When coronavirus (COVID-19) hit, I was temporarily working from IMPACT HQ to see how I liked living up in Connecticut.

I was even planning apartment visits, when, in mid-February, I got a call from my father urging me to cut my trip short and come back to Florida in case all travel got shut down. 

I was lucky I left when I did. 

My original flight home was set to leave the day after Connecticut Governor Lamont’s “Stay Safe, Stay Home” took effect. 

Although I understood that leaving was the best decision, it was bittersweet. Our team had just been told to work from home, I didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to all of the team members I had gotten so close with over the past several weeks, and I didn’t and don’t know when I’ll be back. 

Since coming back to Florida, I’ve been trying to stay occupied by reading, going for walks in my neighborhood, or getting some sun by the pool. 

Like most Americans, however, I’ve also been binge-watching shows, spending far too much time on my phone on social media. 

With us, most storefronts and restaurants have closed, events have been canceled or rescheduled, in-person meetings have moved online; the list goes on and on. 

Businesses are having to shift their focus to lead and sales generation through digital platforms like email marketing, content marketing, paid media, and social media.

With the shift from in-person shopping to primarily online shopping, brands that are not leveraging social media and influencers in their digital marketing strategy could be missing a big opportunity.

HireInfluence explains seven reasons why utilizing social media and influencer marketing could benefit your brand.

1. Rise in digital content consumption

We have a lot more time on our hands right now and the majority of U.S. citizens are spending that extra time consuming content. There have been significant increases in video streaming, website traffic, and gaming due to the fact that most of us are under “stay at home” orders.

(I am slightly ashamed to admit that the Screen Time report on my phone says that my average app usage has gone up 22% in the past week.)

With the rise in content consumption online, marketers need to increase their content output and consider new ways of sharing that content, like taking advantage of an influencer’s loyal following.

2. Digital marketing doesn’t need in-person meetings

Marketing and sales departments can no longer attract leads through in-person networking events, sales meetings, conferences, and other in-person events. 

The biggest benefit of implementing digital marketing strategies is that there is no need for physical interaction.

Marketers can turn to social media and influencers to attract the leads and sales that they would have been getting from their in-person events.

3. Content is needed now

As mentioned above, there is a rise in digital content consumption. This is one of the only safe ways to get information right now, so businesses need to adapt.

Try leveraging an influencer’s following to promote your brand through the content they create. 

4. Influencer pricing is more flexible

With the cancellation of all events, many influencers have less work and more free time and could lower their prices. This would help you get the most reach and engagement with your limited budget.

5. Influencers want to create a social impact

It’s times like these that we can all make a difference in people’s lives. 

Influencers can help communicate relevant and beneficial information about your brand’s products or services to a larger audience. When they speak, people listen! 

6. Influence matters

63% of people trust influencers more than they trust brands. This pandemic has been scary and many people are looking for people to trust, like the influencers that they follow.

Even the Surgeon General of the United States Jerome Adams turned to Kylie Jenner to explain how serious this pandemic is to younger Americans. 

He did this because he understands the impact that celebrities and influencers can make on Millenials and Gen Z.

7. Delay is likely and not a halt

Though many industries may have slowed, there will eventually be an upsurge of spending by consumers. 

If you are promoting your brand now, you will be ahead of the boom because people will already be familiar with your brand.