We’re all in the same boat….trying to figure out how to keep our businesses afloat during these days of uncertainty. Although this is scary, it’s not the time to bury our heads in the sand and hope this ends soon. (Although we do!!)

It looks like quarantining will last a while so, it’s essential that we create a plan to deliver our services in a way that keeps our customers and team members safe. Here are some things to consider in regard to your sales and marketing moving forward…

If there is any possibility that your clients and potential clients could think you’re closed, let them know through social media and email marketing that you continue to offer your services without interruption. Perhaps you’re offering them in a different way and, if that’s the case, communicate that as well. Right now, you cannot over communicate with your community.

Keep in touch with your clients throughout the coming days and weeks (possibly months) so that your clients don’t forget about you. When this passes and life gets back to normal (which I pray is soon), you want your clients to come back to you. If this goes on for a while and clients don’t hear from you, they could forget about you.

If this goes on for a long period of time, many businesses will be forced to rebuild their business, however those businesses who have stayed in touch with customers via social media and email, have a better chance of bouncing back quickly.

Right now businesses are trying to figure out how to move forward and they aren’t interested in non-essential products and services. As we move past the initial phases of the coronavirus and people become more comfortable with what’s happening, they will be more willing to discuss what you have to offer, but for now, give business owners time to navigate these unsettling waters.

If you are in a position to help people get through this difficult time, then do it for free. It might mean providing free advice (like this email and video) or coaching small businesses to help them survive. This lets people know that you care about your community and you’re willing to lend a hand during difficult times.

If you have knowledge that can genuinely help people, please share it. It actually feels like a moral obligation right now. People are desperately looking for support so provide them with emails, videos and social media. Share what you can to help people save their businesses. From a marketing perspective this actually presents you with an opportunity to position yourself as an expert. The bonus…If your content is really helpful people will share it, which will help grow your tribe.

Think about the current business climate and how it will change the way people will interact with your product or services. A lot has changed in just a short time. Do people still need what you offer and will they still need it when the dust settles? If necessary, consider how you should adjust your services to meet the changing needs of your customers both now and post virus.

In light of all the craziness, are there new objections that people will have when purchasing your product or service? For example, if you’re an elder law attorney whose primary customers are senior citizens it’s unlikely that they will want to visit your office for several months. That wasn’t an objection 10 days ago. Prepare for how you will face new objections from clients and potential clients that you haven’t had to address before.

About the author: Meg Huwar is a small business marketing expert and Principal of Brand Accelerator. She and her team work with companies who want to market their business but don’t have the time, knowledge or staff to do it themselves. Meg can be reached at mhuwar@thebrandaccelerator.com or 412-848.8822. To learn more about Brand Accelerator, visit the website at www.thebrandaccelerator.com