Why Marketing Is Important During The Pandemic

The coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic has turned the world upside down. Many businesses were forced to close down and some of them remain closed even though restrictions are starting to ease around the world. With this in mind, many businessmen are wondering if they should continue marketing. The pandemic is still raging and many citizens are being asked by their governments to restrict movements outdoors.

If you’re a business owner, knowing what customers want right now can help you survive the pandemic. The answer to this question is in marketing. But with sales down and customers restricted to their homes, do you still need to market during the pandemic?

 Here are some reasons why marketing is important and why you should continue to market to customers.

Marketing Engages Customers

Many customers are stuck at home right now and some of them are isolated from friends and family. Sometimes they need a friendly voice even if it is coming from you. Marketing is a great tool to start or keep the conversation going.

Engaging customers is different from pushing them to buy from you. Engagement means giving them relevant information about your product or service. It is about creating content. Tell them what they don’t know, make it interesting for them.

Social media is a good platform for engaging customers as it gives them a sense of belonging.

Marketing Maintains Company Reputation

The growth and lifespan of your business is related to its reputation. This means that reputation determines to your brand equity. Many marketing activities are geared towards building brand equity of the company.

Company reputation is built when marketing efforts meet customer expectations. They consider your business to be a valuable member of the community. Customers are proud to be associated with your products.

Effective strategies for building reputation include effective communication, public relations and corporate social responsibility.

Marketing Builds Relationships

 

Businesses need to build a relationship of trust and understanding with their customers. Marketing can help meet the needs of customers based on segmentation such as demographics, psychographics, and consumer behavior. Segmentation allows businesses to identify needs and concerns of customers which in turn help them to deliver what is promised. Every time you answer a customer’s need you build trust.

Loyal customers will have more confidence to buy products from you. It is important to build trust between you and your customers because it will make your commercial activities more fruitful.

Marketing Informs Customers

Marketing is a good channel that can be used to inform your customers of products and services you’re offering. Through marketing they will know the usage, value of your product and any additional info that can be helpful.

Competition is stiff especially among your competitors so make sure that you are a constant voice so that you can convince customers more efficiently.

Marketing Boosts Sales

Perhaps the best reason to market is to boost sales. A lot of effort is exerted so that your product or service is seen by its target audience. However, once a product is advertised it increases the chance of being seen or noticed.

When customers see your products advertised they might want to try it which triggers a purchasing decision. When they are happy with your product, they become brand ambassadors and won’t hesitate to recommend or promote your product. Once they spread the word, your sales will begin to increase.

Marketing Helps To Retain Your Relevance

Many businesses have had to close because of the pandemic. Small businesses or those that belong to niche markets are struggling to stay afloat. However, continued marketing can help to retain your relevance especially during these uncertain times.

Many companies think that they will remain in their customer’s minds just because they are their favorite brand. However, customers can be fickle and will forget about you especially if you’re out of sight. You have to find ways to remain on top of their minds and marketing can help you stay relevant.

Bottom Line

Always remember that your competitors will still be continuing with their marketing efforts even during this pandemic. This alone tells you that marketing is important. The only way to gain advantage from competitors is by being aggressive and consistent.

The post Why Marketing Is Important During The Pandemic appeared first on Creativ Digital.

from Creativ Digital https://ift.tt/2zGLWaz

How Covid-19 Is Changing Consumer Behavior

It’s almost 3 months since governments around the world shut down businesses and issued stay-at-home orders for their citizens. Since then, cases of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) have continued to rise and deaths are mounting in many countries including the United States and Brazil.

While some countries like Australia, New Zealand and South Korea easing shutdown and lockdown measures, retail space as we once knew it has changed considerably. Even with many businesses around the world opening their doors again, the pre-Covid-19 world as we knew it seems to belong in the distant past. This is because months of lockdown and continued infection in some countries have resulted in consumers changing their shopping behavior.

