If you own a small company, you already know that keeping in touch with your prospects and clients on a regular basis is critical for establishing relationships and quickly resolving customer issues. In this article, we’ll look at some options with samples for reaching out to your prospects and customers without relying on unimaginative “touching base” email.
Given today’s hectic schedules and clogged inboxes, reaching out to the most engaged customers can be difficult. In other words, your messages must resonate with your clients right from the first sentence. You simply cannot afford to bore your contacts with dull subject lines, meaningless data, or ambiguous requests. So, how can you keep in contact with them without bothering them?
Let’s start by defining our words.
What is a “Touch Base” Email?
Touching base is a household phrase in the business world. It often comes up in contexts when reconnecting with someone (e.g., “just touching base”) or proposing to meet with them (e.g., “let’s touch base”),
The use of touch-base emails is endless. This could include scheduling a meeting with a client, asking a stakeholder what they think about a recent project creation, or simply using it as a tool to stay at the top of your client’s mind.
The only issue is that the phrase is often overused in the business world. In reality, one out of every four workers considers it to be the most irritating workplace buzzword. The phrase doesn’t stand out or communicate something especially interesting to those who read it, making it less than desirable if you want your emails to be opened, read, and responded to.
To get through to your contacts, you’ll need something a bit more creative and precise. You can either do this by being more careful in your emails or by using non-email methods to communicate your copy/messages.
Let’s start with the email route.
10 Alternative Email suggestions and Samples for “Touching base.”
When communicating with a prospect or customer via email, make sure your message is concise, to the point, and includes some personal information for the recipient.
As opposed to messages that are ambiguous, rambling, or insufficiently customized, these emails are much more likely to make an impression and evoke a favorable response.
Here are ten non-cookie-cutter “touching base” email alternatives and samples:
#1. Propose a specific topic, date, and time
If you’re suggesting a phone call or meeting with a contact, be specific—don’t leave them guessing with something abstract like “let’s touch base in the next few weeks.”
It’s easier for your contact to say yes or no if you make a short, straightforward suggestion on what you’d like to talk about and when you’d like to talk about it. You should then submit a calendar invite as a follow-up.
“Hello [contact name],” for example. Let’s schedule a meeting to discuss [topic]. What works for you in terms of [date and time]?
Sending a resource you think your prospects would find useful is one of the best ways to stay top of mind with them without coming across as invasive or pushy.
Sharing a helpful blog, podcast, eBook, or business study will help you gain confidence by demonstrating that you are interested in their industry and progress.
“Hey [prospect], how are you? I figured you would find this guide on how to run a remote-friendly healthcare practice useful if you work in healthcare [or any other industry]. It contains some intriguing recruiting and marketing advice.”
#3. Use a piece of their content as a reference
Mentioning a recent piece of content that your receiver has written is one way to get their attention. This could be an essay, a LinkedIn message, or even a recent Quora answer.
Make sure that any advice you provide is well-considered. You don’t want to come off as a stalker, but you also don’t want to sound too general.
“Hey [client], how are you? I just finished reading your most recent blog post on [topic]. It’s fascinating! I hadn’t considered [relevant point] in that light before.”
#4. After a trigger event, congratulate them
Promotions, product releases, and new rounds of investment provide a perfect opportunity to communicate with your prospects and consumers in a natural way.
You may use your congratulations to keep up appearances or to introduce a product or service that your contact can find useful in light of the trigger case.
“Hello [contact name],” for example. Congratulations on your new position—I’m not shocked! If you’d like to discuss [relevant product or service], please let me know. It works with a lot of our other clients in similar roles to yours.”
#5. Bring up some popular issues
Reaching out to your prospects about emerging issues in their businesses is one way to demonstrate that you really understand their pain points and needs.
This proactive measure reassures them that your organization is looking out for their best interests. Also, it provides you with a deeper understanding of the unique issues confronting the players in their business.
“Hello [prospect],” for example. A large number of our clients have recently faced [emerging challenge]. Have you been experiencing the same difficulties? We’ve discovered that [tip] is usually helpful. If you’re interested in learning more, give me a call on Friday. ”
#6. Make any suggestions that can be implemented
What better way to show prospects how valuable you are than to give them customized, actionable advice on how to accomplish a goal or solve a problem in their company?
