How to Keep Marketing During Crisis
by Alyx Holder
As uncertainty and debate regarding re-establishing normal business continue across the country, making decisions about your business can be challenging. Helping to relieve financial strains for your employees may sway you to re-open your storefront as soon as possible, but the public health risks of rushing to do so can be serious. It is important we all continue to do our part in preventing further spread of COVID-19. While the anticipated timeframe for returning to "business as usual" is ever-changing, maintaining your marketing efforts is crucial.
Here’s why:
Your Services ARE Essential
The terms ‘essential worker’ and ‘essential business’ have been floating around a ton lately, but what does that actually mean? The definition varies by state, so check your specific guidelines, but in general, essential businesses:
Provide healthcare
Provide support services for healthcare providers
Manufacture necessary essential equipment
Provide food and necessary goods
Transport goods and people
Many businesses may not fall into these categories, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to reach your audience and provide value. With the majority of Americans sequestered in their homes, now is the time to find new, fun, and inventive ways to promote your product and services. Millions of social media users are scrolling-- give them a reason to remember your company. Teach them something valuable, or just offer a few words of unity and compassion, staying connected and active during this time is crucial.
Not sure how to engage your audience when it isn’t business as usual? Here are a few options:
Host an AMA (ask me anything) on Facebook Live
Answer commonly asked questions about your field in short, easy to follow videos for your profile’s story
Do a short ‘Work From Home with Me’ video showing your audience your current home office
Make a fun “Employee of the Month” post featuring a pet-- or, highlight an actual employee
Respond to news and trending topics pertinent to your business to stay relevant and visible
Share how-to content that may help your customers: maintenance around the home, a popular recipe, simple arts and crafts, etc.
Staying Relevant in Stasis
Life feels like it’s on pause right now, but that doesn’t mean you should stop efforts to help your business flourish and grow. Suspending marketing efforts may seem like a good way to save money right now, but it could leave you starting over at square one. Americans are looking for ways to support local small businesses right now; make sure yours is at the forefront of their minds.
Your website and social media are for more than announcing sales or housing a portfolio. Use your online presence to engage with your audience or draw in new customers. Strategic blogs and social posts keep your brand fresh in the minds of consumers everywhere.
Staying relevant and visible online doesn’t have to be time-consuming or complicated. Your audience just wants to know there’s someone human on the other side of the screen, not just a faceless corporation.
Garner Local Support
Simply hoping your business will survive the current economic uncertainty isn’t enough to secure its future. While nothing is guaranteed, continuing your online marketing efforts now can minimize future impacts on profitability. One great way some businesses have found to combat loss of profit is in allowing customers to purchase gift cards or otherwise prepay for services at discount rates. Marketing such options for support to your local customer base can help minimize profit loss and protect your business during these financially uncertain times.
There are a few avenues to consider when optimizing your local marketing outreach. Joining local business groups on Facebook is a start. You should also research your local news stations, radio broadcasts, and government bulletins for opportunities to draw local businesses. Many of these resources are looking for small businesses to help support during the COVID-19 pandemic and have the large, local audience you need.
Crisis Marketing Tips for Small Businesses
Given the current state of the country due to COVID-19, your marketing tactics may have to change, but they should not be abandoned. If your business has been heavily impacted by social distancing and self-quarantine guidelines, adjusting your marketing plans for this new normal may seem difficult. Don’t panic-- marketing during the lockdown simply takes a bit of creativity, ingenuity, and insight into your target audience.
During this widespread crisis there are three things people are seeking universally:
Information
Entertainment
Stability
Times of uncertainty bring forth humanity’s natural proclivity toward pattern and routine. For some, that means finding ways to keep daily life as normal as possible: sticking closely to the same schedule and finding in-home alternatives for things like going to the gym or out for weekly date nights. For others, distractions work better: binge-watching old favorite TV shows or finally checking out what the ‘Tiger King’ Netflix docuseries is all about. Understanding this facet of human behavior can help you determine your next steps for marketing during the pandemic.
How? It’s simple: give your audience what they crave. Depending on your industry, demographic, and goals, you can achieve this through a few different avenues.
Information: Building Authority
Keeping your audience updated and informed on new information about COVID-19 and related topics relevant to your industry can help to improve your stance as an online authority. For businesses operating in or adjacent to the healthcare, legal, or finance ind