12 Resources to Help You Keep Customers Engaged During COVID-19

Many local businesses are struggling to connect with their customer base during the COVID-19 crisis. As the State's stay-at-home order continues, finding ways to keep your community engaged with your business is critical. Click through the links below for tips and tutorials for messaging, creating content, selecting social media platforms, and more to help you navigate the digital marketing world and reach your customers where they are right now.

Marketing Tips from Mailchimp

Digital marketing powerhouse Mailchimp has provided a range of digital marketing resources for small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 crisis as well as has an archive of fantastic articles to help your business delve into digital or expand your existing efforts. Some highlights include:

• Marketing Help for Small Businesses Navigating COVID-19
• Ways to Reach Your Audience During COVID-19
• YouTube and Video Marketing Tips for Small Businesses

Visit mailchimp.com/resources/ for more resources.

Webinars and Workshops to Watch

Many local, state, and national entities offer free webinars and online workshops to small businesses to help them weather the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on their organizations. Here are a few upcoming webinars that may be helpful when evolving your customer engagement strategy:

SMART Webinar: Future of Retail

Date: Friday, April 24, 2020 | Time: 11am-1pm

Presented by: The Southside Mitigation and Recovery Taskforce (SMART)

How consumers interact with businesses has already changed drastically during this pandemic, and we can anticipate that shopping habits will continue in this “new normal” even after the economy starts to reopen. This would be a great webinar for customer-facing and brick-and-mortar businesses on the Island.

Recovery Readiness: Digital Marketing

Date: Wednesday, May 6, 2020 | Time: 1-2pm

Presented by: Washington Small Business Development Center

This webinar covers digital marketing steps you can take on the road to recovery. It will explore

• Ways to post online and stay engaged during this time
• Potential scenarios for changing consumer behaviors
• Considerations for moving your business online

Expert Advice on Critical Ways to Keep Customers Engaged During Coronavirus

Date/Time: Previously recorded | Presented by: US Chamber of Commerce

This webinar looks at how a few small businesses around the country have adapted their customer engagement strategies and offers tips for messaging, social media, and other aspects of marketing.

Looking for more webinars and workshops? Check out these regional and national resources for ongoing content updates:

• MainStreet America
• US Chamber of Commerce
• Washington Small Business Development Center
• (re)Startup425
• Port of Seattle

The City of Mercer Island wants to support local businesses during this uncertain time. Contact Sarah Bluvas, Small Business Liaison, at sarah.bluvas@mercergov.org to let us know how we can help.