Online Shopping

During the early days of the lockdown, data in many countries show that online shopping was becoming normal for many citizens stuck at home. In data analyzed, there was significant increase in online shopping in March 2020 compared to the previous year. The study also showed that over 40% of shoppers said that they were shopping for things they would normally buy in-store online.

This data reflects what most of us are currently experiencing no matter where we are. Lockdowns and shutdowns have changed our buying behavior from purchasing in traditional stores to buying from online sellers. Page views for online stores are also seeing a jump because many of us are housebound and are just starting to buy many products online.

Moving Past Necessities Phase

While many countries are beginning to ease lockdown measures, many restrictions are still in place. For instance, social distancing restrictions are still in place in some states in Australia. Many believe that health measures like social distancing and wearing face coverings like masks will stay in place even in Covid-19 numbers go down. This is why many online shoppers are moving past the necessities phase of their buying to other categories.

According to studies, page views for toys, games and sporting goods are seeing an increase. As people get used to staying indoors longer, they are looking for ways to entertain themselves and their families. There is also browsing for apparel and accessories but buying is down.

People might not want to purchase new clothes yet since venturing outdoors is usually limited to essential supplies run or they might be waiting until social distancing measures ease.

Priorities Shifting

Before the pandemic started, surveys showed how responders prioritized their needs. The main priorities when buying something were quality (48%), price (47%) and brand (24%). After the pandemic, they were more concerned with availability (49%), price (36%) and quality (34%).

This number makes sense because supply chains around the world were disrupted by the pandemic. When the outbreak started in China in late December of last year, the world had no idea that it would become a worldwide pandemic. As such, many factories in China had to be shut down in order to contain the spread. This has affected the stock not only of medical supplies but also of other products and raw materials.

The chaos of the pandemic has also led to massive panic buying especially when lockdown measures were announced. In Australia for instance, there was a temporary shortage of toilet rolls, hand sanitizers, canned goods and other products with long shelf-life.

Many survey respondents reported that they have experienced product shortage when they tried to make a purchase. It is interesting to see the shift in priorities from quality to availability. This means that shoppers are now trying brands and discovering new products as part of their shopping experience.

What This Means For Retail

It is important for retailers to examine this shift in consumer behavior. Since we don’t know how long the Covid-19 pandemic is going to last, knowing which categories consumers are willing to spend on and what they are prioritizing can help businesses adjust their marketing efforts.

The shift from traditional shopping to online platforms is also accelerating the innovation of ecommerce and many companies and businesses are racing to improve their online shopping experience. Updating product descriptions, hastening delivery services, moving to online selling and other activities are all fueled by changing consumer behavior. It will be interesting to see if shoppers continue to buy online when the pandemic is over.

The post How Covid-19 Is Changing Consumer Behavior appeared first on Creativ Digital.

from Creativ Digital https://ift.tt/3esHB9P

Google Lists Changes In Consumer Behavior Due To The Pandemic

According to studies, over 4 billion people are staying at home right now due to the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic. This change in behavior has resulted in significant changes in how people use the internet.

Here are 5 key trends that Google says are shaping consumer behavior amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Using Multiple Devices

According to Google’s figures, staying at home has led to a 60% increase in content consumption. Their report states that people are watching around 12 hours of media per day and they are using multiple devices to access this.

Since more people are being asked by governments around the world to stay indoors, they are naturally turning to the internet in search not only for information but also for entertainment. With multiple family members stuck at home, one person can use their smart TV, smartphone or laptop to access content and videos online.

Relying On Google More

Aside from content consumption, many people are also using their devices to search for critical information. Searches for “online grocery”, grocery delivery and similar phrases have gone up since late March. Increase in searches for recipes and those related to cooking are also on the rise.

Meanwhile, more people around the world are also looking for “online pharmacies”, “medicine delivery”, “telemedicine”, “online doctor consultation” and similar keywords are being used in order to search for medicine and medical help.

