Best Practices for Business During COVID-19

As Mike Tyson once said, “Everybody’s got a plan ‘till they get punched in the face.”

If you feel like your business plans just took a right hook to the side cheek, rest assured that you are not alone. To help, we have put together six best practices and tips for marketing business  during COVID-19, so you can bounce right back and continue the good fight!

1. Re-Strategise Your Brand

The business of marketing is becoming increasingly complex, particularly as we navigate our way through COVID-19. To succeed in 2020, you will have to think beyond what you’re doing on a day-to-day basis and start to connect everything back to the why of your business as a whole. You will need to go back to your roots.

Your marketing goals and objectives must align with the goals of your business, why you started it and how you can still provide this service in a new package.

Strategic re-branding is now an essential process to survival in the current economic market. All businesses (that can) must evolve and adapt by changing their fundamental business processes and procedures, and creating new methods through which they can provide the same exceptional customer experience goal they started with.

A strategic re-brand will help you improve customer service and experience, boost brand awareness and reputation, and ultimately increase revenue and profits.

2. Create an Online Store

One of the ways businesses can achieve this is by creating an online store where customers can order or buy your products without having to leave their homes.

With the new digital economy upon us, it is now more essential than ever to create a website that allows you to do business online.

There are so many benefits to this, least of all being able to break through the physical restraints of government curfews and quarantines. By moving your business online you increase your customer service, cut back on many previous costs and grow new revenue streams.

Your online store is the only way you can ensure your company’s survival in this market.

It can be an arduous task at first, but there is help. At Hark, we will be more than happy to help guide you each step of the way and ensure your online needs are met. Your success is our success.

3. Create a Social Media Page

This is a fairly simple one and most businesses may already have a social media page. If you don’t, we at Hark will be happy to get your started.

If you already have one, start having a browse around  some of the big ones like Facebook and Instagram to get a feel for what new features are available and how these platforms can help you communicate your message to your customers.

4. Create New Content

This is the time to create some fresh content. Companies that are sticking to their old methods and processes of pumping out content just to be present, may find that it is not working as well as it use to. It’s a new world we live in, and that (at a minimum) requires new content; a fresh, relative and sensitive approach where you are clearly communicating a service and fulfilling a need for your customers.

We all need businesses to stay open and most people want to support. It’s in the best interest of the economy to do so. But buyers are more savvy now and are seeking out businesses that provide better quality and better customer service experiences.

People are yearning for the human connection again.

Companies must re-learn how to fulfill this need, and with true heart.

Of course, keep your content visuals light, simple and positive. Be the breath of fresh air you so desire.

It goes without saying that content marketing will continue to dominate the digital marketing landscape in 2020. To succeed, you need to make sure you have a solid base of quality content that makes you stand out and that leads with heart.

If you need help creating fresh appealing content, check out our services or get in touch with Hark today and we will help you shape your future business.

5. Create a Live Event

This may sound like a stretch for some, but we only need to look at other countries that have experienced COVID-19 before us to see how live (or streamed) events have become an integral part of businesses being able to bounce back after the pandemic.

This is particularly true for the restaurant, wine, liquor and entertainment industries.

Sticking with the goal of fulfilling the need of human connection, it is imperative that live events are part of your re-branding and new marketing strategies.

At Hark, we have global experts in this field who can advise you on how best to create live event experiences for your customers and win back their hearts;  no matter how big or small your business is.

Remember, it is serving with heart that will set you apart from your customers during these challenging times.

6. Give Something Back

This may not be possible for all businesses, but if it is, then doing a 2-for-1 or buy one, give one to charity is a great way to let people know that you are back in business and back serving your community.

Businesses can also do a scholarship or offer a free service to someone who really needs it.

Of course, sharing this gift through your social media channels, website and email marketing is also a feel-good and effective way to increase your audience reach and improve brand presence. Many companies have seen positive results from focusing on this one strategy of giving back.

If you need help with strategising a way to give back to your community that also benefits your business and keeps your staff employed, get in contact with Hark today and we will make sure you outshine your competition. You can see a full list of our services here.

FREEBIE ALERT – We are giving away a FREE start-up package to a business out there that really needs it!

We will include:

• A 1 Page Website, Fully Responsive
• Facebook Page
• Instagram Page
• 6 Social Media Posts
• Logo
• Accompanying Graphics
• Start-up Company Copywright
• Start-up Marketing Strategy

Value: 3,000 KYD

If you, or someone you know, really want that extra help and support to get back in the ring again and fight the good fight;  let us know by emailing hello@hark.ky . We want you to succeed. Your success is our success!