Why Your Business Needs a Social Media Campaign Right Now

The way businesses market themselves has seen a significant shift during the current COVID-19 pandemic. What was once acceptable on social media, for example, is now seen as uncaring and uncompassionate to current and future customers.

Yet, social media is a vital way to keep in contact with customers, something we should all be doing during this chaotic time. As this situation shows no signs of disappearing any time soon, it’s becoming impossible to keep calm and carry on.

If you’re not already on social media, how do you join these vital channels during this period? If you have social media accounts already, how do you adjust your tone of voice to adapt to the ‘new normal’?

Positives of Social Media during COVID-19

Social media does get a hard time of it, especially with the emergence of ‘fake news.’ But there are several positives of using social media for your brand.

1. Social media enables you to share news regarding your business as soon as it happens. Crucial in today’s constantly connected world, when people expect information as soon as possible – whether it’s 9am on Monday morning, or 2am Saturday night. If you aren’t updating these channels with your new working hours, for example, you’ll be missing out on business.
2. Social media helps you remain connected to customers across the world. We’re all familiar with social distancing by now, and the effect it has on particularly local businesses who have been either forced to close or don’t see as much footfall as previously. Instead, update your status or Instagram feed continuously, showing your customers what they can expect once you are back open for business. Instagram, on this occasion, is especially key for hospitality businesses – more of this to come.
3. You can still use influencers for your products! Of course, this will depend on your products and the tone of voice you want to convey, but this is a fun way to keep your feeds exciting and interesting. Let’s take the example of a local tea supplier. You can continue to use influencers to promote your new products, as you can post directly to the influencer.

How to Offer Value on Social Media

It may appear to new companies using social media that the big brands get all the attention, hitting thousands (if not millions) of likes and followers. Unfortunately, household names are always

going to be prominent, but local businesses can become well-known, not to mention also well-regarded, on social media for their area. Especially vital to know, during this period, the more you put yourself out there, the more attention you’ll get. It’s as simple as that – if you’re not joining the noise, you’ll be unheard by those who matter. However, how do you offer value on social media during coronavirus?

• Share Information: This was touched upon in the previous section, but it’s one that worth repeating (and remembering!). Social media is an excellent way to keep present and potential customers up to date with everything important to your business. Have you adapted your business to offer takeaway food during this time? Let people know! Post about it, include the new menu and all your contact information, and then continue to do so. Uploading the menu once isn’t enough. Time when and where you publish it carefully, but post a number of times to ensure the message is seen.
• Publicise What You Are Doing to Help: Community spirit is vital right now, with people banding together to provide services for those vulnerable, lonely, and at risk. What are you doing to help? This isn’t a moment to brag, but it’s certainly a moment to tell people about it. Is your local restaurant helping out by delivering meals to elderly residents within the community? Are you delivering care packages? Tell people all about it. Everyone could do with a bit of kindness being spread.
• Introduce Customers to Who You Are: If you can’t get involved with the community due to your specific business, use this quieter period to introduce customers to those who help keep your business afloat. Unless you are customer facing during your day-to-day trading, it’s possible your customers don’t know who you are, or who your team is. Why not start a series of photos? If your team is now remote working from home, why not challenge them to create the most interesting setup, and then post it on your Instagram. You can even take this idea one step further: get customers to judge and vote on the best. Doing so boosts your engagement, and it’s a fun way for people to stay connected.
• Promote New Content: Tied with introducing customers to who you are, you can use this opportunity to expand your content library. For local restaurants, why not record a video of how your team makes a signature dish so that customers can enjoy it at home? You may think this is giving away a trade secret, but it works well because it’s offering a new side to your business and keeping customers aware of the food you create. This way, they will be eager to return to your restaurant to try your dish made for them! Add this video to your Facebook page, then post a teaser or trailer to your Instagram and Twitter account. For B2B businesses, you can take this time to create eBooks and on-site blog posts, showing your authority in your industry. You can create material which helps other, newer businesses learn from the best of the best.

Your business doesn’t have to avoid social media during this time. It should be embracing it! It’s a vital weapon in your arsenal for keeping customers interested and engaged with your brand. As long as you take the time to consider how you approach people online, you can find success and even new business by using your chosen platform. Ensure you connect with customers, responding to any and all comments (even if they are negative!), and you will find your brand continues to flourish during this tricky time.

What’s more, using social media ensures you and your customers adhere to the key social distancing guidelines – and most important – stay safe and well inside.