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First Aid For Your Business Post Lockdown

8/7/2020

Businesses large and small have had to adapt during lockdown with many having to cease trading while the Government tries to get the virus under control. As we start to see the lifting of some restrictions and a return to some sort of normality, many are now faced with the challenge of how to navigate the new post lockdown landscape and revive their businesses.

First Aid For Your Business Post Lockdown

Once you’ve digested the Government guidance and regulations it’s time to start analysing your business and looking for ways to improve performance and increase sales. Now is the time to take a look at your marketing plan - how does it need to adapt to suit the new legislation? If you have a retail business how can you improve and maximise sales whilst still following social distancing and hygiene rules?

We’ve put together 8 top tips to help you ensure your business is ready for the new normal:

Marketing Plan or Strategy This should be your first job before you tackle anything else. Your business has undoubtedly gone through a huge change over lockdown so it’s important to reassess your plan and make sure you are fully informed.
Online Courses, webinars, training Now is the time to fully embrace the digital age. Make use of tools such as Zoom, Skype etc... to deliver your services.
Go Ecommerce Social distancing rules may mean your current premises are unsuitable to reopen or will only allow a small number of customers. This is where e-commerce can really boost your sales and customer base.
Video As well as allowing you to host meetings without having to worry about social distancing video is also a great way of showcasing your products or services. If you're not already using video to promote your business now is the perfect time to start.
Social Media Many that were not comfortable with social media pre-lockdown are now taking selfies and posting regularly! Your audience will have undoubtedly changed, now is the time to reassess your target audience and your message.
Email Marketing This is a brilliant way to keep in touch with your customers and keep them updated with any new developments with your business post lockdown. Be sure to include it in your marketing plan review.
Design Is it time for a new look? As you adapt your business and the way you work perhaps now is a great time or a fresh new look.
Website Update your website, this is by far one of the most significant things you can do. Think about how your business has changed, perhaps you have different products or services. How are you communicating these changes with your customers?

Important things to remember:

Social distancing is easing, rules and regulations are changing weekly. Make sure your marketing plan can adapt as the government guidance changes.
New processes and procedures are in place. Keep your customers updated with how you are following the new processes.
Our environment has changed, there is a focus on cleanliness and hygiene. Instil confidence in your customers by communicating how you are ensuring your premises are clean and safe.
How can you deliver your products in a limited contact/contactless environment? Utilise digital solutions where possible such as online payment options, contactless card payments, e-commerce. Allow customers to specify contactless delivery options such as safe places to leave parcels.

If you need a helping hand to navigate the post lockdown world contact Creative Remedy for a FREE Consultation.

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Inject Your Communications with Call to Actions

7/6/2020

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Call to Action (CTA) is a term you might hear when discussing marketing strategies for your business. But what exactly does it mean and how can it help to increase sales and profitability for your company? We’ve put together a simple guide to help explain what it means and why you should be doing it!

Inject Your Communications with Call to Actions

What is Call to Action?
The most obvious example of a Call to Action would be a ‘Buy Now’ button on a webpage. It’s simply an invitation for your customer/visitor to do something. It could be a banner or button on your webpage, part of an advertisement or content (ie. blog/email marketing campaign) that is designed to encourage the visitor to do something specific.

What is the purpose of a Call to Action?
Call to actions are a great way of converting visitors to your website or blogs into potential customers or subscribers. The CTA can have a variety of different purposes depending on what you are trying to achieve. If you are looking to increase sales then a simple ‘Buy Now’ button may be just the trick you need to help convince the undecided shopper, but when you’re trying to attract more visitors or subscribers you need to think more carefully about the wording and location of the CTA.

How can it help my marketing and business?
A good CTA will help increase visitors which in turn could lead to more customers and sales and therefore increased profits! It could also act as an information point for your potential customers, providing them with the link to finding out all about your products and services.

When should I use a call to action?
You should make sure to add CTA’s into all your communications. CTA’s can be used in your marketing channels such as email marketing, website, landing page, offers/promotions, blogs and social media. It’s important to make sure you use the right language for your customers, this will mean researching your customer base and finding out their preferences and habits. Make sure you have updated your email database so you are targeting the right audience.

10 Example Call to Actions:

‘Buy Now’ and ‘Shop Now’ buttons on your ecommerce site - direct your customer to make that purchase they’re contemplating.
You can also entice them further by adding limited offers that create a sense of urgency such as ‘Buy Now - Limited time Only’ which might push them to make the purchase now rather than putting it off until later.
Having a ‘Sign Up Now’ button in your email marketing can attract new subscribers and give you vital information about your site visitors.
If you have a blog ask your readers a question. This is a simple but very effective call to action which engages your visitors and hopefully keeps them returning to your website. The more often they visit your website the more likely they are to make a purchase in the future.
‘Read More’ is another CTA you should utilise in your email marketing and blogs. Instead of displaying the entire post on the homepage you just show a few paragraphs to entice the reader to click through to read the rest of the post. This is great for Search Engine Optimisation too.
‘Subscribe’ is a great CTA for your blog, to help build up your readership base and will hopefully convert to loyal customers.
For social media use ‘Like’ and ‘Share’ buttons to encourage your followers to share your business page. This will engage your current followers and also convert new followers. ‘Visit our Website’, ‘Learn More’, Watch our Video’ will also help create interest and direct potential new customers.
Avoid generic buttons such as ‘Submit’ and try to entice your user to part with their contact details in exchange for a free guide or tool instead.
‘Learn More’ is simple but effective, offering more information for purchasers not quite ready to take the plunge.
Free Website Audit or ‘Free Trial’ is a great way of encouraging an undecided customer to try your product or services and see just what they are missing out on. It helps build trust and the foundation for a great customer relationship.

