Client relations: Customer service

Without clients you don't get paid! It is important as a professional investigator to practice good customer service to keep clients happy, increase referrals and build repeat business. 

Communication is a critical element of customer service. Throughout the investigation keep your client up-to-date on the progress of your investigation. Follow these steps to keep client's informed: 

1. Set a schedule with the client to let them know when they can expect to receive updates. Provide daily or weekly updates depending on the type of investigation. Agree to a method that you will use to update your client such as email, a telephone call or in-person meetings. 

2. Provide general highlights of the investigation. Let them know the basic activities you have completed. Do not get to detailed, that is what your report is for. For example; "This week we have conducted several interviews and gathered additional documentation."

3. Stick to your schedule. Once you establish an expectation with your client about scheduled updates make sure you strictly follow it. Meeting your customer's expectations is critical to good customer relations. If you have nothing to report, tell them there is nothing to report.

Customer service is the best way to build your professional private investigator business. 

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