The key is to approach with reverence and gentleness. You don’t want to offend them by disparaging their efforts.
“Hello [prospect],” for example. I just read some great [their product or service] reviews on [review website]. [Related features] seem to be a big hit with your customers. Have you considered implementing [actionable suggestion]? I believe it has the potential to help [their company] grow to new heights. If you’d like to talk about this more on the phone, please let me know.”
#7. Reiterate how important you are
Often all the prospects and clients need is a gentle reminder of what you can do for them.
A clear message that reaffirms the different ways you can add value to their company might persuade them to continue the conversation.
“Hello [customer],” for example. I hope you’ve been taking full advantage of [your product or service]. Don’t forget that our [relevant products or services] can also assist you in achieving [relevant goals]. If that’s something you’d like to talk about, let me know and I’ll set up a quick call.”
#8. Inquire about facts
When working on large-scale projects with multiple stakeholders, you’ll often need to ask your colleagues or collaborators for details.
Why not get right to the point instead of saying “touch base”?
“Hey [name of stakeholder],” for example. Have you looked over the report I sent you last week? It will be beneficial to receive input from your team prior to Friday’s meeting. Are you available for a call at 3 p.m.? when is it going to be tomorrow? ”
Inviting your prospects to a local event or webinar where they can network with other players in their industry is a perfect way to add value to their lives.
This allows you to meet them in person without feeling obligated to do so.
“Hey [prospect], how are you? [Your company name] is hosting an educational event at [location and date] about [industry topic]. We’d be delighted to see you there.”
#10. Ex-clients should be contacted
It’s also a good idea to check in with former clients to see how they’re getting along with their new supplier. They may be dissatisfied with the service they’ve received and would appreciate a new conversation with you.
“Hello [ex-client],” for example. Your deal with [your competitor] was set to expire in three months when we last spoke. What has happened since then? I eagerly await your response.”
Alternatives to “touch base” emails that aren’t emails
Instead of playing email tag all day, you can use other (often more effective) contact channels to keep in touch with your prospects, customers, and clients
Here are three email alternatives that can help you keep your business conversations moving along—and the best part is that you can do all three in the same app. Isn’t it convenient?
- A business phone system
- Meetings via videoconferencing
- Messages from the team
There are platforms out there, that can comfortably do all three. A perfect example is RingCentral and a couple of other platforms. So do your research to make the best choice.
Is the Phrase “Touching Base” Appropriate?
Touch base, which means “reconnect briefly,” is occasionally wrongly substituted with the phrase “touch bases.” The term “base” in the sentence cannot be pluralized because the emphasis is more on the fact that you are both touching the same “base.” Touch bases should not be spelled “touch basis,” which is likewise erroneous.
What Is a Touching Base Used For?
The expression is believed to have some connection to baseball, wherein for a runner to be safe or for a fielder to record an out, both must “touch base.”
Does “Touch Base” Imply a Meeting?
A touch-base meeting is what is it? You set aside time at a touch-base meeting to keep up with an employee. Your team members should feel free to express questions, voice concerns, and discuss current feelings during this short, informal gathering.
Is the Phrase “Gentle Follow-Up” Appropriate?
Gentle reminders and follow-ups are frequently much more beneficial. Aggressive sales pitches frequently come across poorly if you aren’t there and can’t read nonverbal signs. But there is something to be said for being direct and frank, particularly if you’ve sent numerous emails that have gone unanswered.
Conclusion
It is not just enough to get clients, engaging and retaining them is also a strategy that every business must imbibe. And touching base emails is one of such means.
Touching Base FAQs
How do you send an email to touch base?
If you hope to “touch base” with an employee to talk about something they’ve written, created or shared with you, consider emailing them a reference to their own content to show them you’ve engaged with it
What does it mean when someone says to touch base?
Touch base is an idiom often seen in business contexts meaning to make contact or reconnect with someone briefly, such as in “let’s touch base next week.” The phrase is thought to have some relation to baseball where both runner and fielders have to “touch base” in order to be safe or record an out.
How do you touch base with someone?
to talk briefly with someone: I’ll touch base with him later to tell him about the meeting. Want to learn more?
Can touch base be one word?
Touch is the verb in the phrase touch base. To use it, you must conjugate touch according to the subject of a sentence. Some people make bases plural, but this is an error.
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