Small businesses, particularly kitchen and bathroom businesses who rely on face-to-face contact and being able to work onsite are set to be particularly challenged during this time of uncertainty. So, what can small businesses do to ensure they are front of mind when life goes back to “normal”?
Here are our top 4 tips to get the ball rolling straight away.
Small Business Marketing Tip #1: Communication is key
It’s essential we keep the lines of communication open – that means maintaining and updating communication with clients whose jobs have commenced, looking for ways to continue conversations with clients who have made contact but have not yet committed, and starting conversations with potential clients.
Where possible, look for online meeting options to replace face-to-face chats. There are a range of great, free online resources such as Zoom and Skype and all have screen share options so you can share your screen with your clients to communicate design ideas, walk them through a design concept or start the design process with a wish list.
Why not take your client online shopping rather than meeting them at a showroom? Most major appliance, fittings and fixtures retailers have a website so you can share your screen and take a “walk through” the retailer’s website to look for ideas.
Small Business Marketing Tip #2: Reassurance
Although you may feel it’s obvious, your clients may need some reassurance around the steps you are taking within your business to keep yourself, your staff and your clients healthy. It may be worth drafting a statement to all current and potential clients that acknowledges the current situation and details what measures your business has put into place – for example, asking unwell staff to stay at home, an undertaking that no unwell staff will be sent on site, sanitisation measures implemented both within the workplace and while on site.
Small Business Marketing Tip #3: Utilise platforms
Maximise the effectiveness of your current platforms – social media is a great platform on which to start a conversation, for example. You could start sharing project ideas and encourage your followers to begin an online scrapbook of their favourites.
Your email database is also a great resource – think about sharing helpful information with some hints and tips on how to survive or manage a renovation, things they should consider before starting a renovation, some positive before and after stories. These all maintain a positive attitude towards the future which can pay off as things return to “normal”.
Share resources on your website – if you have useful pages on your website share them widely via your social channels and your email database.
Small Business Marketing Tip #4: Upskill or add Training
How often do we hear from small businesses that they are too time-poor to take on extra training? Here’s a chance to utilise any potential down-time in the most useful way possible – adding to your skill set. Look into short courses such as the ones provided by Designer Training Australia – there are plenty of online options. Hit up YouTube for a variety of online how-to and ideas videos. Take time to play with the latest CAD or 3D modelling programs to test out new features. Use this time to upskill your staff or take them through your latest product or service offering.
We know these next few months will be a very challenging time in our industry but there are some ways in which we can take some positive steps to give your business a bit of a buffer. If you try out any of these methods we’d love to know how you go!
