THE TOUGHEST STEEL IS FORGED IN THE HOTTEST FIRE…
Print Reach gathered 5 tips for printers and mailers to build strength during the Covid-19 pandemic and quarantine.
1. Get your mindset right
Your competitors will use this time to relax, watch the news, scroll through social media, be worried, freeze up, and take time off. You have the opportunity to seize this moment and build a stronger and more resilient business for the future. It’s easy to get caught up in the constant and relentless stream of information today. The truth is, at the end of the day, there is very little you can do about the pandemic, so don’t let it rule your mind.
2. Get in touch with your costs
It’s very rare we encounter shops who truly understand all of their costs. When we find these shops, they are usually highly profitable and run like well-oiled machines! Many shops have perfected printing/mailing, but not their costs. It’s times like these where knowing your costs gives you the ability to make decisions quickly and confidently. We have all enjoyed years of a blossoming economy. We have bought new hardware, invested in new software, and have built new revenue streams. Now is the time to get in touch with the true (job level) costs. Lean on the tools in your MIS software to get a clear picture.
3. Skills to pay the bills
Get a piece of paper, find a quiet space, and write down the top 3 topics you’ve been wanting to learn more about, but haven’t taken the time. New hardware? New software? A CRM or Web-to-Print storefronts? Because “buying” is slow, we are in a unique opportunity to learn new skills. Whether you like it or not, we are in the middle of an economic “reset”. When this is over, industries will not be the same. We will all be evaluating and spending our money on different things. Invest your time and money in something attractive to your customers and prospects today!
4. Stay in front of your customers
More than likely, you’ve built an excellent reputation for your shop through face-to-face interactions, great customer service, and high quality products. Don’t let that slip! You don’t have to be a phenomenal email writer to let your customers know you are still open and ready to help. Because more and more of the workforce are being quarantined to their homes, consider a direct mail piece to help keep you top of mind. Emailing platforms such as MailChimp and AWeber are great pieces of software to look into for email-based communication.
5. Get Online!
In the past 30 days, remote working has become a hot topic. How remote are you? Ensure customers have an easy way to place orders and reorders with your shop through your website or a Web-to-Print storefront. Are your critical pieces of software accessible remotely or cloud-based? You have an opportunity to discover new efficiencies by streamlining your online ordering process.
