As a marketing firm that specializes in helping small businesses, we know that these are difficult times. No matter what sort of small business you own, you have likely felt the impacts of closures and restrictions as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. That also means you are likely to experience losses in income and profits. If you are looking for solutions to these small business woes, these online resources can help you regroup your operations, refresh your business, and receive the help you need to start relaxing.

Regroup

If you want your business to survive, and possibly thrive, during the months ahead, you may need to make a few key changes to your operations.

• Know that health and safety should be your top priority as a small business owner, so always comply with state, local, and federal guidelines around COVID-19.
• If it is safe to keep your doors open, adapting your operations by connecting with VIP clients and shifting your marketing focus can help keep your business afloat.
• If your workers will be working around other people, investing in protective gear will help everyone feel safer and help maintain your business’s reputation.
• When possible, working with staff remotely will be your safest bet for keeping your workers healthy while you keep your small business running.

Refresh

Just as your operations will need an overhaul, the look and feel of your business may need some updates to continue to attract customers and profits.

• Making improvements should begin by reviewing your budget so that you can ensure that changes won’t negatively impact your profits.
• If you can afford to make improvements, consider starting with fixes that will improve the health and safety of your business, like replacing old carpets.
• Installing cheaper carpet, and looking for other ways to save, can help you maximize your ROI on refresh projects for your small business.
• Updating your technology should also be a focus, especially since customers will be looking for tech that facilitates a touch-free shopping experience.

Receive

Even with the right adjustments and improvements, keeping your books balanced can be a struggle. Thankfully, assistance is available for small businesses.

• Start at the top with federal assistance programs that can help shore up your small business’s finances.
• If you can’t access federal resources, check with your state to see if there are any financial programs available to help small business owners.
• You can also turn to your customers for support via a crowdfunding campaign.
• If you are more concerned about personal finances, you may be able to take advantage of other relief programs to alleviate that stress.

Relax

Finding time for self-care may be the most challenging COVID-19 survival step for many small business owners but it is necessary.

• Know that self-care is essential to sustaining your small business, as well as your overall health and wellness.
• Also know that self-care doesn’t have to be complicated. Eating healthy, getting exercise, and improving your sleep quality all qualify as self-care.
• Applying for financial assistance and finding other ways to reduce COVID-related stress also count as self-care.
• Finally, self-care is all about preserving your mental health, so also know that there are mental health resources available online to assist you.

COVID-19 has certainly changed the face of business and those changes are bound to keep coming. So if you want your small business to survive in the face of these trials and new normals, you need to have the resources you need to adapt, improve, and stay afloat.

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