We’ve been talking to a lot of sellers who’s sales have dropped significantly since the start of the pandemic and so the purpose of this post is to spread hope, give you some ideas on ways to adapt your product line and remind everyone that there’s one major thing to focus on if you want to get your business through these trying times: helping others.
The good news is that we’re entrepreneurs and entrepreneurs are used to being flexible. Trends and the economy are always changing and it’s nothing new to create different products in order to adapt. So, although the pandemic is scary and extreme, you are already equipped with the mindset to overcome this.
Any time you lose your direction as an entrepreneur, always go back to the foundation: helping others. Everyone is scared, how can you help? This mindset allows you to create products that sell and it’s so fulfilling!
Here are 6 ways to adapt your business during the Coronavirus outbreak:
1. Create products for in-home entertainment.
More people are stuck at home than ever before and they’re cutting out non-essential spending habits. This may be a problem for those who sell things like jewelry, mugs, home decor, party items or fashion accessories. However, even though it’s technically non-essential, people are still spending money on in-home entertainment. Can your product line be adapted to sell DIY kits? If you’re a digital designer, can you sell coloring pages? What if you re-imagined your most popular selling necklace and sold it as a kit instead? What creative projects can you create for people to have fun with while they’re stuck at home?
2. Spread comfort.
People are scared right now. How can your products be adpated to spread comfort, hope or humor? Do you sell candles? Create one with a blessing on it or a joke about social distancing (be sensitive with any jokes you make about the virus). Sell shirts, signs, digital prints, or coffee mugs? You have a lot of flexibility with your products because you can print/make almost anything. What messages can you send out right now that would be meaningful to people during this difficult time? Are you an artist? What can you create that would be a symbol of hope and health for people?
3. Create helpful products.
Many sellers have already adapted their business to include helpful (or funny) items such as reminders to wash your hands.
4. Tell locals and followers what’s going on.
When people are scared, it’s natural for them to hunker down and think only about how they are impacted by the outbreak. A shopper isn’t going to be greatly affected by all of the craft fair cancelations, so why not let them know how you are impacted? Post in your city’s Facebook groups and let them know that the events you heavily rely on have been canceled and ask them to shop with you online instead. You can also post your products for sale on Facebook Markets (and mention again that you’re relying on online sales now that the craft fairs have been canceled).
5. Adapt your event.
Most events with large gatherings have been canceled, so can you switch gears and do an online craft fair? Create a Facebook Event or Group and work with other local sellers to offer exclusive discounts on a specific day. All sellers get to post their items for sale and shoppers can browse the deals from their home. If you and the other sellers are willing, each of you can even go live for a specified amount of time to show off the goods you would have brought to the craft fair.
6. Create content.
**If you’re skimming this article, be sure to read this section.** Since most people are stuck at home right now and spending time on the internet, this is a GREAT time to create blog posts for them to read! What can you share that would be informative or entertaining? For entertainment, publish fast-motion videos of your craft process. To be helpful and also get people to your shop, write a blog post like “X Fun Ways to Stay Entertained While in Quarantine” and include your own product in the list. Another thing you can do is write a blog post about how your business has been affected by the virus. A short title such as “How the Coronavirus Has Impacted My PUT CITY NAME HERE Business” will get attention. Be sure to send the post to your local news stations and newspapers. You never know, your story could go viral locally!
Tip: if you blog about how the Coronavirus has impacted you, be sure to include good business photos in the post (especially behind the scenes photos). Start out by introducing yourself and your business because many people will be meeting you and your business for the first time. Additionally, a blog post with images gets better interaction than a page full of nothing but text. Reporters (and even other bloggers) are more likely to feature you if you use good pictures.
We hope this list helps give you some creative ideas to get your business through these uncertain times! If you have other ideas or feedback about how your business has been impacted by the Coronavirus, comment below! We’d love to hear from you!
