Across America, small businesses are struggling. Many are shuttered due to stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders with the rise of the coronavirus pandemic. Those that are operational are having a difficult time getting foot traffic into stores, or are finding themselves having to adjust to new safety protocols and no-contact service. Whatever the case that you’re finding yourself in as a small business owner, one point applies across the board: your small business marketing strategy is crucial to surviving and thriving in the time of COVID-19.
Small Business Marketing and Google My Business
If coronavirus is affecting the way that your business operates, whether through limited hours or special considerations that customers should otherwise be aware of, make sure you’re staying on top of your Google My Business profile. Google is currently offering ways for small business owners to let their customers know how the pandemic is affecting normal operations1. Utilizing this tool properly will equip your customers with the information that they’re looking for, and can make you stand out from the competition. The less search users need to click on to find what they’re looking for, the better their experience is.
Of course, there are a lot of do’s and don’ts with Google My Business that you’ll want to be aware of. Making a wrong move could result in a penalty from Google, so be sure to consult a small business marketing expert who works with this platform on a regular basis before making big changes or posting updates to your profile.
Leverage The Power of Social Media to Strengthen Your Brand
Social media is a great small business marketing channel to utilize during this time. Connecting with local customers and informing them of all that you’re doing to cater to their needs while protecting your employees can have a very positive impact on your brand image. Consumers want to know that they’re dealing with socially conscious proprietors that care about the communities that they serve. With the help of social media and a smart strategy, you can effectively get this point across at a low cost.
Social media is also great for soliciting reviews and developing a good rapport with your community. Even if COVID-19 is affecting your bottom line right now, creating a positive brand image in a time of crisis will work favorably when life begins to return to normal. Small business branding is extremely important to success.
Take a Long-Term View of ROI
In times of economic crisis, it can be easy to say that marketing dollars are going to waste because an immediate return on investment can be difficult to find. However, it’s important to take a long-term view of ROI — rather than dollars in versus dollars out on a rolling monthly basis, small business owners need to consider some of the intangible positives that marketing efforts are contributing. A better brand image, better relationships within the community, and positive reviews will all help to bring you more business when the crisis comes to an end. As we’ve mentioned in multiple blog posts in the past few weeks, now is an excellent time to get ahead while your competitors are shying away from marketing efforts or redirecting budgets. The importance of marketing for small businesses cannot be overstated right now — if you want to survive and thrive during the coronavirus pandemic, marketing should be a big point of focus for any small business owner.
Need Help With Your Small Business Marketing Strategy?
Dreamscape Marketing has helped several clients survive in difficult or uncertain economic times in our 15+ year history. If you feel like you could use an extra hand in getting through this difficult time, feel free to reach out — contact us online or call 888.307.7304 to speak with a marketing strategist today.