There are lots of ways to connect with your clients, but here are seven.

1. Tell a story. This is far less intrusive — and way more effective — than making your point directly. When telling your story, evoke specific emotions from your listeners — laughter, anger, compassion — that would help them connect with what he was communicating.

2. Make physical contact (when appropriate). While talking with your clients, place your hand on their shoulder, back, or forearm when speaking, thereby passing your energy on to your client kinetically. 

3. Remember your client’s name. If you have a poor memory find a method that works for you and retain their names.

4. Call them by name. Make sure to call them by name more than once in the course of conversation. Someone once told me that the sound of our own name spoken in a loving tone is one of the most soothing sounds we can ever hear. I agree. 

5. Make deep eye contact and don’t leave until the interaction is complete. This shows respect that they are the most important thing happening right now.

6. Calibrate vocal inflections and volume based on the amount of rapport established with your client. If you have a strong rapport was strong, be more boisterous in volume. If rapport is weak, use a more soft-spoken demeanor. Simple, but effective. 

7. Ask for their opinion. Humans love to give their opinions on things. On those rare occasions when we are actually asked our thoughts on something — and we are listened to — it makes us feel tremendously important. 

Why do you think it is important to connect with your clients? Do you have any other ways that you connect that I didn’t mention above. Tell us your thoughts in the comments. I would love to hear them!