Inexpensive Marketing: Budgeting Post-Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Businesses left and right have suffered major setbacks in light of the spread of Coronavirus (COIVD-19). If you’re a business owner, you’re probably facing budget cuts right now, or looking for ways to make your marketing dollars count. You’re not alone. Businesses across the country are trying to make ends meet; cutting spending wherever possible and doing what’s necessary to stay open or reopen strong.

We all must be prepared for change.

Your Marketing Budget: Adjusting to the Change

Making a list of your monthly spends, identifying the essentials, and cutting the non-essentials is the first logical step.

If you’re having difficulty deciding on what to cut; try giving each item on the list a rating of 1-5 in terms of importance. Cut back on, or reduce, the lower-rated items and go from there. The list will get narrow fast, and there are bound to be things you’re hesitant to get rid of.

Marketing is often one of the first areas to go when companies have to make necessary reductions. And while it’s easy to cut a big ad buy or commercial production, there are inexpensive, even free solutions, that can be put into place to help you adjust to the changes.

It’s important to keep in mind that your changes are meant to be temporary!

Factor that into your decision-making if it helps. The silver lining from the Coronavirus fear is the possibility that some of these changes you are being forced to consider may actually benefit your business in the long run. Giving your list of expenditures a scrub and re-evaluating what’s important from time to time is a good practice in general.

Too many businesses only get around to cleaning their budget when it’s an emergency. Regardless, after a hard look at your spends, you should be able to get a better understanding of what your business can, and can’t do without.

Focus on Creating Revenue Generators

Does your business have a TV? Are you using a service for it like cable, satellite, or DirecTV? If so, you may want to consider cable replacement. Specifically, a custom TV network.

READ: “Should I Cancel Cable? A Better Cable Alternative for Businesses“

Costing less than the average cable subscription, a custom TV network is the best way to generate revenue from your business’ television. It gives businesses the power to deliver important revenue-generating messaging to visitors in a meaningful way, while providing them with controlled programming to keep them happy. When you’re using your TV to promote your business’ services, you’ll have more people taking advantage of them.

Custom TV Network: Where to Start Looking

As businesses reopen in the near future, keeping visitors happy and feeling safe is going to be more important than ever.

Things will go back to normal, but you can bet that the news will still be talking about the Coronavirus. COVID-19 isn’t going to disappear overnight. Even after the ALL-CLEAR, there are going to be people who are still anxious to reintegrate. Something as simple as a custom TV network can go a long way towards helping your visitors feel comfortable. COVID-free TV is better for everyone.

Start your search here: It’s Relevant TV – Custom TV Networks for Businesses.

It’s Relevant TV has a feature that allows you to block out world news about things like the Coronavirus, which is a great way to keep Corona-coverage from impacting your business. For more great tips on preparing your business for reopening, check out the article below.

READ: “Top 5 Ways to Prepare your Business for Reopening After COVID-19“

Reopening Your Business? Get Coronavirus News Off Your Business’ TV

Are you finding it difficult reopening your business with Coronavirus news getting in the way? Business owners across the country are quickly discovering that the TVs in their own locations are hurting them. As customers start to return, you want them feeling safe when they visit; a news story advising viewers to “Think twice about going out!” playing on your wall is a bit counterproductive.

Turn off the TV until you find something better to put on it!

COVID-19 coverage isn’t slowing down anytime soon. Your hands are going to be full enough as-is maintaining a clean, and comfortable environment that you won’t have time to police what’s on the TV. Nor should you have to; you should be able to set it and forget it without needing to worry about what’s playing.

Related: “Top 5 Ways to Prepare Your Business for Reopening After COVID”

Coronavirus News Out, Custom TV Network In

The solution to the coronavirus news problem is a custom TV network. Specifically, one that gives you control. More and more business owners are recognizing the value in custom TV software; not just for its ability to control what’s on the TV, but for its potential as a marketing tool as well.

Which would you rather pay for? Cable TV + Competitor Ads & Negative Content OR A Custom TV Network + Peronsal-Branded Messaging?

The answer should be obvious. If that’s not enough, those of you looking for a good reason to get rid of cable, HERE’S 10. The short of it is that cable’s great in homes, but bad for business, and ultimately lacks even the most common features that come with custom TV software. But first and foremost, you need to be prepared to get Coronavirus news off your business’ TV.

Related: “Top 5 Risks of Coronavirus News in your Business”

The Best Cable TV Replacement for your Business

If you’ve had enough and you’re interested in learning more about custom TV networks, start your search with It’s Relevant TV. Topping the charts as the most feature-rich cable TV replacement on the market, It’s Relevant is the best example to use when comparing similar services.

Reference: itsrelevant.com

Whether you’re a restaurant, car dealership, salon, gym, urgent care, dentist, or even a whole hospital system or sports arena– It’s Relevant can better serve your TVs, improve visitor experience, and help you hit the ground running as doors reopen and we get the ALL-CLEAR.

