A couple of months or so ago, no one ever heard of coronavirus or COVID-19. Today, it’s the subject of every newscast and internet news piece. In other parts of the world, whole countries are on lockdown. Here in the United States, many states are encouraging social distancing or sheltering in place. Many people can’t go to work or have been laid off temporarily. Perhaps one of the most difficult things to deal with is that we don’t know how long it will last. These are desperate times. For many people, it’s easy to see the glass as half-empty, if not drained completely.
For digital marketers, the impact of a pandemic doesn’t have to be all doom and gloom. Consider the unique opportunities that COVID-19 affords you to improve your skills and serve others.
How the COVID-19 Crisis Affects Digital Marketers
Large and small businesses are finding their own ways to handle the crisis. One of the truly great things about the field of digital marketing is that the internet is our playground and it’s always bustling with activity. As long as the internet is up and running, there is work for us to do.
When the rest of the world is shutting down, don’t shut down with it. Here’s what you can do:
- Work on your own business plans
- Work on your client portfolios
- Invest in additional education and training
Digital Marketers Working During a Health Crisis
The word crisis is a scary one because it indicates a serious event. It’s also important to consider that a crisis is temporary. This, too, shall pass.
When there is a disruption in the regular workflow, it presents a suitable time for doing a little digital marketing spring cleaning. Break out all those projects that you’ve been wanting to tackle for so long and just haven’t had the time. Take the time to do some thorough marketing planning so that you can hit it hard when things get closer to normal.
If you’re a digital marketer that’s been quarantined at home, you’re saving on the commute time, so why not put those precious hours to good use? Consider how you can use the top of COVID-19 as an example of how to use current events in digital marketing.
When the whole world is silent, the one thing that’s alive and active is the internet and it has aa 24/7 audience.
Take Time for Training During a Health Crisis
Whether your regular work has slowed down or stopped altogether during times of a serious health crisis, there are lots of opportunities available to help you perfect your craft. Now you have time to take advantage of them.
Look for digital educational opportunities such as:
- Training seminars
- Webinars
- Podcasts
- Blogs on the internet about digital marketing
- Online conferences on digital marketing
- Engaging in networking
Many educational opportunities are free. Digital marketing is a rapidly evolving field. There’s always something new to learn and there is much to learn about different applications for new methods of digital marketing.
Take a look at the following examples:
- Ahrefs offers a business course for business bloggers that’s now free, which is a $799 value.
- SEO4LIFE offers a free, livestreaming SEO conference
- Craig Campbell offers an informative digital marketing podcast
- Enroll in an SEO chat with over 300 SEO professionals by Aleyda Solis
- Check out the Brand SERP course from Jason Barnard.
- Read tips about what to do when business is slow
My Personal Plan for Surviving and Thriving Through COVID-19
I’ve been working remotely for some time. For me, the effects of the quarantine are not as challenging as what others are dealing with. From a personal standpoint, I’ve found that focusing on digital marketing helps to distract me from the terrible effects that are occurring around the world from COVID-19.
My digital marketing glass is still half full rather than half empty. As digital marketers, we’re blessed that we can work through whatever life throws at us because when the non-digital world stops, the digital world picks up the slack. I’m choosing to take my own advice and I’m taking some time to write content for my personal blog, my agency blog, my Forbes column, and some other contributions.
I’m also taking time to network in the SEO chat where I learn so much from my colleagues. I’ve decided to commit some of my time to catching up on reading my favorite digital marketing blogs and engaging in some remote learning so that I can stay at the top of my game. Part of my plan is to strategize on ways that I can apply the new knowledge that I’m acquiring to help my clients by refining their marketing strategies to bolster their overall digital marketing efforts.
Disruption Can Lead to Increased Productivity
Rather than think of this time as a tragedy, try to think about the new opportunities that may arise from it and how you can use them for good for yourself, your peers, and your clients. With that being said, remember to always be genuine, ethical, and empathetic, especially during this time. When considering the opportunities that the current times present, be careful not to SPAM your customers or take advantage of them. As digital marketers, part of our role is to inform, all year round. Be aware that these are sensitive times in that people are dealing with the sickness, the loss of income, and a vastly different lifestyle. The quarantining can result in increased stress, loneliness, and depression.
It won’t be long and the current orders for quarantining, social distancing, and sheltering in place will be lifted. Take all that you’ve learned and put it to good use. That’s the way to keep your glass full and perhaps even take it over the top. Remember we are blessed to work in digital marketing in times of Coronavirus
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