The State of Hawai‘i and the Chamber of Commerce Hawai‘i co-launched a new program to help Hawai'i small business owners to switch up their business to weather the impact of Covid: The Hawai'i Business Pivot Grant.
PIVOT GRANT APPLICATIONS NOW CLOSED!
Funded by the CARES Act, the grant will distribute $25M to help small businesses get back on their feet by being able to adjust to the new marketplace. Aiming to provide ~2,500 small businesses with reimbursement grants to cover expenses of up to $10,000, the pivot grant is a great way to invest in the growth of your business. Check below for eligibility requirements.
Here are five ways you could hire a consulting, digital and marketing company like ours to support you in pivoting your business:
#1: Build a web presence
89% of customers start their search from a search engine like Google. This means that if you don't already have a website that (a) showcases your brand story and (b) converts website visitors into paying customers...then this is a great place to start!
We'll do all the heavy lifting by editing the content, writing SEO rich blog content, and getting your website featured in key places online to improve it's rankings on Google (see more in Pivot Idea #5 PR below). It's more than just building a website. It's about being found on search engines and grabbing the attention of potential customers. --> VSNRY websites
#2: Create a customer loyalty offer
It costs 3 to 10 times more money to acquire a new customer than it does to sell something to an existing one. Customers are doubling down on brands they love, so if you already have a great website, then it's worth creating a loyalty program, exclusive products for existing customers and incentives for customers to share your brand with their friends. This is all about staying top of mind. --> VSNRY business consulting & coaching
#3: Identify new opportunities
It's been "go go go" for a while now. Even though we live in paradise, it's important to sit back, get creative and look for new opportunities that can set the foundations for new revenue for your business. Don't worry...this doesn't mean you need to invent something new or launch a whole new line of products. The key here is to identify what would bring cohesion to your brand for new customers and what would help existing customers come back for more, more often. --> VSNRY business consulting & coaching
#4: Update your brand
As your business evolves, so does your brand. It's also more than your logo. It's all of the design elements of your business, including the story behind your brand. The best thing about updating or creating a new brand is that it's one of the best ways to re-engage customers. --> VSNRY marketing
#5: Build PR
Public relations is all about creating awareness and a positive reputation with the public. The best PR is not about just selling your product or paying for adverts. It's about creating articles and content that share your business' story with the world in innovative ways in magazines, websites, social media and print. No matter which of the services you choose to hire for your Hawai'i Business Pivot Grant, we always recommend you follow it with at least some PR. --> VSNRY marketing
More about the Hawai'i Business Pivot Grant:
Overview of eligibility requirements:
To qualify for the grant, businesses and non-profits must meet the following criteria:
Be registered in the State of Hawai‘i and have fewer than 100 employees;
Operate in a physical commercial space in Hawai‘i; home-based businesses are not eligible;
Have suffered economic injury due to the COVID-19 pandemic;
Been in business prior to March 20, 2020.
Eligible Expenses:
Eligible expenses for reimbursement may include the following, if they were related to pivoting operations or processes:
Web development, design, social media and e-commerce
Consulting services
Professional services related to pivoting your business
Related equipment and supplies
Physical distancing measures (expenses incurred after Oct.1)
For more details on the program, including frequently asked questions and the application for the Hawaiʻi Business Pivot Grant, are available at www.HawaiiBizPivot.org
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