This increased reliance on Google is surging mainly because people want to meet their essential needs. Since many people are stuck at home due to lockdowns, accessing critical information and supplies online has been rising steadily.

Staying Connected Online

The world is forced to transition from traditional office to a virtual one. This means people who can work from home are asked to do so by their companies in order to prevent them from coming into contact with infected co-workers. Since work from home is increasing, many workers are relying on online communication platforms to stay connected.

Google has made Google Meet free for everyone to use in order to meet the demand of online meetings and communication. As of April, Google Meet has hosted over 3 billion minutes of meetings and adding 3 million users every day.

YouTube has also seen a rise on the “with me” videos where people take videos of themselves cleaning, doing laundry, grocery shopping, etc. There are even videos of “study with me” that are seeing an increase in uploads and viewing time too.

Adjusting Daily Routines

There is no way to tell how long this pandemic is going to last. Even though there are many governments around the world like Australia, New Zealand and South Korea that are easing restrictions, many people are still on stay-at-home orders and regular activities continue to reflect this.

For example, there has been an increase in “telecommuting” in the United States and other countries and this continues to grow every day. Since many people are still self-isolating and gyms are closed searches for “stationary bikes” are also on the rise.

Self-Care

Covid-19 is a new disease and there is still a lot of mystery that surrounds it. Everyday doctors and scientists are finding new information about the disease and how it infects people. In response to this, there has been an increase in searches on self-care.

 According to Google, there is a rise on meditation-related videos and searches for “bored” also spiked in mid-March. Searches for “games,” “puzzles,” and “coloring books” also saw an increase during this month.

Bottom Line

Covid-19 is clearly changing the way we live our lives. It has affected our work, business, social lives and behavior significantly. Above all, it is changing the way how we use the internet. For the time being, the use of video conferencing tools, webinar software, online delivery apps and online shopping platforms will dominate our searches as we continue to grapple with the pandemic. It will be interesting to see how the “new normal” will reshape our lives in the real world as well as in cyberspace.

The post Google Lists Changes In Consumer Behavior Due To The Pandemic appeared first on Creativ Digital.

from Creativ Digital https://ift.tt/2Xd7fs6

Digital Marketing Strategies For The Pandemic

The coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic is causing a major downturn around the world. With many people on lockdown and many businesses shut around the world, a looming recession seems to be on the horizon.

However, there is a small beacon of light for many businesses. Thanks to the advent of the internet, many businesses are still able to serve customers by transitioning to online platforms. Shifting from traditional form of business to a virtual one has a big impact on marketing. As such it is important for business owners to be aware of digital marketing trends that can help them stay afloat during the pandemic.

Here are some of the top digital marketing trends you can explore during the pandemic.

Interactive Content

According to marketing experts, interactive content does a better job of educating consumers compared to static content. This is because interactive content is basically a call-to-action and is very sharable which helps to increase brand awareness.

Good examples of interactive content include 350-degree videos, AR/VR, shoppable posts, quizzes and polls.

AR and VR

• 

Improvements in technology have led to an increase of AR and VR usage. In the real estate word for instance, many agents are turning to AR and VR open houses in order to minimize contact with each other. This allows prospective buyers to “view” a house online while sellers and agents can continue to facilitate showings without risking exposure.

The retail industry is also taking advantage of this technology. With many people relying on online shopping to buy clothing, accessories and other necessities, showing their products virtually has led to more satisfactory shopping experience.

According to studies, up to 70% of enterprises will be experimenting with AR and VR by 2022. Taking an advantage of this technology right now can give you a big advantage in the future.

New Breed of SEO

Search algorithms will continue to change and evolve response to consumer behavior during this pandemic but also because of the pandemic. SEO tips and hacks that helped you to land on the first page of SERPs may not work in the future and can jeopardize your ranking.

According to studies, conversion rate of SEO is 14.6% which still beats the 1.7% conversion rate for traditional outbound methods. In this connection, constantly updating your SEO strategy can help you maintain or even improve your SERPs ranking.

Social Commerce

Due to to lockdowns and business closures, many people are stuck at home glued to social media not only to stay connected with family and friends but also to shop and browse.

Brands are now selling their products directly on social media in order to capture prospective customers who spend over 2 hours daily on social networks. With the pandemic, this number has climbed significantly. Therefore, taking a good look at your social media strategy is important for business survival right now.

Brands are using shoppable content and posts with a combination of ads in order to boost their leads and sales.

Smart Google Ads Bidding

The impact of Covid-19 on businesses is significant. Many businesses are looking for ways to stay marketing but at the same time hold on to their money in order to boost their cash flow. This is why it is important to practice smart bidding when it comes to AdSense.

Google announced in 2019 improvements to smart bidding. PPC managers now have the ability to choose conversion actions at campaign level and according to time periods. It is expected to become automatic and become a digital marketing norm.

Wrap-Up

These trends will help you market during this pandemic. Whether you’re working on a new digital strategy or tweaking a new one adapting to the changes in the way we do business is key to business survival.

The post Digital Marketing Strategies For The Pandemic appeared first on Creativ Digital.

from Creativ Digital https://ift.tt/2LLnjvW

Retaining Customers During Covid-19

A good businessman knows how to take care of his customers. After all, customers are the lifeblood of a business, without them businesses would cease to exist. This is why it is important not only to find customers, but also to keep or retain them.

According to studies, acquiring new customers is very expensive. However, returning customers spend 33% more than new ones. This makes keeping customers very important especially during this coronavirus pandemic.

While customer spending is low during this time, there are still ways to keep customers coming back. Here are some customer retention strategies to keep in mind.

Promote Initiatives

During times of trouble, people want to feel connected to each other including the brands and products they use. This is why it is important to promote the “why” of your company and connect with your customers using your company mission.

To build customer loyalty and support you need to show customers your commitment to your employees, clients and to charities and organizations that are joining the fight against Covid-19. This creates solidarity between you and customer and helps to strengthen your brand.

Communicate Your Value

Now is a good time to show customers that “we’re all in this together”. This is a great way to differentiate yourself against your competitors and you can use it to address a bigger concern.

Providing customers with useful information shows that you are here with them during the pandemic.

Virtual Products and Services

In order to adjust to the “new normal” because of the pandemic, you might need to realign services by offering them virtually. For example, telemedicine and video conferencing platforms have allowed many businesses to continue despite strict social distancing rules and business closures in some countries.

Think how you can shift your business from traditional selling to online selling so that you can continue to reach customers and serve them.

Create Helpful Content

The coronavirus disease is a new disease so there are still many unknowns. Aside from this, pharmaceutical companies and scientists still need to develop an effective treatment and vaccine to help combat the spread of the virus. All of this uncertainty has led to many fake news and articles related to Covid-19.

This is why it is important to impart to customers useful and relevant content that they can use in order to help win the war against the disease.

Increase Social Media Presence

While social distancing measures and business closures are easing in some parts of the world, many people are still stuck at home and glued to their phones or laptops. This is why it is important to increase your social media presence. This platform is used by many people around the world not only to read the news but also to stay in touch with loved ones also in isolation.

Create engaging posts using your social media channels so that customers can see your brand on their news feed. Post 2 to 3 times a week and don’t forget to answer questions and to respond to messages or requests.

Add A Personal Touch

Since many people are in isolation right now, many are lonely. Now is a good time to be a friendly face or voice even if you’re far away. Don’t be afraid to reach out to customers personally. Send them a personalized card via email, call them or message them directly. Check-in on them to see how they’re doing. They will surely be glad to hear from a friendly voice during this time of uncertainty.

Incentivize Purchases

Since this pandemic, many people have lost their jobs or are having to cope with a drastic cut in their spending powers. Therefore, it is a good time to incentivize purchases with gift cards, discounts, free trials or free shipping.

