Free Social Media Marketing Resources Currently Being Offered to Small Businesses

Many social media organizations are providing small businesses with Free Resources that are extremely helpful during these times of social distancing. Often these resources are expensive or did not exist before. Now, is an excellent time for business to utilize these resources to improve and develop marketing efforts.  I will keep the list updated as additional resources become available. Follow my Facebook Page for these updates.

These are challenging times for marketing on social media. But there are opportunities to grow, develop skills and engage with customers to become stronger when this crisis is over. Together we can make these challenges opportunities.

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Social Media Resources Available to Small Business

• Facebook Digital Gift Cards – Facebook is offering a way for businesses to conveniently put gift cards for their business online and promote them through your networks.
• Facebook Grants – Facebook is offering different grants for small businesses, for a business operating at least a year and have between two and 50 employees can apply to receive grants from Facebook’s $100 million funds.
• #givingtuesdaynow - #givingtuesday an event held in December, has created another event for March 5, 2020.  They have provided Nonprofit Businesses Resource to help with promotions.
• https://brandmatch.adroll.com/ - Research a partnership with another business that is like-minded and could create a profitable relationship to help promote your business.
• https://www.gofundme.com/f/smallbusinessrelieffund
• Grant Space offers a comprehensive list of grants offered for Covid-19 Relief
• Hootsuite social media monitoring platform is offering FREE pro services through July 1
• Uber Suggest Keyword Research Tool
• LinkedIn Free learning courses that provide tips on how to stay productive, build relationships when you’re not face-to-face, use virtual meeting tools and balance family and work dynamics in a healthy way. Follow LinkedIn Covid-19 Resource Page
• ​Constant Contact Resources  - Small Business Support Kit, Including daily webinar for email marketing

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How to Market on Social Media During Covid-19

Additionally, there are numerous resources on how to optimize social media during COVID-19. What should you say or not say in social media marketing?  What are some ideas small businesses can accomplish during business closures? There are some themes that I see repeatedly. I have combined these with my findings into four essential tips to keep in mind in your social media marketing.  These tips will help you generate ideas and create focus in your current marketing efforts.
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1. Do not stop communications on social  media: Increase communications that align with the goals and aspirations of your audience.

• Post about the human side of your business.  For example, a weekly “meet the staff” feature or create a short behind the scenes video
• Ask for User Generated Content. Photos and videos of your product in action or something purely for entertainment, customers with more time on their hands could be more likely to engage with you.
• Develop a downloadable guide or provide a resource to help keep kids busy like a downloadable coloring book or activity
• Add a sign-up form to your posts or website Not only does it help you keep folks in the loop about any changes to your hours or product availability, but it’s also a great way to increase your email list for future promotions.
• Provide special discounts and offers to your customers
• Implement a referral rewards program

2. Be sensitive to the new normal in your posts, but do not dwell on the topic. Offer sympathy and empathy from your customer’s viewpoint, not only the views of your business.

• Think about what your customers value during this difficult time, like reducing anxiety, reducing risk, and feeling safe.
• Ask yourself how people can leverage their current situation and come up with ways to apply your knowledge. ​

3. Understand your audience better.  Not only in more normal times but understand their thoughts and challenges during these critical times. Marketing relies on empathy, which in turn relies on understanding an audience. Now is an excellent time to take a step back and re-acquaint yourself with your customers.

• Revisit the demographics of your audience like age, gender, and location, and ask yourself why is this important and what does it mean to your business.
• Research your customer’s thoughts and feelings.  Put yourself in your customer shoes, are they now dealing with working from home? Are they trying to keep kids busy now that schools are closed? Are they trying to stay fit and healthy while in quarantine?
• Are there any new opportunities to share your product in different ways with different people? How might you have to adjust to meet the needs of your customers right now.​​

4. Take more time to listen on Social Media - Join groups and follow influencer's on social media that offer resources for your business.  Be active with the group by engaging with comments and suggestions.  Do not sell your product or service, but do provide evidence that you are an expert in your area and provide value.  How to find groups on Facebook 

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Kellie Emrich, DBA
Professor of Marketing
@thesocialprof

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