6 min
Are you a Managed Services Provider?
Do you struggle with finding new customers? What about retaining them?
The competitive landscape of IT services can seem challenging but don’t worry. We’ve put together seven tips to help you attract, manage, and retain MSP clients.
What is an MSP?
An MSP is a company that remotely manages a client’s IT infrastructure and end-user systems. In other words, an MSP provides a range of services designed to improve business operations and reduce costs.
Learn more about what a Managed Service Provider is from our blog post.
What are the top tips to get MSP clients?
Whether you are a well-established MSP or a start-up business, finding new clients can be an increasingly challenging task.
Not sure where to start? Check out these seven tips on how to find and retain MSP clients:
- Understand Your Target Market
- Create Stellar Services
- Develop a Strong Online Presence
- Build a Strong Professional Network
- Implement a Robust Referral Program
- Focus on Exceptional Customer Service
- Invest in Professional Development
- Prepare an MSP Client Onboarding Checklist
- Establish a Long-term Partnerships
- Utilize Advanced Monitoring and Management Tools
1) Understand Your Target Market
First things first. Before you elaborate on a strategy for getting MSP customers, you must clearly understand who you are. To clarify, this means you must understand your audience. Take the time to identify your core competencies, your strengths and what sets you apart from your competitors. Based on that, you can build your unique selling point (USP) tailored to your ideal customer’s needs. Knowing your USP enables you to communicate your strengths and differentiate yourself in the market effectively.
Additionally, understanding your audience’s needs, pain points, and preferences allows you to tailor your services and messaging to resonate with potential clients. This targeted approach can help you find the right customers for your business and develop better relationships with your current clients.
You can’t offer your services to everyone but to your ideal client.
Tailor your messaging and services to meet the specific needs of these target clients. This focus will make your marketing efforts more effective and help you position your MSP as a specialist in those areas.
2) Create Stellar Services
So here we are – let’s understand how to reach the MSP clients who can benefit from your stellar services.
What sets your MSP apart from the competition? Of course, your services! In other words, start with crafting your services considering your audience. Create your unique selling point for your clients, not for the entire market.
3) Develop a Strong Online Presence
Establish your brand by building a strong online presence. To tell you more, you should consider building your online presence on various channels. Here are some examples:
- Content marketing: Fill your website with comprehensive content. Write comprehensive blog articles that provide enrichment content for your clients.
- SEO: Optimize your content for search engines to gain more online visitors and improve organic traffic.
- Social media: Consider the social media channels where your clients may look for your services. Write engaging social media content and post regularly.
- Email marketing: Consider setting up email marketing campaigns to reach your most important customers. Check out this detailed guide to learn more about MSP email marketing.
4) Build a Strong Professional Network
Networking is important for all industries. However, building a strong professional network in the MSP business is a must.
For example, it might be very important to attend industry events and conferences regularly. At such events, you can interact with potential clients and present your business to your audience. Check out the must-attend events for MSPs and IT Professionals.
On the other hand, it’s also very important to join online forums and participate in local business networks. This can also provide several opportunities to share ideas, gain insights, and expose your business to a wider audience. Some examples to mention are Reddit, Linkedin, and Facebook.
5) Implement a Robust Referral Program
Word-of-mouth referrals can be incredibly valuable for MSPs. Implement a referral program that incentivizes your existing clients to refer new business to you. Offer discounts, free services, or other rewards for successful referrals. Happy clients are often willing to recommend your services to others, and a formal referral program can encourage them to do so.
Word of mouth is powerful in growing your MSP business. A satisfied client can become a strong advocate for your brand, spreading the word about your services and referring you to their network.
So, how do you encourage referrals?
Firstly, foster healthy relationships with your clients. This means understanding their needs, delivering quality services, and providing exceptional customer support.
Secondly, don’t shy away. Ask for referrals. Often, happy clients are willing to recommend your services to others. However, they may only think to do so if you prompt them.
Last but not least, simplify the process of referring by providing referral templates that make the process straightforward.
6) Focus on Exceptional Customer Service
Providing exceptional customer service
is key to retaining clients and generating positive word-of-mouth. Ensure that your team is responsive, knowledgeable, and dedicated to solving client issues promptly. Regularly solicit feedback from your clients and use it to improve your services. Happy clients are more likely to stay with you and recommend your services to others.
Your services and support can make or break your MSP business. The quality of your services should align with your client’s expectations. In other words, effective support ensures you’re there for your clients when they need it most.
Your goal should be to thoroughly understand your clients’ pain points, provide tailored IT solutions, and offer prompt, reliable support whenever they face difficulties.
7) Invest in Professional Development
The IT industry is constantly evolving, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies is crucial.
Invest in ongoing professional development for yourself and your team. Obtaining certifications and attending industry conferences can enhance your credibility and demonstrate your commitment to providing cutting-edge solutions.
8) Prepare an MSP Client Onboarding Checklist
The initial stages of any client relationship are pivotal in determining its long-term success. One key element of this is the onboarding process. As an MSP, having a well-planned client onboarding checklist ensures you don’t miss any crucial steps when integrating a new client into your services.
Our blog post about the MSP client onboarding checklist provides valuable information about this argument. This helpful tool can be adapted to fit the needs of each client, ensuring a smooth onboarding experience every time.
9) Establish a Long-term Partnerships
Collaborating with other businesses can extend your market reach exponentially. Seek partnerships with non-competing businesses serving a similar target market. Often, these collaborations offer mutual benefits and can help both parties access a broader customer base. When selecting partners, ensure that their values align with yours and that their products or services complement your offer. A partnership based on mutual growth, trust, and customer satisfaction can significantly strengthen your market position.
Implementing advanced monitoring and management tools, like Domotz, can enhance your service offerings and set you apart from competitors. These tools allow you to proactively monitor client networks, identify potential issues before they become problems, and provide detailed reports that demonstrate the value of your services.
Highlighting your use of state-of-the-art technology can be a significant selling point for potential clients.
As an MSP, you’re likely managing multiple clients simultaneously. Here, robust software tools can be your best allies. They help you track tasks, streamline communication, and swiftly resolve issues – all crucial aspects of managing client expectations.
In other words, partner with the best.
An ideal tool should enhance your operational efficiency and ease your service delivery. Another key point is that the tool you choose should integrate with the tools you already use. Of course, our network monitoring software will cover this for you. We offer advanced network monitoring features and more than 1000+ Domotz integrations. You can start your free trial now and try it.
Mastering the art of retaining MSP clients
Securing a new client is just the beginning. The real challenge lies in retaining them.
Adaptability is crucial in this regard. Adopt a flexible work approach to cater to your client’s evolving needs. A strong company culture forms the backbone of your services. It encourages your team to deliver their best and fosters a work environment centered around client satisfaction. Regularly highlight the benefits you bring to the table – be it timely services, cost efficiencies, or expert support. It reminds your clients why they chose you in the first place and why they should continue to do so.
Conclusion
Success in the MSP business requires a strategic blend of networking, referrals, marketing, top-tier services, and effective partnerships. But remember, while attracting clients is essential, retaining them is equally important. Regularly reassess your strategies to stay relevant and continue delivering value to your clients. As you navigate this exciting journey, remember these tips and your MSP business will be on its way to remarkable success.
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