6 tips for handling difficult clients
PR pros have to learn how to handle demanding and persnickety partners who want more for less and undervalue their expertise. Consider these tips to mollify tough customers.
Whether you are part of a large PR or marketing agency, toil for a smaller organization or work solo, managing client relationships is no easy task.
It takes effective communication, understanding, and constant efforts to ace agency-client dynamics. While many clients are a breeze to work with, at some point, you will encounter clients who are a nightmare to handle—and like any relationship, even the amazing ones can be difficult at times.
Things happen.
Whether it’s a client who keeps unrealistic expectations or one who never seems to know what they want, the truth is managing client relationships is part and parcel of agency life.
One must know how to tackle them well to succeed. Gone are the days of “the client is always right.” Sometimes, it’s a communications professional’s job to outline and champion best practices, which means saying “no” when a client requests something you consider black hat—or simply inadvisable.
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