These types of promotion can help drive interest in your business and entice customers to buy from your website.

Wrap-Up

It is important to keep your customer’s needs at the forefront during this pandemic. Instead of being “business as usual”, realign your products and market strategy to reflect the current demand. When you provide long-term value to customers, you have a better chance of retaining them and maintaining a long-term relationship with them.

The post Retaining Customers During Covid-19 appeared first on Creativ Digital.

from Creativ Digital https://ift.tt/3brJK3D

SEO Strategy During Covid-19

SEO or search engine optimization has always been important for websites and businesses. This is not only one of the best ways to get organic traffic; it is also one of the best ways to generate leads and sales.

The problem with SEO is that it is a long-term strategy and many of its methodologies are unclear. There is no singular checklist to ensure that you are doing your SEO correctly because search engines are usually secretive in how they rank websites. Not to mention that they frequently change search algorithms.

However, the effects of SEO are clear today. SEO efforts are amplified due to the coronavirus pandemic. With more users searching online SEO is proving to be a differentiating factor between brands that are continuing to see engagement during this time and those that are not.

Here are some tips to improve your search strategy during the pandemic.

Research Keywords

Now that the world is in the midst of a pandemic, search terms are surely changing. This is why it is important to research new keywords especially those with regards to Covid-19.

It is important to note that keywords you’ve been laboring over the last few months might not be relevant today since Covid-19 has changed people’s needs, concerns and search habits. There are many paid and free tools you can use to find out which keywords you need to prioritize.

Write Useful Relevant Content

Sad to say there are many fake news and incorrect information circulating about the coronavirus disease. While there are still many unknowns because Covid-19 is a new disease, spreading falsehoods won’t help us win the fight.

To combat this, only write about verified and relevant information readers that readers can find useful.

Keep Site Content Updated

Aside from useful content, your website should also be updated to reflect the present situation.  For example, you might be using language that can be considered as inconsiderate or irrelevant given that we are now in a pandemic.

Having updated content is a signal to search engines that your website content is accurate and useful.

Prioritize Local SEO

A majority of governments around the world are restricting air traffic movement. This means many flights are restricted to domestic travel with international flights restricted to the movement of goods and cargo only. This is a good time to focus on your local SEO since your community will be looking for products that can deliver quickly.

Bottom Line

The Covid-19 pandemic is affecting businesses worldwide. As it continues, SEO efforts and other marketing practices will evolve. With that in mind, now is the time to take action and delve into a new SEO strategy.

When it comes to SEO, there is still a lot to learn. Start small and brainstorm to find effective ways to elevate your strategy.

The post SEO Strategy During Covid-19 appeared first on Creativ Digital.

from Creativ Digital https://ift.tt/2T1VEL3

Using Social Media Responsibly During The Pandemic

People have been responding differently to the Covid-19 pandemic. Some of them are happy to spend time at home with their loved ones, finding comfort during this time of uncertainty while there are people who are itching to go back to how things were.

As social distancing measures begin easing in countries like South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, businesses are responding in different ways. We, like many other Australian businesses believe that it is important for companies to practice awareness when shaping their messages for social media that will benefit readers who are looking for information and comfort right now.

We have some tips for communities and other businesses that can help them utilize their social media channels responsibly during this time of the pandemic.

Revisit Marketing Strategy

Many countries and governments around the world ordered business shutdowns and issued shelter-in-place restrictions for their citizens. This has resulted in many people stuck at home with nothing to do other than work and hang out in social media platforms. This is why the message you send to your audience should be something along the lines of self-care and solidarity.

Begin by revisiting your marketing strategy. Check posts that you have scheduled and the ads you are currently running. Leave out anything that seems tone-deaf or inconsiderate during this time of hardships for many people.

If you normally post content several times a week, consider toning it down to 1 or 2 posts per week so that followers can easily see information from government and medical sources like WHO, Australian National Centre for Disease Control (CDC) and other voices with authority on this issue.

