Page Last Updated: 10/11/2022
Click Here to Download the NEAG Marketing Calendar
We are working hard to provide you with strategies to help communicate and implement ways to keep your business thriving during this unprecedented pandemic event. The NEAG leadership team, our digital vendor partners, and other resources are collaborating on best practices — and we are committed to providing them to you on a regular basis. Check back here often for the latest updates!
Important Marketing Assets
AVB has created a Covid-19 Info HUB with tons of helpful content on loans, aid, store policies, employee relations and more! Take a look: https://yoursourcenews.com/covid-info-hub/
Available Now via On-Demand Recording: Best Practices On How To Sell Via Text Messaging (registration required)
RWS has offered actionable advice for the retailers using the WebFronts platform, including help on the following:
Adding a FREE live chat app to your web site
Implementing “how-to-shop-with-us” banners and landing pages
Encouraging consumers to contact you about availability and pricing
Taking precautions and communicating those to consumers when doing home delivery or repair
Click here to download a ZIP file with all RWS “How To” guides
Available Now via On-Demand Recording: “How to Successfully Retail From a Distance” by Podium (registration required)
In our research, potential consumers seem to be most concerned with the following:
Is your store still open?
If so, do you have inventory?
How long from order to delivery?
Are there alternative ways to shop aside from in person? (i.e. Online “Add to Cart”, Live Chat, FaceTime/Skype online video appointments with sales associates, etc.)
What are your delivery options? (i.e. Leave items boxed and/or unboxed on driveway; enter home but wear fresh booties and gloves; Lysol-spray your shoes and wash hands prior to delivery; disinfect appliances once set up, etc.)
To address some of these concerns, we have created strategic marketing materials to help our retailers communicate their specific status and policies:
Available in Promoboxx: Social Media Posts addressing open/closed status, inventory questions, delivery procedures, alternative ways to shop (these can always be “boosted” to new audiences via the local ad feature on Promoboxx if dealers for as little as $5). These posts MUST BE CUSTOMIZED prior to sharing; they will not be automated; you will need to login to Promoboxx to share manually.
Available via Download: A COVID-19 “special message / press release” from our PDV Carbon / Alana Riley with a template you can customize to your specific needs & policies to post on your web site, in showrooms, on your front doors, include in email blasts, and more. It’s up to you how you’ll use it – we’re just giving you the tools to get started. Please click here to download the COVID-19 special message / press release
Available in Constant Contact: Customizable Email Blast template in Constant Contact provided by our PDV Hello Brand Design / Julie Rathjens addressing the same items for you to send out to your lists
Website homepage banners and landing pages with this info — very important! — these will be provided by your web site provider.
RWS will proactively send out communications on this effort
AVBM has advised that members using its platform should contact them directly for assistance
Additional thoughts:
We’d like to encourage members utilize SEM/TEXT ADS to relay store policy info to the public, because the public is primarily doing internet searches to find out who is open and what a retailer’s current status is. Please contact your Search Marketing provider for help with this tactic.
Make sure to update your Online Google Business Listings and Social Media Accounts with hours and special info / policy changes as they occur. People rely on your info to be accurate and will be frustrated if they are misled!
WEB SITE PRICING STRATEGIES: A note from Rob Balzano
You MUST communicate best practice pricing your website, which we believe is MAP less 10% — more consumers will make purchases online and you need to price correctly & competitively
The Exception is supply and demand-effected items: like Freezers
Don’t chase the competition for pricing below MAP
Include Fast Free Delivery or other incentives, and communicate your virus hygiene delivery strategies clearly to allay concerns.
IMPORTANT: With the heightened aversion (and in some cases prohibition) for shopping in-person, we are encouraging members who do not currently use Live Chat to get on board with Live Chat ASAP.
NEAG's premier partner with modern & convenient online communication tools is Podium. Take a look at their products & services here.
RWS supports various FREE live chat applications on Webfronts, and has provided an easy way to implement one specific FREE live chat app called “Tawk.to”. Click here to fill out the online sign up form to get started today
AVB Marketing has its own live chat application called Conneqt that costs $49 per month for one user and a $99 set up fee (cost increases for more users). They are ready & waiting to hear from you if you’d like to implement on your AVBM web site today
We suggest to turn-on Text Messaging / Messaging on your Google My Business profile — it’s free and will be helpful to many consumers!
If there is anything we can do to help you during these upcoming weeks, do not hesitate to call or email! Thanks and good luck. Stay Positive! We’re stronger together & we are here for YOU!
Your NEAG Leadership Team