Have restrictions put your business operation on hold? Here are some ideas on how you can utilise this downtime effectively
If the recent COVID-19 lockdown restrictions are standing in the way of your business’s operation, now is the time to get creative.
Certain areas have come to a standstill and probably left you itching for productivity, rest assured there are still ways you can use this time to get ahead of your competition. Now is the perfect ‘pause’ you need to assess your current marketing strategy.
Lockdown won’t last forever, and with creative thinking and adaption, your business can come out of lockdown ready to thrive.
Here are some tips on how you can transform downtown into productivity and make sure your business comes out on top!
Engage with the wider community
When trying to juggle your marketing strategy and run a business, it is only natural that the focus becomes solely on getting content out there. If you’ve finally got time on your side, use it to engage back with your own social media community! Reach out to your existing followers by commenting on their posts and replying to their stories.
Remember, many businesses need support just as much as you do. Plus, some platforms like Instagram will reward you for this kind of two-sided engagement, ranking your profile higher in the algorithm.
Video is a powerful sales tool
If you’re a work-a-holic who is currently struggling to sit still in lockdown, why not use this time to experiment with different forms of content creation and explore new platforms? TikTok and Instagram reels are increasingly popular, generating opportunities for increased engagement and conversions.
Video is one of the best ways to generate engagement and increases your opportunity for shares and saves. Learning how to create engaging video content now will help you get ahead of the game and support your return to business.
Take advantage of the downtime
For most, downtime is a novelty. While this kind of unplanned downtime is out of our control, it can be a valuable opportunity to knock off tedious, time-consuming tasks that are constantly pushed to the bottom of your to-do list.
For example, use this time to build up a database for your email list which includes as much information as possible about your prospective clients, such as a link to their LinkedIn profile, business page, personal and professional email address. Taking time to perfect your database now will contribute to the success of your marketing strategy in the long term. A strong database provides the groundwork to ensure your promotional emails land in the correct inbox. Remember, no matter how good your content is, if it doesn’t hit the right target audience, it won’t be effective.
Let’s talk SEO
It’s time to do a good old spring clean of your website, with SEO the driving consideration behind all decision making. Search Engine Optimization refers to increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to your website through organic search engine results. To rank high on Google, you need to follow a set of criteria and supply ‘user-friendly’ content.
Many factors go into determining whether your website is correctly optimised, for instance, whether you include internal links, additional website pages, specific keywords and whether you follow the correct character length with your page meta-descriptions. If you are looking for expert advice on how to master Google’s complex algorithm, our team would be happy to help.
Educate your community
If you’re highly skilled in a certain area, use this lockdown as an opportunity to effectively educate and entertain your community by sharing your expertise. Studies have shown that tutorial and demonstration videos are among the most popular types of video content, which means while you are educating your community, you are also raising awareness of your brand.
Education online and on social media can come in many forms such as creating online courses, classes, workshops or blogging and is a great way to create positivity familiarly around your business. Remember, your audience is likely to be as bored as you, so why not give them the opportunity to stimulate their brain!
Pivot: It’s time to get creative
Unfortunately with the current state of COVID-19 cases, we can’t predict how much longer this is going to go for. We really have no choice but to pivot our business models; finding new ways to remain relevant to our audience and find something we can continue to sell. It might not come in the form we are used to, but out-of-the-box thinking can go a long way.
Businesses across the state are trialling creative initiatives, including zoom workouts, take-away food, interstate delivery options, expert tips and tutorials. The businesses that have remained afloat have found a creative way to keep their customers coming back.
Just keep sharing!
Now is the time to get your name out there and create brand recognition amongst the community in every way you can. Don’t stop putting out content; even if it’s not always fresh or original, continuing to share on social media is crucial for engagement.
Post light entertainment that is easy to digest and be clear about the desired action you want from your audience. For example, find a creative way to entice your audience to leave a comment, share your post or add an emoji. If your posts succeed in keeping the conversation going, your brand name will continue to spread around the online community and help bring your business back to life when the time comes!
Need help revamping your current marketing strategy?
Our team has the expertise, creativity and insight to create a marketing strategy that is effective no matter the situation. Don’t waste this time and get in touch with our team today.
