With this worldwide lockdown in place, it’s easy to fall into the negative thought patterns of believing you won’t be able to get any new business considering how many individuals have been laid off. But think of how many individuals still have income coming in. And let me take this opportunity to share that a study released by the Kaufman Foundation in 2009 found that over 50% of Fortune 500 companies started either in a very slow market or full blown recession, and guess what, this outbreak definitely counts.

Business, especially in this digital age, is constantly changing, and more than ever during this pandemic. More than ever, it’s important that you level up your efforts if you want to not only survive but (wait for it) actually thrive and really discover the success your brand is truly capable of reaching. More than ever, this is the time to show your customers, why your brand truly matters in their lives. Here are 7 simple ways to get more customers during Coronavirus.

7 WAYS TO GET MORE CUSTOMERS DURING CORONAVIRUS

1. WHAT CHALLENGES ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS FACING TODAY? This should be the first question you ask yourself during this “out of the norm” business challenge we’re facing during the lockdown. Dig deep with this one, and don’t stop after the first answer that pops into your mind. Picture your customer sitting in quarantine, working from home, and trying to adjust to their “new life”.

What do they need? What do they wish they had to make their life simpler, more organized, less chaotic, more comfortable, more luxurious, more relaxing, or allow them to just feel more beautiful (especially under quarantine)?

Whatever your customers’ dream solution would be during this time of isolation, imagine how your product or service could solve that problem for them and then show them.

Not quite sure exactly who your target customer is? Check out How to identify your ideal customer in 4 simple steps [ + CHEAT SHEET]

2. UPDATE YOUR WEBSITE. With everyone around the globe, working from home or on leave isolated in their homes, according to data analysis from retail analytics, online shopping in the U.S. has increased by 52% just in the first few weeks the virus began to spread. Meaning now in lockdown, that percentage of online shoppers has increased even more. So if you’ve been procrastinating on this one, this is the time to update your website and create a stronger shopping experience for your customers online.

This means update your products or services and their descriptions if they already aren’t. Make it easier for your customer to navigate your website and create an engaging experience. Level up the visual design that builds trust in your brand and product and excites your customer. Make your checkout process easier, find a way to make delivery easier, whatever would make the experience of shopping with you more convenient and enjoyable and hassle-free for your customers, is going to make it that much easier for your customers to hit that “buy” button.

3. TAKE NEW HIGH QUALITY PHOTOS OF YOUR PRODUCTS. I already touched on this above, but reshooting your product photography or creating a behind the scenes video of the craftsmanship behind your work can do incredible things for a brand.

A study conducted by Forbes has shown that 50% of online shoppers say “large, high-quality product images are more important than product information, descriptions, or even reviews.” Your customers want to see exactly what they’re getting. And the more detail the better.

4. CONDUCT A SURVEY. This could potentially become the most important information you gather during this time. Find out what your customer’s biggest concerns are. Here are a few questions to start with:

1. What problems are they facing?
2. What do they want or wish they had to make their lives easier right now?
3. What are they shopping for most online?
4. What are they searching for online?
5. What do they care about right now?
6. What’s taking up most of their time?
7. How are they spending their free time at home?

Each of these answers is going to give you a deeper understanding of your customers’ lives. It’s going to tell you if they want more free time to spend with their families, or it could tell you they’re looking for the most comfortable (yet stylish) work from home outfits they can share on social media. But you won’t know until you ask. And those same answers are going to give you exactly what you need to know on how to market your product to your customer.

5. STOP FOCUSING ON THE PRODUCT AND START FOCUSING ON THE BENEFITS. Your customers couldn’t care less about buying a “product”, they’re buying how this product makes them feel. Does it make them feel smarter? Does it give them social status? Does it make their life easier somehow? Does it give them back more time to do the things they love? Does it make them feel good about themselves or give them more confidence? People choose one product over another because of the (unseen) added benefits. Figure out what those “unseen” benefits are and put them right in front of your customer to see and watch the sales rise.

