Unique Digital Marketing Ideas for Small Business Owners During Challenging Times

With widespread cancellations and closures in place until further notice, these are uncertain times for everyone. While it might be tempting to tighten the reins on your marketing budget amid concerns about an impending recession, halting spending now could have an even more crippling impact on your future opportunities. Instead, marketers should call upon trusted partners to determine how to pivot their marketing strategy to ensure they stay top of mind for consumers, whether they are moving up their buying timeline or pushing it back.

You’re likely looking for ways to survive the wave that has Americans shifting their budgets. Here are our must-do’s during these trying times to stay creative with your marketing strategy:

  1. Use this time to polish and finish up your marketing to-do’s

    As our desks pile up, tasks get delegated into priority levels. Those with lower priority falling to the bottom and sometimes off our lists all together. Now, that you have some “free” time, consider finishing up the SEO you started but never finished, work on putting together client testimonials both online and your social media, or complete your LinkedIn and social media profiles.

  2. Polish your search engine optimization (SEO)

    As Thrive mentions, “What you do today for your SEO campaign will affect your organic search traffic two months from now. Pausing your SEO campaign now could have a detrimental impact on your revenue potential two months from now when the coronavirus starts to become a distant memory.”

    During trying times, you want customers in your geo region to be able to easily find you online, especially at a time when we’re all looking for more convenience. It gives your business a chance to provide assistance during a critical time for families. Bump up your SEO and local SEO tactics. With your customer base being stuck at home, now is the time to make sure when they search you’re appearing number one. It’s a great tactic that only your time and expertise to plump up your website without putting a huge damper on your budget.

  3. Offer that incentive or a special offer

    Give your customers a reason to buy from you now more than ever. Offer a shipping incentive, BOGO or percentage off. Show support for your customer base by offering special discounts that will keep your revenue flowing. Many people are at home browsing, looking for discounts to save money during a time of unrest. Offers are a great way to engage with your customers and keep a steady stream of revenue that will keep your doors open.

  4. Connect with your followers

    Build a stronger following by interacting more with your followers. Put time into using stories and interactive buttons. On Instagram, ask your followers a question or create a poll. Ask what you can do for your followers or what they want. It’s a great way to make sure your current marketing plan is even on par or helping you develop more creative content for the future.

  5. Get personal

    You should be communicating your communication action plan and strategy about live and upcoming events to your members. Send an email. Send a personal postcard. Call your members. Rally together with loyal customers and build from there. If you’re not already, respond to questions and comments on your social platforms. 

  6. Use LIVE features to connect even further

    What’s better than a personal connection with wine buyers: a place where people can ask questions in real-time and feel connected on a personal level. Host a webinar, go live on Instagram or Facebook, create mini videos for IGTV or your news feed. With video being king in social media, take advantage of this time to amp up your video game. Ask us about our virtual tasting!

  7. Partner with Emily Martin Events hosting LIVE Tastings with your product or wines with 6-10 bloggers for a real time virtual tasting. Email us to learn more!

  8. Dive deep into your analytics

    Sometimes we just post and ghost. We believe we’re rocking our strategy, but when was the last time you really dove deep into your analytics to see what’s working and what’s not. Take this time to regroup and look at who’s seeing your posts, what posts had the most reach or where your engagement rate is. Reviewing your analytics is always a great way to make sure your current strategy works towards your current goals for year-end.


Are you using this time to refine your marketing strategy? If you’re having trouble, reach out to us! Emily Martin Events is happy to help you use this time to maximize your strategy for maximum revenue.