You're facing project delays in advertising. How do you keep clients satisfied amidst setbacks?

Communicate openly: Be transparent about challenges and provide regular updates. Offer solutions: Propose alternative solutions or timelines to mitigate delays. Manage expectations: Adjust client expectations if necessary. Prioritize communication: Maintain consistent communication to build trust. Offer value: Provide additional services or resources to compensate.

1. Communicate Proactively and Transparently Immediate Notification: As soon as you recognize there will be a delay, inform the client promptly. Delaying communication can lead to frustration and a loss of trust. Explain the Situation: Clearly explain the reasons for the delay, whether they are due to unforeseen challenges, resource constraints, or external factors. Providing context helps the client understand that the delay is not due to negligence. 2. Provide a Revised Timeline New Timeline: Present a revised timeline that is realistic and achievable. Ensure that the new deadlines take into account any additional buffer time to avoid further delays. Milestone Breakdown: Break down the project into smaller milestones with clear deadlines.

Darn it! I hate it when this happens. Jump right in and make a phone call or Skype Call—something that puts a live voice or face in front of your client right away. The face-to-face message is important. Quickly own the delay, tell them how upset you are, and ask them what you can do to make it right. Work with your team behind the scenes to get back on track, move mountains if necessary, and keep the client updated. Again, active updates and progress showing the client you care about will keep the client at bay while you fix the issue. The real win is proactively reaching out in person and giving them a chance to have you make it right.

OVERCOMMUNICATE. Don't wait till the last minute to let them know about issues. Most people are ok with it if you can get ahead of it.

We need to communicate clearly and see if there is some way we can provide value now while we work on the campaign. It might be doing something like a social media audit. This demonstrates our value and encourages patience through the process.