Converting leads has proven to be a major challenge for marketers during the COVID-19 crisis.

Well, here’s a solution that could help with this dilemma — direct mail.

Direct mail is having a moment right now.

In fact, the USPS "COVID Mail Attitudes" report shows that 65% of those surveyed said that getting mail actually puts them in a better mood. And 54% said direct mail made them feel more connected.

The pandemic has changed everyone’s priorities.

Right now, people are worried about their health, safety and financial stability. And further down the list is — ah, yes... business objectives.

In the midst of this crisis, you may want to rethink your marketing strategy. Any plans you made pre-pandemic may be off the table. So take time now to evaluate your method, your messaging and more.

Direct mail is a promising avenue for the current state of things. According to the WHO and the CDC, sending and receiving mail is considered safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. And with so many people staying at home, the mailbox is a direct line to your prospects.

As we move into a new decade, marketers are turning to tech more than ever. Notably, marketers are investing in CRM, automation and data. CRM has become a given, as 100% of high-growth companies use some sort of customer relationship management tool. And automation is on track to become just as ubiquitous, with 98% usage.

All of a sudden...

It’s a different world.

Many of us are now working from home.

Nobody, employee nor employers, got much notice. No one really had time to prepare. Understandably, going into this remote work situation, some employers were a bit concerned about employee productivity. But what they should really be concerned about is — employee burnout.

The coronavirus pandemic has been tough on everyone. Marketers are no exception. But dealing with changes in the marketplace is what we’re good at — right?

Well, this situation is unique, to say the least. So here are a few tips to help your campaigns remain viable during these challenging times.

Whether you are a small hardware store in the Midwest or a corporation based in LA, brand positioning matters. Where you show up in the search results matters. The type of customer reviews you are generating matters. What people are saying about you online helps to define your brand. Recognizing that is the first step to smart online marketing.

It’s been a tough couple of months. And the weeks and months ahead don’t look a whole lot better.

In addition to the health crisis, there have been work stoppages, bankruptcies, plant closings and sweeping cutbacks.

Then, you put customers in quarantine and suddenly, communicating with them becomes a real challenge.

That said, now, perhaps more than ever, it is critical to communicate effectively.

You certainly don’t want to come across as tone-deaf during this time. But that doesn’t mean you can’t still address your brand initiatives. So how do you do it? How should firms communicate during the COVID-19 crisis?

 Marketing and sales teams have the same goal: sell. But too often, they're not on the same page. The content created by the marketing team doesn't always align with the type of conversation the sales team wants to have with a potential customer. And this disconnect holds companies back. 

The solution is called “Togetherness,” a concept created by alignment expert Jeff Davis.

They say we’re all in this crisis together. That is true. But what we do with this time is what will separate “us” from “them” when things calm down.

That’s why, during these surreal times, smart marketers are taking a long, hard look at their marketing strategies. They’re making adjustments and changes now.

A recent Adobe study found that 63% of financial services organizations ranked customer experience as their number one priority. To keep up with the competition, you need to put your customers first… or they’ll find a provider who does.

Today, customers expect a seamless digital experience across channels, personalized advice and a financial partner they can trust. Take a look at this infographic to see why customer experience matters to the financial industry — now more than ever.