HOW TO MARKET YOUR BUSINESS DURING A CRISIS: SOCIAL MEDIA TIPS

Turn social media into a customer support platform for your business, be there to answer your customer's questions regarding your business. Do not speculate on matters outside of your professional sphere, let the relevant knowledgable authorities do that. While running targeted ads can be highly effective, during times of National and International crisis, the smaller businesses can't keep up with the paid advertising going on by larger corporations, and news agencies. Your ad is most likely going to get lost in the shuffle, without careful thoughtful target advertising.

A better way to connect with your customers and make sure they see it is by an email campaign. That way you know exactly where it's going and you're also reaching out to your loyal customer base. Look forward, and invite your customers to do so too.

TIP: Don’t forget to add changes in your business schedule on social media pages

Did you know social media is one of the main marketing channels that can help your business survive? While sales are going to take a hit in times of crisis, depending on your business, it's the time to do the part of marketing where businesses often fall down, and a part you can control.

ENGAGE WITH YOUR CUSTOMERS.

Listening to feedback makes customers feel more appreciated and part of the value creation process.” – Ray Poynter, Director, Vision Critical University

---

Tips to engage with your audience

• Take them on a virtual tour of your business

• Show them some behind the scenes business operations.

• If your business is in the food industry - Have your chef do a how-to video - promote time, menu and invite your followers to a virtual dinner.

• Travel and tourism industries can take the time to talk about the area, places to see.

• Ask your followers questions, when was the last time you were here, what was your favorite place to visit, share a photo of your favorite spot.

• Business to Business is important in times of crisis too, share other local businesses' positive content. Support each other.

• Don't be an information factory, stick to your area of expertise.

• Don't share tasteless jokes, memes or political comments when they do not pertain to your business while they may be funny when you read them, remember your reach.

• Survey your audience to better grasp their pain points,

• Look carefully at their demographics take part in conversations on forums filled with your target audience.

• Respond to comments on your blog and comment on other blogs with the same target audience.

• Reply to all comments or questions on your social media channels to collect feedback.

• They want to deal with businesses that care – not just a faceless brand, reintroduce yourself, your company and what you do.

---

REMEMBER

1. Make social media announcements pertaining to your business.

2. Send emails, newsletters, and messages.

3. Blog, blog, blog more.

4. Update your site: show you’re on top of the situation.

5. Keep the sales tactics to a minimum.

There’s no formula for success. No matter the company size, every company is unique and requires round-the-clock attention to deliver content that will connect them to their audience especially in unsettled times — that’s where we come in. We can help you with an engagement strategy and start an email marketing campaign.