The COVID-19 health crisis has changed today’s business landscape dramatically. Because opportunities to network in person have become restricted, business owners and marketers must re-evaluate how they build relationships with potential clients. Virtual networking is a vital part of any marketing strategy. And as important as one-on-one phone calls and Zoom meetings are, there are many other ways to build business relationships virtually. Here are some ideas to consider:

1. Attend virtual events and connect with other business owners by making an introduction.The meeting attendee you just met online may not be looking for someone with your skill set, but you may be able to introduce them to someone else who’s their perfect match—and as we all know, a little goodwill can go a long way. Especially when you’re partnering with companies within your industry in order to pursue high-value contracts.
2. Become an exhibitor at online events.Don’t skimp on your presentation when you set up your virtual booth. Eye-catching copy and compelling design might draw visitors to your website even if they can’t connect with you in real time during the event.
3. Conduct virtual speaking engagements and webinars. As with in-person events, do enough of these and you’ll become known as an authority in your field. You’ll also be able to build up your email list, which you can then use to survey attendees about the effectiveness of your presentation and segment future campaigns by industry and demographic. Give the presentations you’ve created even more mileage by using them as lead magnets.
4. Take advantage of increased opportunities for matchmaking meetings. In the past, most in-person events paired companies with representatives from up to threecorporations or government agencies based on theNorth American Industry Classification System (NAICS) codes you provide in your business description. Today, equivalent virtual events allow for more matchmaking meetings and more opportunities to make connections.

With the right customer-centric focus and an awareness of what potential clients need right now, companies can continue to build new business relationships as well as nurture existing ones.

Badie Designs specializes in helping companies develop creative content and marketing solutions that work. Contact us today for a consultation.