We’ve been spending a lot of time at Create & Cultivate HQ discussing how we can best show up for and support our community during this uncertain time. Community is at our core, and connecting with others through one-of-a-kind experiences is what we love to do. While the world has changed, our mission has not. We’re committed to helping women create and cultivate the career of their dreams, which is why we’re proud to announce our new Ask an Expert series. We’re hosting discussions with experts, mentors, and influencers daily at 9 am, 12 pm, and 3 pm PST on Instagram Live to cure your craving for community and bring you the expert advice you’ve come to know and love from C&C. Follow Create & Cultivate on Instagram, check out our Ask an Expert highlight reel for the latest schedule, and hit the countdown to get a reminder so you don’t miss out!

Needless to say, the COVID-19 crisis is having a major impact on brick-and-mortar businesses. With everyone responsibly staying home and practicing social distancing in order to do their part and help flatten the coronavirus curve, businesses that typically rely on in-person sales (think: fitness studios, salons, restaurants, etc.) are needing to pivot in order to stay profitable during these uncertain times.

If there’s one thing we’ve learned from our Ask an Expert series, it’s that jumping on digital is essential for brick-and-mortar businesses to come out of the coronavirus pandemic stronger than ever. Which is why we tapped Vanessa Lee, the owner of the beauty concept bar, The Things We Do, for the latest installment of the series. (Spoiler alert: Lee’s creative use of social media to grow her business in these unpredictable times is a masterclass on how to successfully pivot to digital.)

Read on for her top three tips for pivoting to digital even if you’re business isn’t online. If you missed the conversation, you can watch it in full here, and be sure to tune into our next Ask an Expert conversation on Instagram Live.

Tip #1: Ask your customers what they what.

“Make sure you’re giving your audience and customers only what they want. Reach out to your followers on social media and ask them what they need from you. They will tell you what they'll appreciate and what they need from you as a company. We’re living in a special time where we have social media and have the ability to have that dialogue.”

Tip #2: Focus on educational content.

“People are on social media more than ever. Right now, what people are sharing is a lot of educational videos. They’re so powerful because not only are you informing your audience about what you do but there’s an attachment to an experience afterward.“

Tip #3: Think beyond social media.

“It’s important to capture email lists through social media. Making your own email list is super important because right now we’re seeing that so much can change so quickly—you need something solid outside the social media realm.”

About the Expert: Vanessa Lee is a world-renowned medical aesthetic provider sought after for her dedication to the look of natural beauty and known for her contribution to training and educating in the cosmetic/medical field. She is a best-kept celebrity secret, skincare expert, and the owner of a beauty concept bar, The Things We Do.