I think it’s fair to say that none of us imagined we’d be where we are today. Nor did we foresee the impact COVID-19 would have on businesses all around the world.

We know your business has been affected in one way or the other, and we’d like to help you navigate through this crisis, so you are positioned to come out on the other side stronger.

Over the next few weeks, WSI will be running a free webinar series to share digital marketing tips, tricks, and best practices that you can use to overcome the marketing obstacles you are facing today. Based on some of the recent research we’ve seen, companies that embrace digital marketing will be in a much better position to engage and network with their customers through this crisis.

Here are the details for this special WSI COVID-19 webinar series:

Ahead of the Curve: Digital Marketing Tips, Tricks and Best Practices During COVID-19

Occurs every Wednesday from April 1 – May 6 | 11:30 AM – 12 PM EDT

Topics being covered:

• April 1 – Video Marketing: How Using Video Creates Revenue, Retention, and Relationships for Your Business
• April 8 – Competitive Research: How to Analyze the Marketing Activities of Your Competitors to Get Ahead
• April 15 – Database Management: Learning the Basics of Managing Your Customer Database to Grow Your Business
• April 22 – Persona-Based Marketing: Understanding Your Target Audience in Challenging Times
• April 29 – Conversational Marketing: How to Reimagine Your Customer Conversations Using the Latest Technology
• May 6 – Website Conversions: How to Convert More of Your Website Visitors into Leads

REGISTER NOWEven if you don’t think you can’t make all of the dates above, we encourage you to register for the series, so you get a copy of the webinar recordings to your inbox to watch later.

As always, my team is here to support your business in any way that we can.

Stay safe, and remember, we are in this together.

Because it’s too big to ignore.

I’m sure you’re well aware of the emergence of smartphones and tablets, but really focus on how prevalent they are the next time you’re, well…the next time you’re anywhere. Take a minute to observe your surroundings when you’re in these places or situations:

The workplace – do we ever call anybody ‘at the office’ anymore? Not often, as our phones are always with us, even at meetings or during lunch. Many people also use their smartphones after work to keep up with the never-ending flow of emails. Meanwhile, tablets are gaining prominence in offices as they’re often used in the field to take notes and record video or for sales and presentations.

A coffee shop – the next time you’re in a coffee shop, count the number of devices you see in the store. Chances are there will be a few people fiddling with their phones in line, some others sitting alone having a coffee and reading the news or playing a game on their tablets, and the rest will be sitting in pairs or groups talking (but phones will still be in hand or somewhere close, maybe on the table). No crystal ball here – just reality.

Shopping – whether it’s checking their list at the grocery store, comparing product reviews and prices, or texting without watching where they’re walking, people are using their phones while they’re on the move.

A family function – check it out over the holiday season when you visit family. You’ll see both kids and adults reading and playing games on tablets and everybody will be checking their phones in between lulls in conversation. The lucky ones will get phones, tablets or other devices as gifts.

So, what all these hypothetical anecdotes have to do with mobile marketing and your business? Put simply, there are a lot of people living in the mobile arena, which means that’s where marketing needs to go. Look at the dawn of TV and the computer; new, poplar mediums attract scores of people, and the best marketing follows the people.

Here are a few reasons why putting your company into the mobile marketing game is so important:

According to the Pew Internet & Life Project, as of 2013, 56% of adult Americans have a smartphone and 35% have tablets. These numbers are rapidly rising year over year, especially among the younger generations (your future customers). You have to be where your customers are to be successful and your customers – no matter what business you’re in – are living in a mobile world. The optics for companies who refuse to get involved in the mobile market aren’t good – it looks like they are either falling behind and losing touch or they just don’t care. Consumers are giving businesses an opportunity to engage with them on a level they’re comfortable with…what’s not to love about that? For perception’s sake, try mobile marketing on for size…you may like how it feels.

Do you want to give your customers a consistent brand experience across all relevant mediums? Check for responsive web design. Do you want to reach your customers at the right times when they’re in the right locations? Check for GPS monitoring. Do you want to interact with your customers in new and interesting ways? Check for QR codes. Mobile marketing works and it’s out there making your competitors’ campaigns more efficient. By effectively integrating with your current digital marketing strategies, mobile marketing can increase engagement, boost conversions and enhance overall results.