Get In Front Of The Camera

Ever since this pandemic started and people were asked to work from home, people who live by themselves have very limited contact with their families and co-workers. They are in need of human connection even if it’s just a friendly face they can ask questions or listen to on Facebook or Instagram Live.

You can host an AMA (ask me anything) that’s related to your industry or you can discuss your latest blog with your audience. Getting in front of the camera can be terrifying but it’s a great way to connect with your customers and audience.

Promote Your Business Tastefully

As social distancing measures ease in many states in Australia and even in countries like South Korea, Vietnam and Taiwan, more businesses are reopening and are getting back to their normal promotion methods. While promotions are necessary for businesses, there are ways you can approach this:

• Incorporate the “business as usual” to your promotion methods. Talk about your brand’s mission, projects that you’re proud of and what you’re selling but do so in moderation.
• Show what value you can provide customers during and after this pandemic. Use your expertise and apply it to the Covid-19 pandemic so that you are acting as a resource to people who are scared or looking for credible information.

Be Careful With Your Language

Many people have died, are still sick and are directly affected by this pandemic. This is why it is important to remember that it is a sensitive topic for many people. So be careful how you write your messages, content and promotional materials.

For instance “We have a fever hot sale” or “Her smile is contagious”. While these are normally cute and funny, many people might not see it so.

Share Positivity

Is it really okay to stay positive on social media when so many people are sick, dying and grieving?

We say YES, because social media is a good place to inspire, start conversations and spread good news. There is a lot of sadness, loneliness and negativity in the world right now and many people need cheering up and comfort. Social media is the best place for uplifting, inspiring and consoling.

Wrap-up

The Covid-19 pandemic has brought a lot of uncertainty to many nations and people around the world. While some countries seem to be winning the war against the virus, many governments are still battling to keep it under control.

As Australia emerges from months long lockdowns and stay-at-home restrictions and businesses begin to operate again, all of us have to get used to doing business in this “new normal”.

The post Using Social Media Responsibly During The Pandemic appeared first on Creativ Digital.

from Creativ Digital https://ift.tt/35FZKgY

Keeping Your Business Open During The Pandemic

Australia has begun easing restrictions early this month as the country has the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) under control. Many states in the country are seen lifting some of the tightest restrictions and many people are beginning to venture outdoors to a world that is changed.

The “new normal” differs from state to state in Australia. For instance, in Western Australia the 2 person rule has been eased to 10 persons inside and outdoors. People can now invite up to 9 of their friends for some activities like barbecue but social distancing must be practiced.

However, Victoria – Australia’s most populous state – remains in lockdown. The differences in rules are making many businessmen to wonder how they can keep their businesses running during the pandemic.

Here are some basic guidelines to help you keep your business going despite the Covid-19 pandemic.

Understand Your Financial Position

The impact of the pandemic has been devastating to many Australian businesses. This is why it is important to make decisions based on your current financial standing. There are still government restrictions in place when it comes to trading, keeping employees and paying outstanding debts which will be determined by your financial position.

Meeting with your accountant to discuss your options will help you make a plan that will minimize the pandemic’s impact on your business. Cash flow is important right now especially if your business has been impacted by the pandemic.

Check For Government Assistance

There are several stimulus packages for businesses that were introduced by the Australian government to help business owners with the disruption on their livelihood. For instance eligible sole traders can avail the Job Seeker Payment stimulus which now includes an additional coronavirus supplement of $550 per fortnight for the next six months.

Western Australia has a small business stimulus/relief package to support small businesses during the pandemic.

Contact Bank and Insurer

Australia now has a loan deferral arrangement for small business owners for those with existing loans with banks. If your business has been disrupted because of the pandemic, contact your bank to discuss this arrangement.

The Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (ACCC) granted interim authorization to insurance companies and brokers to offer payment deferrals and refunds to businesses impacted by Covid-19. This package includes benefits like deferring insurance payments up to 6 months and requesting refunds for unused policies.

Seek Advice on How To Defer Tax Payments

The Australian Tax Office is offering a deferment of tax payments if your business is impacted by the pandemic. Call the ATO on 1800 806 218 or speak to your tax professional to discuss your options.

Deferring tax obligations can impact your eligibility to avail stimulus packages so make sure you get expert advice.

Talk To Your Landlord

The Australian government has a moratorium in place since March 29^th on evictions for the next 6 months for residential and commercial tenancies who are in financial distress and cannot meet their rent.

Call your landlord to discuss arrangements regarding your lease especially if your business did not operate during lockdown or even after restrictions are lifted. 

Keep Informed of Changes

With so many fake news and different information available online, it is understandable to be confused and overwhelmed. The best way to keep up with the latest developments is to get information from reliable sources such as the following:

• WA.gov.au     
• Business.gov.au     
• Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
• Smallbusiness.wa.gov.au

The post Keeping Your Business Open During The Pandemic appeared first on Creativ Digital.

from Creativ Digital https://ift.tt/35Mx06B

How Some Businesses Are Using Social Media To Get Creative

Due to the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic that’s raging around the world, many people are stuck at home. In order to stay connected with the outside world during stay-at-home restrictions, many people are glued to their mobile devices or computers in a bid to keep productive at work or to just chat with loved ones who are also alone.

Thanks to stay-at-home restrictions, social media apps like Facebook, Twitter and TikToK are getting more popular. If you’re a businessman, now is the time to take advantage of social media and use it to get a bigger piece of the pie.

Here are examples on how some businesses are getting creative with social media.

Cincinnati Zoo Brings Animals To Kids At Home

Many zoos around the world are closed in order to prevent the spread of the virus and also to enforce social distancing among citizens. However, this does not mean to say that kids have to say goodbye to their favorite animals.

The Cincinnati Zoo in the USA has a live online event for kids every 3pm ET where they ost a fun, at-home classroom experience for the community called “Home Safari Facebook Live,” in which they highlight one of their animals and include fun activities.

During the interactive event, kids ask questions and share projects with each other and spend an enjoyable 20 minutes educational distraction for the day.

Live Online Yoga and Gym Classes

Going live is now popular thanks to many different apps that offer this service. Many gyms around the world are closed but it does not mean to say that you can slack off when it comes to your personal fitness.

Many gyms, yoga centers and workout places are streaming their classes live to interested students and enthusiasts. Streaming classes through Instagram, Facebook and other apps is a great way to reach out to clients and also to stay healthy during the pandemic.

Giving Free Baby Food To Moms In Need

Baby food maker Fragola founder Augustina Valenza, shared on Facebook that they would be giving away boxes of free baby food for moms in need. The next day she was filled with messages from thankful moms who were having a hard time feeding their babies.

Some of her customers started asking how they could help and the company paired donors and beneficiaries so that families who cannot afford to stock-up can remain fed during the pandemic.

This is a good way not only to reach out to people in need but also to strengthen your positive brand image.

Online Book Clubs and Writing Classes

This is a good idea for bookstores and writers during the pandemic to keep reading and keep on creating. There are bookstores that are hosing online book clubs and writing classes on Facebook and other social media platforms.

You can supplement this indoor activity by hosting discussions regarding the book in order to encourage people not only to pick up a book but also to continue reading.

There are also book stores, writers and authors that host a pay-what-you can writing class in order to encourage people to write and be creative.

Free “Change-The-Date” Templates

JesMarried owner Jes McGinle used to create Save the Date cards. But with COVID-19 disrupting wedding plans, she knew that many stressed couples would be forced to postpone their events and would need a fast and easy way to let guests know.

That’s how she came up with a free “Change the Date” PDF that couples could easily fill in with their own information. It has been shared on Instagram and Facebook and has encouraged many couples to postpone their weddings.

