How to Stick Out and Get Clients to Remember You
We are a stimulated society. Our senses are tested thousands of times over daily. From the city that never sleeps smelling like syrup to the ever-evolving way our eyes are inundated with advertisements, we have both people and things vying for our attention.
What makes you stand out in a client or potential client’s mind? Is it the quality of your work? The color of your hair? Or maybe the firmness of your handshake?
All of these, and so much more, could be things that can make or break deals for you.
I am a firm believer in good first impressions, but I don’t necessarily think that a person with facial piercings can’t make a good first impression. I don’t personally adorn any piercings – I’m too much of a wuss among other things – but I have met some that do and they do stand out in my mind. Would I hire them to wheel my grandmother around in a wheel chair at a nursing home? Probably not, but I could see a time and place where they would fit in with other jobs.
Although it has been a while, I can still remember a few things about high school. For some reason today I thought back to the requirement to take a foreign language class at the time, and the circumstances around my decision to jump feet-first into French. What was it that made the fourteen year old version of me decide to sign up for French over the other options? I had no direct relationship to anything in or from France. Was it the fact that it was the only other choice offered besides Spanish and I wanted to do something a little different than the eighty percent of my fellow classmates signing up?
As I think back, I’m pretty sure my number one reason for signing up when I did was that I noticed the French teacher’s last name on the class list and it intrigued me. I scanned each sign up sheet for a reason to pick a class and immediately ‘French I – Ms. Martinez’ stuck out. Yep, my French teacher’s surname was Martinez. Unmarried, even. And I stuck with her for 3 years.
All of which boils down to the fact that I couldn’t introduce myself in French today. But to me at the time, it stuck out. I remember it now because of such a small detail.
In self-evaluating now, what is it that clients remember about me? Do I dress appropriately when I have face-to-face interaction with them? Do they care or notice the fact that I don’t have a brick-and-mortar storefront? When somebody asks them about a product or service I provided them, what are the things that pop into their head or they’re willing to share?
I want to be remembered and assuming you’re in this freelancing thing for the long haul you should also want to be remembered. Create in your mind who you want to be and then make it happen. Granted, you can’t wish yourself into being 6’8″ and 240 lbs with a frame like LeBron James but there are plenty of things you can do to help your clients remember you.
The easiest thing to do in my mind is be a professional. Carry yourself in such a manner that your clients would feel comfortable presenting you to their clients. Take the time to be courteous in your communication. Practice proper language skills for your native dialect and for goodness sake, use a spellchecker. Be, or become, good at what you do because many times your work can speak louder than your ironed shirt.
Think of other things that set you apart:
- Do you drive a clunker? Play it up! Make it a running joke with your clients about taking them to lunch in it and see if they squirm or just decide to meet you there.
- Work from home? Teach them to understand the benefits and cost savings for both of you by not having to pay rent on an office. The fact that you’re more willing to come to their office, saving them time and money, can’t hurt.
- Know a few (preferably clean) jokes? Make a ritual of hitting their inbox with one every now and then to keep yourself firmly embedded in their memory. It will more than likely raise the read-through and click-through rate of future email newsletters. Don’t spam, please, and send the jokes with other helpful and relevant information.
- Have a truly bad tie that most would never be caught in public with? Wear it. It shows you can be comfortable in most any situation and it can also be a great conversation starter. Especially the ones with piano keys on them, everybody hates those.
The list could go on. What is it that makes you memorable? Is what you are being remembered for now how you want to be thought of by clients? If not, take some time to think through what might work for you. It’s a lot easier to get recurring business if your client remembers your name the next time he or she needs some work done.
Hit me up below with some other good ideas that I can steal and remember you by.
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Many of our clients know going in how nerdy we are. They’re aware that we play video games and we will often discuss the latest games. We also have an arsenal of nerf guns. One client comes to meetings armed and ready for battle. We’re remembered for our work but also for the amount of fun we like to have.
Also make sure you don’t annoy people with pull the finger jokes… most people do best with personal branding, or developing a certain style when you create art. It’s far easier to be remembered by work. Also a good way to be remembered is to create emotions. So laughing is definetly a plus as you want the right emotions to start when you interact with the clients.
