How do you establish trust and with new or potential mastering clients?

As an audio mastering engineer, you know how important it is to deliver high-quality results that meet the expectations and goals of your clients. But how do you establish trust and rapport with new or potential clients, especially when you may not meet them in person or have a long history of working together? In this article, we will share some tips and best practices on how to communicate effectively, showcase your expertise, and build lasting relationships with your mastering clients.

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1 Know your client's genre and vision

One of the first steps to establish trust and rapport with a new or potential mastering client is to understand their genre and vision for their project. This will help you tailor your approach and techniques to suit their style and preferences, as well as avoid any misunderstandings or conflicts. You can do this by asking them to provide some reference tracks, listening to their previous releases, and having a clear conversation about their goals and expectations. By showing that you respect and appreciate their genre and vision, you will create a positive impression and a solid foundation for your collaboration.

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Howard Rabach

Producer ~ Audio Engineer ~ Sound Designer ~ Educator
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I'll often listen to snippets of a client's released material, to get an idea of the type of music. From there, I'll start out by listening with the client. We'll create playlists of music from which the client has been inspired, or likes a particular sound or feel, as it gets me closer to understanding how the client may want to hear their own music at the end of the process. Depending on their background, I might also spend some time discussing the process, asking about how they plan to distribute their music (digital only, vinyl or other physical format, etc.) Beyond that, we'll discuss a time line, find out what deadlines we need to meet, and how the final files will be distributed post mastering for distribution.

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2 Showcase your portfolio

Another way to establish trust and rapport with a new or potential mastering client is to showcase your portfolio and testimonials. This will help you demonstrate your skills, experience, and reputation, as well as give them a sense of what you can do for them. You can do this by having a professional website or social media page that features your past projects, samples, and reviews from satisfied clients. You can also offer a free or discounted sample master for a new client, so they can hear the difference and quality of your work. By showcasing your portfolio and testimonials, you will increase your credibility and confidence, as well as attract more clients.

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3 Communicate clearly

Communication is key to establishing trust and rapport with any client, but especially with a new or potential mastering client. You want to communicate clearly and promptly, so they feel informed, valued, and respected. Set realistic expectations and deadlines, explain your process, ask for feedback and revisions, and update them on the progress.

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Howard Rabach

Producer ~ Audio Engineer ~ Sound Designer ~ Educator
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Establishing and managing expectations is key. Set it up so neither of you needs to "chase the other down" when deadlines are looming. Remember that both of your professional reputations are on display throughout the process, so it's important to communicate in a respectful way consistently, remembering that written communication is often wildly misinterpreted. Be sure to keep written communication brief and to the point. Beyond that, supplement with a live call or Zoom meeting as often as practically possible.

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4 Be flexible

You want to be able to accommodate your clients' needs and preferences, and handle any challenges that arise during the project. Be open-minded and respectful of their opinions and suggestions, offer solutions and alternatives, and make adjustments as needed. Offer different formats, rates, and packages, depending on their budget and requirements. By being flexible and adaptable, you will show that you care about their satisfaction and success, as well as earn their loyalty and referrals.

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Howard Rabach

Producer ~ Audio Engineer ~ Sound Designer ~ Educator
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This goes back to managing expectations. It's vital to detail every step of the process in your contracting paperwork. Be specific with both the number of revisions, AND your professional definition of what entails a "revision" versus what would be a complete overhaul, revisiting the initial pricing quote. Often client's may not understand the difference between mixing and mastering, and even at this stage, may suggest changes to what would be a mix issue rather than a mastering issue. Flexibility is key, but professionally so.

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5 Deliver quality and value

The final and most important tip to establish trust and rapport with a new or potential mastering client is to deliver quality and value. You want to deliver a master that meets or exceeds their expectations and goals, as well as adds value to their project. Use high-quality equipment and software, and follow the standards of audio mastering. You can also deliver value by providing additional services or benefits, such as metadata, ISRC codes, DDP files, or mastering reports.

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6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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How do you establish trust and with new or potential mastering clients?

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1 Know your client's genre and vision

2 Showcase your portfolio

3 Communicate clearly

4 Be flexible

5 Deliver quality and value

6 Here’s what else to consider

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