How To Market Your Business During A Global Crisis

I’ve had a lot of real estate agent clients ask me if and how they should continue marketing their business during the global crisis.  

The answer is yes.  Continue to market your business, but your messaging and tone should change.  We need to be sensitive to the times we’re in and meet our customers where they are.

But how do you know where they are?  Pay attention to current events and what your customers are saying.  Social media is buzzing with your customers sentiments.  If you are in touch and tuned in, then you will have all of the information you need to succeed.

Refer to a traditional buyer’s journey for guidance.  For those of you who aren’t familiar with this journey, it comprises a few stages.  The first is awareness, the buyer becomes aware they have a problem.  Second is a consideration, they look for a solution to their problem.  And, the final stage is a decision, they are ready to purchase a solution.

Here’s what it looks like applying this journey to the global crisis:

  • Stage one – panic and uncertainty. Your messaging will be sympathetic.  You will craft posts to help put people at ease.  Whether it’s about food, working from home, hygiene, or how your industry is adapting to uncertain times.
  • Stage two – Finding balance working from home, homeschooling, productivity concerns, or curbside pickup for just about everything.  Put adaptation in motion.
  • Stage three – Most people have adjusted to change and now want to know how they will ease back into civilian life.  What will dining out look like?  How will they buy and sell real estate or experience other in-person service-oriented industries?  The future of schooling?  Travel?

If you create content relevant to your customer and MEET them in the stage they’re in, you will lead with empathy and become a resource for inspirational and valuable information.

I feel the best thing any small business owner or real estate agent can do now is pick up the phone and just be a friend to their database.  Ask them how they are doing.  If they want to talk shop, share information that will benefit them.

For example, at the time of writing, mortgage rates are hovering around 3%, now is a good time to refinance their mortgage and reduce their monthly payment amount.

Please share this post with anyone you know in need of marketing guidance.  Be well!

About Me / The One Video Every Small Business Business Owner Needs

A compelling “about me” video could be all a potential customer needs to determine whether your product or service is right for them.

In this 60-second video, I will demonstrate how to incorporate the key elements listed below.

* Who you are.
* What you do.
* Who you help.
* How you do it.
* What makes you different from others.
* Call to action – add one mid-roll and at the end.

The optimal length is 30-60 seconds.

I recommend writing a script to organize your key points. Your finished product will serve as your elevator pitch as well. If you are clear others will be clear when they talk about your business, especially at networking events.

The next time someone asks “what do you do?”, you will have a compelling response!

Essential Gifts For Small Business Owners. (Or you)

7 essential gift ideas for any small business owner

The holiday season is upon us, and that means you are probably buying someone in your life a gift.  If that particular person is a small business owner, I recommend getting them something practical.

Small business owners wear many hats.  We plan. Create. Post. Order. Sell. Design. Call. Email. Network. Provide customer support. And occasionally sleep. We don’t need more stuff. We need tools to help make our life easier.  

I compiled a list of some life-changing items that help me function more efficiently as a business owner.

They all deliver tremendous value at a low price.  

 

Building A Story Brand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen – Donald Miller – $16.99 (as of 12/3/18)

7 Essential Tools For any Small Business Owner Blog PostEvery business has a story.  But do they know how to tell it so customers will listen?  Most companies intuitively make their story about them, but Donald delivers an easy to digest approach to making it about your customers.  Essential reading.

 

 

 

 

Everybody Writes – Ann Handley – Hardcover $17.00 (as of 12/3/18)

Everybody Writes - Ann Handley Content MarketerI received this book as a gift last Christmas.  It took me six months to pick it up (I was already reading two books at the time).  If I had known how engaging and insightful it is before reading, I would have put down the other two books.

Ann has a way of speaking to you through her writing that makes you feel like you’re buddies from college.  She simplifies the process of writing, anything.  The chapters are short and packed with actionable items to take your content marketing from stagnant to stellar.

Read it.  Practice.  Become ridiculously good at marketing.

 

Hemingway Editor$19.99 (As of 12/3/18)

Hemingway Editor application for desktopIf you write anything online, the Hemingway app will be your new best friend.  If you struggle with grammar, sentence structure, formatting, active and passive voice, or boring writing, You will love this editor!

 

 

Adobe Spark Post –  Monthly subscription $9.99/month – Spark Post is an easy to use social media graphic, video, and single web Adobe Spark Logopage creation tool.  They offer a free two-week trial so that you can check it out yourself. There are no long-term contracts.

What I love most about this tool is the ability to batch produce images or videos for sharing on social media.  A mobile app is available, but I prefer the desktop version.  The choice is yours.

 

Lavalier Lapel Microphone by PoP Voice – $11.99 (as of 12/7/18)

Lavalier Lapel MicWe live in a mobile-first world, and if you are recording videos for your business, you probably use your phone.  This lapel mic plugs into the microphone jack on your phone and makes your videos sound professional.  If you have an iPhone 7 or newer, you’ll need an adapter for the headphone jack.

 

Iphone headphone jack adapterI picked up this one up for $11.00 on Amazon.  Your total investment for the mic and adapter is $23.00.

 

 

 

Sticker Mule Custom Stickers, Magnets, Buttons, Packaging, and Labels – Prices vary by quantity

Sticker Mule stickersSticker Mule creates high-quality products and their customer service rocks!  Orders typically ship within four days, for free.  You can order samples to see what your finished product looks like before placing a large order.

Creative branding is everything and makes a lasting first impression.

 

 

Covax Laptop Backpack – $17.99 (as of 12/3/18)

Covax business laptop backpackI recently discovered this backpack while searching for a for a better fitting bag for my laptop.  If you are tired of having your work bag hanging to one side and pulling on your shoulders, here is your solution.

This stylish bag hugs your body and has numerous sections and compartments.  Did I  mention it’s only $17.99?

 

The Go-Giver and Go-Givers Sell MorePrices Vary (but they are under $20.00)

Go Giver Book seriesThis book series will change your business approach.  Every business owner should read it and heed the message.  What’s the message?  If we shift our focus from getting to giving, consistently add value, and focus on relationships, we will thrive as business owners.

The story is powerful.  The message is simple. You already possess the necessary tools.  Now, Go Give.

I recommend reading the Go-Giver first and then Go-Givers Sell More.  Want more?  Check out The Go-Giver Leader and Influencer (not pictured).

If you could change the life of another person and help them succeed in business for under $30.00 wouldn’t that be the best gift ever? 

Need more ideas?  Check out my 5 practical Gift Ideas from last year.

Ask me a question

%d bloggers like this: