The USA is slowly, state by state, being reopened following the shelter in place restrictions imposed to stop the spread of the Coronavirus. However, with warnings of a second wave of the virus and the possibility of the full lockdown coming back into force, businesses need to be prepared for whatever the future may hold.
A key part of this preparation involves keeping your customers interested in your company and engaging with them, which is particularly hard when your physical presence is not available. Here is a selection of tips to help small businesses to communicate and engage with customers during this unique and unprecedented situation.
Adapt Your Service Offering around the Pandemic
When facing this uncertain situation, it’s tempting to shut down completely and ride it out; however, this approach won’t help your company in the long or short-term. Try to adapt as best you can to the situation, so that you can continue to serve your customers, even if you have to change the way you provide your services and products. Consider contactless deliveries, limited opening hours, or offering your services remotely if possible.
Use Direct Mail to Reach Housebound Customers
The shelter in place orders, and the fear of catching the Coronavirus, are keeping many individuals in their homes. As a result, they are the perfect targets for a direct mail campaign. You can enlist the help of a company, like Catdi Printing in Houston, which offers graphic design, custom printing, and safe delivery of your mail to homes throughout the area. Thankfully they are still open during the pandemic and are taking all measures needed to deliver their products safely. By utilizing these services you will be able to effectively reach and interact with your customers in a safe way.
Update Your Social Media Pages
Businesses that don’t regularly update their social media accounts should consider doing so during the lockdown. Social media is one of the easiest ways to reach out to your current and potential customers and share updates on your company and the ways it is adapting to the current situation. Keep your social media pages updated and share any new developments, no matter how small, with your customers.
Support Those In Need
In these challenging times, many families and individuals are struggling to make ends meet and get the essential items they need. If your business is able to provide aid, financial or practical, to those who need it the most, then try to do so. Not only will you be able to give back to the community that has helped your business to thrive, but you will also achieve positive publicity for your company. You can share the details of the support you’re offering on your firm’s social media pages and website to highlight your commitment to giving back to the community.
Start a Business Blog
If your company doesn’t already have a business blog, then now could be the perfect time to start one. Blogging offers many benefits for small businesses, and if you have a reduced workload thanks to the virus, then you could put your extra time to good use by writing blog posts. Start by updating customers on the policies and procedures your company has put in place to keep them, and your staff, safe from the virus. Then, move on to talking about the latest trends in your market, or offering tips related to your business niche. This content will help you engage with your customers and will boost your website’s SEO to get it to the top of relevant search engine results pages.
Customer engagement is crucial to the ongoing success of your business. Use these tips to find inspiration for your marketing and customer support strategies so that you can overcome the challenges the lockdown poses and keep your business flourishing.
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