A great thing is vacation as well. A friend of mine had this occur several times when she talked to clients who came back from a vacation about the places they like and exchanged tips. It’s great to keep a file on the client and write stuff like this down, so you remember it when you call them.
But always remember, don’t come off like someone who is desperate for human contact (isolated freelancer syndrome) and make it happen naturally.
Hahaha, the tie one really works! I had a similar experience with french class. 3 years and can’t remember a word. I find that giving clients a reason to laugh is a huge one. If you can do it without crossing the line they will love you, despite whatever facial piercings you may have.
I use to own a great tie, I bought it for a dollar, secondhand from Vinnies. It was a vintage poo-brown number with a playboy logo and doggy looking stain, that just wouldn’t wash out.
In my case I have an involuntary twitch in my eyes, and it’s probably one of the reasons many people I’ve met remember about me, even when I don’t remember about them. They see it and say “Oh yeah I remember you! You’re the guy that…”, and then conversation ensues. I seldomly joke about it; it depends on the person and the personal/business relationship, but I’ve used it to my advantage by joking about it in a good-natured way.
I also used to have a thick Puerto Rican accent, and people tend to remember that. Lately, though, it’s subdued due to living in the U.S. but it’s still noticeable enough that people will ask me where I’m from, and it’s led to good relationships, business and otherwise.
When I started out, I thought I had to tone down my appearance, fit in with as many clients as possible. Not that I’m a freak or anything, but I figured earrings, edgy looking facial hair & clothing wasn’t ‘business like’. However for the past while I decided I should be in ‘character’ and don’t conform anymore. I think people expect freelance designers to look the part, and if you stand out in your business community by your appearance, it really does help them remember you. I’m careful not to present a sloppy appearance, but I do stick with my own style and be myself.
Well, I don’t think the tie is the best idea for a business thing, for going out or private stuff, yes sure… BUT, and that a pretty big but…you still want to come across as a professional. Having fun and making fun is one thing, but you don’t want to be a clown, unless you are a freelancing clown, nothing against clowns here…
Still dressing funky or like a “freak” can really backfire depending on the business you are dealing with.
I don’t want to be a jerk, but I don’t think this post offers any good advice. You are right, you should try to stand out, but the examples you give aren’t very professional. As the user above, smashill, states—it’s far better to stand out by your work. Driving a shit-mobile and wearing a hideous tie is going to leave a lasting impression for sure, but probably not the kind you want. By acting like a fool you are setting yourself up to attract the wrong type of clients.
Telling someone you work from home is not unique either no matter how to try to bend it. There are thousands of self-employed individuals that work from home everyday; it’s not a reason to hire someone. It is true (and proven) that being funny or clever will help you stand out. However, making an uncomfortable joke about getting a client to ride in your clunker is “high-schoolish” and something you shouldn’t do to a potential PAYING client you want to keep around or get referrals from.
If you want to stand out work on your brand. Do you have a unique story of how you started your company? If so, showcase it as that’s a huge way to stand out in a sea of competitors. It’s great to be a people person, but no one is hiring a comedian.
One final thought: In this post, you illustrate standing out in a 1v1 meeting with a client. This doesn’t really make sense. If you are already on the 1v1 meeting with a potential client, you’ve obviously already impressed them or stood out. There is really no need for the extra hullabaloo if they are already sitting with you.
Thanks all for the comments. Good thoughts all around.
@Renee sorry that you don’t quite agree with my thoughts but I appreciate you following up yours with comments and not just a standard, this sucks. In writing the article my thoughts were not only with an initial meeting of a client but as well with clients you might have previously worked with and not communicated with in a while. Sorry if I didn’t do a good job of making that clear.
I hope that no one thinks they can score a client/job on humor alone. But humor in most situations doesn’t hurt. If you drive a paid-for car that happens to be a little rough around the edges, I applaud you. Not because you have a junk car but because you hopefully see the importance of having a paid-for car instead of staying in the mindset of “I’ll always have a car payment.” And if you do have a paid-for junker, why not laugh about it. No harm there.
