Your (Re-Opening) Activity List
Even though you were working remotely, consider that you are re-opening your business, post-COVID-19 lockdown. What might be different (or the same) compared to a new business launch?
In these unusual times, I hope that you, your family and your team forge ahead with new energy and inspiration as you resume business.
During this period of uncertainty (June 2020), you may envision a new start for your business. Take a fresh look at how you may adapt your marketing activities for a post-COVID-19 environment.
Revisit and revise.
This is the tenth and last in a series of tips that help you to continue promoting your services. If your marketing activity sits on the back burner, like this tea kettle, move it to the front.
A recent conversation with an attorney about to launch a solo practice prompted me to reflect on Best Communication Practices to Launch a Law Firm.
For many business owners and consultants, resuming operations post-pandemic lockdown may feel like a re-launch.
Let’s look at the eight items on the launch list and see how they might be adjusted for an ongoing business that is re-opening after the lockdown:
- Website: If your website directed visitors to call an alternate number, perhaps your cellphone, update that reference. If you mentioned any change in operations due to the pandemic or lockdown, perhaps that you were working remotely, make that current or remove it, as appropriate.
- Database of contacts: Review and update contact information for your connections by adding their cellphone numbers, which may be how you have been communicating recently.
- Announcement of your launch: Consider whether to send an email advising contacts that you have returned to your prior location.
- Social media presence: Commit to contributing more often on the social media platforms visited most often by your peers and referral sources by scheduling appointments several times a week.
- Press Release: Plan to (re)introduce yourself to reporters with a Media Profile and a forecast of how the post-COVID environment will change for a specific industry sector or demographic segment. (There is no need to tell the media you have resumed operations.)
- Networking groups: You probably participated in group Zoom discussions during the lockdown. Reach out to those contacts you’ve recently met and consider inviting them to one of your networking groups, which may be virtual, or ask to visit an organization where they are a member.
- Business cards: In lieu of a paper card, update your email signature to ensure it features links to your website, LinkedIn profile, newsletter, blog and your most recently published article.
- Article: As in the forecast of your (updated) Media Profile, suggest a topic for an article to the editor of an industry trade publication read by your target market, perhaps in collaboration with a client.
As a reminder, the previous topics in this series were:
Rev Up Your Newsletter (or Start One)
Revisit Your Website
Refresh Your LinkedIn Profile and Activity
Time to Write That Article
Tap Your Network (for informal business coaching)
Speak on a Podcast and Promote Your Appearance
Use Photos to Tell Your Story
Team Up for a Win-Win (collaborate on a presentation or article)
Networking Squared
Each newsletter in the series includes links to resources that help you Take Marketing Off the Back Burner.
Tips
How often should you execute these marketing activities? Most businesses do not change dramatically in a short period of time. Schedule a date once every quarter to review each of the following, individually: Website, LinkedIn profile, Media Profile and an idea for an Article. Your Newsletter is probably published quarterly, as well.
Establish a system to add contacts to your Database on an ongoing basis. Plus, set dates to periodically reach out for a quick catch-up call or an invitation to attend a webinar or networking event together.
Schedule time to participate on Social Media at least three times a week, whether you post your own thoughts, share an article by another or comment on posts by your connections.
Whenever you create new material, such as a published article or newsletter, post it on your website, promote it on social media, incorporate a reference and link to your Email Signature and add it to your LinkedIn profile. (Links to your website and LinkedIn profile remain the same.)
Contact
It’s time to dive back into the Marketing pool post-COVID. Let’s brainstorm and work on ideas. Contact me at Janet@JanetLFalk.com , set an appointment here or call me at 212.677.5770 to get started. There’s no time like the present for your Marketing activity to move ahead swimmingly.
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