Using Virtual Tools to Connect Your Customers

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Video Replay from Live Webinars – Tips on How to Use Online Tools and Give You a More Virtual Present

Recently I sent out a simple message to encourage people to stay positive and attracted to each other and suggest that you are comfortable using an array of virtual tools to stay in mind with customers and clients. feel because they know you virtually.

In addition to tons of thank you messages, I also received a few questions about ways to employ digital tools for virtual communication, so I thought I’d jot down my thoughts and send them over.

First of all, there are many ways to build engagement with all the tools we have available today but these are my favorites. (Nothing beats a connection individually, but really a lot can be done with the right approach)

Great use cases and tools

1) 1 to 1 video Using a tool like Loom – Loom is a browser extension and you can capture an instant video or screen and embed a link in an email – I call it 1 to 1 Video because it helps to personalize or report videos. A great way to review. I have clients who show plans, share a website design, uncover a trend in Google Analytics, reference spreadsheet data, review a website, and more in the most personal way to say hello. There are all ways. One of the best aspects of Loom is that once you press Stop it generates a link that you can copy and paste into an email. In most cases, the recipient can view the video directly in their email.

2) Video meetings and webinars Using a tool like Zoom – this is my current video meeting and webinar platform of choice – we use it for large webinars, group or team meetings, and one-on-one live meetings with clients. Zoom is very lightweight from the user’s point of view, which means anyone who knows how to click a link can join your meeting. You can record calls, people can join via computer or phone, there’s a mobile app, and you have tons of tools like screen sharing and annotations during calls.

You can also consider it as a local alternative to say networking or referral group to which you already belong but want to take up virtual space. These types of visits can help you stay connected while in the office.

3) Live Streaming Using a tool like Streamyard – This is my current live streaming tool as it is quite affordable and you can stream on multiple platforms at the same time – Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, etc. Many people use live streaming awkwardly, walking on the sidewalk or queuing for driving in a car, but livestreams can be an effective way to get a short message across. As with everything related to communicating a message, the best livestreams involve stories. StreamYard allows for some nice branding on-screen and automatically records video while you’re broadcasting.

Tips to take it up a notch

While the right tools give you virtual access, there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to take full advantage of this approach.

1) Sound is important

While you can technically get your message across using your earbuds if you want to impress then get a podcasting mic like the Blue Yeti

(This is not required in video meetings but for many other applications it allows you to communicate with greater authority in your voice.)

2) Upgrade your camera

Most modern laptops come with a camera, but it can be found in the Logitech C922x . take a bit of something like

Will allow you wider shots, better focus, and far better light absorption. OK, I really don’t know anything about light absorption, but I know you’d better look.

3) Light makes a difference

If your office has extra bedroom in basement then get some LED lights or you will look like you are in extra bedroom in basement. It’s best if you can let natural light into your face through a window (no light or window behind you or we’ll just see glare.) Many people use these inexpensive ring lights

4) Get rid of distractions

Again, if you work at home or in a busy office, your background may not scream the professional message you want to convey. Recently I discovered a company called AnyVoo which makes simple pop-up backgrounds that you can place in a video call or webinar at any time. You can get any design printed on the backdrop, and it’s easy to assemble and disassemble on the go.

5) Try Different Formats

Online, virtual training differs from traditional in-person interaction because it is harder to stay focused mostly online. Meaning you should keep everything small and break it into pieces. Do a 30 minute webinar instead of an hour. If you want to do something longer, you have to think of a structure that gives people pause.

30 minutes of teaching, breaks to complete a task, 30 minutes of discussion.

You may also enjoy this post – 7 Virtual Collaboration Tools I Use Every Day

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