Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list

March 30, 2020
The Do’s and Don’ts of Marketing During COVID-19

The Do’s and Don’ts of Marketing During COVID-19


If you’re marketing team is “business as usual” right now, it’s time to assess your marketing approach so you do not alienate your brand. When the world is changing around you, your marketing approach has to bend so your brand doesn’t break in times of crisis. This IS a time to entertain consumers, give them hope, and let them know how your brand is helping the situation. This is NOT the time to ask consumers to spend more money, encourage them to take part in activities that go against the CDC, or create extra panic. Here are some do’s and don’ts of marketing during COVID-19:

When it comes to email…

Do: Keep up communication

We are all searching for human connection and entertainment right now, leaving an opportunity for your brand to answer the call. Many of us are flocking to our email inboxes more than ever at the moment, whether we are fortunate enough to still be able to shop online and are looking for deals or just trying to find entertainment while we’re stuck inside. Now isn’t the time to go dark on your customers. Send out newsletters with engaging content, recipes, DIY projects, and heart-warming human-interest stories to help keep your audience positive and occupied and your brand top-of-mind when the dust settles.

Don’t: Ignore your automated emails

If you have automated drip email campaigns set up, check to make sure they are still sending the right message to consumers considering the times. Automation is the most used marketing technique. And with good reason- it's effective! But there is no marketing tactic that is effective when you set it & forget it, especially during a national crisis. Comb your emails to make sure you aren’t marketing anything that violates orders from the CDC. Be sensitive to the fact that unemployment is climbing and be more careful about blanketed sales messages. For example, a retailer sending out a 20% off coupon with a message of “here is something to brighten your day” is better than that same retailer sending an email that sends the message “new spring sweaters, stock up before they’re gone." Some people still want to shop from home, but not everyone has the means, so make sure you are being sensitive to that.

When it comes to blogging…

Do: Consider the current situation

If your brand has something constructive to blog about in regards to COVID-19, consider sharing this with your audience, as most likely they will appreciate it. For example, we created a blog post last week on tips for managing a remote team. This blog was a way we could give back during a trying time for many. We have years of experience in remote work and wanted to help others during this time of need.  But remember, people are content-hungry right now and you don’t have to stop blogging just because you don’t have anything to say/ teach about the current situation. Keep producing content! But just like with your emails, be sensitive regarding the messages in your blog content and don’t forget what everyone is going through.

Don’t: Scare people or stress them out more, people’s emotions are activated!

We are likely all stressed over the current situation and are inundated with information about the COVID-19 spread. Don’t write doom and gloom content, no one needs that right now. You can be sensitive to the times without adding more fear and panic for your readers. If your brand has something constructive to say that educates or entertains your followers in a positive way, go for it! If you’re putting COVID-19 blog content out there because you feel like you have to address it, remember no one is forgetting what is currently happening and you should air on the side of providing a welcomed break from the anxiety.

When it comes to social media…

Do: Give them something to do

Social media users are sure to be experiencing increased screen time while confined to their homes! Social media can be a welcome distraction and source of entertainment right now. In fact, 45% of global consumers are spending more time on social media during the spread of COVID-19. As users flock to all social media channels, your brand can give them something to look at, and they will probably digest more than they normally would because there aren’t as many outside distractions.

Don’t: Take advantage

Don’t be opportunistic. Balance your give verses take messaging and give more than you ask of your audience. Giving will build trust and a relationship, while only asking your customer to give to you, will lead them to ignore your messaging.  Trade out some of those sales messages for positive quotes, ways in which your brand is supporting COVID-19 relief efforts, or even a bit of tasteful humor. Use this as a chance to position your brand as an authority within your space and post educational content related to what you do.

In General…

The virus is front-and-center in most people’s minds right now. So, brands have to strike a delicate balance between acknowledging the existence of heightened anxiety in many of their consumers and avoiding creating more distress. If you are a travel destination, send a message to potential customers that if they book now, they will be refunded if the situation doesn’t improve prior to their trip. If you’re a restaurant, market deals on take out or delivery and send out fun recipes families can make at home.

This is a confusing time and makes marketing for brands far from streamlined. We get it. 10 Pound Gorilla is here to help with your marketing strategy, contact us today for guidance. We’re all in this together!

Read our next post...

Events DNN Summit 2021 Follow-Up

Marketing Creating Video Content on a Budget

Web Dev Maximize Your Website’s ROI with Affordable Usability Testing

Marketing Less is More: Optimize Your Website Content

Marketing More UX Myths...Debunked

Marketing The Do’s and Don’ts of Marketing During COVID-19

Marketing Are You Prepared to Run an Effective Remote Team?

Marketing We Are Business As Usual… And Here to Help

Marketing Make the Most of Your Digital Marketing Budget

Marketing 4 Digital New Year’s Resolutions That Will Make Your Business More Money

Web Dev Are You Making These 6 Website Mistakes? Consider an Audit

Events Behind-the-Scenes on our New Brand Video

Marketing How to Create Facebook Posts That Command Attention

Marketing 10 Common UX Myths

Marketing 6 Reasons Your Business Needs a Blog

Events ADA Website Compliance Webinar

Web Dev With 2285 lawsuits in 2018, is your website ADA compliant?

Modules Increase E-commerce Sales with Nosto’s Content Personalization

Marketing Smarter Email with SharpSpring

Web Dev 10 Pound Gorilla Named as a Top Developer in Denver!