Bottom Line

Examples like those stated above can help you interact continuously with customers even during this Covid-19 pandemic. These ideas can help boost your brand and widen your reach.

Since many people are stuck at home, going to social media and finding ways to interact with them will allow you to stay on their minds so that they remain loyal to your brand.

The post How Some Businesses Are Using Social Media To Get Creative appeared first on Creativ Digital.

from Creativ Digital https://ift.tt/3c4CrzX

How Businesses Can Stay Competitive During Pandemics

Australia and New Zealand are some of the first countries in the world to ease stay-at-home restrictions since the start of the Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Thanks to falling infection rates, these 2 countries are slowly opening businesses and slightly relaxing some social distancing rules.

However, many restrictions are still in place. In some states and territories, many restaurants are prohibiting dine-in services. There are also states that allow some travel but only at a limited distance. With many of these rules becoming the “new normal” not only for Australia, New Zealand and other countries many are asking how businesses can stay competitive while the pandemic rages on.

Here are some strategies you can consider:

Use The Power of Social Media

Many people are still stuck at home right now so they are probably spending a lot of time on social media. Keep in contact with them with relevant content so that they are kept engaged.

Spend some time brainstorming new content that is relevant during the pandemic. For example:

• How is your business helping the community during this time?
• How are you making life easier for customers?
• How do you want customers to think of you during this crisis?

Replacing content from sales driven to general concern and care can have a big impact on how customers perceive your company. For example, if your brand is in the outdoor recreation space, you can create content on how individuals and families can still have fun indoors.

Informative videos, articles and photos on your social media accounts can also extend your reach and by regularly producing fresh and relevant content, you can stay in the minds of your customers even during this pandemic.

Bring Business Online

Despite the easing of restrictions in some countries, many businesses still remain shut. And despite the fact that ecommerce stores have been around for quite some time, many businesses are still relying on their brick-and-mortar stores for a big portion of their sales. The pandemic is an ideal time to change that.

Since many businesses are still closed and many people still hesitant to go outside; online shopping is booming. Platforms like WordPress can help you transition from a traditional physical store to having an online business so you can still continue serving customers during the pandemic.

Many customers will also be using Google to find out if you’ve opened your business already. Register with Google My Business so that you can display your business hours, address, posts, photos, and even reviews. If you already have an account, update operating hours and other changes to ensure that customers are informed.

Adjust Your Advertising Strategy

If your business is closed then there’s no need for you to create advertising enticing customers to drop by your store. Now is the time to adjust your advertising strategy by going back to the basics and ramping your SEO organic marketing.

Use SEO techniques in order to keep your brand in the mind of your customers by regularly appearing on their feeds and build your reach with fresh content. Consider examining your industry for:     

• Topics important to your customer    
• Keywords based on important topics    
• Build a blog that is regularly maintained

Prepare for Long Term

As we write this blog today, infections are going down in many countries like Australia, Taiwan, South Korea and New Zealand. However, there are still many countries like the United States, United Kingdom and Germany that are continuing to see a rise in infections and deaths. Therefore, it is reasonable to say that the Covid-19 pandemic won’t be vanquished soon and finding ways to cope for the long run should be included in your business strategy.

Some good examples include shifting from in-store buying to deliveries or shifting from cash payments to cashless options to limit physical contact. It is also important to keep in touch with customers regularly. Ask them for their feedback so that you can improve services and keep them happy. Take time to reassure them that while deliveries and cashless payments are the “new normal”, the world will regain normalcy once quarantine ends.

Bottom Line

Covid-19 hit many businesses, big and small in different and hard ways.  What’s worse is that the pandemic isn’t going to be over anytime soon. Whenever it ends, businesses need to buckle up, reassess and make changes to their strategies so that they can weather this storm.

The post How Businesses Can Stay Competitive During Pandemics appeared first on Creativ Digital.

from Creativ Digital https://ift.tt/3aVfJsu