We survived an apocalyptic situation in the shape of Covid-19 and 8 months long lockdowns across the globe. The first wave sabotaged the business cycle in all industries and we’re expecting another Covid-19 wave in December 2020. As per the BBC’s report, Covid-19 cases have surpassed the mark of 50 million (globally) and the number is expected to grow even more.
So? Does that mean that you’ve to close down your business for good? No! Not until you have the power of social media marketing.
Businesses found refuge on social media networks to survive the Covid-19’s first wave and they must focus on preparing a social media plan to deal with such situations in the future, too.
We came across some bright examples who used their social media channels well and very gracefully maintained the connection with their core customers. So, we formed a list of such businesses that offer useful lessons to use social media as a communication (or sales) channel when you’re prevented from operating offline.
Here are some key social media lessons for SMBs (and even the big guns of every business industry) to stay prepared for covid-19 like situations.
STAY CONNECT (VIRTUALLY)
One of the key lessons, that Covid-19 has taught us, is to stay connected with our customers and social media is always a better way to do so. And by staying connected we don’t mean to initiate live video series but to do something meaningful for your customers as British Gas did.
When everyone was locked into their houses, British Gas took the initiative to share the DIY videos for their consumers using their social media pages. Little Black Book recorded and applauded their initiative that shows the true out of the box thinking of British Gas’s social media team who didn’t surrender in front of this grave situation.
The campaign, Here to Solve, was aimed at sharing simple videos to teach their audience how to perform petty tasks without calling a handyman, a plumber, or a carpenter. This initiative was well received in their audience and they not just generated engagement but also earned more customers.
You, too, need to think in such a creative way to stay connected (virtually) even if you’re barred from operating traditionally.
Personalize Your Services
While big names such as Twitter and Google were announcing a work from home policy for their employees, folks at Cincinnati Zoo were asked to close down their premise for the public. When the public failed to visit them, they took the whole zoo to their mobile screens with their Live Video Feeds.
As the Covid-19 peaked, Cincinnati Zoo’s management turned to social media (Facebook particularly) to engage their audience. This creative decision led to huge engagement records for them and they successfully tailored their services despite being in the lockdown situation.
Now, this is another great example for us all, the concerned business owners, to customize their products or the service according to the situation. And the inclusion of social media can uplift your morale (and sales, too).
Stay Relevant
Speaking of relevance and you won’t disagree that Denny’s has curated an ideal feed across all their social media pages. When the pandemic started, they slowed down their social media interactions for a while. On March 27, they released a set of personalized Zoom backgrounds sensing how everyone is stuck at home and wants to feel a little fresh.
Though, a little gesture on part of Denny’s but here’s a big lesson for you to personalize your social media marketing. You need to stay relevant via your social messages and speak of relatable things to maintain your authority in the scene.
Win Hearts First
Hard times bring us closer to each other and this closure proves our greatest power to face any obstacle. Jes McGinley just proved how compassion is greater than making sales and getting more business in return with her big decision during Covid-19.
As Columbus Monthly states, she creates beautiful, handmade wedding cards and the lockdown was a big problem for her business. She concluded that her clients would have to postpone their weddings so she published wedding card templates with an empty place for the wedding date. This is a great way Jes discovered to accommodate her clients and gain their trust, first, along with earning a good name for her venture, JesMarried.
You, too, use social media to connect with your customers on a different level and prioritize their happiness over your business objectives during such a drastic situation.
Involve Everyone
One of the core objectives (of every business) is to involve the customers in their mission so they turn to social media platforms. One bright example to develop a connection with the consumers is to study the Getty Museum Challenge that not just offered people a wise pastime to spend their lockdown but also helped the Museum to involve their visitors (virtually though).
As Time states, the Getty Museum organized a fun way to recreate their famous artworks or antiques by using household items. The campaign was an instant hit as many Twitter users responded with amazingly creative collages of their artworks alongside the picture chosen as a challenge.
And this gives you another social media lesson to be considered during Covid-19 like situation for your own business.
So, this was all that we could gather to prepare you for an uncertain situation in the future such as Covid-19 proved especially for the business community. Comment below and let us know how do you plan to use social media for promoting your business in such a situation as the world has just faced?
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