The coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis has brought about unprecedented changes to the way we live and work, and clients are looking to their bookkeepers more than ever for guidance. With remote working now the “new normal” for bookkeepers and clients alike, here are four tips from FreeAgent to help you stay connected with your clients through the power of technology.
1. Use video to communicate
A lack of social interaction can be one of the most difficult things about working remotely, especially in the current circumstances. A great way for you and your clients to maintain your relationships and make meetings more engaging during this time is to hold video meetings.
Video conferencing software is usually straightforward to use and many of the options available, such as Zoom, Google Hangouts and Skype, are free. Whichever software you opt for, using video to stay in touch should provide your clients with a far more engaging experience than a traditional phone call.
If you manage a team, video can be an extremely effective tool for staying in touch with employees and maintaining morale while you’re all working remotely.
2. Run webinars for your clients
Online webinars can be a great tool when you need to communicate important updates or provide general advice to multiple clients at the same time. Hosting a webinar might seem a little daunting if you’ve never done it before but once you’ve set up an account with a platform such as Zoom or GoToWebinar it’s not all that different to organising a video meeting. An even simpler option could be to record a video and then share it with clients, you could do this by uploading it to a closed group on Facebook.
Once you’ve got the hang of running webinars or sharing videos you might want to consider offering them on a regular basis. Whether you use the sessions to answer your clients’ questions or provide updates on the latest government legislation, you’ll be helping your clients and saving yourself time in the process, as you’ll only need to share the information with them once.
3. Keep tabs on your clients’ accounts
Cloud accounting software is now more essential than ever before, allowing you to stay on top of your clients’ accounts and lighten the administrative load for them while they adjust to the new business climate.
Many cloud accounting software packages include features that could help you work with your clients more efficiently during this time. Here are a few FreeAgent features that are particularly useful right now:
- Receive alerts to help you keep on top of your key client deadlines.
- See a snapshot of all of your clients on your dedicated dashboard, with the option to drill down for more detail.
- Ensure you and your clients are looking at the same set of numbers with real time information and no back and forth with out-of-date spreadsheets.
4. Provide virtual networking opportunities for your clients
Your clients may well appreciate the opportunity to connect with other business owners during this time, so why not consider hosting a virtual networking event for them on a platform such as Facebook or Zoom? Creating a virtual space for business owners to share ideas, discuss challenges and ask questions is a great way to connect with your clients and help them feel supported. Extending the invitation to business owners who aren’t currently using your services could give you the opportunity to attract future clients.
While staying connected with clients during the current situation is important, one of the most vital things to consider right now is your own wellbeing. It can be easy to get distracted while working online, especially by social media and inbound questions or concerns from clients.
Managing your daily schedule and workload effectively can help keep stress levels at bay. If you can, structure your day in advance and set aside a limited time each morning and/or afternoon to address client queries. You could respond to urgent questions daily and keep a note of the less pressing ones to answer in your weekly webinars. This could also give you time to check the latest government guidance or information from HMRC.
You can discover some more tips and tricks for staying connected with clients during these turbulent times by joining Zoe Whitman BSc FCCA MICB and Kevin Lord (Digital Enablement Manager at FreeAgent) for a live webinar on 23rd April.
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