Like many industries, energy brokers are working with a new reality when it comes to business during the time of coronavirus. COVID-19 has diverted many people’s attention away from the task at hand and has instead focused them on their own lives, health, and imperatives. Today’s economy is a new place for many people who just months ago believed in a totally different economic reality. While this has placed a burden on thousands of businesses and individuals, this creates an opportunity for energy brokers to innovate insofar as how they present themselves to potential clients and make sure to re-emphasize the value they offer. After the pandemic, following these tips will help ensure that you and your business stand out from the pack when the energy market is on the road to recovery.
Customer service is paramount. No matter the economic timing, good customer service is never out of style. In fact, during a recovery, the business that makes life easiest for their customers will more likely than not see their customers’ loyalty to the broker who ensures the best deal with the smallest wait time on prices. Knowing and anticipating your customer’s needs not only helps you stand out from the pack but it helps you keep up a steady cadence of contact so your customer knows you as the go-to energy broker and refers their friends and business colleagues to you.
Be Transparent About Savings and What Your Business Does. So many wonder what an energy broker is and how you can save them money. You should be transparent about how you can save consumers money and what your business does to ensure they get the best price and treatment possible when it comes to making their energy decisions. While you are an expert at the energy broker business, you should be prepared to ensue you have the answers for the questions they will ask. No matter the consumer, keeping their interests top of mind will help ensure that you’re seen as a reliable and trustworthy partner.
Be Sensitive to Business’ Immediate and Long-Term Needs. Following the pandemic, individuals and businesses will be in various states of needed and receptivity to energy broker services. While the first impulse would be a hard sell of saving money immediately, only some may be receptive to that as they may be unwilling to change from a provider who they may have an outstanding debt with during the pandemic or who they felt was there for them during a time of economic and health uncertainty. Although everyone is a potential client, there is a time and place to pitch them. Ensure that your pitch and information is calibrated to their economic situation and state of mind. Sometimes, just opening the door to working together in the future is a win.
Ensure That You’re Apprised of All Industry, Regulatory, and Legal Developments. Above all, clients will be looking to you as the expert on how exactly using your services can benefit not only their bottom line when it comes to energy bills but how they can leverage your services to benefit them in other parts of their business such as through government or other tax rebates or incentives. Being the master of each piece of information in your world and how it can benefit your clients in a multitude of ways will distinguish your services from the rest.
No one can predict when or how the pandemic will end but energy brokers and be prepared for the next steps both clients and the economy overall take so when we’re back on the road to recovery, you can be at the front of the pack.
