Ways to Support Your Audience Through Re-Openings

As more stores and restaurants are permitted to resume operations, there is still a large percentage of people who are not comfortable going out and patronizing local businesses. While you may be taking every possible step to protect your customers, the fact of the matter stands that restrictions, regulations and COVID-19 anxiety will have a major impact on revenue in the coming months. To help counteract some of the challenge's businesses are facing in a pandemic-ridden economy, here are some strategies you can implement to accommodate customers and attract new business.

Share Knowledge

Use social media and your website's blog to share informative information about community spread rates and local policies regarding COVID-19 restrictions. Create shareable infographics that offer helpful tips on how to protect yourself in public, including when to wear a mask, how to properly wear a mask and how far apart six feet really is. These simple acts of care show your audience that you're not only aware of what needs to be done to keep them safe, but you're committed to helping them achieve that.

Be Open to Change

Modifying your business to protect patrons is important, and you'll have to be willing to deal with some changes if you want to keep your company up and running. Employee protective gear, register partitions, social distance floor markers and hand sanitizing stations are crucial elements of reopening that you shouldn't overlook. Customers who are gradually testing the waters by visiting local businesses will be more likely to patronize an establishment with protective measures actively in place. Moreover, show what you're doing online rather than just hoping people show up. Instagram and a blog are a great way to let your audience see how you're prioritizing safety in the pandemic.

Update Your SEO

Keywords are changing to reflect people's fears, needs and preferences during COVID. Make sure that your local SEO is optimized to reflect your audience's changes. Curbside pick-up and delivery, for example, are becoming increasingly popular. Hiring an SEO freelancer who specializes in growing local businesses could help your cause; they can optimize your site to drive more revenue through location- and need-based conversion campaigns. Running all of this yourself can be difficult, especially when on-going research and real-life preparations take away the time you have to work on your site. Freelance marketers are more affordable and flexible than agencies, but they're just as skilled and capable of helping your business during this challenging time.

Offer Reassurance

People are struggling for purpose and direction right now. They crave familiarity, security and affirmation that things are going to be okay. You can't promise everyone that they will never get sick or that there won't be another lockdown. What you can do is position your establishment as one alert, active and confident in the community's ability to pull through COVID together. Through small reminders and frequent updates, you can connect with your audience on a personal level. Worker, business, brand or consumer, we're all in this together, and reminding people of that can help close some of the distance that often divides companies from their customers.