A Social Stimulus Package: Worth more to business and consumers

Much of the recent online chatter is geared toward the economic stimulus due out to 80 million Americans. On a C-Span live stream Steven Mnuchin, the US Treasury Secretary announced that the Coronavirus response stimulus should help individuals during this crisis.

He also announced that the Small Business Administration (SBA) has distributed 230 billion loans to over 46 participating lenders, but I want to talk with you about another stimulus that every business should be taking advantage of.

As a digital media service, my clients have talked with me about feeling guilty over pushing sales right now. Rightfully so, because what the world needs now is YOU.

People's needs have changed, but they still NEED you! I call this The Social Stimulus Package for your clients/consumers.

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Now, I don't want to lose you here. What I am saying is that there is not only an economic deficit happening in our nation but an emotional & social deficit, as well. While sheltering in place, many families are dealing with very real issues in their households. Many are spending weeks in isolation with only themselves, and others are dealing with the shock of no work. These are very REAL deficits! What are we truly seeking and needing?

Here are some examples of what is happening online all over the world:

• Message use on digital platforms has increased by 50%. What? Do people REALLY want to talk to you? Digital Trends

Are you checking up on your clients, past clients, partners, are you placing I miss you notes in their inbox? There's plenty of time right now. Sometimes acknowledging the space between us, goes a long way, and it's a great place to start a conversation.

• FirstLink, the 211 helplines and National Suicide Prevention Hotline, indicates that some suicide prevention call centers have recently experienced a 300% increase in call volume. NewsOne

In this digital age, we have never been more connected than ever before, but we are struggling with loneliness.

Forbes recently released an article about how the COVID-19 isolation period has effected singles. John Scott Lewinski, a Forbes contributor reports the following,

"New data provided via press report from private social media management firm Khoros shows that tech-savvy singles are tweeting the terms “nudes” and “dick pics” alongside the term “Coronavirus” at a pace 384% higher than 30 days ago."

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Yikes! People are desperate for social interaction, and yes stress relief (that's what this Forbes article calls it).

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I have some clients who are excited to be helping and spreading positivity right now, they are all for it! These clients are enjoying it because they are seeing the results of relationship building at its finest. They are there and available when their audience needs them to be, and they will be there when their audience wants to purchase from them.

On the other hand, I also have clients who are dejected and suffering from this deficit themselves. My answer to this issue is simple. The more good you deposit on your platforms to encourage, support, uplift, give hope, inspire, and motivate others, the better you will feel about what you're putting out. The best part of all is that this part of your online engagement is COMPLETELY FREE! You have the power to deposit #greatervalue in the form of HOPE into your audience's feeds.

Don't take for granted or neglect the great group of people who follow you. Remember we are humans and all have the basic NEED to connect. We simply cannot put a price tag on a genuine human connection.

Until We Get There #DoGreaterThings,

- Naomi Barron