Selling.2.YES

March 2021

24 ways to build customer relationships through Zoom

It’s been a year of using Zoom and referencing Zoom as a noun and verb so it's natural that the word “fatigue” entered our lexicon. To be fair, if you’re doing anything for hours upon hours, there will be fatigue.

But let’s not blame Zoom, after all, it saved our bacon. Can you imagine what the last year would have looked like without platforms like Zoom and Meet? (Don’t answer that.)

I'm asked all the time by my clients about ideas how to "expand client relationships" in this Zoom age - and even though the world is starting to open up again, Zoom is here to stay. Nothing will ever replace face-to-face interactions for building client rapport, but as a student and teacher of sales communications, I posit video platforms present plenty of opportunities to bond with prospects and clients.

As it is, Zoom makes you BE PRESENT (buyers turning cameras off, notwithstanding. Ninnies). Only when you are highly focused on being present can you support and grow relationships. Here are some ways to think about how Zooming can humanize the experience for you and your clients:

1. Welcome your dogs into the frame for a visit. Everyone knows dogs are great ambassadors… “Oh, you have Vizslas, cool, my sis had a Vizsla. I have Rotties…”
2. Re-hang your 'N SYNC poster behind you. “You know I saw them open for Jimmy Hendrix and they stole the show.” (Whatever…just run with it.)
3. Admit you’re wearing pajamas below the camera line.
4. Stand up and SHOW your pajamas.
5. Invite the participant(s) to join you Thursday at 6p for a “Ted Talk” on whatever subject and informally talk about it afterwards.
6. Introduce your children or spouse when they wander in.
7. Subtly position your 4th grade soccer trophy on your desk.
8. Blow your nose without hitting the mute button.
9. Walk out of the frame without turning your camera off – everyone has to go to the bathroom or open the door for the dogs at some point.
10. “I gotta share this video I saw the other day…yer gonna love it.” (Keep it short!)
11. Give them a tour of your room or show them your view. (Everyone’s curious about what’s NOT in view.)
12. ASK questions about their weekend.
13. ASK questions about their 4th grade soccer trophy.
14. ASK their spouse what s/he thinks of the work they’re doing.
15. Request that everyone use the chat box to submit their favorite business book they recently read.
16. “I see you are Linked with Georgie Shmorgie…I gotta tell you a fun story about him…how do you know him?”
17. Wear your San Francisco Giants t-shirt to let everyone know you love the Giants!
18. “Hey, have you heard this song? I keep hearing it and can’t get enough of it…” (Play a good song.)
19. Take a survey soliciting ideas for what kind of new cocktail/mocktail you should try this weekend.
20. Inquire about the person’s boss and what those Zooms are like.
21. Ask about their weirdest/funniest Zoom moment of the last year.
22. DO ANYTHING TO SHOW YOUR HUMANITY....as long as you don't pull a Jeffrey Toobin (look it up).

I advertised that you’d get 24 tips, and you can see I’m a few short. So I’m eager to hear what YOU got for ME!!! Email me here and let me know what you got! Remember, the magic to relationship-building is not found in software, it lives inside each of us.

Be inquisitive. Be engaging. Be fun. Be human.

Work on it…but not too hard. ;-)

Selling.2.YES newsletter

Selling.2.YES is the monthly newsletter published by Core 6 Management Advisors to enlighten, motivate and stimulate all of us sellers and sales managers on topics that need our attention.

Click here for a fun, quick read on why the newsletter is named Selling.2.YES

Selling.2.YES

March 2021

24 ways to build customer relationships through Zoom

Selling.2.YES newsletter

Most Popular: