People across the US are coming together to help one another during the coronavirus epidemic. Businesses are helping other businesses, the government is working to keep the people’s best interests at heart, and citizens are uniting to maintain calm.
What is your roofing business doing to help your customers keep their cool?
Equipter’s got some ideas on how to put a smile on the faces of your customers, prospects, and fellow community members.
1. Donate nonperishable goods to local shelters.
Local shelters, soup kitchens, and nonprofit service centers are looking for help, now more than ever. Do some research to find locations near you in need of food, clothing, and sanitary supplies. Right now, many places are in need of the following:
- Canned goods
- Tissues
- Toilet paper
- Hand sanitizer
- Cleaning supplies
In addition, many animal shelters are either shut down for adoption or accepting adoptions by appointment only. But the homeless furry creatures still need food and other supplies. Check your local animal shelter’s website for specific needs. Common items appreciated include:
- Blankets, washcloths, towels
- Cat litter
- Sanitizable toys
- Cleaning supplies
- Printer paper
Bonus Tip: Wear company-branded clothing and/or include business cards or personal notes with your donations. Delivering these items yourself while practicing social distancing not only spreads gratitude in a time of hardship but is also an opportunity to increase brand awareness.
2. Deliver customized gift sets to current customers and leads.
One of the best ways to keep up your roofing customers’ and prospects’ spirits is to deliver or send customized gift baskets or boxes with ideas to pass the time. Don’t forget a custom note on your roofing company letterhead!
Here are a few fun gift ideas.
Coronavirus Safety Kits
Give your customers some comic relief during this tough time. Spread the love with custom COVID-19 safety kits. Be sure to include all the “essentials” for survival:
- Mini hand sanitizer bottles
- One roll of toilet paper (this is GOLD right now)
- Tissues
- Playing cards
- Instructions on making the most of their free time (with or without family)
Amazon Gift Cards
Something as simple as a $25 Amazon gift card can go a long way. While some item shipping times have been delayed, Amazon is still maintaining a reasonable delivery speed for whatever they have stocked in their local warehouses. Prime Pantry is a great source for canned and paper goods, so your customers can stay at home and reduce their risk a while longer.
Movie Boxes or Gift Baskets
If any of your roofing prospects and customers have youngsters at home, consider creating family-friendly movie boxes with personalized notes. Be sure to include:
- 1-2 bags of unpopped popcorn
- 1 box of candy per child
- Family-friendly DVD
Bonus Tip: The dollar store is an excellent source of popular candy, and Walmart’s $5 movie bin often has good (older) DVDs.
Game Night Boxes
Help couples and families come closer together–and away from technology–with a classic game night box. So, what do you include in a game night box to keep your business top of mind while families are trying to cope with cabin fever? Consider these ideas:
- Customized playing cards with your company logo
- List of different card games with instructions
- Snacks (or popcorn left over from filling movie boxes)
3. Share what other companies are doing for the public.
Many companies and organizations are offering free limited-time opportunities or extending free trial periods while everyone is stuck inside thanks to the coronavirus. Know your customers’ occupations and family size? Consider sharing deals that are relevant to their interests and situations.
Just a few opportunities include:
- BroadwayHD 7-Day Free Trial to watch select Broadway plays
- Audible offers free audiobook streaming for children
- Amazon Kindle offers two months free for new subscribers
- Comcast offers free internet for low-income families
- Zoom is lifting its 40-minute limit for calls on free accounts for teachers and schools
Here at Equipter, we are committed to helping you maintain professionalism on and off the job. For ideas on how to best communicate with your customers and prospects during this economically challenging time, check out COVID-19 and Roofing Pt 1: How to Identify and Appeal to Your Customers’ Situations.
Be sure to follow Equipter on Facebook for the latest company updates and more ways to enhance your business.