Since last year, I’ve spent more hours than I can count helping my clients learn how to use video for conference calls, embedding in emails, and webinars. Our best practices have proven successful for our clients and have been a lot of fun for us.
With our recent scenario, we’ve all had less personal interaction than we’ve ever had during this long of a time frame. Looking at another person is helpful to our relationships and our mental health – even if it’s through a screen. Seeing each other in our homes and patios is helping us connect in ways we couldn’t do before.
Our awful hair styles and imperfect video-conference skills have added a much-needed human element to our business relationships. I think we’ve learned a lot and will be better salespeople because of this time.
However, I also think there are some activities in which video is not helpful – especially now. I think there is an opportunity to engage with your customers in a 20th century way that will earn you respect and make a real impact. I believe there is a time when you should ditch Zoom and simply pick up the phone. Yep, the phone. Not FaceTime. Just call your customer and the two of you listen to each other’s voices. It’s insane, I know, but here is my logic:
People are getting tired of video calls. Pretty soon video will be standard and non-video calls may be awkward, but not now. Probably not for several years. Now, a regular voice call will be appreciated by your customers. You’ll be amazed at how much better you’re listening - there are no other distractions that come from video. No worrying about the uncut mop on your head. No frozen screens. Just you and your customer chatting. Below are a few thoughts about this crazy idea.
- Do voice calls when it is just you and one other person, and you don’t need to share screens.
- Make a joke about the two of you not using video, and then let them know that you thought it would be better to just chat.
- Don’t beat up video conferencing – it’s a very useful method – but let your customer know that this is a special conversation and you thought it would make sense to simply talk.
- Follow-up your conversation with an email. This will tie things together.
- If you need to share screens, then use video. Don’t use a video-conferencing app and then refuse to use the video.
Finally, please don’t call me a hypocrite since I’ve been preaching to use video for about 50 days now. I still think video is important but take advantage of this unique time when people are exhausted from video calls and the voice call isn’t outdated yet. You’ll be surprised how many people will thank you for it.
