Coronavirus and Your Business

Capture.JPG

The client calling yesterday about his plans to furlough 200 staff because of Coronavirus brought the disease into my home.

Wall Street’s 11-year bull market ending didn’t help my mood, either.

So far we’re all safe here, though we’ve had to adjust our vacation plans.

Yet my business is built on personal relationships cemented over beer, coffee, or eggs. NOW what?

Being a service provider, I have the luxury of shifting many of those conversations to the phone or email. But my clients can’t necessarily follow suit with their customer bases.

My advice: Regardless of what you sell, it’s time to review your marketing plan and shift gears to address this crisis.

Sure, I understand the instinct to pull in your horns during rough times. Yet we’re reminded daily that out of sight is out of mind, and businesses not marketing themselves adequately get ignored.

Meaning when business slows down, smart firms INCREASE their marketing, visibility, and public presence. Here are a few things to bear in mind:

  • Know what you sell and your customer’s profile; it’ll help you target new customers.

  • Use email regularly to remind customers you’re there to service all their needs.

  • Expand your presence on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram to increase visibility and website traffic.

  • Use targeted digital advertising to your customer profile, reminding people you’re a healthy business.

  • Create a sales promotion SO compelling that customers MUST come to your store or website to learn more or win something.

  • Build a website page with specials for current customers, new customers, or both.

UPS still picks up packages at your door and delivers to theirs, so there’s no reason to cede this battle to Amazon.

And, if nothing else, you can remind people to cough into their elbow, not shake hands, etc.

Because with the communications options we have today, getting in front of customers and staying there shouldn’t be that tough.

And, if done properly, it shouldn’t cost you a fortune, either.

My friend Craig Brown regularly advises people to KEEP YOUR POWDER DRY; words that are more relevant today than ever before. If you maintain a calm demeanor, have a good plan, and are smart about your tactical implementation, you’ll weather this storm and be stronger when it’s done.

With that said, I wish you a week of healthy marketing.

-------------
Get a more robust bottom line at www.askmrmarketing.com.

B2B Marketing, b2c marketing, corporate messaging, customer relations, online marketing, strategic planningRob WeinbergMarketBuilding Teamcoronavirus, marketing plan, ask mister marketing, ask mr. marketingComment