Businesses have fought with the constant ups and downs for the past 18 months. PaM++ says it isn't time to give up, but to get it on!
Covid-19 clearly originated in the year 2019; however, it is very likely to be with mankind for years to come, if not indefinitely similar to many other previous viruses before it1 Hence, the widespread belief that 'life as we knew it' will be back after 'Covid is Gone' needs to be attuned. People and businesses must learn to live with it. PaM++ shares recommendations and inspirational business practices to 'get it on' with the marketing and public relations of the present world.
With the repetitive semi-lockdowns in Thailand, the world may seeem to have stopped turning. Several businesses have felt the effect and responded similarly, while some have flourished in a very unprecedented way. PaM++ believes that marketers must never stop moving, thinking, and improving regardless of the situation. There are opportunities within reach, as evidenced by the flourishing businesses that were created out of persistence combined with creativity. Be 'productive' though the meaning of the term could have a different meaning and direction than what had been done before.
Advice to Get Up, Get On, and Get Ready
For starters, start thinking to make some moves and stay ready regardless. Turn crisis into opportunities to find the weak links within you or the company that you never had time to rid of them, or to fill up on what you were lacking. Whichever you aspire to do, there must be an outcome. Results should involve measurable constituents such as:
- improved efficiency or productivity
- enhanced USPs or brand image
- identifiable key differentiators
- strategic, relevant, and flexible action plan
- awareness among your existing customers and potential ones
2022 is Still Uncertain, but Here are Ideas to Be Ready
Though BOI's forecasts2 are optimistic about the GDP growth in 2022, but uncertainty will still be aloft. Regardless, businesses must be ready. Here are a few marketing & public relations ideas to consider for those committed to staying on:
- Newfangled Marketing & PR direction to align with the New Normal
- Your pre-Covid marketing activities may have focused on new product campaigns and promotions. Now you could start focusing on previously-idle activities such as CSR and Community Services. These could help not only to maintain awareness but also boost up the brand image.
- Consumers are listening harder than ever. Take more creative chances, think outside of an even bigger box.
- Partner up. It is no longer purely for synergy. Companies should 'do more with less resources'. Everyone has had to cut back. Collaboration is key.
- Pop up or appear in unexpected spaces, both online and offline to stir up greater attention with the same or lower budget.
- Start selling directly to the customers. Find ways to cut the middle channels and create more value propositions for the end-users.
- Open up for free services or free trials, ones that actually benefit the users, as a lead-in to familiarize them with your products and services, and for brand penetration.
- Be dynamic and adapt your communication style to the new buying pattern and behavior
- The way you interact, engage and build relationships with customers has changed. Be more personalized; from your online communications, automated reply messages, documentation, and ad content. Bobbi Brown made a good impact when it had its B.A. do LIVE Q & A sessions with customers when counter service was not available. It not only created bonding, but also sales!
- Forget annual marketing plans, be real-time. Campaigns and plans should be considered weekly, while tracking and analyses should be on a daily, if not hourly, basis.
- Expand, reach out by adding a new product or service line and/or delete some that are about to be obsolete.
- The budget is stringent. Be precise, be effective, and be tactical. But remember to also be smart and add brand value to every message.
The World Moves On, and So Will You.
The world is not stopping. People still has to live, eat, learn; hence, the opportunities are out there. Key to staying on is not disappear from your client's mind but instead be present in a meaningful way that helps to benefit their lives. At PaM++ :
- We have expanded to serve more industries in addition to Lifestyle and Hospitality
- We have added two more services as a result of years of understanding our clients' needs.
- We rolled out quarterly small yet tactical marketing campaigns that yielded awareness as well as leads during the lockdown periods.
We partake in the 'ever-evolving' mentality and combined it with our in-depth understanding of our own marketing and branding skills and expertise. We then were able to branch out from our existing service and consulting platforms. All we did was open up a few more creativity buckets and roll with it.
We are here to help our fellow SMEs. All consultation sessions with PaM++ are free until the end of the year 2021.
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