home and how they want to live in it and use the space, giving them time to explain their ideas and requirements. Then tap into this to demonstrate that your aim is to help them achieve their vision and style, and not impose your own,” Kruithof says.
“Ask questions about the client’s home and how they want to live in it and use the space, giving them time to explain their ideas and requirements. Then tap into this to demonstrate that your aim is to help them achieve their vision and style, and not impose your own,” Kruithof says.
Not understanding the job at hand is a big no-no, Haddock says. “Prepare yourself by studying the plans or job requirements prior to the meeting. If possible, also have an estimate ready, based on previous or similar works,” he says.
Make sure you go to the meeting armed with the right equipment, such as your laptop or tablet, so you can take clients through prospective plans, products and examples of your previous work and help establish their trust in your expertise. “And don’t forget to fully charge all equipment ahead of time,” Kruithof says.
Any digital images you show potential clients should be high-quality and relevant to the prospective project so they can take inspiration from them — such as the projects you’ve uploaded to your Houzz profile, she says.
Any digital images you show potential clients should be high-quality and relevant to the prospective project so they can take inspiration from them — such as the projects you’ve uploaded to your Houzz profile, she says.
First impressions matter when you’re meeting a potential new client. After all, you represent your brand and everything it stands for. Clients will often speak to more than one person when they’re looking to hire a professional, and making the best impression you can will help you convert that initial meeting to a win.
Investing in easy-to-use business software such as Houzz Pro, which presents your work in a professional way, can help you ace that all-important first meeting. With Houzz Pro, you can create company-branded documents that look sleek and professional, which ultimately means that you can charge more for your work. It’s simple to use and helps you stay on top of inquiries. The Client Dashboard streamlines communications with your customers and makes working together a positive and rewarding experience.
Houzz Pro also has features that allow you to show a client your vision for a project at the first meeting and provide quick estimates and timelines.
The Mood Boards tool allows you to share products, colors and inspirational photos with a prospective client. You can add products directly from the Houzz Pro Product Clipper tool, which captures and stores product images and information from Houzz and other websites.
The 3D Floor Planner tool allows you to show exactly how products will look in a space, which creates a fun and interactive experience with your client.
The Mood Boards tool allows you to share products, colors and inspirational photos with a prospective client. You can add products directly from the Houzz Pro Product Clipper tool, which captures and stores product images and information from Houzz and other websites.
The 3D Floor Planner tool allows you to show exactly how products will look in a space, which creates a fun and interactive experience with your client.
With the Estimate Builder tool, you can quickly build accurate estimates for products, materials and installation costs related to your client’s project.
You can also send tear sheets to clients directly through Houzz Pro and use the Clipper tool to collect and source products online, which the client can then approve with just a click.
Find out how Houzz Pro can help you run your business and manage your leads
You can also send tear sheets to clients directly through Houzz Pro and use the Clipper tool to collect and source products online, which the client can then approve with just a click.
Find out how Houzz Pro can help you run your business and manage your leads
“The first meeting with a client is a good time to take them through the software that you would use for the project, so they can become familiar with how it looks and functions, and ask you any questions,” Haddock says.
“We try to set up client access to the portal ahead of the first meeting so we can show them the initial plans and information that have already been passed into the system,” Haddock says. “We can also show them a current job as an example, along with the level of access and information they would see as the job progresses.”
“We try to set up client access to the portal ahead of the first meeting so we can show them the initial plans and information that have already been passed into the system,” Haddock says. “We can also show them a current job as an example, along with the level of access and information they would see as the job progresses.”
Your turn: How do you impress clients at a first meeting? Tell us in the Comments.
More for Pros on Houzz
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More for Pros on Houzz
Read more stories for pros
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in pro-to-pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
Learn about Houzz Pro all-in-one business software