6 Tips for Social Media Marketing During COVID-19 and Stay at Home

The onset of COVID-19 and the Stay at Home rules have forced brands to quickly change the way in which they connect with customers through social media. You want your business to thrive and you need to adapt to the needs of your customers to do this. People are turning to social media for entertainment and support now more than ever, so it is important for you to know how to continue to grow your brand in the right way.

The Importance of Social Media at This Time

In times like these, social media brings about a sense of community across the world. Social media gives people something to do, helps them to connect with others, and provides them with up-to-date information on what is happening around the world, right from the comfort and safety of their own homes.

Now is the time to use your influence to share hope, to entertain, and create a strong community around your brand. Here are 6 tips on how you can most effectively use Social Media Marketing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

1. Stay Positive

The most important thing is to stay positive on your social media posts, even when times are hard or scary. The mainstream media makes money on fear, and these uncertain circumstances are scary, so ensure your social media profiles and community is a place of light.

2. Share Helpful Information

It is also good to share helpful messages related to COVID-19 that will help and encourage your customers to stay safe during the pandemic, especially if you have brick and mortar stores or provide an in-person service. Use your social media accounts to reiterate messages put out by health organizations and the government in regard to social distancing and Stay at Home to show that you prioritize the health and safety of your customers above all else, provided they’re relevant to your business.

3. Give People Something to Do

Your social media platforms are perfect for creating new activities for your customers and followers from the safety of their own homes. They act as both a source of entertainment and encouragement for your followers to come together as a community.

You could provide a free online service that will give consumers something worthwhile to do with their extra time, or post daily ideas of activities that people can do, whether they live alone, as a larger household, or with children. This will give your followers something to look forward to and will have them coming back to your account pages every single day, boosting your reputation as a trusted brand.

Creating a challenge with an associated hashtag that is centered around being at home is another great way to engage your followers and bring in new consumers, not to mention promote your products or service while you’re at it.

4. Connect with Consumers Directly

This one might seem pretty obvious, but one of the best things you can do right now is to connect with your consumers in a more personal way. Regular live streams on platforms like Facebook and Instagram are the perfect way to do this. They allow your followers to have their questions answered in real time and gives them the opportunity to feel more connected to you as a brand. They will actually be able to see the face (or faces) behind the logo. 

Make sure to reply to messages and comments as much as possible, and don’t involve yourself in the negative comments. Encourage positive conversations in your community and ask questions that will help get people talking amongst themselves.

5. Let Them Peek Behind the Curtain

Don’t hesitate to show behind the scenes photos and videos of how your business is running during COVID-19, showing your customers exactly how your team is working during the pandemic and how you are supporting both your employees and your customers. This is especially important if you supply essentials like food or if you’re shipping products out to your customers.

6. Know Your Audience

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This matters in relation to what you sell and to whom you’re selling it. For example, most larger clothing brands know their followers well and have continued to post the same kinds of content throughout the pandemic as they did previously because they know their audience still wants to shop online. Conversely, brands that are focused on anything related to mental or physical health have altered their material a bit on social media to reflect peoples’ sensitive natures at this time. Being aware of your industry and how your content will be viewed is important, particularly while we’re still facing a global health crisis.

While the pandemic has been a scary time for everyone and marketing has had to change significantly for some, this event offers us new opportunities to develop sincere and lasting relationships with our communities via social platforms.