Control what you can control during a pandemic.

#RamblingsofanEntrepreneur

In my previous blog entry, I mentioned how small business owners need to focus on using their products and services to help those most affected by the pandemic versus hitting hard with sales pitches. 

During a coaching session, I reminded a small business owner of this concept, because he was stressed over the lack of sales and how his social media advertisements were getting little response. I suggested he redirect his focus to help others. So he created "Thank You" gifts for 1st responders, which was his product packed with goodies. Then he encouraged the community to SPONSOR a 1st responder. The 1st responder would receive a "Thank You" gift from the sponsor. 

This concept engaged the community, allowed them to give thanks to others working endlessly during the pandemic, it introduced his company to new customers, put his product in the hands of potential new customers, and helped him to reach his sales goals for the week within 24 hrs. His customers and potential new customers appreciated his time and the convenience he provided to help others. 

This is a time of crisis. Shopping is a luxury that many people may limit themselves during a pandemic. But they will invest in helping others. If you are unable to provide products or services to help those during a crisis, then use your new-found time to strengthen your business so you are ready for the increased flux of business when all of this is done.

This is the time to experiment with new business concepts.

This pandemic has created a new demand for several businesses.  Are you fulfilling the new demand? What does your audience currently need during a crisis? If you are not fulfilling the current demand, then think about developing new products and services for people in crisis. Doing this may carry you long enough until you receive the influx of business. If you are unable to cater to the new demand, then use the time to develop new products and services you never had time to develop. These new updates will be well received by your loyal and potential new customers, through your social media communications. Your competitors are in the same boat as you! You can strengthen your industry by connecting with your competitors and collaborating for the purpose to develop new products and services that will reignite the industry.

This is the time to clean up your dirty little messes in your business. Every business has them! Those weak areas that have low performance. This is the time to evaluate, change, or improve those weak areas. Treat your business as your house. Many of us are getting our homes organized and cleaned during the extra time we have on our hands. We are also getting rid of the clutter. This same mindset should also transfer to your business. Get organized, clean up the mess, and get rid of the things you don't need or that are not working.

This pandemic will come to an end. So during this moment of business pause, prime your business so you're ready for the business above the usual. 

#TheSerialEntrepreneur #SmallBusinessMatters

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It's not about your business right now!

It's not about your business right now!

People are not working. The mortgage or rent is still due. Car payment and household expenses are due. There is a need to budget and cut back on spending until....when??? It is not clear when this will be over and when things will be back to normal. It is not clear when a paycheck will come, so the past dues continue to grow. There may not be a saving account to tap into, or another option to generate income. Emergency budgeting is creating additional stress as they may need to focus on making sure the family has food. And if there is not enough budget for food, then what? Then add the possibility of getting sick with a potentially life-threatening virus every time you step out of the house.

Sound familiar? If not, then pay attention!

Your audience could be dealing with these stresses. This is the time to stop and listen.

 - How do you think they will respond when you try to sell services or products to them while there are dealing with pandemic stresses? Is shopping online as important as paying the rent? If they have to cut back on spending, is your product or services essential? If they are budgeting and cutting back on spending, have you considered offering, "I understand what you are going through and I can offer a discount to help you out" discount?

 - The pandemic has changed the current demand of your audience. What is the current demand of your audience? Do they need smaller product sizes to carry them through? Options narrowed down help out right now? Do they need a delivery service to reduce shipping expenses? Do they need specific services to help with the stresses they are currently dealing with? Do you offer options that enable them to unwind, forget for the moment, and have fun! With mandatory social isolation, social media is the new norm.

There is no better time to get connected with your audience than through social media! Use the time to provide them with content or education they can benefit from or even entertained. Pay attention to their posts. Can you get a feel for their stresses at the moment? What is important to them right now?

Instead of selling right now, use the time to strengthen your relationship during a time your audience may need some support.

Look for Ways to Help
For example, if you are a financial institution, you might produce content that addresses ways that your audience can save money during this time or how their small business can adapt to decreased customer numbers and purchases. If you sell products, you can provide content on how to make their products last longer during a time they need to budget. You can even do an online PARTY, where everyone comes together to use the products or services they enjoy and have fun at the same time.

If you can't help your audience at the moment, then look for ways to help your community who have been affected by this virus. Right now there are people within the community that is working hard to get ahead of the pandemic. Limited resources keep them beyond the pandemic versus ahead of it, which extends the impact. Can you provide their resources to help them? Can you use your products or services to get them the resources they need? Your customers will appreciate everyone that does their part to help provide resources to those on the pandemic front lines, including your business.

Whether it’s with resources, technology, or skill-set content, ask yourself what you can do to help during this stressful time. This might not be a traditional marketing tactic, but it’s the right thing to do and will be appreciated by your audience. This can help earn their trust, which is important right now. You need to communicate how you’re doing everything possible to give them safety and security.

During this difficult situation, that EVERYONE is going through, you can be sure that people will remember how you treat them now, and how they can feel they can trust you during one of the most stressful times of their life.

#TheSerialEntrepreneur #smallbusinessstronger #RamblingsofanEntrepreneur #SmallBusinessCoaching