Here we are as small businesses trying to handle a major shift in marketing as a result of this pandemic situation. No more handshakes, shared lunches or coffees without masks and distancing, and the number of walk-ins through your front door drastically curtailed. Where is everyone??????
Online.
According to a number of surveys, roughly 65% of North Americans are networking remotely, or working from home. So you're not going to see them in your local coffee shop. And they won't see you. Which makes it all the more important that you be visible online, of course. You're probably already exploring different channels to reach out to new and old customers, and learning a new set of skills to boot.
Please, please be sure that your images are authentic and engaging. Get rid of the generic stock photos on your website that look like everyone else on your street, and make sure your social media sites aren't jammed with the latest crazy filters, or weird colour casts. I used to work at a large corporation and one day I pointed out that according to the photos used in their marketing collateral, a woman was having an affair and going on vacation with different two men. Models of course, picked up from a stock photo agency, and over 5 years of using these images, no-one had noticed the scandal inherent in the images.
You can stand out and shine, and a small investment of a few hours will take care of your image library for months ahead. I have clients who are still making their way through the shots I provided them with two years ago, and they look as fresh as today.
I'm here, at home, waiting for your call. And maybe coffee at a distance, of course.
