Nothing could be worse than this COVID-19 pandemic hitting past years. There’s no doubt in the fact that it has completely shaken almost every aspect of our lives. Out of which, we witnessed supply chains to be impacted quite significantly. The supply chain crisis news has continued despite the drop in COVID cases. In this regard, there is a dire need to inform the customers of what is actually happening.
The short supply of medicine, food, garments, or groceries; with delayed shipments and inventories falling. The customers need to know when their desired product will be finally available to them. In such a scenario, email marketing comes to the rescue. With email marketing in supply chain crisis, businesses could easily engage their customers. In addition to that, they could easily give them confidence that their concerns are being addressed. On the other hand, using a traditional strategy like email coupon marketing frequently slips these marketers’ and businesses’ minds, and this is when an excellent chance presents itself.
Just dive into the below read to know how you should navigate your email marketing to overcome the disastrous outcomes of the supply chain crisis.
How is Email Marketing Crucial in Supply Chain Crisis?
Going through the empty shelves in grocery stores or facing a shortage of medicine in pharmacies out there, people know how bad all of this is. With the latest omicron outbreak, the infected workers are being isolated and so a significant supermarket shortage is being suffered.
Therefore, a few businesses have obtained exemptions from the government side to get their workers back to work even if they are covid positive. Even though marketers can keep in touch with their customers via social media, email marketing serves to be the most direct and personal means of letting the customers know they are on top of their minds.
Reach Your Customers as a Top Priority
The global supply chain crisis is a hot topic worldwide. The media is coming up with a lot of stories, which means your customers should hear from your business. Whether it is a price change of your products or it’s out of stock, your customers should be well aware. Marketers couldn’t afford to sit idle and let others talk for them. From confirming an order to its shipment, inform your customers of the entire delivery process. This way, email marketing assists you in prioritizing your customers.
Try Suggesting Related Alternatives
The workforce, from child care and health care to manufacturing and agriculture to logistics and transportation and to services and emergency. Having said that, marketers should go offer their customers the relevant alternatives for whatever product they need. People either couldn’t find their desired product or might be waiting for their orders to reach home. All of this definitely brings frustration.
Dig down the in-stock inventories and check what could serve as an alternative for a particular product. Set an estimated delivery time and via email marketing inform your customers in this regard.
Marketing In-Stock Products
Marketers need to adapt quickly and efficiently to the world supply chain crisis. Changing directions via creative and strategic thinking will help you go with the flow. You might have your best-performing products in stock out, but you can make effective use of the products that are on hand. Search out a new market for these on-hand products.
These may be the items you are unable to sell well; maybe because you aren’t reaching the right audience for these products. Try reaching the inboxes of prospects with different locations or different age groups. Also, advertise the on-hand products to your already existing customers.
Continue Valuing Your Customers
Being out of stock for some of your products doesn’t mean you’ll stop valuing your customers. Customers should always stay on the top of your priority list. Work on providing them with how-to guides regarding your available products. Email them FAQs that keep them posted regarding the ongoing supply chain crisis, or you may also ensure that your weekly newsletter provides the latest insights.
Keeping your customers know about the actual scenario going on in the industry will build trust where they’ll perceive you as a reputed brand. This surely will work wonders than any other marketing campaign. Email marketing is no more just advertising your products. It has gone far beyond that; it’s more about fostering a deeper connection with the customers out there.
Empathetic Communication is Key During a Supply Chain Crisis
Whatever is your communication strategy, make sure you are empathetic in your tone. As people are frustrated wrapping their heads around the chaotic supply chain crisis, let your emails tell them that you too are frustrated by the whole scenario. Telling them your side of the story will help them understand your situation, too.
Any other productive step that you shall opt for is to offer them special discounts or a “thank you” note will work well too. Proactive communication while you offer your trendy item with a coupon will definitely mold them to buy. Don’t sit idle, letting your customers wonder whether that particular product is available. Provide them with the latest information and offer them alternatives.
The Bottom Line
The global supply chain crisis is a real thing, and you can’t do anything about it. Businesses, small or big, all are under the influence of a supply chain crisis where the only thing marketers can do is to communicate with their customers.
Shortages are surely a major issue, but transforming email marketing as per the current scenario will help businesses gain customer loyalty. All of these email marketing tactics will not only help your business in the long run, but will also help you outlive the present supply chain crisis.