The Impact of Coronavirus on a Small Nutrition Communications Business

When I set off sailing two weeks ago, coronavirus seemed like a very distant problem confined to a handful of far-flung countries. Fast-forward to my return, and the recently upgraded global pandemic is feeling very close to home.

On the plane ride home, my thoughts turned to coronavirus and the impact that this could have on small businesses such as my own. It's easy to catastrophise and in times of uncertainly, all sorts of scenarios go through your head.

As many readers will know, nutrition, immunity, and infection are closely interlinked. Whilst eating well is not enough to prevent you from developing coronavirus (should you come into contact with an infected individual), it can play an important role in optimising health, immunity, and wellbeing. This message is, of course, extremely pertinent to our clients at HRS Communications.

My business HRS Communications provides evidence-based content, written by Registered Dietitians and Nutritionists, to global food, nutrition, and medical nutrition brands. We help our clients to promote scientifically-sound messages and provide a voice of credibility and expertise in the media.

Responsive media and PR campaigns form a large part of what we do at HRS Communications. However, I must admit that I was surprised by the rapid rise in demand for content creation relating to coronavirus upon my return home. We've been asked to write blog posts, website content, infographics, magazine articles and have also noticed a rise in demand for PR campaigns which serve to reassure, educate and inform consumers about the link between coronavirus and the products and services that our clients offer.

It is, of course, important to reiterate to clients that we are not medical doctors. Nor are we experts when it comes to this new and relatively unknown phenomenon. However, we can draw on our evidence-based nutritional science background to ensure that the nutrition messages being put out to the public are grounded in science. This is incredibly important at a time when there is an abundance of pseudoscience about "quick-fix" nutritional solutions for coronavirus floating round on social media.

Some of our clients - mainly food brands - have had to put projects on hold and are already reporting issues with stock and office closures. This is, understandably, causing them much stress. Many of our clients are shutting down their offices and asking employees to work from home, which brings with it its own difficulties (limited access to documents, difficulty accessing colleagues, and IT issues).

So, for now, it's business as usual at HRS - albeit a bit busier than normal. I am also fortunate to run a business that runs almost exclusively from the comfort of my own home. I'm supported by an excellent (virtual) team who are always willing to pick up additional work at short notice. However, it's important not to get complacent - only time will tell what the future holds for small businesses such as my own.