Jock Breitwieser September 5, 2020 
Things You Can Do to Help Your Community During the Pandemic
The coronavirus has wreaked havoc to the lives of millions of people worldwide. The social distancing and lockdown measures implemented by governments have caused economic difficulties and mental health issues to people. As a business, the pandemic is an opportunity for you to make a difference in your community and show you care. Giving back to others during this dire situation can reap significant rewards for your business when things go back to normal. Here are some things you can do to help your community during the crisis:
- Donate funds to volunteer organizations – Millions of people need help during the crisis. Responsible government agencies and organizations need funds to provide relief to the vulnerable. If you have extra funds, you can donate them to hospitals, health centers, and volunteer organizations that provide financial aid, temporary shelters, and food to those in need.
- Take care of your employees – Make sure to support your staff first before others. You can continue to pay their salaries and communicate with them regularly to check on their conditions. If you cannot afford to pay their full wages, you can provide them with an allowance.
- Provide relief to vulnerable families in your community – If you can, reach out to your friends, relatives, and neighbors who need help financially and emotionally. You can assist the elderly and disabled, and those who suffer from depression and anxiety. Giving support to others can also provide you with an emotional boost.
- Contribute without spending cash – You can also offer assistance without spending money. For example, you can donate some of your non-perishable food supplies like canned goods, rice, beans, and pasta to food banks. If you have computers at your office, you can lend them temporarily to others who rely on the Internet for access. You can also donate unused clothing, and hard-to-find necessities like hand sanitizers, rubbing alcohol, paper towels, and toilet paper.
- Donate blood – Due to the pandemic, there is a significant decline in blood donations that resulted in shortages. You can encourage your friends, relatives, and staff to donate their blood to the Red Cross to help those in need.
- Promote self-care – Another way to help is to make sure you stay healthy and avoid risky activities that can make you vulnerable from COVID-19. Follow the public health guidelines like wearing masks and physical distancing in public to prevent you from becoming part of the problem.
- Volunteer to provide mental health support – Mental health issues have increased during the pandemic. You can help by volunteering for organizations like Crisis Text Line to provide help to individuals in crisis.
- Show support to healthcare personnel – With the high number of coronavirus patients they handle every day, medical professionals face a tough battle physically and emotionally. Expressing your gratitude and showing your support can make a big difference in boosting their morale.
How to Promote Your Business on Social Media During and After the Pandemic
As you help others during this public health crisis, don’t forget to manage and prepare your business for the future. The social media platforms are the best place to do it as most people use them to connect with others during the lockdown. Here are some strategies you can use based on your business condition:
- Maintain your communication with customers – The pandemic has caused considerable stress, anxiety, and fear to millions of people, including your customers. By communicating with them regularly, you show you are sensitive to their plight and empathize with them. You are also sending a message that your business is ready to assist them and provide their needs.
- Design a new strategy to promote your products or services and bounce back after the crisis – The business landscape has changed significantly due to the virus. To remain competitive, create a new strategy to promote your business while on isolation and bounce back when the situation improves. You can target companies that are thriving, or launch other products or services that are in-demand.
- Sustain your social media presence by posting new content – Prepare your business for the post-pandemic scenario by focusing on content creation during the lockdown and business closures. Make sure to create relevant content that answers your customers’ pain points during the crisis. It will give you a competitive advantage over your rivals when things go back to normal.
- Adopt your automated marketing campaigns to the pandemic – Update your automated activities, like advertising and email messages to reflect the changes due to COVID-19. You can also use social listening and sentiment tools to keep updated with your customers’ sentiments and design your strategies based on them.
- Maintain your social media marketing budget – Although the pandemic will surely affect your bottom line, it should not affect your social media campaigns. It is the best time to promote your business and bolster your marketing efforts. Boosting your social media activities will enable you to gain market share and become the dominant voice in your industry.
- Follow these steps to manage your social media during COVID–19
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly altered the way businesses conduct their operations and communicate with their customers. As a business owner, you need to adopt a strategy that fits the situation. By maintaining your social media presence during the crisis, you are positioning your brand for success in the new “normal. “
This article also appeared on SocialSellinator’s blog.
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