Four ways to keep your clients happy while on vacation

If your practice is booming, taking a well needed vacation can be difficult. This is especially true if you have lined up new clients who will have to wait to get started. Normally I recommend not working during your vacation, but sometimes you need limited availability. When I took maternity leave, I got smart about this situation. Here are some suggestions to help you plan ahead and handle client expectations and needs while you are away.

1.  A script for new clients about a later start date. Here’s what you can say to a new client who wants to get started. “You know, because it’s my vacation time, we can get started in September, and to save your spot, I’ll run a small deposit. Or we can get you started, and in the meantime, I’ll give you some things to do while I’m away.” Talking about your availability this way shows the client you understand how they want to get started and gives them options to choose from.

2. Offer a group call to provide connection. While I was on maternity leave, I offered a monthly group call to bridge the gap for clients while I was out. It was just one hour per month, but clients still felt like they were connected to me. Even though they weren’t really paying for that call, it was a way for them to feel like they were still getting value. It was provided in addition to any program they signed up for.

3. Limit the hours you’ll work per day. If money is a concern and you have clients who just don’t want to wait, you can choose to work two hours per day or on just a couple of days, whatever feels right to you. This way you can serve your clients, bring in some cash and minimize your hours to enjoy the vacation or leave.

4. Add time to your normal program length. If you usually offer a six month program, just consider it as a seven month program for the price of six. You can send clients a little care package for them to get started while you are away. It’s all how you phrase it, because many clients will feel like, “Wow, I’m getting a seventh month program for the price of a six month program.” Most people will be fine with that.

Your Client Attraction Assignment
Planning ahead for vacation time or leave is the smartest thing you can do. How do you want to handle your time off? Can you totally stop working or do you need to have some work scheduled to keep clients happy? Decide what will work best for your practice. Then put systems in place in advance to make it seamless for clients.