COVID-19 has forced business owners to make difficult decisions about how to proceed with services, how to serve their customers safely, and whether they should stay open or close their doors. Customers have also dealt with a lot of uncertainty – unsure how or if they’ll get the services or products they are used to receiving. Uncertainty can be unsettling. It can spark fear and frustration. As you and your customers navigate these uncertain times, you can continue being a source of normalcy for them while optimizing health and safety.
How can you accomplish this?
Stay connected to your customers through eNewsletters, social media posts, website updates, and traditional and digital advertising. Whatever changes you make concerning how you conduct business, let them know.
- This will reinforce the fact that they are important to you.
- The uncertainty they have about the availability of your services and products is eliminated.
- They will continue to safely receive your services or buy your products.
And when you surface from the weight of this pandemic, your customers will be more loyal than ever because you were a constant source of normalcy during a very abnormal time. Let’s discuss a few ways you can stay connected to your customers throughout this pandemic:
Send Out eNewsletters
If you aren’t sending out eNewsletters already, now is [literally] the perfect time because customers are on the Internet now more than ever. eNewsletters are primarily used to share your latest blog post or to keep your customers updated on operational changes.
Using eNewsletter resources like Constant Contact or MailChimp makes it simple to upload your contact list, insert your content into an aesthetically pleasing design, and send an update to your customer. Make it a goal to send an eNewsletter once or twice every month. This is an extra notification (or two) in your customer’s inbox, reminding them that you’re still here for them.
Get Social
In a world that demands social distancing, we encourage you to get social with your clients… online. Be part of their newsfeed and contribute to the online conversation by posting helpful content. Social media is a great platform to keep them updated on information regarding COVID-19 and your company. Here are a few post ideas you can make:
- How your company will safely re-open
- Changes in operation
- Telephone number to call with your questions
- How you will proceed with your services & products
Helpful Tip – Social media users scroll and only stop when a visual or content catches their attention. By attaching an image to your helpful content, you are increasing the chance that they will stop scrolling and engage with your content.
Update Your Website
There are several ways you can update your website to stay connected to your customers regarding COVID-19. First, make sure your hours are updated everywhere they are listed on the website (i.e. contact page, home page, locations page, etc.). If you are taking any precautions such as temperature taking or mandating masks, list this information on your website. This informs the customer what they should expect upon entering your store.
Second, upload a blog article onto your website concerning how you are keeping your customers and your team safe. Upload a red banner across the top of your website’s home page and label it “COVID-19 Update.” When your customer visits your website, their eyes will automatically be drawn to the banner due to the red color. When they click on the banner, it should take them to your blog article about COVID-19.
Utilize Traditional & Digital Advertising
You may be tempted to decrease your advertising dollars to save money somewhere. But, decreasing your ad dollars will only minimize your opportunity to reach your target audience. When this pandemic is over, you won’t be at the forefront of your customer’s mind. It’s vital to stay in front of your audience via traditional and digital advertising methods such as:
- Social Media Advertising
- YouTube Advertising
- Search Engine Marketing
- Geofencing
- Direct Mail Advertising
- Television Advertising
- Radio Advertising
- Print Advertising
- Billboard Advertising
Partner With M&R Marketing
This pandemic has affected every business in America and across the world. Whether that meant working from home for the foreseeable future or changing your services to best help your customers, COVID-19 demanded change. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with marketing amid a pandemic, reach out to our team. We can take the marketing reins from you so you can focus on your customers and team. Give us a call today with your questions: 478-621-4491.
Check Out Our Other Articles in the Series
This is the last blog in our three-part series about how you can stay relevant amid COVID-19. Make sure to read parts one and two:
- Part 1: Creating COVID Relevant Social Media Strategy
- Part 2: Creating a COVID Relevant Google Ads Strategy
- Part 3: How to Stay Connected to Your Customers During COVID-19