February’s hearts and chocolates encourage people to spend time together, if for one day. Use this festive spirit as a reminder in your professional life as well: make time for your clients.

It’s easy to get caught up in the daily routine of news clips, pitching, writing and meetings. We forget to take a deep breath and brainstorm – especially in an agency atmosphere. The same applies to those of us who work for organizations in-house.

When you take a moment to have a conversation with your clients, or departments, that doesn’t involve the approval process, you might be surprised what you learn.

Discover new opportunities. Your clients or co-workers may be busy in their own daily routines and neglect to tell you about an exciting new thing or event. You might be able to use the new information you learn in your current communications, or find opportunities to promote other services.

Feeling snubbed. It’s easier for the employees of an organization to keep track of what’s coming out of the communications shop than it is for multiple clients to monitor everything its agency is working on – but both can feel neglected. A simple call or walk down the hallway can help make sure your clients and co-workers are being represented.

Building relationships. Getting face time may do nothing else but build on your relationship, which is accomplishing plenty. Checking in with your contacts will help them remember you’re there to help. Maybe the next time a new and exciting thing is coming down the road, you won’t have to “discover” it; you’re client or co-worker will think of you first.

What will you learn when you make a little time for your contacts?

See this post on the PRSA-NCC blog: http://theprsanccblog.com/2013/02/21/chocolates-roses-and-face-time/