Around the globe, nations are struggling with the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic. Indeed, these unprecedented times will be regarded as the defining moment of our modern age. Yet, it must not be forgotten that inevitably this crisis will end, and we will gradually return to normalcy. To truly flourish, businesses operating in the industry should consider things like arts and entertainment website design and marketing services. In this article, we discuss 4 tips for arts and entertainment businesses to thrive in a post Coronavirus landscape.

Make An Excellent First Impression Online With An Exceptional Website

Over the past few years, consumers are using their devices and smart TVs to enjoy entertainment at home. That said, arts and entertainment brands now must tailor experiences to match consumers shifting preferences. Once the pandemic subsides, it will be imperative for arts and entertainment brands to distinguish themselves from the competition with outstanding website design.

In the highly competitive arts and entertainment industry post Coronavirus, to truly thrive brands must capture the audience’s attention with an exceptional professionally designed, mobile-friendly website. Your brand will convey a professionalism that is essential for audience engagement online, instill a sense of trustworthiness, and garner brand credibility.

Proven SEO Strategies Will Be Crucial For Arts And Entertainment Businesses

Inevitably, the COVID-19 pandemic will end, and we will return to a semblance of normalcy. To truly flourish in a post Coronavirus landscape, arts and entertainment brands must consider using effective professional SEO services. By employing proven SEO strategies, you will drive organic traffic to your brand’s website, and maximize your ROI.

Proven and effective SEO tips for arts and entertainment brands include everything like optimizing your company’s website for SEO, to long-tail keyword research. Effective SEO will be crucial for arts and entertainment brands in Toronto to grow and thrive.

Effectively Engage Your Followers With Social Media Management Services

Social Media is an integral component of audience engagement in the entertainment industry. In a post Coronavirus landscape, for arts and entertainment brands to truly flourish, effective social media management will be key to future growth and success. By utilizing some of the most popular social media in Canada, arts and entertainment businesses can dramatically increase brand awareness and effectively engage followers.

Once the pandemic blessedly ends, arts and entertainment businesses must understand how crucial building one’s brand is for future success. By boosting your social media presence, you will build brand awareness, increase audience engagement, and convert sales, which ultimately gives you an advantage over competitors.

How The COVID-19 Economic Response Plan Pertains To Arts And Entertainment Businesses

The global pandemic is a fluid situation – one that fluctuates from day to day. In an attempt to curtail the spread of the virus, drastic measures have been implemented throughout the country, and the world at large. The Ontario government extended the state of emergency and mandated the closure of all non-essential workplaces in the province. Unfortunately, businesses that operate in the arts and entertainment industry fall under the aforesaid category. The International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, Moving Picture Technicians, Artists and Allied Crafts of the United States, Its Territories and Canada (or IATSE) is a labor union representing over 140,000 personnel in the entertainment industry. On March 26, IATSE released a statement regarding the COVID-19 pandemic:

“Today, the IATSE was granted an exclusive audience with Minister of Canadian Heritage Steven Guilbeault to discuss ways in which the federal government could best support the entertainment industry and its workers.  The meeting included Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister Julie Dabrusin, MP, and representatives from the IATSE International, as well as 40 IATSE Local Union leaders – one from every IATSE Local Union in Canada. Through necessity, the meeting took place via conference call, with the positive consequence that every trade and region was represented.

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought economic hardship to all workers, but with virtually 100% unemployment, the entertainment industry has been hit particularly hard. Minister Guilbeault spoke knowledgably about the situation facing workers in both the film and live performance sectors and held a question-and-answer session following his remarks.  The IATSE was able to pose questions raised by members with regard to governmental supports being provided by the federal government, including the newly announced Canadian Emergency Response Benefit, and also raised concerns regarding the ability of producers, particularly smaller theatres and companies, to bounce back once the crisis is over. Minister Guilbeault assured representatives that the Ministry of Heritage shares the goal of seeing the entertainment industry and its workers successfully through this crisis.

