How to stay top of mind during the crisis (Even if you are closed)

These are the most bizarre times for Business owners. Most people are focussed on staying well and keeping safe. No one wants to be sold to right now, yet businesses still need to keep the wheels turning and get sales. The biggest issues are uncertainty, fewer sales, hesitant to make plans, loss of income, less time to work due to having to home school or entertain young children.  So what do you do?

Even if you are closed, stay in touch with your customers.

Surprise and delight your customers. It keeps you top of mind, Write a handwritten card. Write an ebook so that your customers will learn something new when they can download it.

Add value now – This is the time more than ever to be creative and add value. There are plenty of examples on Twitter of people who are really excelling right now.

Could you RT or share business owners’ posts? Could you help someone by experimenting with new products and doing it free for a business owner to get feedback?

Today the odds are stacked against us. Not many people are spending money, not many are committing due to the uncertainty out there. But you CAN increase your email list. You CAN share your knowledge and help others. You CAN give hope and inspire.

Ask your audience what they would like help with.

Reach out to your community to offer help or introductions

Do some collaborations with others

Do some webinars for your audience. Go live on Twitter and engage with people who join

Create a # and encourage people to post a video of what they are up to and share with the community etc

I created #IAmOpen and encouraged business owners to post a video

This resulted in many business owners (not just in Ireland) who posted videos showing what they do. I heard a few of them got sales too!

Increase your email list:

Create an ebook with simple tips that your customers can implement eg if you are a hairdresser perhaps 5 ways to hide the grey/styles….hair care tips until the hair salon opens again.

I asked Photofy CMO and leading Social Media Strategist Ted Rubin for a comment on this:

Rather than devolving into panic and becoming defensive, I think this is the perfect time for reaching out to others in the spirit of contribution. As many have braced for a prolonged period of working from home or sheltering in place, I think it’s important that we take this opportunity of spending more time at home to focus on some of the things we’ve been too busy to pay attention to up until now.

Think of ways you can contribute your service to help others. How can you add value to your customers’ lives right now? In this time of business and personal crisis, we should all be pulling together to help each other through the uncertainty—not running ads for selling shit that no one really needs right now.

Call your current and past customers and just see how they’re doing. Make it personal. Offer to share something with them that could be of value to them at this time. Ask… what can I do to support you?

Keep in mind throughout… A brand is what a business does, a Reputation is what people Remember and Share.

Excellent advice from Ted. You can follow Ted on Twitter @TedRubin.

Follow Sam @Tweetinggoddess.