I don’t have to tell you that this is a time of certainty and uncertainty, of finding out what we can and can’t control.
It’s also a great opportunity to be an active observer, to pay attention to how things are changing and unfolding, and to strategize how your skills and abilities can play their part in life as it is becoming.
Here’s what we know:
- We have businesses that were needed before this situation
- They will be needed after, possibly in different capacities
- To be successful in the “new frontier” you will have to be flexible and adjust how you serve your present and potential market
I want to share some ideas on how to prepare for the new normal.
First, think about what you are living without right now. Maybe you or the company you work for is seeing some great benefit in working remotely. Not only does it provide flexibility, but you can work hours other than 9 to 5. Some people are more productive at 7 AM, others may prefer 7 PM. Take advantage of your most productive hours.
Revisit your verbal identity. Have things changed since you first wrote your elevator pitch? Once we get these statements down and memorized, it’s easy to become complacent. Your target market may have shifted a bit, or your niche may have narrowed. Make sure your language represents those changes.
Keep networking. Whether it’s following up on connections you made in the past month or hopping onto one of many Zoom networking opportunities. Bonus: if you normally don’t love physical, face to face networking, being on Zoom is a way to get comfortable with it.
Work on honing your unique voice. It’s easy in the beginning of a business to see how those we hope to emulate describe who they are or what they do. We get distracted by marketing trends and what the majority is doing to get ahead. But if you do what everyone else does, you will stay in the pack. If you want to stand out, you have to craft a unique presence through your communications.
And of course, help others – clients, colleagues, and competitors as much as you can. Almost everyone is either trying new things hoping they will be successful or freezing because they are not sure how to market themselves or even if they should at this time.
Here are some things you can do to be a “Business First Responder”:
- Offer help to those who need it.
- Be gracious with your skills and talents.
- Give actionable advice in your specialty.
- Connect people who need each other’s services right now.
If nothing else, stay visible. You may not get new clients right now, but when people are ready to do business again, your name and face will be comfortable and familiar.
Need help refreshing your copy to adapt to the changing needs of your clients? Let’s Chat!
Photo by Jason Abdilla on Unsplash