Getting back to business Post COVID
Someone once said it does not matter what you do, the sun will set today and rise again tomorrow. The only way is forward; as the world turns and we continue to live in this post COVID-19 world, we must adapt to the way things are now and move on. Business must get done for us to pay our bills and provide for those we love.
Ntare Consulting is here to help with jumpstarting your business to pre-pandemic levels or even better. Here are the steps you should take for your business.
1. Let your customers or clients know you are reopening by posting on your social media platforms
If you were not on social media before, please get to tiktoking and instagraming and snapchatting because that is where the eyeballs are today. Posting on social media with more frequency puts your content further up on your followers feeds so stay consistent.
2. Contact past customers or clients
Target your prior customers with discounts and attractions they will be sure to latch onto or tell their friends about. Including shareable gift cards or vouchers will be a bonus. Email or post cards in the mail work best for past clients whose information you already have.
3. Advertise
Your friends and family can only go so far – with todays technology, you can tailor your advertising to only your target market reducing the need for massive expensive advertising costs. With only a few hundred dollars in ad money, well placed, interactive posts on social media can garner a lot of attention to your business.
4. Pass out business cards and flyers
This is a tried-and-true method that can generate business for you especially if the flyer or card contains vital information for a sale or a future event. It is easy to create many flyers cheaply and asking local businesses to put them at the register or a notice board.
5. Reach out to corporate clients
Do not be afraid to throw yourself in the deep end. Your business has weathered the storm and with the experience over the 2020, you can challenge yourself further. Find a way to scale your business and take on clients that need your services or product periodically or even constantly over an extended period of time.
6. Make sure any required licenses or permits are current and renew them if they aren’t
Review your compliance – government entities may have been overwhelmed during this time but as the demand for social services levels off, regulatory bodies will be auditing the business landscape to make sure everything is back to normal levels of consumer protection. Make sure your fees are paid, licenses are renewed and permits are up to date. It will save you a headache.
7. Obtain required permits or licenses if you don’t already have them
Now is the time to apply for those additional licenses or permits you need to grow your business. While things may be slower, you will be able to find time to pivot your processes as more business comes your way.
8. Review current contracts and research new ones
Most businesses have closed, are desperate for clients or will accept lower payments than pre-COVID times. It is in your best interest to find the best deals for your business too – look for sales, new signing offers and discounts. Always shop around before committing to a long contract.
9. Prepare and submit a bid on contract
Contracts on bids provide a defined profit-making process that can yield good business by building a reputation for solid work with government organs or nonprofits that contract services and deliverables.
10. Check your inventory
As previously mentioned, everyone is looking for a sale or a discount; the inventory you have may be a gold mine or at least a source of untapped income. Put it out there for a discount or clearance to your loyal customers and see what that can bring to the bottom line.