Following the meeting, International Vice President & Director of Canadian Affairs John Lewis said, ‘The IATSE is grateful to Minister Guilbeault and his staff for their willingness to work with us toward solutions. From the beginning, they have listened with open minds about what the industry needs, what is working, and what might need more attention. We are also thrilled with the supports announced by the federal government, which address the concerns we raised regarding employed vs. self-employed workers, and those who had maxed out EI benefits over the slower winter months.’”

To supplement the inevitable income loss that many Canadians are experiencing during Coronavirus pandemic, it is important to understand the relief measures implemented by the federal government in the COVID-19 Economic Response Plan. Amongst the measures providing economic support to Canadians during this unprecedented time is the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB):

“We will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 every 4 weeks for up to 16 weeks to eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19.

The CERB is available to workers who meet all of the following conditions:

• live in Canada and are at least 15 years old
• stopped working because of COVID-19 or are eligible for EI regular or sickness benefits
• have not voluntarily quit their job
• had income of at least $5,000 in 2019 or in the 12 months prior to the date of their application.

On April 15, we announced changes to the eligibility rules to:

• Allow people to earn up to $1,000 per month while collecting the CERB.
• Extend the CERB to seasonal workers who have exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to undertake their regular seasonal work because of COVID-19.
• Extend the CERB to workers who have recently exhausted their EI regular benefits and are unable to find a job because of COVID-19.

An online questionnaire will help us direct you to the service option that best fits your situation (i.e. eligibility for Employment Insurance benefits or not).”

Federal finance minister, Bill Morneau explained the impetus for the introduction of CERB.

“We know that people are worried about their health, their jobs and their financial situations. Our government is doing whatever it takes to protect the health and safety of Canadians, and to support workers, families and businesses. The Canada Emergency Response Benefit would make sure that money gets in the hands of workers as quickly as possible to support them in their time of need, and would help businesses keep their employees during this difficult period. Canadians can rest assured that the government stands ready to take any and all necessary actions as we continue to confront these challenging times together,” Morneau stated in a press release.

Additionally, at the beginning of April the federal government announced the details of measures that will support Canadian businesses affected by the COVID-19 outbreak. On April 1, the Department of Finance announced the Canadian Emergency Wage Subsidy (CEWS): 

“The Government of Canada is taking immediate, significant and decisive action to support Canadians and businesses facing hardship as a result of the global COVID-19 outbreak.

To help Canadians and businesses get through these tough economic times, the Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, announced that the Government is proposing to introduce a wage subsidy of 75 per cent for qualifying businesses, for up to 3 months, retroactive to March 15, 2020.

This measure, which is a part of the Government of Canada’s COVID-19 Economic Response Plan, would support businesses that are hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and would help protect the jobs Canadians depend on during these difficult times.

• The Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy would apply at a rate of 75 per cent of the first $58,700 normally earned by employees – representing a benefit of up to $847 per week. The program would be in place for a 12-week period, from March 15 to June 6, 2020.
• Eligible employers who suffer a drop in gross revenues of at least 30 per cent in March, April or May, when compared to the same month in 2019, would be able to access the subsidy.
• Eligible employers would include employers of all sizes and across all sectors of the economy, with the exception of public sector entities.
• For non-profit organizations and registered charities similarly affected by a loss of revenue, the government will continue to work with the sector to ensure the definition of revenue is appropriate to their circumstances. The government is also considering additional support for non-profits and charities, particularly those involved in the front line response to COVID-19. Further details will be announced in the near term.
• An eligible employer’s entitlement to this wage subsidy will be based entirely on the salary or wages actually paid to employees. All employers would be expected to at least make best efforts to top up salaries to 100% of the maximum wages covered.”

It may seem difficult at this juncture to see an end to the COVID-19 crisis. Yet, the pandemic will inevitably subside, and we will collectively prevail in these most unprecedented of times. In the interim, stay safe, stay well, stay connected to family, friends, and neighbours, and remember to be kind.

Sarah Bauder

Sarah Bauder is a senior content specialist at Little Dragon Media. Sarah has a degree in journalism and has a decade of experience writing content at numerous renowned publications. She enjoys writing about digital marketing, business, entrepreneurship and more.