@all – Again, enjoying the thoughts. Any other ideas on ways to keep your name fresh in a client’s/potential client’s mind?
I agree with Renee. Do good work and be dependable – that’ll work.
Send them a list of your new websites every three months!
Buisness card is key. I have clients or people that I meet that when I see them they say, “I remember you, you had that great business card” A lot of my clients have told me they kept my card, and show it to friends/co-workers, and family.
Another thing I do is I occasionally set up work for the day at a coffee shop, and I’ll leave my business card out in the open. I have had many professionals strike up a convo with me because of it, and have actually gotten a few jobs this way as well.
Put a lot of time, thought, and money into a well designed and executed business card, and it will pay for itself and then some.
@Chase – That coffee shop ploy is clever! Do you have a link to your business card somewhere?
Standing out is important, but rather than choosing anything which you can use to make you stand out, I think you have to look at what enhances your personality. THe more of your personality you bring out, te more likeminded collaborators and clients you will attract. Standing out in ways which feel unnatural, will seem unnatural and do more harm than good.
As a freelance copywriter and technical writer for more than ten years, I have found a combination of humor and relaxed professionalism as an asset to meeting and serving clients. The writer of this article points out correctly that we, as freelancers, operate in a different world than the 9-5ers, or store-front business owners. I have always found that playing on the “I-can-work-in-my-pajamas” stereotype often works to my advantage in helping potential clients understand the difference in hiring a large copy-writing ad agency and me. My personal attention to their needs, and the occasional anecdote or “clean” joke, sets them at ease and allows them to see how a freelance service can serve all their business needs.
Renee seems like a person stuck in a profession in which she isn’t suited well. Relationships are the key to getting and maintaining clients, and relationships develop more easily if the freelancer and the businesses client can be at ease with one another, whether that be through ugly ties or pierced ears.
If a business-contact sent me jokesy emails repeatedly, it would put a big damper on my developing opinion of them. It comes off as an attention-grabbing ploy.
I started as freelance, and for my good luck my last name is Almada. here in Mexico we had the Almada Brothers, and they were mexican action film actors… they were the worst. I use as an introduction my last name telling my clients “like the Almada brothers”. i have nothing to do with them, but they can make a relationship with my name with something funny.
I have to say i disagree with quite a lot of this post. Most of the points you list at the end of the article would make you seem just plain unprofessional. Everyone hates piano key ties for a good reason. If someone pitching to me turned up in a comedy (or worse, cartoon character tie ) turned up they’d lose the pitch straight away.
I’ve been lucky enough to win quite a few pitches from medium sized businesses as apposed to sole traders and if i were to turn up in a comedy tie after sending them jokes via email i can guarantee you i wouldn’t have won them. Striking up a rapport with a client is one thing, but there are better and more professional ways of doing it. the jokes are fine in the bar after a long day (which is probably the single best way i know to get to know a client properly after a pitch is won) but the client needs to know there is a distinction between you as a person and you as a designer – ie i don’t care how nice or funny a person you may be, are you professional enough to do what you said, in the time you said it.
a few jokes and a dodgy tie is no match for a good pitch and a solid portfolio.
For the men I try and aim a well-timed punch at their Gentleman’s Region while for the ladies I try for a tasteful jab at a side-boob.
I haven’t been getting too much repeat business lately and I think I am discovering that there is a difference between “infamous” and “memorable” . . .
I think personally you should try to stand out and highlight the things that make you unique. Instead of having a junk of a car, making jokes and the likes (which you should still do, make jokes that is) try to share a story about your past, your personality, something that makes you unique.
Perhaps it’s that study abroad you did that final year in Japan, how it opened your eyes to the amazing cultural differences in Tokyo? Perhaps you can talk about that pro-bono client work you did last month that you so enjoyed and are very proud of? Perhaps it’s your simple love for the outdoors and that spanking $3,000 bicycle you’ve just recently purchased?
Things like these would make you stand out, in a good way.
