The pandemic hit, business got tougher, and you had to do everything you could to reduce spending. We know how hard it has been on business owners and it seems that one of the first places they decide to cut back on spending is marketing. That can, however, be a fatal mistake. If you think business is hard now, just imagine blindfolding your potential customers and hoping they still find you. Not marketing is doing just that! People ARE still spending money, but they have to SEE you, so we’ve put together 5 things you can do now to get going!
#1: Social Media – read that as Business Media
Work-from-home and other home-bound situations have created more social media users than have ever existed before. That is pure opportunity for you. As a business person, you need to see social media as business and not so much as personal time. Spend time engaging your target customers with promotions and maybe ads. You could create posts that communicate how your business is protecting people’s health, changes in operation that you have made, and let them know that you are still there for them. Have FUN with them! Post a fun meme or video. People really need to laugh right now and people also remember how you make them feel. You want them to think of you and smile.
#2: SEO – Stay ahead of the pain
When you have surgery and the doctor gives you pain medicine, they will tell you, “Stay ahead of the pain”. What does that mean? You don’t want to let the pain get out of control before you take something for it because, by that time, you are in agony and the medicine will have limited effectiveness.
In the same way, SEO is not something you want to do when you’re having a big problem and you need immediate help to stop the pain. It is a very necessary thing that takes time to build. Ranking on the first page of Google is too important for your business for you to neglect it. At the very least, and as an affordable option, local SEO and utilizing your keywords are a must.
#3: The boring stuff
“Yay! Let’s get our tax documents ready ahead of time, that’ll be so much fun!” said no one. Ever. There are things that you hate to do even in a business that you love. However, if you have the extra time available because your business is slower than usual, do some of that boring stuff. When business picks back up and you are running with your hair on fire, you’ll be glad you did. And your CPA will love you.
#4: Take time to NAP
I mean, if you want to take a nap, that sounds okay to me, but this NAP is different. Look at different review platforms, like Yelp and Google, and make sure your Name, Address, and Phone number are accurate so that people can find you. Claim your listings if you haven’t already.
#5: Show your existing customers some love
Say thank you to those who have bought from you before. Send an email to let them know you hope they’re doing well and staying healthy. Include a coupon code for their next purchase. Send a second code for them to forward to a friend. If they love you, they know someone who will love you, too; especially if there’s a coupon involved. Send a birthday email, if you have that information. Include a special offer for their birthday, too. People love special offers. Go show them some love.
As always, The Salt Net is here to help if you need us.
