12 Surprisingly Effective Ways to Market Your Business During The COVID-19 Crisis

The world right now is facing a crisis that’s never been experienced before for many of today’s generation.

The COVID-19 or novel coronavirus has affected many people either directly or indirectly.

Some people have lost jobs and businesses as the economic effects have taken its toll.

However, it can also be a blessing in disguise if you know how to work around this unfortunate situation.

In this article, we will show you 12 practical ways to market your business during this COVID-19 crisis.

1. Embrace New Selling Strategies

The COVID-19 crisis has also forced many countries to declare lockdown to combat the spread. Malaysia is one of these countries.

One way you can take advantage of this is to try a different strategy.

For example, if you are the owner of a local restaurant and since the government does not allow people to dine in, you can offer a delivery service.

Food delivery services such Foodpanda allows restaurants to use their service. Local restaurants should take this chance to widen their sale channels.

This partnership can also be continued even after the lockdown.

2. Market Your Business While the Competition is Low

It is an opportunity for you to promote your company as more people are seeking products to buy during this lockdown. You can also offer openings due to the job cuts people are facing.

As we mentioned before, this crisis has affected many businesses and has forced them to cut people off. You can take advantage of this.

This can be used as a promotion tool and raise your positive public image.

Use online platforms such as social media to gain more attention to your company. Embrace online marketing as part of your marketing strategies.

3. Offer Discounts

The pandemic has forced many people to cut down on their purchases and lifestyle. Offering discounts on your product or services is an effective way to market your business.

It is in times like this where people will remember anyone who helped them due to the unfortunate circumstances.

When the lockdown and pandemic have ended, this can help you have a group of loyal clientele due to the way you helped them during this crisis.

Even though you might lose a bit of profit by offering discounts, it will have a tremendous long-term effect on your company.

4. Offer Help to Your Employees

Public image is one of the most important aspects of a business. Having a negative image will discourage customers, while a positive one will bring in a lot of clients.

Empathy is essential during this crisis. If you prioritise the wellbeing of your employees instead of your profits, it will show your customers that you care.

Being caring is a great trait to have and will only bring in more customers than before. It can also motivate your employees to do their best because of the way they are cared for. 

5. Communicate With Your Suppliers

As mentioned before, the crisis has affected a lot of business which may include your supplier. In Malaysia, the lockdown has limited transport and shipping.

Due to that, many suppliers are not able to continue what they do during the lockdown.

If your company relies on suppliers, you should continuously communicate with them to see how they are doing and whether they can supply you.

By doing this, you will also know whether you can market your service.

If your supplier can help you, it will allow you to sell products and services when many other companies may not have the chance to which makes it an excellent opportunity for you.

6. Plan Long Term Investments

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a lot of people to work from home. However, there is a blessing as it saves travel time which can be used for other purposes.

Use this time to plan out and invest in long-term strategies. There is no harm in planning ahead, and this is a perfect chance to do so. Doing so will create the right image for your company.

Use the strategies that you planned out after the pandemic to show customers that you are a company which always plan ahead of time.

7. Develop A Loyalty Plan for Customers

It is crucial that during this crisis, you have cashflow. Having a loyalty plan for customers is an effective way to market your business.

You can do this any more forms. You can use cash rewards, discounts and also store credit. It will encourage customers to continue buying from you.

But most importantly, it will ensure cashflow which is desperately needed during this time.

8. Help Those in Need

This crisis has affected people both personally and professionally. This leaves some people with any money to buy food.

If you own a restaurant, you can use this opportunity to distribute food to the people who need it. This is an effective way to market your business.

It is also a great way to give back to the committee, which will only have a positive effect on your company.

9. Just Keep Moving

One of the most important things to do as a company during this crisis is not to stop. Many companies are halting all operations and hoping that the crisis ends soon.

That is a risky move because who knows how long it will continue. The best step for you is to keep selling your products and services, no matter what way you use.

Even if you do it a slow rate, it is still a head start compared to the other companies who have temporarily ceased operations.

10. Be Flexible

Having flexible services is a great way to market your business. When customers need you, you must cater to their services.

This can ensure that your employees are ready no matter what time of the day to help your clients. It is also a good trait as it shows that your company is very reliable.

This type of service during this unfortunate situation is even more helpful as not all customers may have the same privilege to contact you.

Being flexible allows them to contact your company anytime, which will help your reputation a lot even after this pandemic passes by.

11. Reach Out to Your Customers

This is a crucial and effective way to market your business. It is imperative that you stay in contact with your customers to see whether they need any help.

Some of them may not have time to contact you or invest in your products. If you contact them personally, it will allow them the chance to buy your product and services with minimal effort.

By reaching out, it will also create a reputation that your company makes the extra effort to make their customers happy.

This can help bring a lot of new customers even after the pandemic ends.

12. Collaborate With Other Companies

As we mentioned before, many companies are struggling during this hard time. You can take this opportunity to strike a partnership with the companies that need help.

For example, local restaurants in Malaysia can work with Foodpanda or GrabFood to deliver their food.  Using their image is a great way to get more customers.

Local companies can also work with other local companies that can be beneficial for both. It is a win-win situation, and this partnership can be prolonged even after things have gone better.

In conclusion, the COVID-19 pandemic should not get in the way of your business aspirations. These 12 ways are some of the ways you can follow to market your business.

Take this opportunity to improve on the weaknesses and strengthen the strengths that your company has. Hopefully, this crisis will be over soon, and we can go back to our normal ways.