9 Ways Advisors Can Easily Meet With Clients or Prospects Virtually

In 1998, while living in North Carolina, I presented a marketing program to 40 business development offices.  Nothing strange there, but the program presented was taught virtually.  I saw no students in person.

The concept of conducting a talk virtually was alien to me as well as pretty much everyone in the offices.  And I have to say, with the headset and other technology on and around me, I felt like a Martian!

Webinars were so new then, and mine was 20 minutes late due to some towns not being able to connect.  As far as I know, the state of NC was the first place I knew of to create a platform.  They wanted business owners in rural NC to get the same resources (speakers) as the business development centers in large cities.

Fast forward 21 years and much has changed about webinars, especially what the technology costs!

Considering that we’re currently being told to limit contact with other humans, video conferencing or audio conferences are a great way to meet with clients and prospects.

The technology can help keep all of us just a bit safer.

So, what are your options?

I see two options, and both involve technology.  The system you use depends on you and your comfort level with technology, but more importantly, it depends on YOUR CLIENTS’ technical experience.

If you are an advisor, it also depends on what compliance will allow.  So please contact compliance for what you can use and what permissions you need.

Many of the resources I’m providing below give you the option of taping client calls, something else you have to get permission to do, in writing, from the client or others who are attending the session.

Conference Calls / Audio Calls / Teleseminar Systems

You are the host.  You may have as many people on the line as the technology allows.  The two free options I’ve used for years (I prefer having a backup number and giving both numbers to clients “just in case” of a technology issue) are:

https://FreeConferenceCall.com

https://www.freeconferencecalling.com/

Both of my recommended conference or teleseminar options:

1. a) Are free
2. b) Limit the number of people you can have together on the call, but the numbers are very high.
3. c) Allow you to tape your calls and save them.  View the limits of what recordings can be saved on their system.  I recommend downloading each recording to a safe place, such as an external hard drive.
4. d) Provide an online dashboard to help you record calls, listen to calls, etc.
5. e) Give you directions on how to use their system.  Most often the directions are written, although some training might be available on YouTube by users.

This phone recommendation is not free:

MaestroConference –  What I especially like about this recommendation is that you can have break-out sessions.  This means, that if your clients are on the system with you and need to talk privately, you can easily set that up.  OR if you’re teaching and you want to put people in groups to “discuss” or “solve a problem”  and then come back to the main call, you can do that, too. http://maestroconference.com

Video Conferencing, Webinars

Video conferencing includes both audio and seeing something — you and your client.  It can also involve displaying what is on your digital technology or your client’s screen.  It involves a computer, laptop, mobile phone, notepad, etc., and sometimes can include your phone.

Whatever technology you use, it needs to include a microphone to speak through and audio to listen through.

If you are going to tape the video conference, you also need that capability.

Maria’s Recommended Resources

If you do not need to tape the call I recommend:

Skype

Facetime

WhatsApp

Note: You can download a recorder to tape these calls through the above systems or apps.  Search the internet for additional technology on the program you choose to use.

If you want to record/tape a video session, I recommend looking at:

Skype for Business   If you use Office 365 Business, it comes with Skype for Business. Otherwise there is a $6 to $15 a month fee.

Startmeeting  Get a 30-day free trial, then $12.99 a month  (I use this system).

Zoom   Free for 40-minute calls.  Otherwise, up to $69+ a month for recorded webinar  (I have used this system).

P.S. There is more to going virtual than choosing a technology, although technology is very important and necessary. Watch my free video for more information “Going Virtual”.
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