For thousands of small business owners across the Midwest, mobile is a customer service and marketing savior on Monday.
“The message from Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management is to not go out unless you have to,” WGN News is reporting today, as temperatures 30-degrees below zero cripple many communities across the heartland.
The ability to communicate with consumers via mobile – from SMS to social media – is keeping an untold number of small business owners and consumers safe at this hour.
“Mobile communications save lives in situations like these,” argues Eric Bolling of Midland Comm., an upstart ad agency in southern Michigan. “Avoiding potentially life-threatening conditions while still running your business and handling your marketing will keep people safe in conditions where inclement weather is beyond menacing.”
Meteorologists from Detroit to Indianapolis report that some of the coldest temperatures recorded in the last century will be achieved this week. And even though commerce must continue, those who can at least minimally operate their enterprises remotely should do so.
According to Bolling, small business owners should use their social media and mobile communications resources to not only inform customers about store closures and service delays, but also to issue reminders about weather conditions and other community information.
“This is a great opportunity to use mobile for more than just promoting sales,” he continues. “Use it to be an informed and informative member of your community. Customers appreciate that and respond favorably to such efforts.”