After Almost One Year at Home: 4 Ways to Stay Connected with Your Clients

The switch to working remotely has affected many businesses due to COVID-19 and, as we come up on a year of virtual work, it is more important than ever to continue consistently building your relationships with clients remotely. Here are 4 ways to ensure you are connecting with your clients so that your business, and theirs, can continue to thrive.

Optimizing Virtual Communication

The first thing to consider is the method of communication your client prefers. There are many options for virtual communication: email, phone call, video conference, instant messaging, or company chat rooms.

If you have a large number of clients who prefer to use video calls, then a quick survey might be a good idea to ensure that everyone’s video call software is in sync. Once you identify how your client likes to communicate, consider creating a training aid to send to users who might need help installing the application.

Not only does it make things easier for your clients when you use their preferred method of communication, but you will also reap the benefit of quick responses and saving time.

Electronic Newsletters

If you have a large number of clients who would benefit from the same information or tips, consider putting together a client-centered, electronic newsletter. The newsletter could be sent out through multiple channels, ranging from email to company social media, so that everyone can receive the same information. This could alleviate duplication of questions from clients as well as help them stay connected during this unusual time.

Newsletters can also drive new business, especially if it pertains to information that your client can quickly access if they are having a conversation with a friend about something your business handles. In addition, consider a more widely distributed newsletter so that prospective clients could receive the information as well.

Virtual Events

Virtual events are the next best thing replacing face-to-face gatherings and they are a great way to stay connected. The events can range from live Q&A sessions to pre-recorded webinars. Virtual events allow you to set aside time with your clients to discuss certain topics or connect in a group setting. Allowing like-minded clients to have a space to interact regarding a common topic could drive conversation and spark new ideas. Consider having these virtual events recurring and planned in advance so that your clients can make sure to not miss out.

Company Blog

A company blog is another great way to stay connected to a large number of clients with a minimal amount of work. Consider having a blog that has a specific topic each week or month with regularly added content. This will keep your clients engaged and coming back for more, especially if it allows clients to make comments or ask questions on your post. Most likely, other clients will have similar questions and this could alleviate additional work answering the same question multiple times.

The blog could also be open to prospective clients and could drive new business. It’s important to keep the blog up-to-date, easy to navigate, and available to view in a browser or on a phone.

Summary

Thankfully, there are so many ways to stay connected with your clients while working virtually. Always remember to ask what their preferred method of communication is so that you can get timely responses from them. Consider adding an electronic, client newsletter highlighting different topics relevant to your clients or hosting virtual question and answer sessions with a group of clients. A company blog might also be a great opportunity to not only highlight your company’s knowledge, but also open up a way to support your client’s small businesses at the same time by mentioning them within your content. However you decide what works best to connect with your clients, always remember to work together and make the most of everyone’s knowledge to power prosperity for all.

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Brittany Westdyke, EA, is Senior Tax Analyst Programmer at Intuit.

Firm Management