Ron Goldblatt • May 26, 2020
Four Tips for Small Businesses as they Re-Open in a COVID-19 World
There are a few strategies that can foster trust with your customers and bring your business back to life.
To state the obvious, the times we have been living in have not been easy on the overall health of our country. COVID-19 has burdened the world with deadly sickness, economic hardship, and overall fear of what the future holds. And as we re-open our country again, it’s important to take steps to preserve safety and health for our customers, and also ensure they feel comfortable.
There are a few strategies that can foster trust with your customers and bring your business back to life. Read below to learn what you should keep in mind as you re-open your business in a COVID-19 world.
1. Create promotions and specialties.
During the shutdown, locals have been engaging with promotions that restaurants and retail owners are promoting in their neighborhoods. Some restaurants came up with unique ways of standing out and making the at-home dining experience fun and different.
For example, many restaurants are offering “take home kits”
to make your own version of the restaurant’s famous tacos, signature dish or signature beverages. Or, small businesses like bakeries are offering baking kits. Other restaurants are offering more family “bulk meal deals” for a great price.
We recommend coming up with more unique specials and deals to drum up excitement and support from the community. This will bring people together again and will drive sales for your business.
As we re-open, there are still first responders who haven’t had a break from being on the front lines. Some members of the North Shore community are giving back to first responders and those in need within the community with their promotions. Click here
to learn more.
2. Find unique and affordable ways to connect with your community.
Through NorthShore Loyalty’s local marketing services, restaurants in the North Shore
have been finding success in maintaining a connection with their customers throughout COVID-19.
Our text loyalty program, for example, has helped local restaurants in the North Shore get the word out on announcements and promotions to their community. Since texts have a 97 percent average rate of being opened, this is an effective way of communicating to your customers and new ones, too.
To learn more about NorthShore Loyalty’s local marketing offers, visit NorthShoreLoyalty.com.
3. Make safety a priority, and communicate that it is.
Even if your sanitization practices are standard and required, make sure people know you are doing it. If you are requiring all your employees to wear masks and gloves, make sure the public knows that as well. Customers want to know what you are doing in order to maintain a safe environment for both them and your employees.
Many companies are writing to customers directly to inform them of their plan to practice sanitization, what improvements they are making, and any updates they can share as they re-open.
Companies like Doordash and Uber Eats have adapted by offering a “Leave at door” delivery option for customers, so there is no direct contact. Local restaurants are offering curbside pickup options
and delivery to keep business going while maintaining health safety measures. As we re-open, make sure you keep those options, because not everyone will want to immediately dine in.
There are plenty of companies coming up with unique ways to adapt, and we want your customers to know first. That’s why we offer a text marketing service that notifies your customers and your community about safety announcements and promotions.
4. Communicate frequently with employees.
Be empathetic, and make sure everyone has an understanding of what’s going on. When passing along information and communicating directly, Texas A&M University
suggests keeping messages short and easy to follow.
Essentially, employees need to know:
- How re-opening will impact them, and what might be different (pay, hours, etc)
- What you are doing to adapt and protect them
- What they can do to stay healthy and keep others healthy
Keep them updated on important government decisions that are being announced so that everyone is in the loop.
Above all else, be empathetic, and make sure they have some reassurance that eventually, things will go back to normal, and this is the first step in making that happen.
Now more than ever, both your customers and employees need to know what you are doing to adapt and keep everyone healthy. At NorthShore Loyalty, we can get your story out quickly and efficiently. To learn more about our services and loyalty program, visit NorthShoreLoyalty.com
today and book your free consultation.
About us
NorthShore Loyalty is a local digital marketing company that has provided small businesses in the North Shore our services for five years. We create original content for business in our community in order to drive revenue and awareness for your business, bring in new customers, and keep old customers coming back. Being a community-focused company, our social purpose is to amplify our client’s community involvement. To learn more about NorthShore Loyalty and its digital marketing services, click here.
