Business

How Do I Politely Get To Business Right Away With A Talkative Client?

October 1, 1994

My clients know that book my appointments back to back. Therefore, I must begin their service as soon as they sit down at my workstation. Also, most of my clients smoke and they know that if they want to take a smoking break during their fill-in, we need to gel started as soon as possible.-Mary Everett, Nails by Mary, Panama City, Fla.

I’ll start working on my client right away and non-verbally make it clear that I’m not ignoring her. Tact really comes into play here. I’ll gently grab my client’s hand, but still continue talking.-Christine McKinney, Nailworks, Honolulu, Hawaii

I already have my client’s hand in my It left hand, so I place my right hand on top of her hand, sandwiching her band between mine, lean forward slightly, look hen’ in the eye and smiley They always stop talking and smile back. Now that I have her attention I say, “We need to talk nails for a few minutes and them we can get to the good stuff.” I then have her ear for as long as I need. Works every time.-Katherine Freeman-Fahrig, Applause Nail Salon

My clients know that they are here to see me for a reason so they are aware of what I need. If a client begins talking with her hands, I’ll reach out gracefully and grab the hand I need. Even though I’m busily working on her hands, I always give my client my undivided attention while she’s talking.-Bonnie Metzger, The Nail Connection, Langdon, N.D.

I’m a very open and theatrical person and if my next client is gabbing with someone else I jokingly, but assertively, tell her to “get over here.” Or, if my client is talking excessively when she sits down at my table I’ll grab her hands and teasingly say, “Let’s get started because we only have an hour and a half.”-Jacklyn Mallonee, Nail Biz, Kennewick, Wash.

My clients know that I am very prompt and like my schedule to run smoothly. If, for example, I am working on my client’s left hand and she is talking animatedly with her right hand, I’ll simply tell her when I need her right hand. Actually, a non-stop talkative client is an advantages for me. I can work more efficiently and faster if my client is doing all of the talking.-Gay Kane, Croat Nails, Beaverton, Ore.

Topics:annoying clients

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