Here we go again

As I write this, Queensland has just entered an 8-day lockdown, and quite possibly it will be extended even further. We all know why we are doing this - the health and safety of our community is of course of great concern, however, the impact on small business is arguably equally as concerning.

Our hearts go out to everyone out there doing it tough at the time.

I don’t know how to best support you guys, though I really want to. Please let us know on our recent social posts or by getting in touch.

I figured in the meantime that the best thing I could do is to write some helpful ways to get through this.

Here are some things you can do now to help keep the cash flow coming through, and set yourself up for the longer term. Not all of them will be right for your business. You should think about what you need at this point and what is right for your brand. We are here to help you navigate this so please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

BE REAL

Use your socials to keep people up to date with opening hours and changes to your business. When things change, make it public. Be empathetic, and authentic. If this is challenging for your business, don’t feel as though you need to put on a brave face. Appeal for support. You are not in this alone. your loyal customers will be there to help you through.

SPECIAL OFFERS

We have seen a sharp increase in the number of businesses going on sale or offering special deals since the lockdown was announced. The strategy is pretty clear - just keep people buying to keep the cash flow coming through.

Whether it’s a 20% off, buy one get one free, or some kind of limited time only lockdown discount, giving people a reason to purchase from you over a competitor just might make a big difference on your bottom line.

As an alternative, you could start a giveback program like we have done for our client Kelsey Collective. Done well, this can be equally as effective.

CLEAR OUT OLD STOCK

We have seen great results from clearing out old stock. One example is a local Patisery specialising in cakes for events who had to cancel all of their orders overnight. They put it up on socials and the response was incredible. Loads of people from the general public came buy their delicious sweets takeaway.

EARLY BIRD SPECIALS

Another way to create some cash flows is to encourage people to book / pay in advance, and in return receive a discount on services. We offer this for a couple of our beauty clients and it helps to keep the appointments coming through 3 months ahead.

FACEBOOK GROUPS

A whole range of Facebook groups exist to champion small businesses at this time. Depending on your industry and location, you could look at communities like:

  • Support Brisbane Restaurant and Cafes

  • Local Brisbane Businesses

  • Restaurant Food Delivery, Dine-In, Takeaway - Sunshine Coast

  • Thriving Through Covid19

  • Like-Minded Bitches Drinking Wine

START A COMPETITION

While the idea of giving things away at a time like this might feel counterintuitive, it actually make sense. People are spending more time on their phones right now and so they are far more likely to get involved with competitions and giveaways. So, the results you will see are amplified.

Whatever your goals - whether it’s to increase your following or your database - it’s an excellent strategy to gain some ‘wins’ of your own which will set your business up for the longer term.

ECOMMERCE

You’ve probably already have a website set up, and hopefully it offers a way for your customers to buy your products or services online. Now is a great time to finetune it.

Review your website layout and consider whether there is any way that you can make it simpler for people to purchase. Minimise the steps involved, strengthen your messaging, give more value, address any questions, and offer more payment options. Ecommerce is the future, so now is the time to up your game.

We can get through this if we stick together. Please, don’t hesitate to be in touch if you’re struggling and are not sure where to start. We’re here for you.

Oh, and F**K Covid.

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