It’s no question the pandemic has hit business owners hard. Unfortunately, with social distancing restrictions progressing, many must shut down indefinitely or file for bankruptcy

With a creative plan, however, big and small businesses can adjust to survive the pandemic. Here are our do’s and don’ts of marketing amidst the pandemic:

Do Communicate Regularly With Your Customers

As towns begin to pull back restrictions, regularly update your social media followers on what’s going on with your business. Can customers make online purchases? Are you doing curbside pickup? Answering some of these questions shows you care and think about the well-being of your customers.

When communicating with your customers online, be sure to:

• Acknowledge the pandemic and its effect on the world

• Be empathetic

• Explain any business changes

• Encourage them to reach out and ask questions

Don’t Stop Creating Online Content

With everyone discussing the pandemic on social media, you might be thinking to yourself: Is there anything left to say? The answer is YES.

Virus updates change every day, making new questions from your customers emerge along with it. Some response options include: writing a blog post about how your business has dealt with the pandemic, creating a video with a heartfelt message, or sending a post that highlights a selfless member of your community. The possibilities are endless!

Do Re-Strategize Your Marketing Plan

Remember that marketing plan your team created back in January? It’s time to scrap that and re-strategize. The world certainly looks a lot different than it did a few months ago – let's make some changes to stay up to date.

When creating an innovative marketing plan, ask yourself: What message do I want to send to my customers, and how can I still get that message across today? Get creative, and do not be afraid to think outside of the box.

Don’t Overuse the Same Phrases

Chances are, you’ve seen a dozen commercials say, “During these tough times” and “We’re all in this together!” In the beginning, these phrases were touching and reassuring. To many of us now, they can seem overused and frustrating.

To make your business stand out, avoid using these phrases as much as possible. Instead, use simple vocabulary and dialogue that is straightforward. When doing so, you still acknowledge the pandemic and support your community while remaining different from the rest.

Do Be Sensitive and Thoughtful

Reach out to your customers online by expressing empathy – on both shared and owned channels. You never know what your customers are going through, so be as thoughtful as possible.

If you’re struggling to create a marketing plan during the Coronavirus pandemic, Social Stamina is here to help. We’ll provide you with a free consultation and show you how to get your social media back on track.