In times of crisis, navigating sales and marketing can be especially tricky. While it’s tempting to stay quiet until everything blows over, companies that make an effort to communicate helpful information stand out in a positive way.

Staying top-of-mind during this time is more important than ever. We’ve seen a tremendous increase in social media consumption and other online tools, including a 50% increase in Facebook messaging and a 20% increase in time spent using mobile apps.

Here are 7 tips how to stay relevant during this challenging time:

  1. Let people know how COVID-19 has impacted your business. Are you temporarily closed? Are your hours different? Are you offering online services? COVID-19 has impacted us all in different ways, so it’s important to keep your customers informed.
  2. Focus less on sales content and more on brand content. Use this as an opportunity to build educational, value-added content. Develop quick tips, blogs, and downloads that position you as a subject matter expert in the industries you serve.
  3. Be sensitive in your messaging and tone. Keep in mind that many businesses are struggling during this difficult time and unemployment rates continue to climb.
  4. Share how you are accommodating your workforce and helping others during the crisis. Highlight your team, how they are adapting to the changes, and how they are helping clients in a time of need.
  5. Go virtual – if you haven’t already, adapt to online meeting tools like Zoom, Google Hangouts, GoToMeeting, etc. Use these virtual meeting tools to replace canceled events, conferences, and in-person meetings.
  6. Focus on your existing customers. Check-in and make sure they are doing OK and see how you can help. Let them know you are there for them throughout this crisis, as well as when this is over.
  7. Make sure all of your digital assets are optimized for mobile consumption. Your website, emails, and social media content should be optimized for a mobile-first experience, as data suggests that mobile usage has increased at least 34% over the same time last year.

Be on the lookout for our next blog on how to leverage social media as part of your overall strategy….