As parts of Canada start to emerge from the wake of the pandemic, entrepreneurs are getting back to business as usual and spending more time out in the world enjoying in-person interactions with customers and clients.If you’ve been stuck doing business from behind a screen for too long, here are five ways to strengthen your face-to-face communications and rebuild in-person customer relationships in the post-pandemic economy.

1. Give staff a customer service refresh

Investing in employee training is critical when it comes to building robust customer relationships, especially if your day-to-day operations have been interrupted for an extended period due to the pandemic. Ensure your employees are well-equipped to address a range of potential customer service issues that might arise. Run through training exercises to instruct them on how to troubleshoot problems, provide support, and address complaints professionally to leave a great impression. Empowering your staff with the tools, resources, and confidence they need to consistently deliver the very best in-person customer service experience will go a long way in attracting and retaining a solid customer base.

2. Host an in-person event

If it’s been a while since you’ve engaged with customers in the real world, it’s best to start slowly. Test the waters by setting up a breakfast meeting, a one-on-one consultation, or personalized service calls before planning larger in-person events. Once you’re ready to host a crowd, consider throwing a socially distanced shopping party or organizing a hands-on workshop or interactive class related to your business. Where necessary, set up hand-sanitizing stations, floor markers, plexiglass barriers, and enhanced cleaning protocols to ensure everyone feels comfortable and safe gathering.

3. Send a gift

Show your loyal customers just how much you value their business with a token of appreciation. From a simple ‘Thank You’ note or flowers to a basket of holiday treats, everyone loves a home delivery. If you run a retail operation, consider offering free samples with each in-store purchase or enclose a handwritten card with your online orders. For service providers, send a gift card or a useful branded item to your best clients to show your gratitude and inspire customer loyalty.

4. Engage on social media

For many consumers, the research and discovery process begins online long before they’re ready to start engaging with a business in person. Social media platforms play an important role in helping brands and service providers build community, drive awareness, and become more accessible to their customers. Strengthen your customer relationships in the digital space by sharing behind-the-scenes content that gives audiences a peek at the inner workings of your company. Sharing compelling content online will encourage your audience to make the leap from on-screen followers to in-person customers.

5. Get personal in your communications

Feeling truly connected to a business or brand helps breed customer loyalty. Take your professional relationships to the next level by including personal details in all your client communication, whether in person or online. Don’t be afraid to open up and share first-hand stories about your weekend plans or family life to build a deeper bond. While you want to ensure your business interactions are productive and professional, getting a little more friendly from time to time can make your brand more relatable, allowing you to develop a closer connection with your customer base.

Yellow Pages can help build smart digital marketing programs to help your business adapt to the new reality.

Call 1-877-553-6883 today for a free consultation with one of our Media Account Consultants.