Business Tips & Resources during COVID-19
It has been such an up and down, crazy 4 weeks. I hope that you are all doing well and staying half way sane!! I haven’t blogged in forever, but I felt like I wanted to share some thoughts and possibly helpful tips with you. Start blogging again was on my to-do’s, so marking off one item for a win!
All of this list below contains items that I've been looking at for my own business as I focus toward long term goals, financial stability and let's face it, just ways to stay sane in the new homeschooling, quarantined lifestyle we have all taken on.
I added a few social media graphics at the bottom if you need something pretty to post on your feed this week. Just right click and download to share.
First off, a disclaimer... I am not a source of financial expertise, just a design girl and small business owner who is sharing my thoughts and what I've attempted to do to survive a drop in income.
Streamline Expenses
Look through all first quarter expenses and cancel old subscriptions or services that are no longer useful. Look for ways to combine subscription services or move to a lower priced tier within necessary services. For instance, I dropped down to lower plans within my social media apps and many others. Check those auto-renew dates too, many services are allowing you to suspend or push back payments for a month.
Brainstorm and Plan
Make a list of big dreams for your business, pull out old lists of the crazy ideas that haven't happened yet. Go through past years goals and find those ideas that are still relevant today. Start making plans to make some of those ideas a reality. Plan ahead your social media content and marketing schedule for fall and winter. How can your business pivot? This is the time to re-invent parts of your business, meet your customers where they are.
Brand Checkup
Check your website and social media platforms for broken links, outdated images or content. Update your profiles, bios and links on each social media platform. Go to your posting categories and refresh your content ideas for social media.
Grace
Finally, give yourself some grace. We will get through this and hopefully it will all start to bounce back in the following weeks. You are awesome!
RESOURCES
SBA Paycheck Protection Program (PPP)- this one is pretty amazing. provides funds to cover payroll costs. There may also be options for us single owner businesses as well.
Economic Injury Disaster Relief Fund – up to 10K for economic relief
Sara Blakely Red Backpack Fund – 5K to woman owned businesses
Business for All- Grants to small businesses
Google Advertising Grants
US Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship
Forbes List of small business loan and grant programs
