Updated, March 20, 10:30am
All of us are facing absolutely unreal situations, both professionally and personally right now in the midst of this COVID-19 pandemic. None of this was remotely one the radar just a few weeks ago.
We are a small business, too, and so we are compiling as many tips (both marketing and otherwise) as we can to support you and your business.
- Small Business Administration Disaster Loans – Eligibility for Economic Injury Disaster Loans – New loans of up to 2 million dollars are available to small businesses to help offset economic damage due to the COVID-19 virus. NOTE – for our Alaska clients and friends, we are still waiting for this to be approved for Alaska. It is pending approval with the federal government. Read more here.
- Facebook Small Business Grants – Facebook is offering cash grants and ad credits to small businesses to assist with economic disruption due to COVID-19. Learn more here.
- ATIA Informational Webinar – Friday, March 20 – the Alaska travel Industry Association is doing a webinar tomorrow to provide more tourism-related information. Learn more here.
- Visit Anchorage Resources – Visit Anchorage is keeping a standing list of resources for Alaska Tourism businesses. Learn more here.
- Google SMB Resources – Google is in the game too with a list of resources fro small and medium sized businesses. Learn more here.
- Do You Use the Service Zapier? They are offering a 3 month credit for their paid services. Learn more here.
- Small Business Resources – Small Business Development Center has started a resource page for small businesses. Learn more here.
- Tourism – Dealing with the COVID-19 – Webinar. Watch the recording here.
- Marketing Thoughts – every business is facing a different scenario. Depending on your product, purchase cycle, target audience, you will be making different decisions. Please contact us anytime for specific recommendations. But here are some thoughts:
- Don’t Stop! – you cannot afford to stop marketing altogether, but in some cases pausing some kinds of advertising, at least in the short term, may make sense. But if you can at least keep some brand awareness advertising out there at a minimum it will set you up for when there is a rebound.
- Think in two week increments – we are starting to see that it is impossible to see ahead even a day in some cases. But we are looking at all client’s programs in two week increments – it allows us to plan but also to pivot. Think about what is the best move for the next two weeks?
- Think ahead – are you going to have some new opportunities when social distancing is no longer necessary? Can you prepare some messaging or offers to have them ready? This can also make you see ahead to blue skies (whenever that happens) which is empowering.
- Use Google Local to communicate -Google’s local directory is a great place to keep people up to date if your hours change, etc. Check it out here.