Creative Consultant Kevon Mc Kenna said businesses should be willing to market themselves even if they’re not fully operational now, due to the pandemic.

“Yes, you’ve been out of pocket for a while, but you have to draw back in your customers and encourage the sale. You also have to understand your demographics and know who you’re targeting. Based on that, you’ll know how you’re building your marketing strategy,” Mc Kenna said.

Mc Kenna, who also coordinates events, said some businesses have been at a standstill due to government restrictions such as the number of persons allowed at gatherings.

“For now, some businesses can do simple, scaled-down events online,” he said.

He had the following suggestions for business owners.

• Update your Facebook page and add content to stay top of mind
• Use the downtime to update your skillsets and position your business better
• Clearly define who your target audience is in order to market more effectively
• Think about how best to serve your customers and implement strategies such as sales and discounts, where applicable, to increase revenue
• Consider getting vaccinated so the island can open up sooner and businesses can operate fully
• Do not hire moonlight marketers. Make sure the person has proven experience.

Mc Kenna, who spoke on the topic ‘Financial Intelligence During the Pandemic’, was part of the Realisation for Economic Achievement (REACH) segment of Wellness Wednesdays. The weekly conversations are an initiative of the Division of Health, Wellness and Family Development aired live on Tobago Channel 5.