The COVID-19 pandemic is impacting people all over the world, forcing people of all ages to stay home until this global pandemic subsides. As people are forced to stay home, businesses are losing clients and sales because people can not come to them [the businesses]. All kinds of businesses are being impacted by the COVID-19 virus, but perhaps the businesses that are being impacted the most are small businesses.
Small businesses are taking a big hit from the COVID-19 pandemic. Since small businesses depend on constant customer purchases and sales, small businesses are finding themselves unsure of what the future holds. A Philadelphia appeals attorney pointed out that small businesses all over the world are being forced to lay off employees and close down with an indefinite reopen date. This sad reality is hurting small business owners immensely. However, in order to avoid closing down their businesses, it is worth small business owners looking into some ways to maintain their business while in quarantine.
Keeping Your Small Business Afloat During the COVID-19 Pandemic
If you are a small business owner that is unsure of what to do with your business while in quarantine, here are some tips to help you stay afloat and avoid an indefinite closure.
Stay Connected
This is a simple and easy way for business owners to maintain their business while in quarantine. Staying connected can mean a number of things, depending on the kind of business that you own. However, two outstanding ways to stay connected are to schedule weekly video conferences and to update your social media and website as much as possible.
Weekly video conferences will allow you to talk to clients face to face and to see where their head is at in regards to their business with you. Your clients are less likely to pull out of deals knowing that you, as a business owner, are staying on top of maintaining your business during this global crisis. These kinds of calls are especially beneficial for small businesses that are white collar.
Updating your website and social media accounts will also show customers that you are still focusing on your business and doing what you can to stay afloat. For example, if you own a small clothing store, update your social media showing new products you got in; not only will this help you stay connected to your customers, but it will entice them to support your business. Or, if you own a small restaurant, offer specials online to entice people to order from you.
Pay Attention to Spending
This is a seemingly obvious way to stay afloat while in quarantine, but it’s worth pointing out as many business owners may not know exactly how to do this. Pay attention to what you are spending money on during the global pandemic; cut out unnecessary spending and spending that can wait. For example, if you are spending money to advertise your business, consider cutting back on that for the next few months in order to save money. Or, if you own a restaurant, and are losing some business since there are no eat-ins, think about changing your weekly order to get only what you need, nothing extra.
It’s always important to pay attention to spending, however with the future of your business being uncertain, it’s crucial that you prioritize your spending and get rid of things that are not going to immediately make your business better.
Reach Out to Clients
This is an outstanding way to maintain your business and your clients while in quarantine. Reaching out to your clients to see how they are doing during the COVID-19 pandemic will show clients that you care about them on a personal level as well as a professional level. Reaching out to clients is easy, you can send them a quick email or text message, making sure that they are okay and are handling the quarantine well. Clients will appreciate this and will remember this small act of kindness as they are thinking about where to take their business.
Reaching out to clients will benefit you now, and will benefit you even more after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided.
Small Efforts Make a Big Difference
Maintaining your small business is going to be challenging during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, however, the more you do now, the more likely you will be able to prevent a business closure. Consider these small efforts as you do all that you can to make sure that your small business continues to thrive during these trying times.
About the Author
Veronica Baxter is a legal assistant and blogger living and working in the great city of Philadelphia. She frequently works with Todd Mosser, Esq., a busy Philadelphia appeals attorney.
