5 Ways to Navigate Your Online Business Through Crisis (COVID-19 Series)

With COVID-19, things changing by the second. I want to s support you -- my community -- and show you what it looks like to move forward even when you’re feeling scared and uncertain.

I want to show up real and raw about all that I’ve experienced recently and to share some of the things I’ve learned about navigating a business with the world changing so rapidly.

Six Powerful Words

But before we dive in, I want to share six words that we’re seeing a lot lately, and I think it’s important to be aware of these timely words so that you can use them in your business and content. 

1. Resonate
2. Relate
3. Recalibrate
4. Pivot
5. Resilience
6. Evolve

Be sure you’re using these in your social media posts, blog posts, podcasts, emails, and anywhere else you show up as an entrepreneur. They are powerful words that people want to hear right now. 

Five Ways To Navigate Your Business Through Crisis

Here are five things you can do to navigate your business through this crisis. You’ll find two mindset tools, as well as three strategies to implement right away. 

And listen, I know you’re probably feeling some confusion right now. Whether you have an online business, a digital course, plans to launch, or you’re just starting out, I’m going to give you the guidance you need to keep moving forward. 

Because here’s the deal, you can’t ignore what’s going on in the world. In fact, I strongly believe that you have to talk about this no matter where you are on your entrepreneurial journey.

Here’s a snapshot of the five ways to navigate your business through a crisis that I talk about in this episode: 

Get into action.

Feel the feelings but also get into action to keep your mindset abundant and focused.

Remember that you can’t stay in fear or worry -- don’t let them get in the way of your action. After all, you’re an entrepreneur, which means you’re strong and resilient.

My good friend, Rachel Hollis, told me that she found when she got into action, she felt so much better. Conversely, when she was stagnant, she felt herself welling up with emotion.

This doesn’t mean you should be going a million miles a minute and never slowing down, it means being intentional and mindful about how you’re spending your time and where you’re mind is drifting off to.

As an entrepreneur, community, and world, the only place we can go from here is forward -- action creations motion.

Set Routines.

Commit to a morning routine and end of the day shut down. It’s easy to get distracted with the news, your family at home, and just plain old emotions, but creating rituals will keep you focused on the needle movers in your business.

I challenge you to try to stick to routines that you had before coronavirus. If you woke up at 6 a.m., keep getting up at that time.

If the first thing you did was journal with a cup of coffee, and then get a workout in, keep doing those things.

Sure, some things will look a little different, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find a way to make them happen.

Commit to a routine and stick to it! Find an accountability partner if you need. You can check in on one another as you go about your day or week.

Clarify your crisis messaging.

Get clear on what you’re going to say to your audience during this time and how you’re going to position yourself and your business -- even if you have a small audience.

Decide if you’re going to inspire, motivate, educate, or entertain. There are so many ways to approach your crisis messaging -- do what aligns best with your business and personality.

• Here are some tidbits from my crisis messaging.
• You did not come this far to stop now when things got tough.
• I will not let you hit the pause button on your business.
• In a world where we’re encouraged to distance ourselves physically, we need an online community more than ever.

Find some time to sit down and type out or journal your crisis messaging and then get to know it well. You want to be able to speak it confidently to your audience -- even when things get tough. 

Provide value.

Show up and offer something that’s valuable and free that will resonate, support, and inspire your audience.

No matter what industry you’re in, you can make this work. All you have to do is look for the bridge between what’s going on in the world and your area of expertise.

A really simple way to do this is to hop on your social media or send out an email to your list and ask, “What do you guys want to hear from me right now? What kind of guidance would you find helpful as we navigate these uncertain times?”

Your audience will tell you, and they will give you great ideas for something that you could create that’s valuable and goes above and beyond to support them.

I’ve done this a couple of different ways.

First of all, I’ve revamped our podcast episodes to feature a COVID-19 Series, which is a series of podcast episodes that supports my audience in navigating their business through the pandemic.

I also created a free PDF download called, “How To Be Productive Working From Home During Uncertainty,” which gives my audience various ways to stay productive working from home when there is so much going on around them, such as a spouse and kids home, and if they are new to working from home.

Keep selling!

You’re probably wondering, “Amy, I don’t feel I should be selling right now!” My answer to you is… if you stop selling, our economy will be crushed.

You are not opportunistic if you’re selling in our current climate -- as long as you offer a solution to help serve your audience.

Take the time to reevaluate your offers and products to make sure they align with what people need in this time of uncertainty and be willing to pivot if needed.

Despite what you’re thinking, people have more needs today than they did a week ago. Remember that you are a master problem solver, and now is the time to experiment. Try new things, and never give up.

Your audience is not wanting or looking for perfection. Your audience is looking for support, direction, and leadership.

Show up for them. Show up for your community, your audience, and your paying customers.

I hope you find this article is just what you need as we are navigating through this time of chaos, uncertainty, and change. I hope you find the light and gratitude in any way possible. And above all, I hope you and your family are safe and healthy.

For further support, be sure to grab my freebie “How To Be Productive Working From Home During Uncertainty.” You can also check out the podcast associated with this episode, which will go into these 5 ways in more depth. Click here to listen!