When you’re having a break, you need to prepare your customers so they can get on top of anything they might need while you’re away. Here are some tips to make it as painless as possible for both you and your customers.
Let them know early
How early will depend on how your business works and what type of customers you have. You’ll be in the best position to know how much notice you need to give. If you’re unsure, err on the side of sooner rather than later. The more notice your customers have, the less likely you are to get inundated with work at the last minute. You’ll also find that customers are generally pretty easy going as long as they feel like they’re in the loop. It’s when things are sprung on them or communication lapses that they get upset.
Remind them regularly
Not every day, but if you let them know a month before you go, give them a reminder about 2 weeks out. Mention it again about a week before you close, then send a final reminder on your last day. That way, they’ll be sure to know about it, and to (hopefully) have contacted you before the very last minute. The more ability they have to plan, the more likely it is that you’ll get to stick to yours.
Set a date for final work
There are always going to be some customers who, at 4.45pm on your final day, send you a large job that absolutely, positively has to be done before you go away. To stop this being a huge problem, don’t give customers the date before you leave town. Give them a date a day or two before you’re actually starting your holiday. That way you’ve got plenty of time to deal with any last minute issues. You probably already know which customers are going to be a problem, don’t you?
Switch off on time
Don’t keep monitoring your emails and answering your phone after your declared closing time. If you see it, you’ll want to deal with it. Or, it will be on your mind while you’re away. When you have someone handling things for you, switch your phones & email over to them early on your last day. Or, if you’re going to rely on out of office messages & no phone calls – put your out of office message on and turn your phone off.
If you do these four things in preparation for your holiday, you should be set. When you properly prepare your customers for your holiday you will be able to get away and relax and keep your customers happy all at the same time.