For my part I have a slightly unique answer whenever anybody asks where I’m from. My answer would be “Singapore and Jakarta, half and half.” Usually people will be intrigued and asks more, which is my cue to talk about my cultural background which I believe do make me stand out. Other times people just don’t bother, which is a cue that I’m probably approaching them at a bad time or they’re simply not interested or have already set their sights on another service provider.
P/S: I also have to advice against sending jokes on emails. A cousin of mine has been doing it, and I’m seriously considering blocking him from my in-box. And that’s blood relative, mind you!
I have dreadlocks and facial piercings. Having spent three years nurturing my dreads, and becoming accustomed to the easy life of zero maintenance haircare, I wasn’t about to cut them off when I started up my own business last year. Instead, I keep them neat, and my appearance becomes a talking point (usually when I’m not around). “Oh yes, I was talking to her the other day. The one with the hair.”
I’ve decided to forgo outlandish hair colours in favour of blonde, though. There’s always a line.
I think it should be your personality that stands out the most, but having little things that add to it surly help! I’m from Alaska and when I’m giving any clients my background information I always try to point it out, not only do they find it interesting and it’s a good way to start conversation, but I can lead the conversation into how growing up there influenced my art and my work. Then, when they look back they can think, ‘oh yes, that nice girl who survived -50 degree weather!’
Also, it’s always good to get rid of misconceptions about the place (no, I didnt live in an igloo, no there are no polar bears in my backyard, and no, I can’t see Russia).
There’s no “trick” to standing out in my opinion. A funny tie might work occasionally, if you happen to be in a meeting with a guy who likes funny ties, but it won’t work all or even most of the time.
I think you need a combination of things to help you stand out.
Brand yourself –
Brand yourself consistently and clearly. Are you relaxed in the way you go about business – can customers expect to be able to chat to you? Let your branding show it. Are you strictly professional? Let your branding show it. There are thousands of overly Web 2.0 shiny button portfolios around at the moment – try branding yourself a little differently.
Be Enthusiastic & Put in the effort –
People like enthusiastic people. No one wants to hire someone who is dragging their heels or complaining. Be upbeat, happy and on the ball. Never complain about work to anyone at a company you’re working for – even other freelancers. Be known as the guy/girl who loves their job.
Be Interesting/Interested –
Striking up a conversation about something your client is interested in will make them remember you. If you notice they have an interesting art work on their wall, or a book on their desk that you know of, or they tweet about something cool – mention it and maybe you’ll strike up a conversation and connect.
If all else fails – bribery! –
I wouldn’t recommend this with individual clients, but with temping and permanent work I’ve done, I’ve found that you can be incredibly popular with the office staff if you start bringing in packs of biscuits and offering them around. I even had it jokingly mentioned in a performance review once.
I’m Freelancing for the past 5 years. The ones I know it will never forget me are the ones my work gave them a good ROI.
It’s guaranteed … they keep coming back for more.
Always dress 15% better than the person you’re going to meet
Never ever, under any circumstances, leave a floater in the client’s toilets, if need be take it home with you in plastic container or a stout plastic bag. Remember the client wants to remeber your work not the crap you churn out on a regular basis.
Could go on and on with “stand-out” ideas here, thanks for the post.
Anyone interested in seeing an example of my French class experience can check out a recent blog posting: http://www.faceaside.com “what I learned in school” comments appreciated.
-Chris
Great insights. For that matter of getting notice, there’s always one book I read not too long ago from the heart and soul Satchy & Satchy London named Paul Arden, that keeps popping up into my mind. The book called “It’s not about how good your are, it’s about how good you want to be.” is meant to train you to think and act (in your personal life as well as in your professional life) so you can get noticed and be successful.
Cheers!
Since much of my design clientele comes from academia, I’m not really concerned with offbeat methods for standing out. What I am concerned with is how well I do my work. There’s nothing that gets academics going the way excellence does. And that’s what I strive for.
@ Ali – To say that I am not suited for my profession because I disagree with this post was unprofessional, out-of-line, and down right laughable.
Hmmmm…..