Looking through the internet for answers during these difficult times, you can easily find many examples of big companies that are taking meaningful action during the Coronavirus outbreak. But, what happens to local businesses? What should a small business owner do in these difficult times to maintain the clients and stay afloat? Many will shut down, ignoring real possibilities and potential during the outbreak. Keep reading to find out more tips about coronavirus business planning.
Keep your digital channel active to overcome your competitors in the long run
Miranda Miller, a content marketing expert, recommends small businesses keep their marketing budget, at least 7% of total sales per year. If you can’t afford it right now, it’s time to cut some expenses and keep up with your digital channels as much as you can. All the traffic you built up to this day in your social media and other channels will be lost if you shut them down. Also, your competitors will likely stop investing in advertising too, so if you advertise, you will obtain an advantage when the crisis ends.
This is crucial: when the crisis ends. Because it will end but, for those businesses that stayed silent, it will be a difficult return to the market. “SEO and inbound marketing are a long game,” Miller said. Maintaining your engagement and content strategy working is key to lessen your own crisis.
Apply preventive measures and communicate them clearly
Every business must communicate to their clients and community and general about their specific situation in the pandemic, especially if what you sell involves food, drinks, medicine, or close contact with people. Regardless if you will obtain revenue or not, in these difficult times, the health of your neighborhood and the public image of your business might be at risk. Act fast, put to action preventive measures, and communicate them clearly to your customers. You want to be part of the entire effort worldwide and not be forgotten.
Some of the measures you can take are: protecting your workers with the right equipment and training, also supporting them if they get sick; opt for delivery service or online services, cancel or postpone events that involve multitudes, among others. However, most of this good practice won’t work correctly if you don’t inform your community in time, and with clarity. So, start typing some emails and social media posts! (but always with the audit of an expert).
Create new business opportunities in helping others
Some companies are helping their community with some great altruism, like turning their restaurants into community dinners. But, we know that not all small businesses can do this. In fact, many of you are struggling with clients’ cancellations, economic breakdown, and general uncertainty. Our advice? Look for the essential needs your clients are looking for. In the current lockdown, most of the population is trying to cope inside their houses, looking to pass the time and relax. They need entertainment, house cleaning, food delivery, and many other things that your business could adapt to offer.
Work on your content, client profile, and SEO for a faster, future recovery
During an epidemic lockdown, your digital channels won’t be advertising your products or services, but informing people about preventive measures in your business, local news that affects your audience, and useful content for the community. You can still do business but in a respectful manner. Some moral-lacking companies have tried to profit from the crisis, and nobody likes that. In the long term, a company like this is condemned to end.
Also, you can use this slow time to update your client’s profile, doing some interviews, or working with a marketing expert to check out your statistics. Working on new digital content like whitepapers, ebooks, or courses, is a great idea, too. Don’t forget to clean your administrative messes and take a good look at your website and other links and pages. Stay informed on the current state of the market and plan future products or services.
We hope you find the right strategy for your business in our coronavirus small business guide. Take care and follow the official preventive measures. If you want any help with your small business, contact us on our website and also consider that there are current plans to offer small business loans for coronavirus effects from both the government and private lenders.
