We have experienced a difficult change in our daily lives since the coronavirus forced us into staying home and avoiding public settings as much as possible. Everyday we are flooded with news updates and reminders to wash your hands and practice social distancing. Because of this, businesses of all kinds have had to close or conduct business in different ways for the safety of customers and employees while trying to minimize the financial impact of all of this.
Many businesses may be wondering:
How should I market my business during this time?
Should I even market my business during this time?
The answer to the last one, is yes! Some businesses have the tendency to pull back or stop marketing in fear of sending the wrong message. But continuing to market as usual while acknowledging these trying times can get you ahead of your competitors, and maintain customer loyalty. So to answer the question of how to market your business during this time, let’s look at a few ways to utilize digital marketing during coronavirus.
Connect With Your Customers on Social Media
More people are on social media now while staying home, whether it’s to check news updates, or stay connected with friends and family. Using social media platforms to connect with your customers is a way to show you empathise with them and want to get through this together. Businesses are taking this opportunity to share how they are continuing to service their customers. For example, many restaurants are posting family-style meals customers can order for pickup in order to support them staying open. Keeping up with your social media marketing is a great way to continue to show your customers you’re still there for them.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
With more people online and looking for entertainment to pass the time, there’s also been a surge of online shopping. Given the nature of your business, if it’s common for consumers to Google search your products or services, SEO can help you appear in the top results. Normally, SEO is a process and can take some time, but with the likelihood that some of your competitors have paused their SEO efforts right now, your business could potentially jump ahead in SEO rankings. Right now is a good time to make sure your website is updated and optimized so customers can find you, and utilizing SEO strategically for search traffic will benefit you in the long run.
Retain Customers With Online Offers
Despite the uncertainty of our situation, this is a great opportunity to show your customers you care. Without being too pushy or salesy, now is a great time to offer some special discounts to keep revenue flowing. Many people are browsing for discounts to save some money, and who doesn’t like a sale? Providing your customers with a special offer is a great way to stay engaged and keep your business flowing.
Set Yourself Up for Success Post COVID-19
At some point this will pass, so any marketing efforts you maintain now will ensure you’re ahead of the competition in the long run. Don’t let the ongoing circumstances deter you from any hard work you’ve already established for your business. Now is a great time to focus on being creative with your marketing efforts, and to be more strategic in implementing them. Take this time to be empathetic and optimize your marketing strategies to stay connected with your customers like never before.
