It’s crucial to be reliable and consistent if you want returning clients. Show up on time, be well-prepared, and go above and beyond to provide outstanding service. If your clients know that they can count on you to deliver a flawless experience every time, they will be more likely to hire you again in the future.
Build relationships with your clients
Building relationships with your clients is a key part of getting returning business. Take the time to get to know your clients, learn their preferences, and make them feel special. Remember their names and their favorite drinks.
Follow up with them after the event to thank them for their business and ask for feedback. By building a personal connection with your clients, you’ll create a bond that will keep them coming back for more. It’s important to consider this as it is expected in modern times.
Offer customized services for returning clients
To stand out as a freelance bartender, you need to offer customized services that cater to your clients’ unique needs. Create signature cocktails based on their preferences or the theme of their event. Offer food pairings or suggest party favors.
Provide personalized menus or signage. By going above and beyond to offer customized services, you’ll show your clients that you’re dedicated to making their event unforgettable. The idea of always going to extra mile should be something that you always keep in mind.
Stay up-to-date with industry trends for returning clients
To stay competitive as a freelance bartender, it’s essential to stay up-to-date with the latest industry trends. Attend conferences, workshops, and tastings to learn about new techniques, ingredients, and equipment.
Experiment with new recipes and techniques, and incorporate them into your offerings. By staying ahead of the curve, you’ll be able to offer your clients the latest and greatest in the world of cocktails and mixology.
Be flexible and adaptable for returning clients
As a freelance bartender, you need to be able to adapt to your clients’ changing needs. Be willing to work with them to adjust the menu, schedule, or location of the event. Be able to handle unexpected changes or challenges that arise during the event.
By being flexible and adaptable, you’ll show your clients that you’re committed to making their event a success. This is going to prove to be very important as you make your way to a long lasting career.
There are many skills that make bartenders great and likely to be hired again
Great bartenders possess a variety of skills and characteristics that set them apart from their peers. These individuals have an extensive knowledge of different spirits, beers, wines, and cocktails. They communicate effectively, listen attentively to customers, and convey information in a clear and concise manner.
Bartenders with exceptional memory can recall multiple drink orders and preferences without the need to write them down. They also have an excellent attention to detail, measuring ingredients precisely, and garnishing drinks correctly, ensuring every drink they serve is perfect.
Creativity is another hallmark of a great bartender. These individuals can craft unique and delicious cocktails that keep customers coming back for more. They also have the ability to improvise when necessary, such as when a customer requests a drink that is not on the menu.
Effective time management is essential for bartenders who need to manage multiple tasks simultaneously, such as taking orders, making drinks, and cleaning up the bar. Great bartenders handle stress well, remaining calm and focused during busy periods while providing excellent service.
Personable and friendly bartenders create a welcoming atmosphere, making customers feel at home. They are approachable, friendly, and always ready with a smile and a kind word.
Responsibility and trustworthiness are also important traits of great bartenders. These individuals take their responsibilities seriously, ensuring customers are of legal drinking age and cutting off customers who have had too much to drink.
The Key to Building Strong Customer Relationships is emotional intelligence for returning clients
As a bartender, your job is not just about serving drinks, it’s about creating an unforgettable experience for your customers. To excel in this role, it’s crucial to possess emotional intelligence, the ability to recognize and understand your own emotions as well as the emotions of others. In this article, we will explore the importance of emotional intelligence in bartending and how it can help you connect with customers and build strong, long-lasting relationships. It’s always good to remember that bartending is great, but it requires important skills.
Emotional intelligence can be broken down into four main components:
- Self-awareness
- Self-management
- Social awareness
- Relationship management
Bartenders who possess these qualities are better equipped to handle stressful situations and connect with customers on a deeper level.
By being emotionally intelligent, bartenders can pick up on nonverbal cues and respond to customers’ needs and preferences even before they verbalize them. Additionally, emotionally intelligent bartenders can anticipate when a customer is feeling stressed or upset and respond in a way that is calming and reassuring. These skills are essential for building trust and establishing a strong rapport with customers.
Building strong relationships with customers is vital for success in the bartending industry. Emotionally intelligent bartenders can achieve this by being empathetic and responsive to customers’ needs. By showing that they care about their customers’ preferences, bartenders can create a loyal following of returning clients who return time and time again.
Developing your emotional intelligence for returning clients
To develop your emotional intelligence as a bartender, there are several tips you can follow. First, practice self-reflection by taking the time to reflect on your own emotions and how they impact your interactions with others. Additionally, work on improving your communication skills, such as active listening and clear, effective communication with customers.
Building empathy is also crucial, as it allows you to understand your customers’ perspectives and anticipate their needs. Finally, learn how to manage your own emotions effectively, so that you can respond to customers in a positive, constructive manner.
Emotional intelligence is an essential skill for bartenders who want to excel in their profession. By possessing the ability to recognize and respond to the emotions of others, bartenders can create a memorable experience for their customers and build strong, long-lasting relationships. By following the tips outlined in this article, you can develop your emotional intelligence and become a more successful and effective bartender.
Picture yourself in certain situations
As someone who mixes drinks and serves customers, being a bartender requires more than just following recipes. A skilled bartender should possess a high level of emotional intelligence, enabling them to interpret the mood of the room and cater to the requirements of each patron.
