Marketing Your Business During Challenging Times

If your business or nonprofit has been impacted by COVID-19, you may be looking for ways to cut expenses to ride out these challenging times. While we don’t know how long this will last, this period of social distancing provides an opportunity to prepare one’s business for the future. Even if you’ve temporarily closed your doors, there are ways to market your business and help one another.

With so many people working from home right now, it’s an ideal time to focus on those digital marketing projects you’ve been meaning to get to, which include social media, website content, email marketing and pay-per-click ads. Here are tips for making the most of these challenging times while keeping your business top of mind to potential and current customers.

Website brand and content

If your website needs an overhaul now, it will still need one when business begins buzzing again. If you want to stand out when the dust settles, consider making changes now while your traffic is low. Put your staff to work to develop social media and web content you can post later. A good place to start is to refresh your HOME page and review your SERVICES or PRODUCTS pages to see where pertinent updates are needed. You should also review your list of blog topics and write an article or two; blogging is a good way to update your website as well.

Email marketing

Email marketing is a low-cost, easy way to keep in touch with prospects and current clients. If you are not yet using email marketing, this is a good time to organize your lists, set up email templates and jot down some content ideas for a monthly e-newsletter.

Social media

During this time, we all need support from one another; one way to support others is to pivot your social media messaging. If your business is temporarily closed, ask yourself what information and ideas you can provide today that clients can use now and later. Do you have valuable information you can share about your industry? Is there a way you can lighten someone’s day or provide relevant tips that will benefit colleagues or customers?

If your business is not impacted by COVID-19,  you may want to continue your current social strategy and calendar, but incorporate some posts that address concerns in your industry or profession.

Digital advertising

Let’s face it, consumers are going to be online now more than ever. If your networking visibility and “terrestrial” presence are compromised, consider digital advertising if your product or service can be sold or booked online. Social media ads, boosted/sponsored posts, and pay-per-click ads on search engines are ways to get your products and services seen by those who are searching online or scrolling through social media feeds.

Virtual meetings/presentations

If you are in a professional service industry, you can still offer meetings via video conferencing. There are several excellent platforms that enable you to provide much-needed business advice and expertise virtually. If you were scheduled to present at an in-person event, create a webinar for your audience to attend virtually.

Timely promotions

What can you provide now that will help your clients prepare for tomorrow? Your consultancy services can be conducted by phone or video and could help clients with shifting their business strategy or marketing tactics. Are there discounts you can offer now that are good through the end of the year? Or, did you have a special promotion that’s expiring soon, that you can extend?

As we all try to navigate through this storm, please consider the Rapunzel Creative team as a resource. We are happy to jump on a call or video chat with you to offer some marketing suggestions. You can book a session here. Now is the time!