Getting Through the COVID-19 Crisis Together
Templates, tips and a helping hand from the PosterMyWall Team
COVID-19 is an unprecedented global pandemic that has challenged us with uncertain health and economic conditions but together, we can weather the storm. In an effort to do just that, we’ve compiled some of our resources so you can spread accurate information, adapt your business to this new reality and keep the people around you safe and healthy. Together, we can #FlattenTheCurve.
Table of Contents
Sharing accurate information is key
Even to this day, not many people understand the severity of this pandemic and the need for practises like social distancing. It is up to all of us to inform and educate the people around us to the best of our abilities. Here’s a list of official websites which provide updated and accurate information:
Whether you want to spread the word about symptoms, bust common myths or simply raise awareness, accurate and descriptive templates should be your go-to. Simply add your logo and you’re ready to contribute to the movement against COVID-19. Here are our top picks.
Adapting to the new virtual reality
Schools
Just because you can’t go to school doesn’t mean school can’t come to you! Teachers all over the world are switching to E-Learning, a digitized way to reach students and provide online lessons, lectures, downloadable resources and more.
“The most beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
Online classes is not just the way forward for schools, but for other organizations who want to reach out to more customers or simply keep in touch with their current following.
Churches
In most countries, churches have closed both for private worship and public services but keeping the faith alive is of the essence now more than ever. A great way to keep in touch with your congregation is through a live stream. With Easter coming up, you could even do a special stream to bring some positivity and hope to your followers. If you offer Bible Study classes, use one of our recommended platforms down below to conduct your lessons.
Fitness
Lucky for the fitness world, adapting to a ‘virtual world’ is very much a possibility. Even before it became a necessity, gyms, fitness and lifestyle gurus all over the globe offered online training. Given we’re past the era of following a home workout DVD, there’s still a multitude of mediums you can opt for to not only maintain current clientele, but even grow your fitness business. You can pre-record workouts and share on your social media, have one-on-one sessions or if you have a fitness app already, customize workouts at home for your customers. As people are forced to isolate themselves, exercise routines that they can follow from the safety of their homes can not only help to lift their spirits but also boost their immunity.
Our top picks for how to reach people online
Facebook - Facebook is a very common platform for conducting live sessions with a big audience, mainly because it’s super easy and everyone’s on it! If you haven’t gone live before, here’s a detailed guide by Hubspot on how to conduct Facebook live sessions.
Instagram - Instagram allows you to not only come live but also save your live session so your followers can view it later.
Zoom - Great for a classroom scenario, Zoom allows you to conduct online classes and lessons seamlessly. You can also use it for meetings, one-on-one phone and video calls, and sharing files.
Youtube - Good ol’ Youtube is still considered the online hub for videos. You can do a live stream on Youtube or upload your lessons, tutorials and walk-throughs.
PosterMyWall - Classrooms accounts on PosterMyWall are absolutely free. Teachers can sign up and share the account with their students to create projects without going through the hassle of creating individual accounts.
Wix - If you don’t have a website and want to establish your own space beyond social media, Wix is a great platform to create your own website on. It’s easy for beginners who don’t know how to code and has free options too.
Keep jammin’ through the blues
The Coronavirus pandemic has driven artists to cancel or postpone their concerts and live shows as the whole world pushes social distancing to stop the spread. However, bands and musicians can stay connected with their fans by live-streaming their music on Facebook and holding Instagram live sessions. Raw, unedited performances by their favorite artists are giving fans much-needed entertainment, and even comfort, in these times of uncertainty.
Thinking out of the (take-away) box
Restaurants all over the world are already changing course to cope with the newly unfolding social conditions by offering curb-side pickup and delivery options. These alternative solutions are important for your diners so they can continue to enjoy your delicious food from the safety of their homes. You can even go one step further and offer your loyal customers gift vouchers that they can use later to dine with you when you open your doors to the public again. Make sure to communicate that your establishment is following all hygiene protocols as directed by the government and health organizations.
Becoming a social media savante
If you’re a little rusty with social media, now is a great time to learn some tips and tricks as the online world, for now, becomes our only source of communication with our customers. Having a presence on social media is not just a great way of keeping in touch with your customer base and reaching millions more, but also of spreading awareness and doing your part. However, keeping a balance is important. You can’t simply ignore the elephant in the room, or your brand will seem insensitive and aloof. Flip that coin and you’ll be inundating your audience with constant updates which might overwhelm them. Here are some basic tips to take control of your social media.