Imagine yourself working behind a bar on a busy night. A distressed customer approaches and orders a drink, but it’s evident that something is bothering them. You could just serve them their drink and move on to the next patron, but that approach would not be very empathetic.
Instead, take a moment to connect with the patron. Perhaps make eye contact and offer a comforting smile, or maybe ask them a question about their day, demonstrating a genuine interest in them beyond their patronage.
This small act of emotional intelligence can significantly impact the patron’s experience. They feel acknowledged and heard, making it more probable to have returning clients.
It’s important to note that emotional intelligence isn’t only about being pleasant to patrons. It’s also about setting boundaries and understanding when to cut someone off. This can be a delicate line to navigate, particularly with the involvement of alcohol.
Have a watchful eye at all times
As a bartender, you need to detect signs of inebriation and make responsible decisions on when to stop serving someone. It’s not always an easy task, but it is a critical part of the job. In some ways, bartending can be a great comparison to the unpredictability of life. You never know who will walk through the door or what type of day they’ve had. Your job is to meet them where they are and provide the best experience possible.
So, the next time you find yourself behind the bar, keep in mind the significance of emotional intelligence. Use your observational and empathetic abilities to connect with patrons and establish a welcoming atmosphere, while also crafting the perfect drink.
This is sort of a juggling game that you need to learn when you are bartending. Everyone that is involved in this industry needs to understand the value of emotional control. Moreover, it is crucial for this to be done in order to succeed.
This is the main reason why it is essential to guarantee the best outcome when working on any kind of bartending job. You have to make sure that you do this right and keep in mind that a bad impression is likely to make you lose a client forever.
Here are some statistics related to bartender services:
- The bartending industry is expected to grow at a rate of 4.6% annually, reaching a market size of $26.7 billion by 2026 according to IBISWorld.
- The average hourly wage for a bartender in the United States is $11.81, with the highest earners making around $20 per hour. This was released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
- The beverage and bartending segment of the foodservice industry is responsible for 25% of total foodservice sales according to the National Restaurant Association.
- According to a survey by EventMB, 70% of event planners stated that the quality of bartending service is crucial to the success of an event.
- In a survey conducted by Bacardi, 75% of respondents said that they were more likely to return to a bar that offered unique and creative drinks.
- The number of mobile bartending services has increased by 300% in the past five years according to Mobile Beat.
- According to a survey by Toast, 56% of customers said that they would be willing to pay more for a drink made by a skilled bartender.
Does freelance bartending rely on returning customers?
Yes it does more often than not, but there are certain things that you can do in order to make sure that this happens. The following is a list of practices that will help you achieve that goal.
- Exceptional customer care: Customers value it when their requests are addressed promptly and courteously. A convivial and supportive staff can make all the difference to see returning clients.
- High-quality products or services: Customers are more inclined to return if they feel they have obtained value for their investment. Providing top-notch products or services is vital for nurturing customer loyalty.
- Customized attention: Customers appreciate businesses that take the time to understand their particular needs and preferences. Adapting products or services to meet their unique requirements can go a long way in developing customer satisfaction.
- Punctual delivery: Customers expect their orders to be delivered on time and in good condition. Late deliveries or damaged products can result in discontent and lost business.
- Transparent pricing: Customers admire businesses that are upfront and transparent about their pricing. Hidden fees or unanticipated charges can leave an unfavorable impression.
Also consider the following:
- Favorable online feedback: Customers are more likely to return to a business with a solid reputation. Favorable online feedback can be a potent tool in developing customer loyalty.
- Reward programs: Providing loyalty programs or incentives for frequent customers can be an effective method of encouraging them to return.
- Convenient location: A conveniently located business can make it simpler for customers to return. Being located in a high-traffic area or providing sufficient parking can be a significant benefit.
- Flexibility: Businesses that are flexible and adaptable to their customers’ needs are more likely to build customer loyalty. Being willing to make exceptions or provide personalized solutions can make a significant difference.
- Follow-up communication: Reaching out to customers after a purchase or service can make them feel valued and appreciated.
Party Shakers offers the kind of results you want for your next event
There are many people who choose to hire our services due to our customer satisfaction skills. We have been in this business long enough to know how essential it is to provide the best results. In addition, we have a team of highly efficient people who work very hard to ensure optimal results.
This is very important because it allows us to ensure the most reliable outcome. We have several services related to bartending and this includes Photo Booth services, music DJs, and also all kinds of added services like custom mobile bars.
Questions and answers
Is it harder to get clients or to retain them?
Some people will say that getting new clients is the hardest, but keeping them seems to be even harder in many cases. Returning clients can be demanding.
Is freelance bartending reliant on returning customers?
Yes, there are many times when new customers might not be coming in so much due to specific seasons and returning customers can be the bread and butter for the business.
What are the main ways to ensure returning customers?
There are many ways to do this, but the most important is to guarantee that you can provide quality customer service.
Final thoughts on returning clients
Getting returning clients as a freelance bartender requires dedication, skill, and a willingness to go above and beyond. By being reliable and consistent, building relationships, offering customized services, staying up-to-date with industry trends, and being flexible and adaptable is crucial. Also, you will create a loyal client base that will help you grow your business and achieve success as a freelance bartender.
If you want to see how the best in the business work, you can hire Party Shakers for your next event!
