The pandemic we are all experiencing is having a major impact on the way people are doing business. Shops are closed, restaurants are moving to curbside pick-up and delivery, more and more people are even having their groceries delivered. Small businesses are suffering, but there are a few who are adapting for the win.
While there is talk of opening up the country, there is also talk of future waves of this virus that would most certainly affect small business in the same negative way. To my mind, the smartest business owners will use this lock down time to strengthen their online presence and, by extension, their bottom line.
How is your business adapting? Are you shipping retail items? Have you figured out a way to provide whatever service you offer safely? Maybe you’ve shifted your focus to another aspect of your business or a side gig?
One thing these solutions share is a need to get your message out to people at home. Aside from television, social media marketing is your best bet for reaching them. Statistics show that 72% of adults in the US use social media. If you’re not using social media today to stay in touch with, and be accessible to customers, you will definitely lose business as this pandemic continues.
It doesn’t have to be hard or complicated. Choose your social media platform based on your target demographic; Instagram will reach more young people, while Facebook appeals more to older people. And start posting! Try to provide fun or valuable information or tips in addition to posting offers. Interact with people, answer questions and respond to private messages that relate to your business. Even if you have to tell someone you are unable to help them at the moment, you can reassure them that things will go back to normal when the crisis is over.
All of this builds community. People will be able to connect a face and personality to your business. Your contacts will grow to care and WANT to do business with you. They will even root for you, refer you, and lend their positive energy to your endeavor. In business, this is gold.
Cathy Wagner
Owner and Project Manager
ONE STOP Internet Business Services
Cathy Wagner - Sales Copy Writer 