DNN Hangout with the Gorilla Girl

Events DNN Summit 2019 Follow-Up

Events Heli-Expo 2019

DNN, Events DNN Summit 2019

Marketing Business Tips for the New Year

Web Dev 10 Pound Gorilla Recognized as Top Web Design Firm in US for 2018

DNN, Web Dev Exciting News for 10 Pound Gorilla

Marketing What Has 10 Pound Gorilla Been Up To & Why It Can Help You Grow

DNN We’ve Made Friends Far and Away

DNN, Marketing, Web Dev 2018 DNN Summit Sessions

Marketing Influencers Influence, Followers Follow

We Secured $25,000 in Grants for Our Client – We Can Help You Too!

Marketing 5 “Must Do” Items to Enhance Your Marketing

Marketing Retargeting: Never Lose Sight Of Your Website Visitor

Web Dev Quality Websites Need Quality Typography

Marketing Web Development Meets Web Analytics: The Knowledge Gap

Web Dev Responsive Design: It's More Than Just Design

Marketing Economic Summit 2017

Marketing Mary Meeker's Global Internet Trends

Marketing, Web Dev A/B Testing: Getting the Most out of Your Site

Marketing, Web Dev Upping the Ante: Interactive Content

Marketing, Web Dev Google’s SEO Best Practices: A Starter Guide

Marketing Creating Timeless Content to Boost SEO

Marketing, Web Dev 2017 Research Recognizes 10 Pound Gorilla as a Leader in SEO

Marketing, Web Dev Designing an Elegant Website using Whitespace

Marketing, Web Dev Test Your Website’s Success Using Heat Maps

Marketing Start Fresh, & Advertise with Facebook!

DNN, Marketing, Web Dev 2017 DNN Summit Sessions

Marketing, Web Dev Web Design: The Past, The Present, & The Future

Marketing, Web Dev Intrusive Pop-Ups to be Penalized by Google

Marketing The New Wave of Advertising: Native Ads

DNN, Web Dev Proud Sponsor of DNN Summit 2017

Marketing Moving to Mobile

Marketing, Video Power of Video

DNN If you’re a DNN user, your site could be vulnerable to hackers

Marketing, Video The Art of Retargeting: How it works and Why You Should Retarget

DNN, Marketing, Web Dev 10 Pound Gorilla Named Top Ten Denver Web Development and Digital Marketing Agency by Clutch.co

Marketing 10 Tips to Design Your Website for Lead Generation

DNN, Marketing, Modules, Web Dev DNNCON: Thank You!

Marketing 10 Ways to Incorporate Direct Response Marketing with Print Media

DNN, Marketing, Web Dev 10 Pound Gorilla... One of Denver's Top 10 Digital Marketing Agencies

Marketing How to Turn Social Media Fans Into New Customers

Marketing Your Facebook Likes No Longer Matter!

Web Dev Is Google Going to Penalize Non-Mobile-Friendly Websites?

DNN DNNCON: Thank You!

DNN, Modules, Web Dev From Ordinary To Extraordinary

DNN, Marketing, Modules How to Sell, Quote or Budget for a DNN E-commerce Website

Web Dev Getting Users to "Respond" to Your Mobile Menu Designs

DNN, Web Dev DNNCON: Editor.css

Marketing Getting The Conversion

Marketing Tips for Writing Effective Newsletters

Marketing Why Should You Have a Newsletter?

Marketing Writing Copy That Will Actually Be Read

DNN Editor.css: Giving You & Your Clients Less Headaches

DNN, Web Dev Connall Cosmetic Surgery: Case Study

Web Dev Making the Case for a Responsive Site

DNN, Modules, Web Dev March Module Madness: Dynamic Forms

DNN, Modules, Web Dev March Module Madness: Ventrian News Articles

DNN, Modules, Web Dev March Module Madness: Form & List

Marketing 5 Tips to Online Marketing

Marketing How the Name "10 Pound Gorilla" Came to Be

Marketing Creative Online Marketing: Groupon & Living Social

Marketing Promoting Your Business With Instagram

Marketing Using Your Blog to Boost SEO

Marketing Surprising Social Media Facts & What You Should Do

DNN, Web Dev DNN Con 2013: Mobile Navigation

DNN, Web Dev DNN Con 2013: Determining What Makes the Mobile Cut

DNN, Modules, Web Dev DNN Con 2013: DDR And JQuery. More Than Just Hover And Drop Down.

Web Dev A Mobile-First Approach to the Web

DNN Southern Fried DNN: Best of both worlds: Great Design and Flexibility

DNN Southern Fried DNN: Different skin designs from just one skin file

Web Dev The Future of the Web: HTML5

DNN Dot Net Nuke World 2012 Speakers & Sponsors

Marketing Google Places is now Google+ Local

DNN, Marketing Day of DNN - Using DNN to Feed Data to Several Social Portals

DNN, Marketing Day of DNN - Easy to Use Strategies for Writing & Submitting Articles to Increase Inbound Links

DNN, Marketing Day of DNN - How to Optimize Your Socialization

DNN Guest Speakers at Day of DNN!

Marketing Enticing Your Followers with Fresh Content: A How To Guide

DNN, Web Dev What Can Website Templates Do For You?

Marketing Getting Up in the Ranks Through SEO

DNN, Modules Best DNN Shopping Cart

Marketing Enter into the "Timeline"

Marketing Making Your Facebook Business Page Secure

Marketing Get Your Tweet-Face On

DNN, Marketing Google Analytics and DNN

Marketing What is Social Media and What Can It Do for You

DNN Advantages of DotNetNuke

Web Dev 8 Ways to Increase Website Speed

Marketing Beyond Facebook and Twitter, Get "In" with Social Media

Web Dev 8 Great Website Development Tools

Web Dev Your Website & Internet Explorer

Marketing What is Google +1

Web Dev What is "The Cloud"?

Our Story
What makes us different?
+

Succeed

Contact 10 Pound Gorilla Today
for Your Free Consultation