Social distancing has had a tremendous impact on our economy. While some industries are still thriving, many are taking a hit to their business.
In light of the effect COVID-19 is having, we’re revisiting some of our top blog posts from before and during the Great Recession. While some of the marketing advice is a bit dated, these posts contain important business lessons that are still relevant more than a decade later!
The takeaway from this post, originally published in 2009?
Keep blogging – even in a down economy.
Here’s the original copy:
I just saw an interesting video from WebProNews that discussed leveraging a company blog as one of the most cost-effective marketing tools available in a down economy. To paraphrase, the video points out that buyers have less money to spend, so they spend more time researching before making a decision.
How can your business benefit from a blog in a tough economy?
A blog can be a great way to proactively manage your online image, and provide both prospects and current customers a reason to call your company, above all others. Here are a few tactical ways you can leverage a blog for your staffing or recruiting firm:
- Educate prospects on the value of your products or services. In a down economy, companies and individuals look for ways to save money. Write blog posts outlining the ways your offerings help them improve their overall “bottom line.” A dental practice, for example, could create a post that explains why prophylaxis cleanings improve a person’s health (not only saving money on fillings or treating periodontal disease, but also lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease).
- Share case studies about how clients use your products or services effectively. Showing examples of the ways other local companies leverage your services is a great way to generate interest. For example, you could highlight specific problems your clients face (i.e. eliminating overhead, improving productivity or meeting fluctuating demand) and outline the ways you help solve those problems.
- Announce your “wins.” In a recession, buying decisions are evaluated much more closely. Prospects want to work with a winner – a firm that is thriving despite the recession. You can use your blog as a way to publicize your success and get people excited about working with you.
- Recruit elite candidates. Unemployment is up – which means there are a lot of talented people looking for work. You have the chance to top-grade your team by capitalizing on the short-term availability of high-quality, high-potential talent. Use your blog to discuss your candidate experience and what makes working with your company special. Provide tips to help professionals in your industry get through layoffs and find work. Position your business as one that truly cares about the well-being of your people.
Once your company blog is created, the only real expense is time. And in addition to creating a better online reputation for your company, your blog can also be a great SEO tool that helps you climb search engine rankings quickly.
How can BARQAR help?
If there’s anything we can do to assist you, please give us a call. We’re here to provide the advice, resources and support you need to get through these challenging times – and capitalize on the brighter days ahead.