Social Media Marketing During Difficult Times – Small Business Advice During A Crisis
The business world we live in has changed. People are moving from visiting brick and mortar stores to online shopping in droves due to the pandemic. Just staying open and afloat has become the main objective for most small businesses.
So how do you let your customers know the status of your business, whether or not it’s online or not? This article will provide some guidance for those of you who want to effectively communicate with your customers and keep your business in the top of their minds.
Use Social Media and Email Lists To Communicate With Your Existing Customers
You have probably been flooded with emails and social media posts from companies updating their customers and followers on the status of their business and how they will be operating during the COVID-19 crisis.
Even technology giants like Google and Amazon are getting creative to manage the COVID-19 crisis.
This is good because responsible companies today want to ensure the safety and health of their customers. This applies regardless of industry or type of business. Health professionals are doing their best to re-prioritize and make best use of their human resources and supplies. Restaurants and bars are moving to take out only and service businesses are moving online in every way possible.
Don’t be one of the business brands to be tone-deaf during these times. I have received a few inappropriate emails from very reputable companies touting their products or services in a way that makes me cringe. Be careful and work with your content writing professional to ensure your message does not offend and is appropriate for the times.
If you are already on social media (or using email lists) to inform, comfort and update your customers and followers you are doing the right thing. Even in difficult times, your customers will need your products and services and competition for each consumer dollar will be fiercer than ever.
If you do not have a website or digital marketing strategy and plan in place yet, it is not too late. Digital marketing professionals can help you communicate with existing and potential customers and help create an online presence not just during a crisis, but afterwards once business returns to normal.
It is critical for any small business to put together a digital marketing and social media strategy or reevaluate your existing one. Change is the only constant, so make sure your business is prepared to weather the difficult times as best as possible.
For more in-depth tips on small business social media marketing, check out our free guide here
There is nothing wrong with continuing to market your business online. Just be mindful of the message you are sending and ensure it is keeping with the brand image you want to project during these difficult times.
