How to Craft Client Guides in Dubsado: A Step-by-Step Guide
Creating a seamless client experience is essential for any business owner, especially in a fast-paced, service-based industry. A well-crafted client guide can help you set expectations, answer frequently asked questions, and create a memorable experience—all without a lot of hands-on communication from you. In this post, we’ll explore how to create and optimize client guides in Dubsado, from choosing the right content to understanding the benefits.
Why Create Client Guides in Dubsado?
Client guides are an easy, effective way to centralize important information, automate client communication, and enhance your clients’ journey with your brand. Dubsado’s forms make it simple to design guides that can be directly embedded into your workflows. You can make updates as needed, refresh information annually, and even apply edits on a project-by-project basis. With a Dubsado guide, you can save time, improve communication, and deliver a professional, high-end experience that will make your clients feel cared for and valued.
Types of Client Guides to Consider
Wondering what kinds of guides to create? Here are a few common types that can bring value to both you and your clients:
Pricing Guides
When to Use: Send this guide when prospective clients reach out with questions about your services and fees.
Content to Include: A breakdown of your services, packages, and pricing options, along with any relevant add-ons. Consider adding FAQs related to pricing, such as “What does this package include?” or “What payment methods do you accept?”
Why It’s Helpful: A pricing guide can help weed out clients who might not be in your budget range while answering common questions up front. You’ll also be setting a tone of transparency and professionalism, which builds trust.
Welcome Guides
When to Use: This guide can be sent once a client books your services.
Content to Include: Information about your process, what the client can expect in the next steps, a timeline for key deliverables, and any introductory materials they might need to review. Consider including a “Meet the Team” section if you work with a larger team, or an overview of your brand values and goals.
Why It’s Helpful: A well-designed welcome guide can reassure clients about their choice to work with you. It sets a positive, proactive tone, communicates your brand, and shows that you’ve thought ahead about their journey with you.
Project or Service Specific Guides
When to Use: For each major service or project type, send a custom guide with tailored information.
Content to Include: Details related to the project, such as deliverables, timelines, and any specific preparation the client should do on their end. Consider a “What to Expect” section, which can be especially useful for complex services.
Why It’s Helpful: Giving clients a comprehensive understanding of their specific project helps to manage expectations. It reduces back-and-forth communication and keeps the project on track.
FAQ Guides
When to Use: This is useful to send after onboarding or before a critical phase in the client journey.
Content to Include: Answer commonly asked questions, such as “What happens if I need to reschedule?” or “How can I access my deliverables?” Tailor your FAQs based on previous client questions.
Why It’s Helpful: With a well-prepared FAQ guide, you reduce the number of routine questions clients need to ask. This keeps the project moving smoothly and gives clients the independence to find answers on their own.
Guide for Important Project Information
When to Use: Provide this to clients when you kick off a project, ideally embedded into your first workflow action.
Content to Include: Items like deadlines, critical resources, and any other necessary details to make the project a success.
Why It’s Helpful: This guide provides clients with all the details they need to stay organized and informed. Plus, it’s a chance to set expectations around deadlines, communication, and how the project will progress.
Crafting Content for Your Client Guides
Your guide should be informative, but it should also reflect your brand. Here are some suggestions for choosing the right content to make your guides practical and appealing.
Common Questions
If you’re consistently answering the same questions, it’s a good indicator that those details belong in a client guide. This not only saves you time but also ensures your clients feel well-informed.
Include answers to questions about processes, deadlines, and your typical workflow.
Client Specific Instructions
Make sure to include any instructions that will help clients prepare for their sessions or services, such as dress codes for photography clients or preparatory documents for coaching clients.
Having these steps outlined in advance keeps clients on track and reassures them they’re in good hands.
Key Policies
Use your guides to communicate any key policies clients should know, such as cancellation policies, payment schedules, or editing timelines.
Clear, written policies help manage expectations and prevent misunderstandings.
Practical Information
Don’t underestimate the importance of simple, practical information! Directions to your studio, parking instructions, or a contact number can be invaluable, especially if you serve clients in person.
Information like this is especially useful to include in a welcome guide or session preparation guide.
Brand Voice
Use your guide to reflect your brand personality. Are you friendly and relaxed, or formal and detail-oriented? Let your style come through in the tone and language of your guide to build a consistent brand experience.
Visual Content
Consider adding some visual elements to break up the text, such as icons, branded colors, or images that reflect your business.
Visual consistency makes your guides easier to navigate and adds a professional touch.
Benefits of Using Client Guides in Dubsado
Creating guides in Dubsado offers several key advantages, not only for clients but also for streamlining your own processes. Here’s why they’re worth the investment:
Streamlined Communication
With a well-organized client guide, you’re free from answering common questions over and over. This saves you time, so you can focus on more personalized client interactions or other areas of your business.
It also allows clients to feel confident and self-sufficient, as they have all the information they need in one place.
Professional, High-End Client Experience
A thoughtful guide makes clients feel valued and cared for from the moment they book. It gives them insight into what they can expect, which builds trust and credibility.
A professional guide, complete with branded visuals and organized content, can set your business apart and enhance your clients’ experience.
Easy Updates and Edits
Because Dubsado’s forms are easy to edit, you can refresh information as needed. If you want to make annual updates, simply tweak the template instead of starting from scratch.
You can also make specific edits for unique projects, adding a touch of personalization without extra effort.
Improved Efficiency for Multiple Client Types
If you offer different services (like a photographer with multiple session types), Dubsado allows you to create different guides tailored to each service. This enables you to offer a specialized experience without reinventing the wheel.
By setting up guides within Dubsado, you can embed them directly into your workflows so clients receive the right guide at the right time.
Ready to get started?
Using Dubsado to craft detailed, personalized client guides can elevate your client experience while saving you valuable time. With a little thought and customization, these guides can give clients everything they need to know in one convenient, visually appealing package.
If you’re unsure where to start or want to ensure your guides are truly aligned with your brand, I’d be happy to help. Connect with me to learn more about how we can create a well-crafted, professional guide that not only informs but impresses your clients!