Our Recent Post
Customer reviews can make or break a business. Whether they’re glowing recommendations or harsh critiques, they shape how people perceive your brand. In today’s world, where people check online reviews before making decisions, handling feedback properly is more important than ever. A single negative review left unchecked can push potential customers away, while a well-managed response can turn an unhappy customer into a loyal one. On the flip side, responding to positive reviews the right way strengthens relationships and encourages repeat business. Let’s go over how to effectively manage and respond to customer reviews across different platforms.
Discover how accurate business listings improve search rankings, boost customer trust, and drive more traffic by ensuring consistency across online directories.
Learn how SEO optimization boosts website visibility, increases search rankings, and drives organic traffic to attract more customers and grow your business.
Discover how a customized text marketing program boosts engagement, improves customer retention, and increases sales with targeted, personalized messaging.
Discover how online reviews boost trust, improve SEO, and attract new customers. Learn why managing reviews is essential for your business growth.
As more people turn to search engines to find local businesses, Local SEO has become a game-changer for companies looking to grow. If you’ve ever searched for “restaurants near me” or “plumbers in Chicago,” you’ve witnessed Local SEO in action. For businesses, it’s a way to appear exactly where customers are looking. In this article, we’ll explore how Local SEO works and why it’s essential for attracting new customers.
As more people rely on their smartphones and tablets to browse the internet, businesses need to adapt to meet their customers where they are. One of the most effective ways to do this is by having a responsive website . A responsive website ensures that your business looks and works great on any device, whether it’s a phone, tablet, or desktop. But why is this so important for your business? Let’s explore.
Repeat customers are the lifeblood of any successful business. They spend more, return often, and spread positive word-of-mouth about your company. But how do you ensure that your customers keep coming back? The answer lies in two powerful digital tools: text marketing and loyalty marketing . These strategies not only help you retain customers but also drive measurable growth in your business.
Did you know that text message marketing (also known as SMS messages) marketing can help you achieve your business goals? It's true! This review will discuss the many benefits of text message marketing, how enhance your traditional marketing efforts and maximize your ROI. Text message marketing is extremely effective for reaching your target audience and boosting sales. If you're not currently using text message marketing, you're missing out on a lot of potential revenue using this important digital marketing channel. Here are seven surprising benefits of text message marketing: 1. Reach More People In An Instant Text message marketing allows you to reach a large number of people with your promotional messages. You can send out mass texts to your entire list of contacts at once, or you can segment your lists and target specific groups of people. Either way, in a matter or minutes, you'll be able to reach more people than you would with other marketing channels. 2. Get More Engagement Text message marketing can help you increase engagement with your brand. SMS messages have a high open rate and a high click-through rate, which means more people are likely to see your message AND take action. This can help create a connection between your customer and your brand. 3. Increase Sales You can use text message marketing to promote special offers and discounts to encourage customers to make a purchase. By offering incentives, you can increase the likelihood of making a sale and generating revenue for your business. You can also use text messages to up-sell and cross-sell your products. 4. SMS Marketing is More Reliable Than Email
Text marketing is on the rise. In this digital age, people are more connected than ever before, which means they are more likely to respond to text messages than any other form of communication. If you're not already using text marketing, now is the time to start. Here are a few reasons why you should consider using text marketing for your business: What Is SMS Text Marketing? SMS (Short Message Service) Text marketing is a form of marketing that uses text messages to reach and engage customers. It's a quick and convenient way to stay in touch with your audience, and it can be an effective marketing tool if used correctly. There are a few things to keep in mind when using text marketing, such as making sure your messages are clear and concise, avoid spam keywords, and being mindful of privacy laws. But if you play by the rules, text marketing can be a great way to reach your target audience. Why Should You Care? Here are a few reasons why you should consider using text marketing for your business: It's a quick and easy way to reach your customers. It's an effective way to engage with your audience through personalized messaging. It can you boost sales and ROI It's a great way to build customer loyalty using a mobile marketing strategy . It's a cost-effective marketing tool that can compliment your social media. If you're not already using text marketing, now is the time to start. It's a powerful marketing tool that can help you reach your customers and boost your bottom line. How to Get Started with Text Marketing