Social Media in the Time of Covid-19

Bob Phibbs | The Retail Doctor

It's time to use social media like crazy. People are craving online content more than ever. Facebook algorithms prefer Live videos and rewards them with more views than recorded ones.

Go live in-store or even from your home!

Let people know you are still open! Go live in-store to show people you’re there.

Showcase new arrivals, merchandise you’re preparing to deliver, and activity in your store.

Talk about cleanliness, social distancing, the works. Let them know what you are doing to make sure everything is sanitary and safe; they need to trust you.

It’s OK to say it is lonely there, but keep your main goal to say, “we’re in this together.” You have to be positive.

Feature a product someone can use to alleviate boredom or a project they can do together in their own back yard. Make sure everything you show is relevant to right now.

Consider virtual events like a photo contest or virtual potting party.

Think of your content as a form of entertainment for your customers. Get your name out there in a positive way; make people laugh or smile or relieve their boredom and sense of isolation.

Be creative but sensitive to the fact that those who don’t have security in their paycheck won’t bite no matter how much you promote. Don’t beg people to buy from you to keep you in business; that is not the message you want to put out there.

Build your audience now.

This is a perfect time to focus on strengthening your online audience as a way to convert customers in the future. People who can’t buy from you now need to see you and your products, so they know to buy from you later.

Don’t have a panic sale.

We’re going to have to sell our way out of this hole we are all in, but don’t have panic sales as a way to drive traffic to your website. By having a “Coronavirus” sale, you are just associating your business with a virus.

BOB PHIBBS, The Retail Doctor, is a nationally recognized business strategist, customer service expert, sales coach, marketing mentor, and retail author. To learn exactly how to provide retail sales training in a system that is easy to duplicate and train, contact Bob at www.RetailDoc.com.