Locally owned businesses are the heart of our economy, and they know the value of being involved with the community, serving customers, maintaining safety, and building trust. Over the last several months, everyone around the world has been affected, personally and professionally, by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has prompted many changes that will likely continue for some time. The following are a few tips on how you can continue to maintain your business and make a positive impact locally.
Maintain Your Business During Covid-19
Stay Informed of Covid-19 Updates
The local news is a great way to stay informed and up-to-date on rules and regulations as transitions are constantly being made. Make a point of tuning in to trusted news sources, locally and nationally, to ensure you are aware of all policy changes. While social media is a great resource for many things, beware of misinformation, regarding COVID-19 mitigation compliance. Following recommended and enforced guidelines will leverage your business as responsible, caring, and trustworthy.
Maintain Good Communication
Communication is key in every situation. In addition to staying abreast of these details yourself, be sure you effectively communicate to employees, vendors, and customers, as well. As you adhere to policies and regulations within your business, provide helpful information pertaining to these updates by posting it in your business and using every resource possible.
Of course verbal communication works well, but take advantage of to help get the word out too. Start running ads online with Google PPC ads and on Facebook. You can also advertise with your local newspaper or radio station, in order to keep your community abreast of business changes.
Undoubtedly, you have a business website and maintain a presence on one or more social media platforms. Other key places to keep up-to-date include Google My Business, Yelp, and sending emails out to your client list. When updating the various sites and platforms, include your business hours, and contact information including phone number, email, and address.
Continue Normal Operations As Much As Possible
As much as possible, maintain as much normalcy in your business operations as possible. Your staff members, customers, and community alike will find this reassuring. Below are three suggestions worth considering.
- Follow City and State Guidelines: Changes are happening every day, so staying on top of this is crucial. Initially, non-essential businesses were forced to shut down operations, however, some rules have since been relaxed. Regardless, make adaptations as they apply to your business.
- Evaluate the Status of Your Online Business: Whether you’re in the beginning stages of growing your business online or are already operating via eCommerce; now is an ideal time to evaluate how you can implement new online selling options. This is a great opportunity for growth.
- Increase Knowledge: If your business has endured a shut-down or decrease in operation hours, take advantage of the slower time by educating yourself. The old adage, knowledge is power, is indeed true. This downtime could be used to learn new marketing strategies, software applications, or even hiring a consultant. It also provides a great opportunity to gather valuable feedback from customers, so send out an email blast or survey. Offer a free gift in return for their response.
As a local business owner, you probably already recognize the value of volunteering and networking with other local businesses. Finding solutions that will enhance your local community will long be remembered even after this era of COVID-19 is in the past. Every step can be a step towards building a stronger, brighter future, locally and worldwide.
Get In Touch with Hungerford Media
Growing your business is our business! Even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, we implement creative marketing strategies that help build and promote your brand online. Contact us today at (616) 259-0078 to get started!
