How can we let our customers know that we are still open and can help them?
Whether you need to announce you’re still open, you’re reducing your hours, or you’re closed, communication is vital. Here are some things to consider for boosting your communication efforts by channel.
Website
- Create a custom page on your website specific to Covid-19. You could list information regarding your business happenings, as well as post or link to helpful Covid-19 resources. Click here to see a great example of this.
- Implement an alert on your website that displays essential business information or relevant resources for your visitors. Keep it relevant by switching up the messaging periodically. For example, “Check back often! We’re adding more tips/resources daily. Click here to learn more.”
- Create a custom website slider that links to a specific next action (perhaps to your Covid-19 custom page mentioned above).
- Don’t forget Google. Update your hours to reflect your current availability through your Google My Business settings.
- Consider a personal email message. While inboxes are overflowing with companies trying to communicate during this time, you can stand out by taking a personal approach and focusing on your print buyers’ needs rather than talking about yourself. Click here to see an example.
- Email works well for short, staggered, helpful bits of information. Consider a “Covid-19 Marketing Tip of the Week” email. These could be short and feature things such as the importance of keeping up communication via direct mail, supporting your local community, or simple print marketing ideas like thank you cards, gratitude postcards, or brand-building self-mailer brochures. Check out this excellent marketing email example from AnchorPointe Graphics in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Social Media
- Bring in the “social” part of social media with encouraging videos, polls, and other conversational ideas.
- Look for ways to boost the engagement level. For example, instead of using a statement, such as, “Here are ten ways to market your business,” get them involved by making it a question: “Which of these ten ways to market your business works best for you?”
- Try fill-in-the-blanks. These types of posts people can’t help but respond to. For example, “The first person I plan to hug when social distancing restrictions are gone is ____.” People love to get involved and tag their friends in comments like these.
- If you’re doing a poll, try using photos for the different options in the poll with a letter, number, or emoji for each option. This forces them to comment on which image option they like best. More comments = more engagement.
Direct Mail
- Send out simple connection-type postcards that let customers know you’re still open and willing to help.
- Focus on direct mail pieces that build connections. While now might not be the best time for heavy sales and promotions, it is a great time to stay connected and keep in touch through newsletters.
Personal Phone Calls
- Now is a great time to reach out by phone with your print buyers and connect with them on a different level. Ask them how they’re doing, listen to uncover ways you can help, and brainstorm ways you can work together during this time for mutual success.
Keep Focused on Connection
Remember, people are still yearning for connection, and the foundation you build now through connection will lay out a red carpet for your print buyers and lead to exponential growth when things do turn around.