If your marketing is in need of a boost? Perhaps it’s time for a Call to Action!
You can learn more about communication strategies that include Call to Actions by booking a FREE Consultation >

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How to Adapt your Marketing During C-19

16/4/2020

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The effects from Covid-19 on our daily lives and businesses are being felt across the globe and all of us will be facing uncertainty and worry. It’s important to stay positive and try to do what you can to keep your business up and running. This will require you to think a bit differently about what you can offer your customers and clients and how you can deliver your services or products safely.

Here are a few tips to help you rethink your products and services to cope with the change in demand and your customers requirements.

Reassess your products and services

Look at what you can still sell - how can you adapt to be able to meet the needs of your customers?
Essential items - can you buy from your supplier to sell to your existing customers?
Can you offer gift vouchers for use after the lockdown is lifted? Have you considered crowdfunding to raise your funds or to fund a new project or venture?
Offer online or telephone ordering facilities
Offer delivery services within your local area - communities are teaming up and offering pickup and drop-off for local households, can you make use of these services to get your products out to your customers?
To keep your outgoings to a minimum you might want to consider your skill set and try to do more things within your business yourself.
Offer contactless payments.
Offer your same services virtually - online classes, consultations, training etc... it may even bring in a new revenue stream when lockdown is lifted.
Keep your customers updated with any changes you need to make to keep everyone safe

As you adapt your business and services be sure to remain true to your brand values, be consistent and professional.

What you can do with all this time on your hands!

Business Plan - Prepare for how your business might need to change after the lockdown is lifted.
Marketing Plan or Strategy - Now is the perfect time to update your marketing plan. Identify any visitors to your website for increased customer engagement. Having a detailed customer database will also help you see any changes in behaviour as the crisis continues.
Social Media Plan or Strategy - Having a clear plan to tackle your online presence will ensure maximum customer engagement
Post regular updates to your social media - Keep it current, upbeat and relevant to your business.
Clean your customer list - Make sure you have up-to-date customer data.
Learn a new skill - Anything that can enhance the services you offer or how you can market your business ie. try a new social platform.
Create content - Consider writing blogs to keep your customers updated
Take Stock - If you sell products you need to be sure of your stock levels, especially as supply and demand are so volatile right now.
Support other local businesses - When you’re not working try to support local businesses by recommending them, reviewing them or buying from them.
Check your finances - See where you can make any savings to help maintain your business.
Forward thinking - Update your website with any new services you are offering.

And one last thing!
You may be wondering how to best communicate with your existing customers, they may have stopped buying from you and you are unsure how C-19 has affected their business. Contact them by phone or a personal email, strengthen your customer relationships and build trust. Don’t try to sell them anything, just simply ask how they are doing. Loyal customers are your priority, ask how you can help and support them.

How has C-19 affected your business? Has anything surprised you? Have you developed any new products or services, I would love to hear if the changes have brought on positive new developments, however small they are.

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Business Support – Adapt, Create & Deliver

20/3/2020

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We hope you and your business are keeping well in these uncertain times. We too have had to adapt, instead of cancelling meetings and networking we are using more technology and online tools. It is difficult to know how long we will all need to be cautious for but instead of panicking here are some proactive steps you can take to ensure your employees, customers and suppliers are well informed.

BUSINESS SUPPORT – ADAPT, CREATE & DELIVER

Business Support
This week we have been supporting businesses with:

Advice on managing the situation
Coronavirus statement writing
Website content writing and blogging
Graphics to support website content
Email marketing to notify employees, customers and suppliers
Training to help businesses manage their digital content

Creative Remedies
If you have had to self-isolate; close down your office, classes, services; or had difficulties distributing products due to reduced contact with your wider supply chain, here are some digital marketing platforms that can help your business thrive through these difficult times.

Free online tools to facilitate your communication:

We are here to offer support in any format you need. Whether that is advice, developing creative ideas to gain exposure in this unpredictable time, creating content or delivering final solutions.

Treatments & Cures
Here are some proactive tips to help you achieve and stay positive:

Marketing is usually one of your largest expenses and the first thing to be pulled when you don’t have the budget. Question what you need to continue operating successfully and think of new channels to reach your customers.
Don’t cancel plans for new products or services, adapt… think of different ways you can deliver these.
Make your marketing plan or learn how to use a new social platform.
The internet and digital marketing will be your close friends, learn new skills if you don’t have the budget to out-source.
Communication is key, well informed customers will stick with you through the tough times.

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