It is a challenging time for business owners. Those of us who rely on our loyal customer base to keep our households up and running are either having to adapt to the changing times or floundering and failing, wondering what to do next.
Worrying about losing sales and a loyal customer base are thoughts that weigh heavily on our minds. It is quite easy to get caught in a downward spiral and become overwhelmed with increasing financial obligations, loss of business, and the changing face of business that is now adopting the “new norm” as dictated by society.
How to survive and thrive while in lock down
Those business owners who are meeting challenges head-on and adapting to constantly changing circumstances are the ones who will see their businesses thrive through lock down and beyond. If you want to be one of those to rise to the top, even amidst changing circumstances, follow these simple tips to stay ahead while in lock down:
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Think about consulting
If you happen to have a bit more technologically savvy than other business owners, consider becoming a consultant for others. Some will need help with automating systems; others will need help transitioning their business transactions to online activities. Think about offering this aspect of your experience to others, and you may find a profitable “side business” that can grow with the times.
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Take on digital marketing projects
Traditional marketing practices may be a thing of the past; we need to look at the here and now, and what options are available to us to ensure that our businesses stay afloat. Learning to digitize our marketing strategy will help your business be more visible to the millions of potential customers who are now online all day. Take the opportunity to embrace change and see what marvelous results await.
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What about online teaching?
Surely there are other business owners out there who are so firmly ensconced in brick-and-mortar operations that they don’t see how to survive during this time. Share your expertise and offer short courses to others that can help them move forward as well. It’s a win-win situation for all.
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Begin freelancing projects
More than ever, there is a massive call for jobs related to translation, writing, graphic design, marketing, and sales. If you find your business lagging a bit, consider taking up some freelancing projects in your wheelhouse of expertise and making some cash to get you through to the next phase of business development.
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Connect to your customers
You might not be having face to face conversations with customers right now, but there are ways that you can connect with potential customers and even attract additional ones by increasing your online presence. You can do this by:
- Sending out blast emails
- Increasing your quality content via blogs and social media posts
- Offering information of value in exchange for email addresses
Stretch your skills, share your stories, and connect with customers in a way you hadn’t previously done before. Customers value authentic, real communication with you, and you’ll inspire their loyalty—and their business–by continuing to communicate with them regularly.
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Fancy yourself a “YouTuber”
How about marketing yourself on YouTube? You’ve seen thousands of videos from influencers who are selling products and services via this platform, and they are doing it well! Changing up the way you reach people will inevitably expand your customer base, even in these trying times. You CAN teach old dogs new tricks; upload a few simple how-to videos and see what it can do to bring in business.
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Focus on your blog
Quality content sells, especially when it can drive your SEO rankings. Sites like Google, Yahoo, and Bing have a very strategic process of looking for keywords. The more keywords you can provide relative to what people are looking for, the more likely you’ll rise to the top on search engine pages. You’ll want to be on the first page of any search engine, as most customers don’t float past that one as they look for products and services relative to their search. If you have a quality blog, you are not only providing customers with information of value; you are ensuring that you can be found by those looking for your wonderful products! Not too savvy with writing? Hire someone to seamlessly provide blog content, and that will be one aspect of marketing that you can take off your plate.
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Take care of your employees
These are uncertain times, and if your employees feel insecure about where they stand with you, they may jump ship. It is now more important and essential than ever to let your employees know that they are valued, heard, and respected. Look for opportunities to give them extra training, opportunities for connection, ways to keep making money even when the future of your business seems uncertain. If you let them know how important they are to your business’s future, they will be more likely to stick with you in hard times.
While no one knows what the future of our economy really looks like, it will be essential to maintain flexibility, adaptability, and a positive attitude in the weeks and months to come. Rise to the challenge, embrace change and growth, and see what marvelous opportunities unfold before you. Best of luck to you in all of your business endeavors!