As we continue to navigate running a small business through the obstacles of a pandemic, we understand that this is a difficult time. Embracing “digital” is more necessary than ever. In a recent blog post, we shared how to simplify your Instagram game. Your focus with social media should be on maximizing time, displaying empathy, and engaging meaningfully.
Maximize Your Time
“This time, like all times, is a very good one, if we but know what to do with it.” Ralph Waldo Emerson
In this unprecedented time, more people are online checking their various social media platforms. According to eMarketer, Facebook saw a 70% increase in usage of all of its apps in the month of March.
According to eMarketer, Facebook saw a 70% increase in usage of all of its apps in the month of March.
Your business needs to post, share, and engage with content. Make a game plan for your social media, utilize resources like Canva that provide social media templates, provide free educational information and write relevant blog posts to share with your online community.
Connect with a team like ours at Persimmon Marketing or utilize a social media calendar content planning template. Hubspot shares some awesome templates here.
Canva! It’s quick to learn, easy to use and full of amazing templates for content that can match your branding and inspire creativity. (Check out Canva’s Mastering Social Media playlist on YouTube here)
Write blog posts that are educational and relevant. We talk about this more below but figure out what your audience is needing at this time and write to that. Check out the blog post we did recently highlighting how to support small businesses during the pandemic here.
Display Empathy
“When people talk, listen completely. Most people never listen.”
-Ernest Hemingway
Your small businesses should focus on growing your online community, sharing content that educates your audience and practicing empathetic marketing. Instead of investing all your energy into making the sale (which may come across as disconnected and uncaring) focus on providing value without asking for anything in return.
Share content that is relevant, educational, and thoughtful. For example we shared a blog post recently, Doing our part to support small business and each other, highlighting the difficulties businesses are facing and how we can all work together to help support them.
Meaningfully Engage
“A large part of putting the customer at the center is remembering that they are a human being, and not just an end user of your products or services,” says Mary Beech, principal at MRB Brand Consulting and former CMO of Kate Spade.
Your business absolutely needs to be engaging your community with care and digital accessibility. Here are some ways you can meaningfully engage your audience at this time:
Ask questions, post polls, and find fun ways to connect with your Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter communities.
Share about your customers and the products they love and amazing experiences they’ve had.
Conduct a photo contest or giveaway with calls to action like tagging a friend and following your account.
Reply to messages, DM’s, and comments as much as you can.
Consider what kind of content your company can produce that is useful and accessible. Don’t forget about podcasts and webinars!
For example, the law firm Coleman & Horowitt worked with Valley Innovators recently to put out an episode titled, “Business Owner Legal Insights for COVID-19 Government Acts” aimed at helping small business owners and their employees through the coronavirus pandemic.
Another example, Survey Monkey recently surveyed, “955 students asking them how faculty and staff can best support them during this unprecedented time, and what they need to be successful in an online learning environment.” You can check out the webinar where they discuss the findings here.
We know that everyone is processing, adjusting and overcoming a lot right now. When you plan and share content with an empathetic mindset it creates a much more welcoming environment for your audience to engage and ultimately trust. Our team at Persimmon Marketing will continue to provide you with tools and resources that help your business during this difficult time. We are also here to work alongside you to create strategies and content that will help your company grow. We are here for you.
Get in touch with us today by visiting our website or by sending us an email to info@persimmonmarketing.com.
You can also follow us on social media:
Facebook: @persimmonmktg
Instagram: @persimmonmarketing
Twitter: @PersimmonMKTG
LinkedIn: Persimmon Marketing
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