6. CREATE SOMETHING SPECIAL FOR YOUR CUSTOMER. While the world may look like it’s taking a financial hit, many businesses are taking the “lowest price” route to make their sales. The problem with this is, when your only differentiating factor is your low price, it just allows another business with the financial ability to go just a little bit lower than you to steal your customer. That’s why instead of dropping prices (in fear of losing customers) you need to keep your prices where they are and wow them with something special.

Maybe it’s a surprise with each purchase. It could be samples of other products or goodies they weren’t expecting with their delivery and creating a whole unboxing experience they’ll want to share when their package arrives in the mail. It could be a small complimentary added bonus that’s usually a paid add-on. Or it could be a small personalized gift just to say “thank you”.

Whatever you decide, it doesn’t need to be something that breaks the bank, just a small gesture that separates you from the other brands that are “desperate” for sales. If you provide value and added bonuses, they’ll keep coming back for more because they’ll ultimately feel like they’re getting the better (and more fun and exciting) deal.

7. STAY “TOP OF MIND” IN YOUR CUSTOMERS’ LIFE. You’ve heard the phrase “out of sight, out of mind”. Well, if it ever applied anywhere, now is the time. Unless if you’re in the business of selling eggs or milk, or let’s face it … toilet paper, your customers won’t be purchasing from you or using your product on a daily basis. So how do you get them to keep coming back? You provide them with something useful, on a daily or weekly basis.

This is where social media content or weekly newsletters and blog posts come in handy. But this isn’t your chance to start waving around screaming “hey you, buy my products!”. This is your chance to share something that makes them want to share it as well. Think of tips for how to style your product in different ways, or tips on how to clean or maintain the product (especially between purchases if it applies). It could be new ideas or projects your customers would enjoy with all this extra time on their hands that goes hand in hand with the lifestyle your product fits into. For example, if your brand sells athletic wear or gear, create “at home workout” videos to share with your fans that they can do at home (and bonus, use and wear your products during the video to subconsciously remind your fans of your products). Because who doesn’t want to look and feel good when they’re working out?

The goal here is to add value to your customers’ life without shoving a product in their face to buy. Think, “how can I make their life a little better and a little more entertaining without expecting anything in return?”, and when they realize it’s time to buy, you’ll be first to pop into their mind.

[BONUS TIP!]

8. CREATE A POSITIVE DISTRACTION FOR YOUR CUSTOMER. This is your chance to get creative and create something new and fun that your customer would undeniably gravitate towards during these times of isolation. One of my favorite examples of this is on the Ritz Paris official Instagram, even with no one traveling they’ve been delighting their online fans with some of their best recipes from their inhouse chefs with step by step instructions and beautiful images that make your mouth water. They’re staying top of mind with their fans by creating something they can enjoy in the comfort of their home while still enjoying the brand lifestyle they love. And when we are allowed to start traveling again, where do you think they’ll want to stay when they want those dark chocolate marshmallow pastries they tried at home and loved during quarantine?

Here’s a quick recap of just 7 ways to get more customers during Coronavirus:

1. What challenges are your customers facing today?
2. Update your website.
3. Take new high-quality photos of your products.
4. Conduct a survey.
5. Stop focusing on the product and start focusing on the benefits.
6. Create something special for your customer.
7. Stay “top of mind” in your customers’ life.
8. [BONUS TIP] Create a positive distraction for your customer.

These are just a few ideas to get you started and honestly, can and will work well past the Covid-19 lockdown. So let’s get to work and level up your brand today. Because you have the time now. You have no excuse. If not now, then when? Am I right?

And if you want to sit down and discuss any of these ideas deeper to really get the most out of your time and efforts, send me an email at frankie@brandingwithfrankie.com, and we can schedule a complimentary brand analysis to get you back on track to your goals and dreams.

with love,