The COVID-19 pandemic has presented unprecedented challenges for businesses. From having to shift brick and mortar hours, to changing the ways that daily tasks are conducted, the operations of many organizations look drastically different than they did before March 2020.
While these unexpected changes have been undeniably difficult, they have also inspired innovation for many brands. Today, we’ll discuss some creative solutions for effectively marketing your business online during the pandemic, including how to adjust marketing strategies and best engage customers.
Stay Connected To Your Audience
Building an email list for your audience is one of the most effective methods for creating a long-lasting connection between your business and its customers. The coronavirus pandemic has served as a reminder of why this practice is essential. Having an engaged email list allows you to reach out to your customers, maintain the relationship, and remind them of your presence.
A thoughtful message can be extremely impactful in terms of how you engage clients, whether it’s a simple email blast to say, “we’re thinking of you,” or a link to a new blog post that provides valuable and helpful information. Blogging also helps establish your business as a trusted brand and resource and creates a space to humanize your business — a factor that’s essential during a global pandemic.
But remember, people will also view things differently during this time, and what may have been appropriate last autumn may not be today. Be mindful of the current climate, and double check for language that would be interpreted as tone-deaf or insensitive in a pandemic.
Again, incorporating both thoughtfulness and an understanding of recent events are crucial aspects of the success of your marketing strategies.
Lean Into Increasing And Improving Your Social Media Content
While many have been practicing social distancing, one of the key functions of social media has been its essential role in keeping users both informed and entertained on a daily basis. As a business, this increase in traffic and engagement is the perfect opportunity to get creative and innovative with your social media content.
Think outside the box by creating new giveaways or special offers that are social media exclusive. Consider any social media content that provides an opportunity to engage clients and/or build your brand image.
Take Hanifa for example. The independent Congolese-influenced womenswear brand made international fashion headlines in May 2020 when they launched their debut fashion show via Instagram Live exclusively using 3D body renderings in place of actual models.
From a marketing perspective, the show created invaluable engagement for Hanifa, because it was new, fresh, and timely. It offered a full view of the collection without the health risks of using multiple models or having live attendees in light of the pandemic.
Of course, figuring out what social media content opportunities work for your brand can be especially challenging during these times. Click here to view some tips on how hiring a social media manager during the pandemic can help you develop a more impactful social media strategy.
Provide Value Through Educational Content
Some people are using quarantine to improve their skills, which is a great opportunity for your business to prove its value. This can be done by creating virtual “how-to” blog posts for services relevant to your business or shooting a video tutorial of a product that you’ve recently launched.
You can even utilize paid advertising on social media to promote this content for an opportunity to expand your reach to a new audience. The goal is to reinforce that your brand offers value to customers, while staying in tune with their needs.
Despite the challenges that COVID-19 has presented, with proper planning and creativity, a business can create a social media marketing strategy during this time that solidifies their brand image for the long haul. Use this chance to make sure that yours is a positive one.
You’ve probably realized by now that Social Media is no longer an option. In fact, it is a vital and highly successful tool for building a business. Aliya Hammond Consulting is an online Digital Marketing, Training, and Consulting Company headquartered in the greater Philadelphia area. We specialize in Social Media Management and Marketing, Social Media Training, Blog Writing, and Graphic Design Services for small and large businesses, entrepreneurs, and non-profit organizations. If you are looking to improve or increase your online presence, you can rest assured you are in good hands with us. Contact Aliya Hammond Consulting today to find out how we can help your business grow!
