How do you market your business on social media during Covid-19?
It’s a tough question that we don’t have all the answers for.
But as people around the world are adjusting to the new normal of social distancing, small business owners and social media managers are adjusting content calendars, and coming up with new creative ideas to market their products or services.
Staying connected is now more important than ever, with people and businesses relying on social media to stay in touch with friends, consume the news, and be entertained. In fact, Facebook and Instagram have seen a 40% increase in usage due to Covid-19, with views for Instagram Live and Facebook Live doubling in one week.
As Instagram expert Jenna Kutcher said, “this is not the season to be quiet, this is the season to communicate.”
You can’t afford to stop marketing or selling, and that includes posting on social media.
Your followers are spending more time online than they ever have before, so it does present you with a unique opportunity to deepen your relationship with your audience and increase brand affinity.
5 Guiding Principles for Social Media Marketing & Covid-19
1. Listen & Acknowledge
Ignoring Covid-19 or pretending like everything is normal can come across as inauthentic at best, and tone deaf at worst. Let your followers know that you’re listening and acknowledge our new normal.
2. Keep Posting
Your followers are spending more time online than ever before, and you want stay connected to them! If you’re unable to market or sell your products or services right now, focus on sharing content that aligns with your brand values instead.
3. Be Empathetic
Covid-19 is affecting everyone around the world, but in different ways. Remember to think outside of your own situation, have empathy for your followers, & offer compassion.
You don’t have to mention Covid-19 explicitly in all of your content, but do take into consideration the tone of your captions and how it could be interpreted by people facing a different reality than you might be in. Remember that some of your followers have lost their jobs, are caring for a loved one, trying to work at home with a toddler, might be sick themselves, etc.
Ask for Help
If you’re struggling, it’s okay to lean on your community, that’s what it’s there for. Get vulnerable in your content, share your story, and clearly communicate how your followers can support your business right now. And remember: we’re all in this together.
This is brand new territory for all marketers (including myself). No one is an expert on how to market their business on social media through a global pandemic. Don’t be too hard on yourself and remember that no one really knows what to do right now.
We’ll be sharing more tips about how to market your business during this time through our newsletter and on our social channels at @4theinsta
Have a question? Send us an email or a DM!
Stay positive, stay productive, and most importantly, stay connected!