I don’t know about you, but in the last few weeks my inbox has been crammed with messages from companies of all shapes and sizes, and they’re all saying the same thing: “COVID is scary. We’re scared too, but we’re on top of it at XYZ company.”
You don’t need another note like that in your inbox today.
So my next thought was, “How can I be helpful in this situation?”
Many of my customers are in the process of pivoting their in-person events to webinars and figuring out how to offer their products and services online.
Your business might be in flux right now, too, so I thought I would simply offer a handful of resources that might be helpful for you.
I’ve included some of my favorite communication and marketing tools, but there are also a few suggestions to help you keep your sanity while you’re practicing social distancing.
Here’s the list:
1. Zoom. I’ve been using Zoom for client calls and webinars for many years, and it’s my favorite video/audio conferencing tool.
I’ve been hearing fantastic stories about how companies are using Zoom to expand their offerings right now (think webinars, telehealth visits, fitness classes, and group or individual coaching calls). If you do interviews or webinars via Zoom, you can record them and repurpose the content into shorter videos, blog posts, social media content, and podcast episodes.
Some of the most heartwarming stories I’ve heard lately are the ones about people who are using Zoom to stay connected with friends and relatives while we’re separated. One friend even told me she played Zoom charades with her far-flung family members last week!
Zoom offers free plans that give you up to 40 minutes in group calls. Many of my current clients are upgrading to the lowest-level paid plan for $14.99, which lets you do unlimited small group meetings of any duration. Zoom also offers a webinar platform for larger meetings that includes advanced features.
2. Slack. For teams that are currently adjusting to remote working arrangements, Slack can be a real lifesaver. It’s an online messaging platform that enables you to talk in real time to coworkers and team members (even in groups), and all the conversations are easily searchable later. You can start a Slack channel for free at any time, and try out this incredibly flexible tool.
3. Doodle. One of the most frustrating things about working remotely is the constant back-and-forth that happens between group members before you can set up a time for an online meeting. Doodle is a free tool that lets you take a quick poll of group members to determine the best time and date for your next meeting.
4. Toggl. Not sure where all that quarantine time is going, or whether you are spending your working hours productively? I know it’s hard right now. If focusing is an issue for you, I recommend trying time tracking. I’ve been using Toggl for years to track my time on hourly client projects, and I find that it really helps me stay focused. I use Toggl’s free basic membership, and it suits my purposes just fine, but they have paid levels that offer invoicing and other fancy features.
5. Netflix party. This one’s just for fun. If you’ve been missing movie nights with your loved ones, try Netflix Party. It’s a free tool that lets you synchronize playback between multiple people and add a chat feature to Netflix movies and shows, so you can watch with your friends and family members.
6. Watch, read, and listen. The New York Times published a great list of TV shows, movies, and podcasts that will help entertain you and feed your mind right now. Some of my favorites (like The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel) were featured on this list.
7. Get some virtual culture. The British critics of The Guardian offer creative alternatives to major concerts, shows, and exhibitions that have been postponed or canceled. You can view a concert or tour a museum, right from your couch! I also recommend following your favorite recording artists on Facebook – many of them are doing live virtual concerts from their homes!
I’ll be posting these resources in a blog post, and adding to it during the next few weeks as I discover more tools you can use.
In the meantime, if there’s anything I can help you with right now, please let me know! I’m happy to jump on a call to discuss.
Hang in there, everyone
