Stay Social While Social Distancing

Stay Social While Social Distancing Ten Tips from a Social Marketing Butterfly

By Kelly Stuart Williams, MA

For those of us who have been working in social media for awhile, we have become accustomed to spending a lot of time “being social” on our computers and electronic devices. However, Stay at Home orders and a global pandemic have created some new platforms for all of us who want to stay social, healthy, and productive.

Over the past few weeks, we have spoken with a number of business owners who have said they have gone “old school,” since social distancing began. Jeffrey Neil Fox, Fox Marketplace; Deborah Glover-Pearcey, Estate Law 2 Go; and Mick Constantinou, SandStone Insurance Partners; shared that their businesses are not only surviving but thriving. They are picking up their phones and making phone calls to their customers. People greatly appreciate hearing, “Just calling to see how you’re doing, and I wanted you to know that I’m thinking of you.” Staying connected doesn’t have to be online.

Along with the good news comes some of the bad. Many people who are staying at home are feeling lonely, isolated and becoming sad. So, the following is a list of ten (10) simple things you can do to stay happy; stay successful; and stay social while social distancing: • Stay Connected: Pick up the phone; Facetime; tag and engage your friends on social media. • Virtually Co-Locate: Apps like Microsoft Teams keep you connected with your office mates all day, so you don’t have to wait for a trip to the breakroom to chat. • Host a Virtual Happy Hour: Invite your favorite sommelier to Zoom with your friends, and learn more about your wine palate. Known for my Cuban Sangria and Miami Hurricanes, I have sipped and shared drink recipes with my friends on Zoom! • Stay Fit: Endorphins from exercise are a great way to get in shape and stay happy. You can find everything from Yoga to

kickboxing to Zumba on Zoom! • Check on your Neighbors: Chances are your neighborhood is on Nextdoor.com. Through the online list serve, I have met many of my neighbors who chat about everything from local restaurants to pet sitters in my home community. • Support a Charity: We just completed a campaign for the Suncoast Chapter of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society online. It felt great to know that we were coming together to help those in need. We incorporated Facebook, e-mail, and Zoom meetings. • Stay Spiritually Connected: Some of my friends want to start a weekly devotional group on Zoom; I’ve attended a great breathing class on Zoom; and I’ve been going to church online! Our local small businesses, restaurants, and charities need our support like never before. Don’t forget that there are lots of options for ordering Take-Out and Delivery. Please tip well, and share your culinary experience as a Google Review or post on a restaurant’s Facebook. Helping each other is probably one of the best ways to stay connected, so stay social while social distancing and #ShopLocal.