Five practical moves for businesses during COVID-19: strengthen your social media, offer digital gift certificates, focus on keeping existing customers, use empathetic messaging, and add flexible payment options. Sam emphasizes these aren't magic bullets but worth trying.
In these difficult times, you may find your business slowing down and sales harder to come by. Given this trend, establishing and maintaining connections with existing and potential customers have become more important than ever. So here are some simple tips to help you step up your marketing game. 1. Strengthen your social media presence. With the extended lockdowns and social distancing rules in place, it is the perfect time to amplify your online presence via social media. Create posts on a regular basis to update on new products or special offers. Also, be transparent and let them know what steps you're taking to keep your customers and employees safe. 2. Offer discounted gift certificates. Consider offering discounted gift cards or certificates that can be used at a later date. For instance, your customer can buy a gift certificate with a face value of $50 for only $40. If you have a website, you can also add digital gift cards that they can buy for themselves or as a gift. Just make sure that you have a reliable system to track payments. 3. Focus on existing customers. Getting new clients might be more difficult and time consuming in times of crisis. With this, you might want to tap into your existing customers for more sales. Be proactive and communicate with them to build a stronger relationship and customer loyalty. 4. Infuse empathy into your marketing communications. Use empathy in your marketing communications to connect with customers and prospects during tough times. Avoid the hard sell and don't make them feel that you're taking advantage of the situation. 5. Offer flexible payment options. As most people are tightening their belts due to the impacts and uncertainty brought on by COVID19, you may find your customers canceling or holding off on their purchases. Overcome this by offering flexible payment terms with no interest, no payments for 30 days, price discounts and similar offers. These tips are not magic bullets, but are definitely worth considering if your business is struggling. Feel free to contact us for focused business guidance and advice tailored to your unique situation. Sam.
