Want to keep clients from departing to another agency? It starts with hiring a great account manager. Being an account manager is far from a passive job. While your main goal may be to satisfy the client, there is maintenance required. Staying organized, culturally educated and industry-focused is essential. Here are a few qualities that make an amazing account manager in nearly any industry:
Account managers value your company. What’s even better than being goal-oriented for your own career? Being goal-oriented for your client. They are passionate about understanding the goals and priorities of the company, paying close attention to detail and brand identity, while maximizing assets and strengthening weaknesses.
Beyond reaching goals, account managers nurture your clients. The client trusts them because they’ve shown honesty, openness and drive. They understand their role as the liaison who essentially keeps a client happy and loyal. When it comes to client-account manager relationships, they know consistency and putting in 110% effort is key. Clients are people, too, so they treat them like friends—listen, be supportive and make them smile.
Rather than letting day-to-day routines get stale, account managers bring fresh business insight. They grasp the necessity of staying on-trend with their industry. They don’t lean too far on one side of left or right brain decisions. They effectively make numbers-based conclusions and emotional choices—separate or together.
Communication can make or break your success with a client, and great account managers perfect it. They write and communicate like an expert. They research thoroughly, embrace proper grammar and really understand the target audience. They aren’t afraid to let creativity shine through and also handle criticism like a champ.
Without fire or passion, even the most exciting projects can fall flat. They don’t settle for complacency. The best account managers aren’t satisfied with just getting by. They welcome critiques on how to manage more effectively and genuinely care about your input. Instead of handing off a task they may be lacking in, they master and perfect it instead.
