Today’s post is sponsored by GoDaddy. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you so much for supporting the brands and businesses that make Diary of a Debutante possible!

I know it’s a taboo topic, but if you’re struggling due to COVID-19, you’re not alone. I’m right there with you, as are millions of other freelancers and solopreneurs. To be candid, my traffic’s tanked, engagement’s down, sales have been cut in half, and ad revenue’s at an all-time low. More importantly, though, my spirit’s felt crushed at times, and it’s been hard to stay positive. Fortunately, one thing that’s helped pull me out of my funk is the community I’ve found in GoDaddy’s #OpenWeStand chat on LinkedIn. If you feel like you need extra support right now, join the conversation and chat with other small business owners who are also navigating these challenging times. I’ve found some amazing ideas, tips, and tricks for surviving COVID-19 as a small business, and I’m sharing 3 of my favorites with y’all in today’s post. Keep reading for all 3!

1. Find your tribe. 

Finding your tribe is a great small business tip regardless of the state of the global economy, but it’s crucial now. I’m a member of some wonderful blogging communities, but it’s the same story for almost everyone– traffic’s down, brand deals are virtually non-existent, and competition’s at an all-time high. Fortunately, I’ve been active on LinkedIn for over a decade now (it was integral for connecting with prospective clients and partners back in my financial days), so it’s one of the first places I checked for insight into how small businesses like mine can actually survive COVID-19. I came across GoDaddy’s #OpenWeStand community chat and immediately felt relief. It’s essentially a group of bloggers, freelancers, and small business owners, all of whom are in the same boat right now, exchanging tips, tricks, and, most importantly, support.

Not only is it inspiring to see the entrepreneurial community come together, it’s been an invaluable resource for both my business and mental health. In addition to providing strategic business tips, the community’s reminded me to keep calm and take care of myself. This seems intuitive, but it really is hard to come up with innovative ideas to help move forward without a healthy mindset. Click here to join the conversation on LinkedIn!

2. Use this time wisely. 

This might sound controversial, but COVID-19 could potentially end up having a silver lining for some businesses. How? It’s opened up time in our schedules to do back-end logistical work that could pay off in the long run. For example, if you have a brick-and-mortar business, now could be the time to launch a digital storefront. If you provide a physical service, like yoga or dance classes, now’s the time to invest in video equipment and establish a virtual footprint. For bloggers like me, now’s the time to update SEO and republish old posts. I’m also personally reserving a few hours a day to create new Pinterest graphics, which has already boosted my traffic quite a bit. 

The point here is that the more we sit and wallow, the more damage is done. Use this time wisely to help improve logistical efficiency, which could potentially make a huge difference in your business once COVID-19’s gone for good.

3. Find new opportunities. 

Probably the most helpful tip I’ve gotten from GoDaddy’s #OpenWeStand community chat is to actively look for new opportunities. If you’re able to navigate and adapt your business plan, new prospects do exist. Now, whether that means pivoting your product, starting a GoFundMe page, or experimenting with new social platforms depends on your business. Personally, I’m experimenting more with video. I know for a fact that video content performs better, but it just takes so much more time to produce– and it’s time that I normally don’t have. So, I’m taking this opportunity to experiment with Pinterest video pins, Amazon Live, TikTok, and more.

I’m also doing more SEO research to increase the likelihood of ranking for certain topics before I invest time in writing about them. Finally (and, in my opinion, most importantly), I’m reaching out to fellow bloggers and small businesses and asking how we can support each other. Not to be cheesy, but I’m learning that the old saying really is true. The only way out of this is through, and the only way through is together.