How to *keep clients* for
the long term, baby

One of my favourite clients has been in my world since 2022 when they reached out looking for Facebook Ads.

Since I shared my secret to sales last week, it won't come as a surprise that I turned that ask into a much, much larger project that didn't even involve Facebook Ads. 🤪

And I'll be honest. The end result was kinda shit. 💩

I think we sold like 2 or 3 spots in their mentorship program after they invested thousands. I felt reallllll deflated and assumed I'd never hear from them again.

Wrong. For years they have brought me in on new projects and referred me to new clients (that are likely going to be clients for years, too). I've become their go-to marketing person, and that's hella cool.

But why the heck would a client stick around for so long without results?? 🤯

IMHO: there are *two traits* of a highly valued freelancer that clients stick with for time:

You care a lot.

You try real hard.

Maybe your process is janky, and missing steps.

Maybe your results aren't EXACTLY hitting the mark.

Maybe you made a few mistakes along the way.

But your heart is invested, and a client can feel that.

For me, pouring my whole heart into a client wasn't possible when everything was a shit show. Just trying to meet deadlines, scrambling, feeling scrambled, eggs. 🥚

Now, with a solid foundation in place, the difference is noticeable. It feels grounding–like that time I free-bled on moss doing mushrooms in the woods. Did I seriously just say that?

Feeling grounded opens up *more space* to explore, create, analyze, and gather – without the heavy feeling of overwhelm just lurkinggggg.

I know it because I've lived it for 10 years: caring and trying lead to long-term client buy-in, and with ClickUp–it takes on a whole new meaning...

Bc with ClickUp, now *caring and trying* looks like:

→ Tightening up processes and workflows so it's even easier to work together​
​→ Never ever dropping the ball + always being one step ahead​
​→ Meeting + exceeding deadlines with output that is blowing their minds so they want to KEEP giving you more​
→ Keeping clients so INFORMED & engaged every step of the way, they are nothing but pumped about their investment

Aim for working together to feel like a warm, reassuring hug with an "I got this" energy that they aren't likely to forget.

That's what rolls into an endless flow of referrals and clients that stick around for years.

(AKA: Reader's results are only one part of the client retention puzzle)

Do you agree? How VITAL are results in your client retention?

​

RBH

Robyn Henke