Engage - Instead of posting passive content, try to engage with your followers and customers on social media and really connect. Ask them how they are doing and what pain points they may be experiencing. Assure them you’re in this together. Polls and open ended questions are a great way to get a feel of what your community is up to.
Stay relevant - Make relevant recommendations in line with your business for at-home activities during self-isolation, social distancing, or quarantine. Don’t share your recommendations for Netflix if you own a landscaping or construction business. Instead, share tips for growing houseplants or easy DIY home décor projects.
Use hashtags - Are hashtags still a thing? Definitely! Here’s a list of popular COVID-19 hashtags which you can use in your posts.
Stories - An exceedingly popular medium to connect with your followers in (almost) real time, stories on Instagram are used by 1.7 million accounts daily (source). Stories are a great way to give your followers a sneak peak into behind the scenes of your brand and even get ‘up close and personal’ with them by sharing what you’ve been up to.
Spice up your feed - With every individual and business turning to social media, it’s a challenge to break through the clutter and make your mark. Try different types of visuals and see what resonates with your audience the most. Do you get more engagement on videos and gifs, or on images? You can even animate your image designs to make them more eye-catching. Don’t be afraid to experiment!
Lighten up the mood
With overwhelmingly negative news surrounding us, it’s always a good idea to bring back some positivity in the world, whenever and wherever possible.
This too shall pass
We’re a sucker for a good inspirational quote, and need it more than ever now! Post some motivating content on your social media feeds to spread the love and support.
Staying healthy
Taking this time as a lesson, let’s all make a pact to lead more healthy and active lifestyles. Suggest ways to stay active at home, healthy foods to eat, or how to maintain an effective routine while working from home.
Virtual party
Did someone say virtual party? There are lots of cool apps and ways to stay in touch with your mates online. Apps like Houseparty which allows video group chats have gained momentum over the past month, and how can we not mention virtual movie nights on Netflix.
Brick and mortar safety guidelines
For restaurants, grocery stores, pharmacies and other stores which are still operational (even if it is just for delivery/pick-up) or will be opening soon, certain safety guidelines need to be followed. These guidelines not only extend to your customers, but also to your employees, the equipment you use, and cleaning and sanitization of your premises. Make sure your efforts are well communicated to every stakeholder.
Preparing your workplace
Regardless of where you are in the world, employers should be taking preventative measures to protect their workforce. Once the pandemic ends and offices resume, promote good hygiene and safety practices in your workplace to ensure all stays well. Here are some ways you can do that:
Make sure your workplaces are clean and hygienic
Promote regular and thorough hand-washing by employees, contractors and customers
Promote good respiratory hygiene in the workplace
Advise employees and contractors to consult national travel advice before going on business trips
Brief your employees, contractors and customers that if COVID-19 starts spreading in your community anyone with even a mild cough or low-grade fever (37.3 C or more) needs to stay at home.
For the full list, visit this document issued by the World Healthy Organization (WHO) and prepare your workplace well in advance.
Rays of hope
With the whole world coming to a standstill, for most businesses the goal is now just to survive. As Jack Ma, co-founder of Alibaba Group said, “For people in business, 2020 is really just a year for staying alive. Don’t even talk about your dreams or plans. Just make sure you stay alive. If you can stay alive, then you would have made a profit already.”
And that’s exactly what our featured heroes are doing.
Husband-wife duo, Bailey and Brendan O’Leary, used creativity and hard work to make their dream of owning a brewery come true. Now, they’re using the same skill set to keep their business going through the COVID-19 outbreak—and to help other small businesses too. Read more here.
Our local Flights restaurants in the San Francisco Bay area - during normal days a fancy outing for innovative food and drink - is being bold, innovative and scrappy in how they have structured their offering and marketing, so we wanted to call out what they’ve done (and what you could do!). Read more here.
Jayne Beale is doing some cool things for her school district and community. Churning out content for school and making teaching a creative experience remotely, the Covid-19 pandemic is not stopping her from giving the students a great learning experience. Read more here.
Giving back to the community
In these challenging times, it’s important to do whatever is in our power to help those in need, and to aid the efforts of those who are doing just that.
The PosterMyWall team wants to extend our support to all government agencies, non-profit or public health organisations, charities, hospitals and clinics. If you fall under any of these categories and are fighting the battle against COVID-19, please submit this form.