How To Do Business Development During a Crisis [ 10 Tips ]

10 Tips How to do Virtual Business Development During a Crisis

Fear. Worry. Concerned. YES, WE ALL ARE!

10 Virtual Ways To Be There for Your Clients During a Crisis!

Do you think these are the feelings your clients may have right now? 
 
Of Course, It Is!  

It is the same feelings we all have during a crisis!

Being a person who has been in an area of a 500-year flood, where whole communities were evacuated and where winter blizzards go on and on and stop commerce in its tracks. Also being in an agricultural area where the bottom fell out of the market and cash flows slowed to a point where businesses seem to close daily, I hate to say I have seen these feelings almost daily throughout my life.  

Being in business development and thriving yet today hopefully some of these tips will help you. 

First off, these feelings we are having right now can and will bring out some Real Emotions for good reasons.  Be ready for it!
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Being a trusted advisor and your relationship with your client and prospects is they must believe you are very competent, right?

Your clients and customers must sincerely believe that you ultimately care about them!

NOW is the TIME for YOU to SHOW YOU CARE. I cannot stress this enough!

It’s not always about presenting solutions. 

Let’s be real here, for the COVID-19 pandemic, what business offering could you actually offer to help with their feelings? NONE!

Isn’t it the time to just say you are there for the client?  

Yes, it is, it’s about really hearing them and listening to their concerns. 

It’s all about you offering to be a trusted and valued resource. 

Now, when you think about it, isn’t this what a trusted advisor does day in and day out.

Your customers and clients are worried about similar things that you are. Customers are worried about their loved ones who are at high-risk due to age and underlying health issues.  Your clients are worried about job losses. Clients are also worried about family and friends. The list of worries goes on and on. 
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Your Top Clients Need To Hear From You Now!

10 Virtual Tips To Do For Client During a Crisis:

1. Pick up the phone and call: ”I was thinking about you – how are you holding up during all of this?”
   
2. Send them a personal direct message on social media (LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, etc.) stating the same as in tip 1.
   
3. Email them a Virtual e-Card (Google “send e-cards”)
   
4. Virtual lunch date: Sit at your desks and talk on video while you eat your lunches.
   
5. Buy services and goods from their prospective businesses.
   
6. Have snacks, dinner or lunch delivered to them at the office. 
   
7. Introduce them to another client in a similar industry sector (perhaps they can be a resource to each other).
   
8. Have them join a webinar. 
   
9. Send them an article or articles on preserving cash flow or any related topic.
   
10. It may not virtual but very effective, so much so it always makes the list.  Send them a card in the mail. You will be one of very few and they will remember you really care!

All 10 tips are easy to execute, not very expensive, or take much time.
 
Put time and careful thought into this, and make sure it shows you care above all else. 

The goodwill you will generate from these tips will go a long ways and pay you dividends for years. 

You, the trusted advisor can and should be there now for your clients in a selfless careful manner. 
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Get your client list out now and get going. You will be glad you did. 

Written by
Rick Rea 
​Social Selling HQ

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