Market Trends: A Closer Look At Business Ad Spending

The recent pandemic has changed the way that businesses are approaching and handling ad spending. With consumers in quarantine, and businesses closing left and right, it’s not surprising to hear that new marketing trends are emerging as a result. One such trend that the market is observing is reduced ad spending from traditional brick and mortar businesses, but increased spending from tech, and online-based businesses.

Businesses that are Reducing Ad Spending vs Businesses that are Increasing

Bed Bath & Beyond, Marshalls, and Dicks Sporting Goods are prime examples of retailers that are cutting back on their ad spends; whereas tech companies like Apple, website companies like Godaddy, and streaming services like Disney+ are all bulking up their spends.

According to Winmo, Apple alone saw an increase of +$51.6 million in ad spending compared to February of 2020.

Winmo

With so many stores closing, you aren’t going to see the same kinds of ads you’re used to seeing; the ones encouraging shoppers to go out and buy-buy-buy. Because of that, businesses that aren’t limited to a physical location have a bigger advantage.

Also worth noting is the rise in ad spending in the food industry.

Despite their dining areas being closed, franchises such as McDonald’s, Wendys, and Burger King are spending a lot more on ads; reminding customers about the various delivery options that are available. More than just cable TV, you’ll see more and more of these ads on streaming services due to an increased number of people working from home.

Ad Spending Down? Consider a New Approach

Three words: Custom Television Network.

When ad spends are on the low-end, it’s the perfect time to explore some of the new marketing tools that are out there. Specifically, ones having to do with the TV. Just about every business has a TV, and 100% of businesses have something they’re trying to sell. The TV in your business is the best tool to promote your services, and your brand. But that’s only possible with the right business TV software.

Recommended: “The Best Marketing Tool 2020: Your TV“

In addition to being the best place to put your TV advertisements, custom TV networks are incredibly cost-effective. One business TV provider in particular, It’s Relevant TV, features live social media integration and over half-a-million videos to entertain your visitors with. This not only helps generate more followers on social media, but delivers your marketing messages in a more meaningful way.

How the Global Health Crisis is Making Social Media More Social

Social media has garnered a lot of flak for getting in the way of organic, human relationships in recent years.

Because people were so attached to their gadgets, connecting outside the screen became less of a priority. In fact, a study on Thrive Global reveals that more than 50% of people reported social media as having a negative impact on their relationships. It’s easy to say that we should all just ditch Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter altogether. But with the ongoing health crisis keeping everyone at home, social media is back in the spotlight — only this time, as a force for good.

These are some trying times that we live in right now, as we’re all forced to adapt and connect with our loved ones in new ways — from family dinners over Zoom, to dates on FaceTime. In this regard, social media has provided a lifeline for everyone in self-isolation. Moreover, our “new normal” has caused many of us to reconsider what really matters to us, which is another reason we’re all longing to strengthen our ties more than ever.

So how exactly is the global health crisis making social media more “social”?

Group Fitness

The benefits of exercise go beyond improving strength and physique. According to doctor Katharina Star, group workouts, in particular, can provide great support and motivation. With gyms closing their doors temporarily, people are taking their workouts to social media. On Instagram Live, Olympian Shawn Johnson, model Olivia Culpo, and countless other fitness influencers are sharing their workouts and encouraging their followers to get active. Apart from being free to participate in, following a live workout routine can make users feel like they’re back in the gym with friends. If you’re a health or fitness business owner, you should consider conducting your own live workouts as a way of increasing your social media presence, too.

Virtual Hangouts Via Video Games

Video games are proving to be one of the most social (and fun) digital activities people are doing during self-isolation. After all, it’s a great way to spend time with friends and do activities online. It’s no surprise that newly launched games like Call of Duty: Warzone reached 15 million players in just four days following its release. Apart from this hit title, the gaming world still has much more to offer in helping people stay connected. In fact, even friendship-themed games are on the rise. The Best Friend Formula by Gala Bingo is a simple but interactive game that explores “the science of best friends.” Plus, it reminds players that sometimes all you need in life is a few close friends. Indeed, these games provide the comfort that our friends are just a click away—even if it means hanging out on a Minecraft or Animal Crossing server.

Creative Communities

Social media has always been a platform for artists to share their work. But with a lot more free time at home, many creatives are making the most out of their indoor-living situations. For instance, TIME Magazine shared how some photographers have started sharing their recreations of classic paintings — be it Grant Wood’s “American Gothic” or works by Edward Hopper. Meanwhile, on the more performance end of things, Gen Z social media users have been devoting their time to practicing new TikTok dances with their friends. And on another note, people have also been sharing their baking creations online — comparing sourdough bread and exchanging recipes with each other. All in all, the health crisis has pushed people to look for new skills to learn and share with their social media followers.