COVID19 Small Business No/Low Cost
Recovery Marketing Tips
“Get Back On Your Feet” Marketing Strategies
The following is a list of six no cost or low cost marketing recommendations designed to help small businesses and non-profits in Northeast Florida make a comeback from the coronavirus business shutdown.
1) Short Term Strategic Plan:Before acting or reacting to marketing ideas, map out a short term strategy to address the following areas - a) your immediate marketing goals or objectives; b) identify your audience or personas (specifically your primary audience); c) determine a short term budget; d) identify marketing tasks to achieve your goals; and e) monitor coverage and results.
Cost = No costs (your time and your staff’s time)
2) Immediate Communication To Existing Customers, Prospects, Suppliers/Vendors and Business Associates:As soon as possible let these key markets know you are open for business and provide any updated information on your products or services.
- Email Campaign:
Cost = No costs (your time and your staff’s time)
- Email Newsletter (Should also be used for long term communications, with a service such as Constant Contact):
Cost = Low costs
- Postcard Mailer (Depending on quantity, consider sending a hand written postcard):
Cost = Low to moderate costs
3) Website Updates:Consider a variety of tasks that can help your situation now and for the future -
- Search Engine Optimization (SEO): To update your site’s search efficiency
Cost = Low to moderate costs (depending on your web developer)
- Website Home Page Or Landing Page: To announce your current business situation
Cost = Moderate to high costs (depending on web developer)
- Website Blog: To inform your market of your business status and activities
Cost = No costs (your time)
4) Social Marketing:There are plenty of no cost opportunities to reach your markets online.
- Online Reviews: Google has suspended reviews during COVID19, but encourage customers to prepare reviews for posting once Google allows.
Cost = No costs
- Linkedin Posts: For business-to-business communications
Cost = No costs
- Facebook Posts: For business-to-consumer communications
Cost = No costs
- Pay Per Click Ads: On Google
Cost = Moderate to high costs
- Virtual Open House: This is an opportunity to talk directly to your market and display products or service personnel through an online service such as Zoom or GoToMeeting.
Cost = Low costs
5) Public Relations:There are many tasks to consider in the public relations category. The following is one of the quickest and lowest cost.
- News Releases: To local print and broadcast media and online through online distribution networks
Cost = No to high costs (depending on the online distribution network used)
6) Local Traditional Advertising:Here are some preferred low cost options in the local media.
- Comcast (now EFFECTV) Advertising: The key is to use zoned and streaming advertising.
Air Time Cost = Low costs
TV Production = Moderate to high costs
- Neighborhood Newspapers: They will produce print ads for you.
Space cost = Low to moderate costs
- JaxDailyNews: Geared more for business-to-business.
Print space cost = Low to moderate costs
Online ads = Low to moderate costs
Each business is different and what will work for some businesses won’t work for others. Les Loggins Marketing is available to customized a marketing strategy and to implement a plan for any type of business, also at a low cost fee. Call Les Loggins at 699-6578; glloggins@gmail.
