The Surprising Way to Combat Client Churn w/ Jonathan Ewing
Jul 6, 2023
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Jonathan Ewing, Director of APCO Worldwide, explains how agencies can reduce client churn by predicting and meeting client needs. He emphasizes the importance of setting clear expectations, building trust, and connecting to the outcome in sales conversations. The speaker also discusses the challenges and appeal of agency life, and recommends books and podcasts to navigate those challenges.
Focusing on the client's business objectives rather than just fulfilling requested tactics can lead to better outcomes and client retention.
Having open and honest conversations with clients, discussing difficult topics, and positioning agencies as trusted advisors help build deep trust and long-term partnerships.
Deep dives
The importance of strategy in agency sales
In this podcast episode, Jonathan Ewing, a director at a full-service agency, emphasizes the significance of strategy in the sales process. He explains that focusing on the business objective rather than just fulfilling the client's requested tactics can lead to better outcomes and client retention. By understanding what success looks like for the client and offering strategic solutions that align with their goals, agencies can differentiate themselves and build trust with clients.
Building trust through open and honest conversations
Jonathan highlights the value of open and honest conversations in agency sales. He believes that gaining trust from clients is crucial for long-term partnerships. By asking difficult questions and discussing sensitive topics such as budgets, internal relationships, and personal incentives, agencies can foster deep trust and establish themselves as trusted advisors. This approach helps ensure that clients see agencies as partners who can solve their unique challenges and deliver optimal outcomes.
Avoiding the trap of delivering what clients want, not what they need
Jonathan cautions against the common mistake of delivering exactly what clients ask for without challenging their assumptions. He emphasizes the importance of introducing strategy and proposing solutions that prioritize the client's business objective over their requested tactics. By showcasing expertise, providing alternative insights, and demonstrating the potential pitfalls of following client requests, agencies can position themselves as valuable partners who offer long-term success, rather than simply fulfilling immediate demands.
Managing accounts proactively for client retention
Jonathan discusses the challenges of managing client accounts and the impact it has on client retention. He points out that losing clients is one of the hardest parts of agency life. He emphasizes the need to proactively manage accounts and avoid hidden churn by addressing client satisfaction and ensuring that results align with expectations. By recognizing early warning signs, being transparent and proactive, and continually aligning agency services with the client's evolving needs, agencies can foster strong, long-lasting relationships and minimize client attrition.
What if we told you there was a way to improve your client relationships and reduce churn before retention is even a concern?
Jonathan Ewing, Director of APCO Worldwide, joins the podcast to talk about how agencies can foster positive relationships with clients and reduce churn even before the onboarding process is finished. He discusses the importance of predicting and acting on client needs, and how adjusting your services and strategies accordingly improves retention and keeps clients happy and satisfied from day one.