The pandemic, has forced businesses to navigate marketing differently and how we interact as marketers. Yes, this has caused some panic for businesses; the majority of their marketing strategy had to transition to online. However, it has allowed for them to be more innovative and creative with the way they market their brand.
Theses trends are going to transcend for years to come, as most people spend their time on social media. Social media and online marketing will be crucial for any business as the years go by.
Conference cancellations
Social distancing requirements and capacity restrictions forced conferences and trade shows to be cancelled left and right! Businesses have transitioned into using webinar technology, a presentation, lecture, workshop or seminar that is transmitted over the web using video conferencing software. A major feature of a webinar is its interactive elements and the ability for a presenter to give, receive and discuss information in real time.
Facebook and LinkedIn have also been utilized to engage whom would be attendees of such events.
Inability to offer services
With unknowing how long the pandemic would last, businesses had to accommodate their services to be able to function within a world that transitioned online. Their new service distribution required them to look at new marketing strategies.
Many restaurants appealed to their customers with curbside pickup along with new contactless delivery options with companies such as DoorDash and Instacart.
Healthcare companies directed their focus onto commercials that demonstrated their TeleMed services. TeleMed is a virtual video meeting with a healthcare professional in place of an in person doctor’s appointment. These companies needed to market these new services to their patients in order to create open communication.
Most of retail stores had to transition online if they did not already have a website customers had to visit. They advertised promotions that may have included free shipping or discounts.
With the convenience of these services transitioning remotely or contactless, its a trend that isn’t going to faze out.
Unable to show off real estate
The housing market has made its way more onto social media, making it easier for future home buyers to find and view homes. With agencies and homeowners unable to welcome people in their homes for showings, they had to create different ways to market their property and still be able to sell. Some have moved towards virtual tours, investing in better photographs of the home, including drone shots and walk through videos.
Real estate agents and developers are meeting with potential homebuyers via Zoom or Google Meet to connect. Moving forward, as we are reaching the tail end of the pandemic, connecting online and with virtual tours, will potentially make it easier and more effective for those moving further away or across state lines.
We do not foresee these services disappearing due to their convenience and their ability to streamline many things at once.
Inability to meet in person
People are realizing is that meeting online cuts down a lot of time. Zoom and Google Meet were most utilized for businesses and their customers/clients to stay in touch with one another. Meeting online allows companies to continuously have a productive work flow while at home.
Specifically Google, had included more commercials in their marketing strategy to advertise their virtual services.
Bottom line is that the pandemic forced new waves of interpersonal communications within agencies and that’s made us innovate new processes. These new strategies will enable us to think of innovative solutions and find new ways to keep the wheels turning.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to the Rhinos!
