Why you should create content about Coronavirus

Is it wrong to capitalise on the Coronavirus outbreak?

Yes, if you’re coming at it from a ‘how can I make money out of this horrible situation’. Google and Facebook have even banned ads that attempt to prey on fears about Coronavirus.

HOWEVER…

People are worried. Who do we turn to for advice? We go to the places we trust.

I trust the Guardian to give me a balanced view on things.

And what plopped into my inbox the other day? An email headlined ‘Covid 19: The balanced view‘ from the Guardian with sensible, factual advice on what to do and why people are so worried about it.

It’s like a voice of reason among the madness.

Your duty to be the voice of reason

As a small business owner who produces content, if you have something helpful to add, it’s your job to help your audience. Churning out content on an unrelated topic isn’t going to do anyone any good if the minds of your audience are elsewhere.

I’ve seen some really thoughtful pieces out there addressing followers’ concerns.

Lucy Parsons, founder of Life More Extraordinary and study skills expert had a conversation with her Facebook followers. Naturally they were concerned and had some very specific questions that they couldn’t find the answers to e.g. ‘My son didn’t do well in his mocks. I’m worried that they’ll use mock grades as actual grades’. She addressed their fears in her blog ‘Corona virus and Your GCSEs and A-Levels‘. What’s the point of telling people how to revise if parents are worried that their kids are going to get sick and/ or the exams will be called off? As if exams aren’t stressful enough as it is!

Janet Murray was quick of the mark with her How To Turn Your In-Person Services Into Online Offerings Masterclass. I can imagine the flack she’s going to get for this. But she’s giving her concerned audience what they want for a really low price (￡42). Her communications promoting this masterclass have been understated and she’s addressing the questions people will have e.g. What if your clients don’t want to work with you online?

Andrew and Pete have responded to queries about whether their annual conference, Atomicon, would be affected. It’s going ahead as planned on the 28th April 2020 in Newcastle. They’re prioritising attendee safety, keeping people informed and are creating a virtual conference experience for ticket holders who can’t go. Updated info can be found at atomicon.co.uk/coronavirus/

If the world was flooding and you tried to talk to people about your buyers guide to whatever you sell, no one would listen. Tune into what your community is thinking about. This is your chance to help them.

What can you do to help?

If you have an audience, on any platform, have a think about whether anything you can do or say can help them.

Here are some ideas:

• If your audience includes parents; how do you they keep their kids safe? What’s the best, most sensible advice you’ve seen that you can share with them?
• If you’re a mindset coach or sleep therapist; what’s your most effective tip for relieving anxiety?
• If you run sessions face-to-face; how can you address or reduce the perceived risk for attendees?
• If your clients’ businesses are likely to be badly affected by the COVID-19 outbreak; what advice do you have for them to minimise the impact? e.g. insight into common business insurance policies, whether they should go ahead with live events, having a plan for when the virus spread is back under control.

My friends and family are concerned about the Coronavirus outbreak. Some of them are your clients. Can you help them please?

Article adapted from a blog on my website: janinecoombes.co.uk

Janine Coombes is a marketing coach and consultant specialising in small businesses who are ready to make a bigger impact in the world.