By Wayne Brown
The coronavirus pandemic is causing businesses to face challenges many of us have never experienced before and it’s easy to say “don’t panic,” but this is a chain reaction that will affect everyone, so… don’t panic!
Wait, did I just say that?!
We’re in this for the long haul, so now, more than ever, we have to think differently, defy cliché, and embrace digital media.
If you have a non-essential business that is being forced to temporarily close, keep in mind that your customers, patients, members, constituents, even staff, all look to you for resources, education, and support.
Provide updates on your progress as often as you can through your website, social media, and email platforms like Constant Contact.
If you’ve already pre-scheduled your social media posts through platforms like Hootsuite and Zoho, double-check and make sure they match the tone of our current situation or you may end up offending people.
Think out of the box! If you can’t bring your customers to your business, bring your business to your customers… and then some!
Use free tools like Google Hangouts, Skype, and Zoom and go digital. Videos are perfect for service businesses like fitness centers, performing arts studios, tutors, golfers, craft-makers, accountants, lawyers, painters, chocolate chip bakers… you get my drift. Any business that can share informational activity or tips is a viable candidate for making a video.
Use Facebook Live and Instagram Live or even pre-record videos of your group fitness classes, swim lessons, music and dance tutorials, cooking class, heck, you can even teach math… just not the Common Core, please. Post them on your YouTube channel!
Bottom line is keeping your customers engaged. Even if you’re working from home, don’t let them forget about you. Offer discounts on long-term purchases like fitness memberships and summer camp. Retailers can offer free or discounted shipping. And we’ve already seen restaurants getting creative with pick-up and delivery options.
Don’t panic! You’re affected, so are we, but we’re in this together. If you have any questions, let me know and we’ll see if WOW can help. Hang in there and be safe.