Looking After Your Bread-and-Butter Client

Most businesses have one. A bread-and-butter client is one who makes up a large portion of your business. Its not entirely uncommon for some businesses to have a bread and butter client that generates 50% of your work. When I first started out back when I was 17, my mother introduced me to one of her art students who was looking for someone to fix her computer. I went out to her place for the first time and after that, this person became my bread-and-butter client.

I would go out there about 2-3 times a month (which was alot for me back then). I have created and host her website, done her marketing and I design and get her business cards printed. Overall she has been a great source of income.

Now days, even though the percentage of my work she represents to my business has lowered. I still go out there about 2 times a month for all sorts of things. It may be setting up a new printer or showing her how to put her digital camera pictures on her computer. Whatever it is I often go out of my way to look after her.

The best way to look after a bread and butter client is to under-promise and over-deliver, especially in regards to turnaround time. I also often shave off a few dollars here and there and I make sure she knows I am doing so. Although I do loose a little income at the time, she always knows I am looking after her which turns into more income as she wouldn’t dream of using anyone else.

For any client that I have ongoing work with, I’ll occasionally drop in if I am in the area to fix small things for no charge. I don’t ever regret not charging either. If you look after your bread and butter client who provides you continuous work, the occasional angry client doesn’t really matter as much.

Anyone else here get started on a single bread and butter client? If so, whats your story?