With things changing almost daily, now more than ever it's important for small businesses to let customers know what's going on. Can they still expect the same services and hours? Is their favorite eatery offering take-out?
While it might be easy to hesitate on sending those mass emails or creating yet another newsletter because of the influx of emails and messages from every company you've ever done business with - but information about how your business services are changing is very important and should be communicated.
Email Customers / Use Your Newsletter
If you provide weekly/monthly services, let your customers know if they can still expect to see you - or how your services have changed. Even if this doesn’t change much, it still needs to be communicated:
What new safety precautions are in place
How does this change your service times/hours
How to contact you with questions
Update Google Business Listing
Change your hours or set special hours
If needed, use the new “Temporarily Closed” status
Create a post with the new post type “COVID-19 update”
Create a regular post with picture to capture attention
Are you still open?
Temporarily closed?
Did hours change?
What else is changing?
Update Website With Current Info
Add a website banner or popup with key information: change in hours, temporarily closed, or show services that still remain available to customers. Cover the biggest changes, and link to a blog page with more details if your information is lengthy.
Update your hours if they have changed.
Social Media
Update any information that has changed: hours, services, etc.
Create a post with picture including most important info (new hours, temp closed, still open) and pin it to the top. Add a text description to describe what’s changing. Link to the website page describing the business changes if it’s too lengthy for a social media post.
Even better: create a video.
Additional resources for local businesses and marketing during COVID-19:
What Readers Want During COVID-19: Content Ideas for Every Niche
In these troubling times ahead for everyone, I want you to know I have your back. If there is anything at all I can help with, please let know and I will do my best to assist you and your business going forward.
