Back to Basics Marketing
You’re likely tired of every article starting just like this:
Chances are you (and your employees) are getting a daily overload of social media nonsense,divisive politics, employment woes, fears of a looming depression—then add the pandemic to the pile and everything else that comes with it.
As a business owner, there’s just no escaping the anxiety caused by uncertainties. This is especially true for employees—they make the business work, after all.
But there are things we can still control. We’ve all been here before—well, sort of, unless you were around in 1918. But remember 2008? Some of those same lessons we learned then can still be applied now.
So what can you do? Keep it simple. The best solution is always the simplest one.
Pause. It is ok to pause and take stock of your situation. You’ve spent so much time in survival mode and figuring out how you can pivot your business that there’s a good chance most of your solutions are right under your nose.
Unplug. Shut off the noise of social media, news and other distractions. So go outside, go for a walk, take a day or two. A clear head will go a long way to helping you focus on what’s important.
Update your online information. We’ve mentioned this a few times before, but this is the simplest, yet most overlooked component for communicating with your consumers. Check all of your listings—Google, Facebook, Yelp, TripAdvisor, etc.—and make sure they’re all up-to-date.
Live-action marketing. For example: Have your marketing team answer the phone. They’re the experts on your business, and they can help guide your customers through their questions the right way. Think of it not as a new job duty, but as live-action marketing—because let’s face it, first impressions are everything. It creates a whole new experience for your consumer!
Take advantage of free tools. Need a free project management platform? Try Trello! Want to develop your professional skills? Check out Hubspot’s series of free marketing courses or Adobe’s design tutorials! There are so many free tools out there at your disposal that it would be a real missed opportunity not to try some of it out.
You don’t need to hear yet again (and again) that 2020 is a strange year for navigating your marketing practices (but if you do, you can read it here, here and here!). If you need a break from researching how to stay on top of this chaotic time for business, first try going back to your roots.