Ten things business owners can do in lockdown

These are certainly challenging times where we find ourselves in completely different circumstances to what we are used to. Working from home and communicating virtually with suppliers, staff and of course family, may have left you with a lot more time on your hands. 

But the meaning of the word ‘challenging’ is to test one’s own abilities. While some days you may want to sit in a corner and cry, why not test what you are able to do now you have time? Or, if you’ve always had the ability and never the time, it makes perfect sense to give those ‘someday’ projects a go.  

For those struggling with their own ideas, here are ten things business owners can do in lockdown.

1. Make a 90-day plan

It’s good to make 90-day plans as part of your business routine – the one you make today could even take you out of lockdown. 

Stephen Covey tells us to ‘begin with the end in mind.’ If you think about what you want to have achieved with the extra time you have, then you will have a clearer direction of what to plan and why. You might even want to incorporate some of the following activities!

2. Cleanse your database

Your database is your most important business asset and should be cleansed regularly. Most of the time we don’t have time for it, so now is a great time. You could start by just going through your database and looking at the contacts. See who is still active or perhaps no longer valid. 

Cleansing your database will also remind you about contacts you haven’t spoken to in a while. Perhaps it will give you a reason to reach out to those people. Reigniting or maintaining professional relationships is important, particularly during this time when communication is key.

For more detailed information on how to make the most of your database, have a look at my post on Customer Database Marketing. 

3. Ask your customers what they need

Speak to your customers:  ring them, arrange a conference call or send them a video message. Ask them what they need right now. How can you help them? They might not need what you normally offer, but there may be other areas in which you can assist. 

Don’t be afraid to sell. If you offer something of value to your customers, make sure they know they can buy it from you. Ask them what they want, and if at all possible, give it to them. You never know, you might end up with a whole range of new products or services.

4. Create a nurture campaign

It’s important to stay in touch with prospects. A nurture campaign is a great way to do this subtly and regularly, maybe with a monthly email. 

Use this time to create an evergreen nurture campaign. Perhaps start by writing twelve emails with all the relevant and interesting things you can share with both customers and prospects. These can then be put into an email campaign platform such as MailChimp, ready to send when you wish. 

Writing them now will save you time when things return to ‘normal’. What a relief to know it’s already written, when, in a few months’ time, you have back-to-back meetings lined up and a list of calls to return!

5. Update your LinkedIn profile

Everyone is on LinkedIn at the moment. In fact, people who never had a LinkedIn account have most likely created one since we have been in lockdown. And you may have been on LinkedIn for years but never really done anything with it. 

So make sure your profile is up to date. Have a professional photo of yourself. Create a cover image with the results you get your clients. Write a summary that tells your prospects what you do for them and how they can work with you. 

If you are not sure what you need to write, then Google can help, but ensure you have the basics of a current profile picture and cover photo. Then you can create a campaign to help drive sales, lead generation or create brand awareness. For help creating a campaign, LinkedIn has a series of tips and best practices that will help you get started.

6. Update your website

This is a great time to update links and refresh photos, offers and products on your website. Once you start, you might even want to review your copy too! 

Remember to tell people about the different ways they can work with you, even in a lockdown, and update any working hours if they’ve changed. 

7. Create digital products

No matter what your business, there is always a digital product you can create. People are consuming a lot of digital content right now, so make sure you have something on offer. 

How-to guides, infographics with testimonials or reviews, live videos, live chats, case studies, guest, posts, Q&As, research and data, digital events, competitions, free tools or resources, everything you put out there will add value. 

While our country has never faced anything like this before, it wasn’t that long ago that the Beast from the East wreaked havoc for businesses. Therefore, having a stack of digital products up your sleeve will always be useful as a backup, especially if you fear that a lack of productivity or visibility will affect your business. 

8. Get reviews and testimonials

In one of my previous posts I explained all about the power of testimonials. They are fantastic for your business, but not always easy to get. But, everyone is feeling very altruistic at the moment and people are wanting to help and support each other. So now is a great time to ask for a review. 

The easiest way to get one is to call your client and tell them you’d like to get some more testimonials. Then ask them what they thought of your service, and write down what they say (using their words). Tighten it up so it also says what you want it to say. Then email it back to them and ask them if they’re happy with it, or if they want to change anything. 

Most importantly: give them the links to the sites you want them to use. Google, LinkedIn, Facebook, Trustpilot, etc. That way they only have to copy and paste and you’re more likely to get the testimonials published. 

And don’t forget to add them to your website!

9. Write a blog

If you’re not yet writing regular blogs, then now is the perfect opportunity. Blogs are great for boosting Search Engine Optimisation and helping to place you as an industry leader (if the content you provide is valuable).

It also creates an opportunity for clients and customers to share your content and therefore enhance brand awareness, along with connecting people to your product or service.

10. Create content

As well as blogs, what other content can you produce? Guest blogs? Newsletters? Guides? Lead Magnets? Perhaps there’s a book burning inside you that you simply never get around to? Or a video course?

Whatever you create now will help when your busy schedule ensues. Create it now, while you are staying indoors, staying safe and protecting the NHS. You will reap the rewards later.