Whether your business sells products or services, coronavirus has likely impacted you in some shape or form. And although the coronavirus continues to rock the boat nationwide, it’s not going to sink it. Here are some ways you can keep your business booming during a global pandemic.
Ways to keep business booming
Struggling to keep your business afloat during the coronavirus outbreak? Check out six ways you can keep your business thriving until life as we knew it returns.
1. Create DIY kits
Thanks to the coronavirus, schools, businesses, and other organizations are shutting down across the U.S. This means more people are staying at home and are looking for things to do while in isolation.
If you want to keep business booming during the coronavirus, why not come up with a solution that will benefit the customers that are stuck at home? This means getting creative … with DIY kits.
DIY, or do it yourself, kits and projects are a great way for customers to have a little fun while in quarantine. Not to mention, it can give your business a nice spike in sales.
Depending on your type of business, this option may or may not work for you. Think about who you’re trying to target (men, women, kids, adults, etc.) and what kind of kits you could create to draw customers’ attention. Promote your kits on social media and your business website to get the word out.
For example, if you own a donut shop, you could make a DIY kit to sell to customers that comes with donuts, frosting, and toppings so customers could decorate their own donuts at home or with their kids.
DIY kits give customers the opportunity to support your business and have some fun while social distancing.
2. Offer a home delivery option
With the virus prevalent in the U.S., more businesses are shutting down and more people are staying at home. Some states are even going on mandatory lockdown and closing down certain businesses temporarily (e.g., restaurants) to help fight off the disease.
Because some states are requiring individuals to stay home, they won’t be able to go out and about like they normally do. So no, the customers can’t come to you. But, why not bring your business directly to your customers?
… So, how can you do that? Can you say delivery?
Depending on your offerings, you may be able to bring your products directly to your customers via a home delivery system. That way, you can avoid losing business during this time. To start a delivery service, you’ll need:
- To establish a payment process (e.g., taking credit card info over the phone)
- A delivery vehicle and driver(s)
- A secure way to transfer your products
3. Utilize social media
In the last decade, social media has taken the world by storm. It’s become not only a place to post pictures and connect with friends, but also a way to market and share updates about your business.
In this digital (and coronavirus) age, it’s prime time to promote your business and offerings online. And if sales are dwindling due to the pandemic, social media can help you out.
Businesses across the country are coming up with innovative ways to sell their products on social media. Consider taking your business online and creating buzz on social media by having virtual showcases and shopping options.
You can post your offerings on your social accounts in a photo so customers can see what they can buy virtually. Or, you can spice things up by creating videos that showcase your products to customers.
In addition to showcasing your products, also use social media to post updates about your business during the pandemic. To keep customers in the loop about your business, you can post updates about:
- Store hours (if the store is open)
- Whether or not your business is affected by a temporary law or closing
- Special deals and offerings (e.g., home delivery) due to the pandemic
4. Put together care packages
If your business is located in a state with a stay-at-home order, you might be scrambling for a creative way to increase your orders. Although the coronavirus may have closed your business’s doors temporarily, it doesn’t have to cripple your business.
Instead, you can put together temporary offers customers won’t be able to get at any other time. Offers that are specific to helping your customers get through the pandemic (with a smile on their faces).
Why not put together care packages to help customers get through this hard time? Customers can place an order for a care package for themselves. Or, they can place an order for a friend or family member they aren’t able to physically get together with. And if you offer home delivery services, you can bring the care package right to the recipient.
No matter what your business is, you can get creative when putting together care package options. Have an ice cream shop? Let customers choose ice cream flavors to put in their care package. Have a boutique? Let customers put together a new outfit to raise their spirits.
Don’t forget to use your social media accounts to promote your care package options.
5. Provide online classes
Is part or all of your business teaching or instructing? Do you have tips, tricks, or skills you can share?
Whether you’re a dance instructor, music lessons teacher, or language tutor, your business doesn’t have to temporarily shut down due to the coronavirus. Instead, you can take it to the web.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Yourself
- Computer with strong internet connection
- Video conferencing tool
Communicate to your current and potential customers that although your physical business may be out of commission due to coronavirus, you’re not. So go ahead and host that yoga class from your living room. Chances are, your customers will be thrilled that they can still receive your services.
6. Host virtual meetings
With the coronavirus in full force, virtual meetings and events have become the “norm.” And because the government is asking individuals to avoid gatherings of more than 10 people, upcoming company events are quickly getting squashed.
Instead of kicking your events or meetings to the curb, go digital and host virtual get togethers (e.g., Zoom). Virtual gatherings not only ensure that you, your customers, and employees stay safe, but also allow you to still connect with others during this difficult time.
If you want to try this virtual meeting thing out, spread to news about it on social media and your business website. Include details about the event, such as the time, day, and what the event entails (e.g., new product launch). And, don’t forget to include a link to the “meeting room” so customers can join in on the fun virtually.
What else can you do?
Not all industries can accommodate the coronavirus-related changes needed to keep running. If yours can’t, you might consider joining the businesses that are instead donating their supplies (e.g., masks) to those in need.
And if your business is able to continue operating and you have extra supplies on hand, you might also consider donating. You can also support other businesses that aren’t able to stay open during this time (e.g., purchasing gift cards).
Even if it won’t directly help keep your business booming, giving is one way you can help keep other people and businesses on their feet.
This is not intended as legal advice; for more information, please click here.
These views are made solely by the author.
